Flask with a sailboat

[HenryWaltonJonesJr]

Hi all, my wife has this flask I was looking for more info about. On one side is a sailboat and the other it looks like a flower or burst of some kind. It has been passed down in her family from her grandmothers mother at least. She believes it was east coast, maybe Maine. I noticed it will stand up, but could fall over very easily, so seems to have been designed for the pocket. Any ideas on age, value, origin? Thanks in advance!

 

[sandchip]

Looks like a GX-8a to me. Rated as comparatively scarce. Dates around 1840-1850. Very nice flask.

 

[HenryWaltonJonesJr]

Thanks for the info! When I put in the gx8-a I see the google results and looks like you nailed it. Is gx8-a a serial number or style? Sorry new to all this complete old bottle world, I generally only find bits of glass on the beach!

 

[epackage]

Made in Bridgeton NJ, GX-8a would be the number given by Helen McKearin in her guide on historical flasks... Here's a link to the PDF version of her book, it's the Bible for flasks....

http://www.bottlenut.com/sites/default/files/files/Flasks.pdf

 

[HenryWaltonJonesJr]

Awesome thanks!

 

[HenryWaltonJonesJr]

I don't suppose there is a perfume bottle bible is there? She has a bunch that came from the same source as the flask wrapped up in storage. Are perfumes as collectable?

 

[epackage]

The sloop flask is in the $200-250 range

 

[Bass]

Nice collection Henry.

 

[masterjedi]

Awesome bottle...
does it have damage on the one side? Definitely pre 1865....

 

[HenryWaltonJonesJr]

Nope, no damage, the glass is just blown pretty poorly so I wouldn't display it standing up unless in a shadow box or something. It does have some candle wax on it, I could try getting it off with a finger nail, or any other ideas?

 

[masterjedi]

Or a toothpic which is soft wood and wont damage the glass...

 

[yakker]

"and the other it looks like a flower or burst of some kind."

Looks like a stylized sand dollar to me... and there are absolutely perfume bottle collectors. You have some very nice pieces there! Yakker

 

[sandchip]

"and the other it looks like a flower or burst of some kind."

Looks like a stylized sand dollar to me...

Good observation. Never thought of that.