This will be my first artifact post on this site these are a few random finds recovered recently from several sites over a period spanning the summer
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The first find is a small inkwell methinks probably from around 1900-1940 pretty wide range but I’m fairly new to bottle collecting maybe you guys can narrow that down it has what appears to be ink hardened to the inside
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Next is a plain aqua colored bottle found near a local early 1900s distillery a date on that would be appreciated as well
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Next is an old paper label and screw top also aqua blue any idea what it was used for?
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Ceramic pitcher?maybe a jug found nearby to the plain aqua from the Distillery site
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Just would like a date on this rose glass bottle neck
This was my first post just sharing a few bottles any information would be appreciated I left out a few to keep it short thanks for viewing
Happy hunting
Hi, welcome here to treasurenet.
I too am fairly new to bottle hunting. In fact the only bottle find I have found have been Maine Medicine bottles, well one Mass Cough Killer and two Maine bottles, the way I found them isn't standard, they were found because I needed a place found an apartment to rent, moved in and they were there.
This has happened to me more often than I thought it would. I found a 25 + Knick Knack bear collection in a recent apartment move, as well as Arcoroc Restaurant and Bar professional grade glassware- all condiment candy dishes about a 6 piece candy/condiment Arcoroc Dish collection. So it happened twice, now the bears and the arcoroc are not antique, but the glassware is in great condition and very useful and sturdy, and the bears are pretty decent condition, sell value at this seems zilch, but I really love the excitement of finding things in this way.
Which brings me to my point and advice here, I am by no means an experienced bottle collector with one find under my belt, but I really appreciate the hobby and can share what I've learned.
1. Expect to think of creative ideas on where to find and hunt bottles. Do not rule out that visit to a friend and they hand you a bottle because they may not have an interest and you show an interest. Do not rule out moving and finding something interesting or unique, essentially be open that you may have some luck and not have to dig at all or pay an amount for a find. Sometimes life will give you positive surprises.
2. Check the bottoms, as well as following the bottle identifying link one of the members here gave, of your bottles and porcelain etc you find. Look for identifying labels and dates. Read on how to identify antique Porcelain as well. A lot of antique porcelain is not labeled by company or date.
You may not always find a bottle, glass, porcelain ect that is old, but do not be afraid to research and identify anyway. Many things I have found and kept that are not old and worth even a hundred buckaroos I have kept because of their interesting history, and the life these objects have lived.
There is a lot of pottery too that can be found and cleaned that while may not be antique, may still very much look very nice, and be a nice piece. There are many very nice pieces out there that would look marvelous in someone's china cabinet.
And now if you have time to respond, could you please give me some pointers on how to find glass bottles, porcelain, glassware and such by actually digging? Like I said the oldest glass finds I have found, I happened to walk into a storage room in a new apartment and found there, took to my father and asked what are these? They look kind of cool, to which he responded, hey those are old medicine bottles. And then I got a History lesson, and grew an appreciation for glass bottles, which grew to include pottery, porcelain, what have you.
So welcome, nice finds, and if you haven't yet check the bottoms of those pieces and elsewhere for any identifying marks, labels, and don't forget check out that link you were given.
