Columbia Bottle

[Cobradude22]

My aunt gifted this bottle to me that she found in goodwill. Pretty sure it’s a reproduction of the real thing? What do do you guys think? It sure looks good in my collection. Thanks for looking

 

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[crashbandicoot]

I better not venture an opinion,I don,t know enough about bottles,but if it,s not real it should be.Very pretty,I love that shade of blue.Thank your grandma!

 

[Red-Coat]

Attractive… but a modern repro I’m afraid.

There are six documented Columbia flask designs, produced in pint and half-pint in either blue or olive green, but none of them look like that.

The Union Glass Works Company of Kensington (Philadelphia) PA seemingly first made them in 1841 (some of them carry a ‘Union Co’ mark) but there may have been other makers in that area. They all have the American eagle clutching thunderbolts and olive branch on the opposing side to Columbus. Your flask also has the wrong kind of lip on the neck, none of the imperfections seen on the original flasks, and is unnaturally garish in colour.

If it had been an original, it would have substantial value. The reproductions generally date from the 1950s through to recent and have been produced by a number of companies. Cleavenger Brothers of Williamsburg NY and Wheaton of Millville NJ are sometimes cited, but others produced them too, for sale in gift shops as home décor.

 

[crashbandicoot]

Shucks,it,s still pretty.

 

[Harry Pristis]

This is one of the LESTOIL liquid cleaner commemorative flasks from the 1960s.

 

[Red-Coat]

This is one of the LESTOIL liquid cleaner commemorative flasks from the 1960s.

I don't think it is Harry.

As far as I know, the design on the 1960s Lestoil flasks was loosely copied from the originals and has the eagle on the opposite face like the originals (not blank like this example), but didn't have the word 'Columbia', and the pressing of the design was generally of poor definition. This is one of theirs.



I still believe it to be a modern home decor bottle that was sold empty.

 

[Harry Pristis]

I see. I think your eyes are better than mine.