American Bottles & Flasks and Their Ancestry - by Helen McKearin and Kenneth M. Wilson.  Crown Publishers, Inc., New York, copyright 1978 (implicit first edition, though I think there was only one edition anyway).  This is hands down (in my opinion) the best, most well researched book ever done on the subject of American made bottles - particularly those made from the late 18th through late 19th centuries.  I consider it one of the top five bottle books every published as it is of use by students of American glass making, archaeologists, collectors and those just interested in the subject of American bottle making.  I list it as part of the essential bottle book "canon" on my other, purely educational Historic Glass Bottle Identification & Information Website.  This is a very thick (779 pages), larger format (about 9" x 11") book with a hardbound cloth cover and a dust jacket (unclipped - original price $29.95).  Condition of this copy is very good to fine for the book itself - it is tight and sound with no splits (these large - 5 pound - books are prone to such), no writing inside...the only issues being a little bit of light induced discoloring to the top of the blue cloth cover boards and some minor page edge soiling.  The dust jacket is a little frayed and rough here and there along the edges, but doing its job of protecting the book and is not too bad.  (I will put it in a mylar protective cover if desired.)  I advise people who ask that this is probably the first book to buy if interested in the history of bottles and bottle making in America...maybe just the first one period.  $90.00 postpaid *

The Bertrand Bottles - A Study of 19th-Century Glass and Ceramic Containers - by Ronald R. Switzer.  This book, published by the National Park Service (Department of Interior) in 1974 is one of the classic works in the field of historic archaeology as it pertains to bottles.  The Bertrand was a steamboat that sunk in the Missouri River on April Fools Day 1865.  It was relocated in 1968 on U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service refuge lands in Iowa (I think) and subsequently salvaged as it was now in a farm field the river having meandered away.  The Bertrand went down with several thousand items of bottled goods destined for the gold fields of Montana and created a "snap shot" in time of bottle types that were in use in 1865.  This is an overview and catalog of the items found and the information in this 100 page softbound book is exceptional; also long out of print.  The condition of the offered copy (the image is not of the offered copy) is in fine condition with little wear to the cover (unusual), no writing inside, or other significant problems...and the book binding is very tight and sound.   $20.00 postpaid *

Sarsaparilla Bottle Encyclopedia - by Phyllis Shimko.  If you are interested in the history behind sarsaparilla bottles, this is the book to have (DeGraftt's more commonly seen book has no history behind the bottles).  Long out of print and very hard to find.  Privately published in 1969 with around 200 pages, softbound cover (they were all softbound), first and only edition. Shimko (from Aurora, OR. and a founder of the Oregon Bottle Collectors Association) did an excellent job of researching sarsaparilla bottles and the amount of information in this book is exceptional.  Loads of illustrations (line drawings) of the bottles with advertising and lots of company related historical information.  Condition of this copy is fine to very fine being very tight and sound and is actually one of the best I've ever had as these are books that "weather" poorly (it is actually better than my own copy which I purchased from Phyllis).  The only "issue" with this book is a small inscription in ink inside the front cover.  (Note: the image is not of the offered book which is actually in better condition that the image shows as there is very little soiling to the cover.)   $70.00 postpaid *

Bottle Makers and Their Marks - by Julian H. Toulouse.  Copyright 1972, which is actually the scarcer 2nd printing (there were only two printings).  This popular and relatively hard to get book is the best reference on the subject of bottle manufacturers and their markings.  Desired by archaeologists and collectors alike.  Dr. Toulouse was the chief engineer of the Owens-Illinois Glass Company and an acknowledged expert on the subject of glassmaking and glassmakers.  This copy is in fine+ condition with no significant issues at all to the book (and no writing inside) .  The dust jacket is in very good shape (and not price clipped) with just some minor crinkling/wear along the dust jacket edges, although it is in a mylar protective cover.  A very tight and sound book that looks to having not been used much - a shame because it is full of great information that helps with the dating of bottles.  I list this book also as part of the essential bottle book "canon" on my other, purely educational Historic Glass Bottle Identification & Information Website.  (Note: Photo is not of the currently offered book, but is virtually identical in condition.)  $85.00 postpaid *

FRUIT JARS - A Collector's Manual - by Julian H. Toulouse.  Copyright 1969 and published by the Thomas Nelson & Sons.  This book is an essential one if you are into fruit jars and the dating and history of them, though it also covers lots of related patent and glass making information.  This is the first edition published in 1969 and is in very good to fine condition - book itself is fine+ with just some very light soiling on the page edges and is otherwise very tight & sound; no writing inside the book.  The dust jacket (price clipped) looks very good (and is in a mylar protective cover put on more recently) with some soiling and wear around the edges and top/bottom of the spin where some minor paper taping was done to stop a relatively short tear on the upper back.  (Note:  The photo is a stock photo of mine and not of the actual book, though the cover condition is almost identical.)  There were several printings of this  book though this is the first edition/printing and a bit hard to come by.  This book is an important work also from the perspective of glassmaker history and really a companion work to Toulouse's classic Bottle Makers & Their Marks which was published 2 years later. (Note:  This book was recently reprinted by Blackburn Press, denoting it's importance.  However, it is softbound and priced at $62.95 + postage.  Get the original here for less!)  I list this book also as part of the essential bottle book "canon" on my other, purely educational Historic Glass Bottle Identification & Information Website.   $40.00 postpaid *

The Parks Canada Glass Glossary - by Olive Jones & Catherine Sullivan.  Revised Edition, 1989, National Historic Parks and Sites, Canadian Parks Service, Environment Canada.  Spiral bound soft cover, larger format, 184 pages.  Jones & Sullivan's classic professional work on bottle & glass identification and dating is probably the most often quoted reference on the subject in the professional archaeologist/cultural resources world.  Impeccably researched and illustrated this book is a must for the archaeologist who records historic artifact information as well as the collector interested in dating and classifying their bottles.   This is also one of the books that I list as part of the essential bottle book "canon" on my other, purely educational Historic Glass Bottle Identification & Information Website.   A hard to find book; this example is in new condition.  $25.00 postpaid *

Bottles on the Western Frontier - by Rex Wilson.  Copyright 1981, 12" by 9" larger format book with full color thick paper covers (i.e., softbound), 144 pages, hundreds of pictures and illustrations, first (and only) edition (like most bottle books).  One of the classic books on bottles that was based on the authors excavations at several Western Army forts which were active between 1849 and 1891.  This book has appeal to both archaeologists and collectors due to it excellent research and information...and just because it is a great book with good pictures, histories, and information.  Condition of this book is much above the average for these, i.e., fine++ with a very tight binding, no writing inside,  virtually no soiling, and just some very limited edge wear/chipping to a couple spots on the cover.  (Note:  The weird lines on the scan are from the scanner and are not on the book cover which is virtually perfect.)  A must book for every collector and archaeologist's library.   $30.00 postpaid *

A Choice Listing of the Most Desired Older Whiskey Bottles by John L. Thomas.  Here is a scarce first edition of Thomas's first (1969) book on the subject of western liquor bottles (earlier cylinders and flasks) which is SIGNED by John inside the front cover.  Even though the pricing information is woefully out of date (wish I could get a California Club House bottle for $1000!)  the historical information found in this book is still of current utility and not much different than the most recent manifestation of this book from the 2002 (I think).  Condition of this example is good to very good with some roughness to the top cover where a sticker was attached and largely pulled off (visible in the image; click to enlarge); also some light soiling to the cover and page edges but otherwise a tight sound book with no loose pages or writing inside beside by Thomas ("Hope you enjoy the book. John L. Thomas").  Classic Western bottle book and collectible in its own right.  $35.00 postpaid *

Whiskey Bottles and Liquor Containers From the The State of Oregon - by John Thomas.  Published in 1998, this softbound book is the best historical and collector work on liquor (or any) bottles from this great state.  The late Mr. Thomas was a pioneer in the research of Western liquor bottles, this being - with the Washington book - his last works.  Great books with very nice illustrations, pictures, and history.  This one is in new condition, having never been read or opened.  Get one before they become unavailable like all good bottle books do eventually.  $19.00 postpaid *

Whiskey Bottles and Liquor Containers From The State of Washington - by John Thomas.  Published in 1998, this softbound book is the best historical and collector work on liquor (or any) bottles from this great state.  The late Mr. Thomas was a pioneer in the research of Western liquor bottles, this being - with the Oregon equivalent book - his last works.  Great books with very nice illustrations, pictures, and history.  This one is in new condition, having never been read or opened.  Get one before they become unavailable like all good bottle books do eventually.  List price $24.95, get it here for $19.00 postpaid.*

The Mouth-Blown Bottle - by Grace Kendrick.  Edwards Bros., Ann Arbor, MI., copyright 1968, hardbound yellow cloth cover with dust jacket, 200 pages, first edition.  Another classic long-out-of-print book that is one of the best, easy to read, discussions of glass blowing using hand and mouth techniques.  Scores of pictures showing all aspects of the blowing process, molds, pontil rods, etc.  The condition of this copy - book and dust jacket - is the best I've ever seen.  It is in essentially near-new condition and appears to have never been used.  These books typically do not "wear" very well, but this is the exception.  It is essentially perfect with no writing inside, no scuffing on the dust jacket (a couple tiny closed tears on edge), not price clipped, crackly tight binding and incredibly sound.  (Note: The image is not of the actual book dust jacket which is in much better condition.)  If you want the best copy available this is it (it is better than my "keeper" one).  Great addition to any bottle collectors or archaeologists library.  $35.00 postpaid *

Western Collector Magazines - August through December 1969.   I usually don't handle magazines, but these are an big exception.  Included with this 5 issue set are the November 1969 and December 1969 issues which have the two part series by Dr. Julian Toulouse entitled "A Primer on Mold Seams."  If you haven't read or heard of these exceptionally fine article you have missed out.  These articles are the best overview of bottle molding, mold seams, and related subjects ever written and are among the most quoted of references (next to maybe Grace Kendrick's books) in the professional and collector worlds.  Also included in this deal are the August through October 1969 issues since I received them as a set and I already have copies of all of them.  They have some more great articles, though not of the milestone character of Toulouse's work.  The condition of these magazines is essentially mint - they have never been really read (I looked at them gently) and have no writing or addresses marked on them.  They are much better than my own copies actually.  Not sure where they were sitting for last 36 years, but it was a well protected place.  Rare and significant magazines.  $30.00 postpaid *

The Heddon's Story Handbook of Proprietary Medicines by James Seeley White.  Copyright 1974, softbound (all were to my knowledge), 95 pages, with a nice glossy photographic cover.  This is a fascinating book based on the contents of an old drugstore in Portland, OR.  The research of the bottles (all photographed) included is excellent making this book of broader appeal than one would think.  Condition is essentially perfect (very fine+) with little to no soiling or other problems; tight and sound.  $20.00 postpaid *

The Bottles, Breweriana, and Advertising Jugs of Minnesota 1850-1920 - Volume 2: Whiskey, Druggist, Medicine.  Editor & co-author Ron Feldhaus.  First edition 1987 (#131 of 1000), softbound, larger format 11" by 8 1/2", 200 pages, signed by the author on the title page.  This is Vol. 2 of a classic two volume work on the bottles of Minnesota.  This is also one of those collector based books that is exceptional in providing excellent regional history as well as hundreds of photographs/illustrations of the bottles and lots of related items.  Condition is very good with just some cover/page edge wear, almost invisible soiling, and a couple notations of value lightly penned in on one page - otherwise the book is tight and sound.  Also includes the 1987 price guide booklet and a flyer advertising the books.    $25.00 postpaid *

Patent Medicine Picture - by Kay Devner.  Softbound larger format book (8.5" x 11"), 106 pages, copyright 1968, printed by the Tombstone Epitaph, AZ.  Condition is very good with some mild discoloring and soiling to the cover and some evidence of use but otherwise tight and sound.  This book is a compilation of hundreds (several thousand) patent or proprietary medicine bottles with some illustrations, the dates that the products were advertised, and what claims they made.  Fike in his classic 1987 medicine book (The Bottle Book) relied significantly on Devner's information.  Long out of print of course and hard to find, like most good bottles books published in past decades.  SOLD!

Whitall, Tatum & Co. 1880 - This is a Pyne Press (Princeton University) reprint from  their "American Historical Catalog Collection" series from 1971.  Softbound like all versions of this book.  Contains the entire 1880 Whitall, Tatum & Co. Druggists', Chemists', and Perfumers' Glassware catalog that is an invaluable guide to bottle types and shapes from 1880.  Whitall Tatum was very big in the world of plate mold druggist bottles (lots of plate examples illustrated within) as well as all types of druggist glassware and products.  This book is desired and used extensively by archaeologists and researchers in their work, but also is quite useful and informative to collectors as well.  Condition is very fine+ and is very tight and sound with virtually no wear and appears to have never been opened.   Hard to find and often selling for much more.  $35.00 postpaid *

Illinois Glass Company 1903-1904 catalog reprint - Larger format (about 8.5" by 11") reprint of the Illinois Glass Company "Bottles of Every Description" catalog.  60 pages which has 4 original catalog pages per page - many of the original catalogs were about the size of a modern paperback novel (though there was a larger version also).  Undated but was apparently done in the 1970's by Collector Books of Paducah, Kentucky and long out of print.  Old bottle maker catalogs are invaluable assets when trying to determine the age or function (i.e. use) of different shaped bottles.  The reprinted catalog dates from just before the automatic bottle machine began its climb to dominance so everything in the book is of hand-made or "mouth-blown" bottles, with the exception of a few semi-automatic wide mouth jars and bottles.  The condition of the offered copy (the image is not of this copy) is fine or better - near new in appearance and tight and sound.  Great resource for the collector or archaeologist.   $20.00 postpaid *

Bottle Identification - by H. E. Putnam.  Softbound larger format (8 1/2" by 11") book copyrighted in 1965.  Though not stated, this book is a reprint of the 1911 Illinois Glass Company "Bottles of Every Description" catalog (I have an original and compared) produced during an important time of transition from mouth-blown to machine-made bottles, though most of the bottles listed in this catalog were still mouth-blown.  Profusely illustrated with hundreds of bottles, sizes, prices, etc.., this book compliments the IGCo. 1903-1904 catalog reprint (sold).   These books tended to weather poorly, though this example is in very good+ with some light cover soiling and a little wear on the corners and edges.  A tight and sound book, which like the other reprint (and original) catalogs listed here, are valuable tools for the identification of bottles by shape.   $15.00 postpaid *

*Postpaid in the United States via media mail (aka "book rate"); other countries would be additional cost.