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.)   $75.00 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.  (Note: Photo is not of the currently offered book, but is virtually identical in condition.)  $100 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 (I'm out of copies of this book, alas) 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!)   $45.00 postpaid *

19th Century Medicine in Glass by Bill & Betty Wilson.  Copyright 1971 and published by 19th Century Hobby and Publishing Co., Amador City, CA.  Softbound (like all copies - no hardbound version was ever made to my knowledge), larger format (8 1/2" x 11") book with around a 160 pages.  This book is very hard to find these days but is a classic - a well researched book that is an excellent source of information on common and not so common medicine bottles made during the 19th century, with a bit of favoring of Western medicines, though probably most are Eastern in origin.  Profusely illustrated with pictures of all of the covered bottles, advertising, and very large section at the back of the book that describes the history behind the bottles listed - probably the most important section of the book.  Condition of this copy is very good to fine being quite tight with no loose pages (common on these books), some average soiling to the yellow cover (these books came with at least three different subtle cover variations) which has some splotchy ink marks that may have been from sloppy printing (see enlargement of book cover), and some wear to the cover edges & corners...still a better than average copy actually.  I only rarely have an extra copy of this book but here is one now and it is, frankly, a better than average copy.  $80 postpaid *

Western Bitters - by Bill & Betty Wilson.  Copyright 1969.  Photographic "plasticized" hardback cover with no dust jacket (as issued).  As with the Wilson's book above, this is the classic on the subject and the source of information for Jeff Wichmann's more recent book (though Jeff's book has great color images and the Wilson's are B&W but profuse).  Not much else to say about it except a must for all Western or bitters bottle collectors.  (Image is not of this book but essentially identical in appearance.)  This books condition is fine or better with some soiling/wear primarily to the back cover and just a bit of mildew smell to the book, although there is really no water damage (an almost invisible "waviness" to a small part of a few pages towards the back).  Also no writing inside and an overall very tight and sound book.  $45.00 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.   A hard to find book; this example is in new condition.  $40.00 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.   $35.00 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.  $40.00 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.  $45.00 postpaid *

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.  $45.00 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.  $35.00 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.  $25.00 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.    $30.00 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.  $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.   $17.50 postpaid *

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

SOLD ITEMS

19th Century Medicine in Glass by Bill & Betty Wilson.  Copyright 1971 and published by 19th Century Hobby and Publishing Co., Amador City, CA.  Softbound (like all of them - no hardbound version) larger format (8 1/2" x 11") book with around a 160 pages.  This hard to find and well researched book is an excellent source of information on of the common and not so common medicine bottles made during the 19th century.  Profusely illustrated with pictures of all of the covered bottles, advertising, and very large section at the back of the book that describes the history behind the bottles listed.  Condition is very good being quite tight with no loose pages (common on these books) and just some average soiling to the cover. some bumping to the edges of the back cover,  and a little very light water staining to the lower edge of the last page of the book.  I rarely have extra copies of these and this example is better than my personal copy which I originally got from the Wilson's when published (it's signed by Bill Wilson so I'm keeping it anyway).  This offered example also includes the 1971 "Price Guide" making this book totally complete.  SOLD!

American Breweries II - by Dale P. Van Wieren.  Copyright 1995 (apparent first edition/first printing), softbound (all are I believe), 5" x 8.5" in size, 550+ pages. This book is a must have for anyone - collector or archaeologist - who is trying to date the age of American beer bottles made by companies in business from 1876 to 1976.  This book is the update of the classic one by Bull, Friedrich & Gottschalk in 1984 which was an update from the original one by Friedrich & Bull in 1976 ("The Register of United States Breweries - 1876-1976").  In any event, there is no more useful book around on the subject and I've found it to be an incredible tool in my work on the Historic Bottle Website - I have all three books and the 1995 update is the best of them, not surprisingly.  Condition of this book is very fine++ and appears to just have been opened a couple times...tight, sound, with no soiling or writing inside, and virtually no wear...basically new.  I don't believe these are still in print and are somewhat difficult to obtain (look on ABE at the prices they ask - $500 for a second printing! - ridiculous of course).   SOLD!

The Mouth-Blown Bottle - by Grace Kendrick.  Edwards Bros., Ann Arbor, MI., copyright 1968, softbound cover, no dust jacket (as issued), 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 rare softbound copy is very good - the cover has moderate scuffing wear, but the book itself is very tight and sound with creamy white good condition pages.  No writing inside except for the original price stamped inside the front cover.  Great addition to any bottle collectors or archaeologists library.  SOLD!

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.  Condition is fine or better - virtually new in appearance and tight and sound.  Great resource for the collector or archaeologist.   SOLD!

A Treasury of American Bottles - by William C. Ketcham, Jr.  Copyright 1971, A&W Visual Library, New York, N.Y., 224 pages.  Along with Dr. Munsey's milestone 1970 book ("Collecting Bottles") this is an excellent general reference on bottles and includes a lot of information on bottle & glass making and types of bottles.  As such, it is timeless in utility - i.e. not a simple out-of-date price guide.  It is also loaded with color and black & white pictures that are of very high quality and has a decent glossary of bottle related terms.  This is the softbound edition and is in fine or better condition with must some very light cover scuffing and a small name label inside the cover (a mailing address label) that could be removed.  One of the better general books that is long out of print.  SOLD!

Picnics, Coffins, Shoo-Flies - by John Thomas.  This book is long out of print, this example is the first edition published in 1974 (there was also a 1977 second and final printing), and THE source for the best information on the liquor flasks of the West.  Period.  Softbound cover in Thomas's typical larger format size of 8 1/4" by 11 3/4".  Covers over 400 flasks from primarily California, Oregon, and Washington (with a few others) with exceptionally well researched information and history on the companies and saloon proprietors that put out the flasks.  Condition is very good to fine with only some minor soiling to the cover with the bindings and pages tight and sound.  Excellent copy and very hard to find.  SOLD!

Handbook for the Bottle-ologist - by Richard Fike.  Copyright 1966, apparent first printing, larger format booklet (like the ones above), 48 pages, and also signed by the author.  Condition is good to very good with some cover discoloring from the sun (see picture) and some light soiling but otherwise tight and sound and still stapled.  Fike went on to write one of the classics in the field "The Bottle Book" on patent medicines but this is where he started.  The book has over 1000 bottles listed with numerous illustrations of various ones apparently found by him and others in the Great Basin.  Has some historical information and generally a nice book...and mandatory for the complete bottle information library.  SOLD!

The Fruit Jar Works - Volumes 1 & 2 - By Alice & Steven Creswick.  Copyright 1987, hardbound cloth covers with dust jackets.  Vol. I covers jars made prior to 1900 (mouth-blown), Vol. II is 1900 and after (primarily machine-made jars).   In regards to fruit jars, this work from the Creswick's (along with Dick Roller's even less available book) is the best in that it has exceptional historical information on virtually all known fruit jars and the companies that made them.  Both these books are autographed by Alice Creswick in blue ink - click autographed title page to see the autograph in Vol. 1.  Because of the extensive glass company history in this monumental work, the books have utility far beyond just fruit jars and are a great resource for all students of bottle & glass making.  Condition of both is very good to fine - both have no writing (besides the autograph) inside, are tight and sound and no funny smells.  The dust jackets are very good with some corner bumping, a few short closed tears on the edges here and there, and some minor soiling and wear...and marks where the price stickers were removed.  Overall, both are excellent books in excellent condition.  Incidentally, these are the first printings of the pair; another (identical) printing was done in 1995 by Douglas Leybourne the current author and publisher of the Red Book.  Both volumes together -  SOLD!

Picnics, Coffins, Shoo-Flies - by John Thomas.  This book is long out of print, first being published in 1974.  This example is the second - and final - printing from 1977.  Thomas's book continues to be THE source of the best information on these type  liquor flasks from the West.  Period.  Softbound cover in Thomas's typical larger format size of 8 1/4" by 11 3/4".  Covers over 400 flasks from primarily California, Oregon, and Washington (with a few others) with exceptionally well researched information and history on the companies and saloon proprietors that put out the flasks.  Condition is fine condition with only some extremely minor soiling to the cover with the bindings and pages tight and sound.  Excellent copy and very hard to find.  SOLD!

Washington Sodas - The Illustrated History of Washington's Soft Drink Industry by Ron Fowler.  Copyright 1986 (First Printing), softbound with plastic spiral binding (like all of these books), 380 pages.  THE book on Washington soda, but so much more.  Ron's research is exceptional and the book is just filled with bottle illustrations, history, dating, and more.  An indispensable addition to all collectors and archaeologists bottle reference libraries.  This book is in very good condition with just a little wear, a few splotchy stain marks to the cover, and a few of the holes on the back cover loose from the plastic spiral.  Overall a nice book however.  SOLD!

Ice-Cold Soda Pop 5¢ - An Illustrated History of Oregon Soda Pop Bottling by Ron Fowler.  Copyright 1981 (First Printing), softbound with plastic spiral bound (like all of these books I believe), 78 pages.  Like the Washington book above, this is THE book for Oregon soda bottles.  This was Ron's second book I believe (there was a precursor on Oregon sodas) and again an excellent source of information on soda bottles in Oregon with ample history, dating, advertisements, bottle illustrations, and more.  Condition is about the same as the above book - very good with only some light soiling, one plastic flange missing, but otherwise very nice and useable. SOLD!

A History of the American Soft Drink Industry - Bottled Carbonated Beverages - 1807-1957.  By John J. Riley, Published by the American Bottlers of Carbonated Beverages, Washington, D. C. 1958.  This hardbound printing (no dust jacket as issued I believe) is the re-print by ARNO press in 1972 though still a very hard book to get a hold of.  Click HERE to see the title page.  Like the Lief book on closures above, this book is the most quoted source of information on the subject of American bottled carbonated beverages (i.e., soda pop) in the professional and collectors worlds.  The book contains a lot of information on the subject including closures, origins in America, bottling machines, soda manufacturing companies, etc. over the time period noted in the title (up to the original publishing date essentially).  An indispensable resource for the researcher or those interested in the industry.  Condition is fine more or less with no problems besides some bumping and light soiling the cover and page edges; no writing or other issues and the overall book is relatively tight and sound.  This was my research copy until I finally acquired an original (both printings are identical)...and probably less than I paid.   SOLD!

A Close-Up of Closures - History and Progress - by Alfred Lief, Glass Containers Manufactures Institute, New York.  Softbound 48 page book that was published in 1965 and is probably the most quoted source of information on bottle closures in the professional and avocational literature.  Although small, it contains a wealth of information on a lot of different closures from the good old cork to Hutchinson stopper to screw caps...and much, much more.  Condition of the book is very good+ with just a little soiling to the cover but otherwise quite tight and sound for a paperback (book only published as a paperback).  SOLD!

Sarsaparilla Bottle Encyclopedia - by Phyllis Shimko.  If you are interested in the history behind sarsaparilla bottles, this is the book to have.  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; far more than any other sarsaparilla book ever published.  Loads of illustrations (line drawings) of the bottles with advertising and lots of company related historical information.  Condition is very good with just some light soiling to the cover and page edges; the book itself is very tight and sound for a paperback with no loose pages.  SOLD!

American Sarsaparilla Bottles  - by John DeGrafft.  Copyright 1980 (first and only edition), 6" x 9" format, softbound, 158 pages.  This is the standard book for those cataloging (like auction houses and dealers) and describing sarsaparilla bottles.  It has very nicely done illustrations and descriptions of the bottles, but alas very little history.  For the history behind a lot of sarsaparilla bottles, one must consult Shimko's excellent but much, much harder to obtain, book (a copy of which is offered above).  Condition of this book is very good with minor soiling and wear, and a few notations here and there in the book in pencil that could be easily erased.  A must book for those interested in interpreting what someone means when they list a sarsaparilla as "DeGrafft #145" and such.    SOLD!

Illinois Glass Company - Bottles of Every Description 1903-1904 catalog - An ORIGINAL Illinois Glass Company catalog from January 1st, 1903.  240 pages, 5 7/8" x 4+", hardbound cloth cover.  These type original bottle makers catalogs are far and few between and this one wouldn't be for sale except that I have the larger format one from the same year; yes, some years the IGCo. catalogs came in a small and large size.  These are invaluable tools for researchers as well as being highly collectible.  Contained within the 240 pages are hundreds of illustrations of the bottles that they produced or carried, which was an incredible variety of all types of bottles from prescription drug bottles, to Hutchinson sodas, to scores of different liquor bottles, and more.  Click soda bottles to see a couple of pages of those bottles.  Click title page to see that page with the facing illustration of the plant in Alton, IL.  The condition of this example is relatively good with generally clean, off-white pages that are all there with only a few little edge rips and tear here and there.  The binding is tight and sound with no loose pages or splits though the reddish cloth cover boards are darkened by time (see picture) and soil and creased (very common on these for some reason) but securely intact.  There is also some occasional page chipping, pencil marks, turned page corners, tiny bit of page edge water marking here and there, and soiling but an overall sound but used book.  All of the catalogs that I've seen have various problems related to age and the fact that these were just catalogs and not necessarily secured away on someone's bookshelf for safe keeping.  This is, incidentally, the year and size catalog that was reproduced in the 1970s (reproduction catalog listed further down the page).  Get an original piece of bottle making history.  SOLD!

Whitall Tatum Company 1924-1925 - Another rare bottle makers catalog that also includes a host of other "Druggists' Sundries" in addition to an extensive line of bottles.  110 pages, 9 1/2" by 6 5/8", thick paper cover.  Click title page to see that.  Whitall Tatum was most well known for producing proprietary (embossed) druggist bottles from the 1870s through the era of this catalog.  Even at this time, W. T. Co. was producing plate mold druggist bottles that were surely hand blown still as plate mold machine-made proprietary druggist bottles are virtually unknown.  Click druggist bottles to see a scan of one of the pages with the plate mold drug bottles.  Besides offering scores of bottles, the catalog is also loaded with other druggist/drug store supplies, including rubber things; W. T. Co. had there own rubber goods plant. Click Keyport Rubber Works to see the pictures from the catalog showing this concern.   Also included is the discount price list for 1924 which is a small separate booklet.  Condition of the catalog is also pretty good as follows:  covers are moderately soiled and creased but intact and solidly attached to the book (see image to the right); pages are a bit off-white to slightly yellowed but not brittle; some bent page corners, closed edge tears and the like.  Overall a decent catalog in sound condition, though exhibiting its age and use.  Rare and highly collectible.   SOLD!

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.   Autographed by Ms. Kendrick on the title page - click autograph to see the title page and signature.  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 about fine - the book itself is tight and sound with creamy white pages, little wear, and no problems.  The dust jacket is in very good shape with minimal wear/soiling and very minor edge creases and very short closed tears.  No writing inside except for the authors signature.  Great addition to any bottle collectors or archaeologists library.   SOLD!

Bottle Makers and Their Marks - by Julian H. Toulouse.  Copyright 1972 - the actually 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 very fine+ condition with no significant issues at all to the book; there is a bit of edge curling to the dust jacket and one really short closed tear to the bottom edge of the cover side of the dust jacket.  Like new tight and possibly never read - a shame because it is full of great information that helps with the dating of bottles.  DJ not price clipped either.  Like new and possibly never read.   SOLD!

For some cost savings, I also have another copy of Bottle Maker's (also the 2nd printing) that is very good to fine condition with a small spot of faint white-ish water stain in the lower right hand corner of the front cover and some light reddish edge staining (from cover material) to the top and bottom of the attached front endpaper.   The dust jacket is in very good condition (no rips or chunks missing) with just a bit of corner/edge wear.  It also got a bit wet on the edge  as there is some of the red cover dye staining the front and spine top & bottom edges of the dj an average of an inch in or so (shows in picture though not quite as dramatic in real life); dust jacket is now in a mylar protective cover.  Overall a nice tight book with only slight cosmetic issues; no writing inside.  Click here for a picture of this copy.  It appears that this book has also been little used - a shame because it is full of great information that helps with the dating of bottles.  Still one of the better copies which beats the heck out of the very few well used or beat up ex-library ones that are listed for the same or higher price on the internet book sites. Because of the dust jacket staining we can offer it at a bargain price -  SOLD!

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 light soiling on the page edges and otherwise tight & sound; no writing inside the book.  The dust jacket is very good with some light scuffing, a little wear around the edges and top/bottom of the spine, and a closed but short tear on the lower spine edge and one on the lower back edge.  There were several printings, but this is the first edition/printing and a bit hard to come by in this good of condition.  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 (listed above) 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!)   SOLD!

The Illustrated Guide to Collecting Bottles - by Cecil Munsey.  Although long out of print this book is, in my opinion, the best general book on bottle collecting ever written and a must have for any collector.  Hawthorne Books, Copyright 1970 (later printing), larger format 11 1/4" x 8 1/2", hardbound with dust jacket, 308 pages.  Lavishly illustrated with hundreds of photographs this book has it all in regards to the manufacture and collecting of bottles.  Book itself is very good+, moderately tight, light page edge soiling, but no writing or other problems of note. Condition of the dust jacket is in good+ condition with some closed tears, a bit of edge chipping and roughness, and a couple short pieces of clear tape on a couple of the edge tears...also is price clipped.   Overall a very nice example that will provide more information in one place than any other book.  (Note: The photo is of a similar book I used to have not the specific one for sale here...though the description is of the currently for sale example; email me if questions.)   SOLD!

Spirits Bottles of the Old West - by Bill & Betty Wilson.  Copyright 1968.  Photographic "plasticized" hardback cover with no dust jacket (never had one originally).  This is the classic - and first book - on Western liquor bottles.  Actually this book covers Eastern and some imported "spirits" bottles also, but the slant is definitely towards the West as the title implies.  The Wilson's book helped to popularize the specialization of collecting Western whiskey bottles, helping to establish forever the distinction between "glob top" whiskeys and "tooled" (or neatly made) whiskeys - a distinction that still seizes the imagination (and pocketbook) of Western collectors.  This example is in fine condition and inscribed by both authors!  The first of the three classics by these authors (4 if you count Betty Wilson's (aka Zumwalt) book on food bottles listed below).   SOLD!

PATENT MEDICINE TAX STAMPS - by Henry W. Holcomb.  This is a VERY hard to get book that I was fortunate enough to come across a second copy of.  Subtitled "A History of the Firms Using United States Private Die Proprietary Medicine Tax Stamps", Quarterman Publications, Inc., Copyright 1979, hardbound light blue cloth cover with dust jacket, 600 pages.  This book is a reprint of Holcomb's articles from the 1930s and early 40s in various stamp related publications and contains incredible history - with lots of illustrations - of scores of patent medicine companies and is one of the primary sources that many other authors have consulted for their books on medicine bottles.  Condition of the book is excellent as it is very clean, tight and sound with clean white pages.  The only book issue issue is that the last two pages (one blank) have a strip of paper (1/4" to just under 1" wide) torn off the outside edge of these pages...weird and may have been "in-making."  This does affect the end of two page numbers of the last two entries in the index but has no affect whatsoever on the book information  Dust jacket is good to very good with a few closed tears on several corners and the spine and only the lightest of faint soiling. Nice copy for a decent price.  SOLD!

American Breweries II - by Dale P. Van Wieren.  Copyright 1995 (apparent first edition/first printing), softbound (all are I believe), 5" x 8.5" in size, 550+ pages. This book is a must have for anyone - collector or archaeologist - who is trying to date the age of American beer bottles made by companies in business from 1876 to 1976.  This book is the update of the classic one by Bull, Friedrich & Gottschalk in 1984 which was an update from the original one by Friedrich & Bull in 1976 ("The Register of United States Breweries - 1876-1976").  In any event, there is no more useful book around on the subject and I've found it to be an incredible tool in my work on the Historic Bottle Website - I have all three books and this 1995 update is the best of them all, not surprisingly.  Condition of this book is essentially new with no problems whatsoever.  I don't believe these are still in print and are somewhat difficult to obtain.   SOLD!

Bottles on the Western Frontier - by Rex Wilson.  Copyright 1981, 12" by 9" larger format book with full color thick paper covers, 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 - due to it excellent research and information - and collectors, just because it is a great book with good pictures, histories, and information.  (Note:  The weird lines on the scan are from the scanner and are not on the book cover.)  Condition is very good with tight binding, no writing inside, some page corner edge curling, very mild soiling, and some light edge wear/chipping to the cover.   A must book for every collector and archaeologist's library.   SOLD!

SOFT DRINK BOTTLING - A HISTORY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ILLINOIS - By John Paul and Paul Parmalee.  Larger format softbound book (they are all softbound in my experience), copyright 1973 (first and only edition), privately published, 121 pages.  This is one of the best books on the subject of soft drinks, bottles, and the history of the industry in hand with Riley's book (listed below but sold).  This book has chapters on "early history", closures, soda fountains, "the bottled product", labeling, and so much more.  The back 1/4th is about Illinois bottles but the rest of book is pertinent to all U. S. soda bottling.  Condition of this example is very good with some very, very light, non-detracting soiling and wear and a moderately tight binding; no writing inside or other issues.  Long out of print and hard to find, this book is a must for any complete historic bottle book library.  SOLD!

The Illustrated Guide to Collecting Bottles - by Cecil Munsey.  Although long out of print this book is, in my opinion, the best general book on bottle collecting ever written and a must have for any collector.  Hawthorne Books, Copyright 1970 (this is the scarce first edition & printing), larger format 11 1/4" x 8 1/2", hardbound with dust jacket, 308 pages.  Lavishly illustrated with hundreds of photographs this book has it all in regards to the manufacture and collecting of bottles.  Book itself is in very good to fine condition, quite tight with just some minor corner bumping and no writing or other problems of note. Condition of the dust jacket is in very good condition with some closed edge tears, a bit of edge chipping and roughness here and there, and is not price clipped.   Overall a very nice example that will provide more information in one place than any other bottle book.  (Note: The photo is of a similar book not the specific one for sale here...although the description is of the currently for sale example which has at least as clean and bright of a dust jacket; email me if questions.)   SOLD!

Cylindrical English Wine & Beer Bottles 1735-1850 - by Olive Jones.  Copyright 1986, National Historic Parks and Sites Branch, Environment Canada - Parks, softbound, 180 pages.  Condition is like new. Here is Ms. Jones other great book and classic work on the subject implied by the title.  Book is very professionally done and has great history, pictures, and illustrations on the evolution of "black glass" wine & beer bottles (during the era noted, the same type bottles were used for both products).  Great information on a lot of related subjects - glassmaking, pontil scars, Rickett's Patent, and age estimates by form.  A must have for the historical archaeologist and for enlightened collectors.  Has high utility to bottles excavated in the U.S. and Canada since so many of the bottles in the U. S. during the timeframe of the book were imported from England.  Also out of print and hard to find.   SOLD!

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.   Autographed by Ms. Kendrick on the first loose end paper with the typical stamp - FIRST EDITION BOOK NO. with "541" written in as the book number.  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.  This book has been of great value in my work on the Historic Bottle Website.  The condition of the book is very good to about fine as it is tight and sound with creamy white pages, little wear, and no problems besides some very minor soiling to the hard cove.  The dust jacket (dj) is in very good shape with minimal wear/soiling, a 2" tear up one crease on the flap edge, and some wear/short tears to the dj edges but little wear to the body of the cover itself.  This is really a well above average dust jacket as they seem have dj's that wear very poorly.  No writing inside except for the authors signature and the dj is not price clipped.  (Note:  The pictured example is of a different book, though the description here is of the current book for sale which has a better dust jacket; email me if questions.)  Great addition to any bottle collectors or archaeologists library.   SOLD!

THE BOTTLE TRAIL - Vol. #1 through #9 by May Jones.  (Only volume #1 pictured...every cover was different.)  This is an incredible and largely unappreciated sequence of booklets from 1961 to 1968 that contain a wealth of information about bottles, the glass companies that produced them, and the entities that used the bottles to purvey their wares.  There is something of a Western American slant to the books, but the books cover a wide array of different bottles from the U. S. and foreign points with lots of history.  Full of May's illustrations and rich in information and interest, though with fairly crudely done layouts (part of the allure to me).  This is a rare entire set of all nine.  All are paperback (all were paperback) and around 35 or so pages each in a larger format of about 8.5" by 10.5".  Many are first printings with some that are second or third printings.  All are in good, tight condition with no loose pages that I can see though there is various soiling and wear and a few stains here and there; all quite readable, useable and with supple pages (i.e., not brittle).  It should be noted that these booklets do not weather well as they were just stapled together, though all of these are tight and sound.  As a bonus, Vol. #9 was signed by "May" on the inside cover...the only writing inside of these books.  A very hard to find complete set (and better than my own set frankly) from one of the pioneers in bottle research and a correspondent of Dr. Julian Toulouse who wrote THE book on bottle makers marks.  May was also a friend of Adele Reed whose books are for sale above.  Great information and part of the history of bottle collecting in the West...email me if you have questions.   SOLD!

19th Century Medicine in Glass by Bill & Betty Wilson.  Copyright 1971 and published by 19th Century Hobby and Publishing Co., Amador City, CA.  Softbound (like all of them - no hardbound version was ever made to my knowledge), larger format (8 1/2" x 11") book with around a 160 pages.  This book is very hard to find these days but is a well researched book that is an excellent source of information on common and not so common medicine bottles made during the 19th century, with a bit of favoring of Western medicines, though probably most are Eastern.  Profusely illustrated with pictures of all of the covered bottles, advertising, and very large section at the back of the book that describes the history behind the bottles listed - probably the most important section of the book.  Condition of this copy is very good+ being quite tight with no loose pages (common on these books), just some average soiling to the yellow cover (these books came with at least three different subtle cover variations),  a smallish name written on the top of the book edge, and some wear to the cover edges & corners...still a better than average copy actually.  I rarely have an extra copy of this book (have my own personal copy), this being the first in a couple years.  This example also includes the 1971 "Price Guide" in a pouch inside the back cover making this book totally complete.  SOLD!

Adele Reed books - Old Bottles and Ghost Towns and Bottle Talk.  Both are softbound, larger format (8.5" x 11") as was the style during the 1960s to some degree, and both are signed by the author on the title page; 55 & 42 pages respectively. Condition of both books is good to very good with some cover wear and soiling, roughness along the spine, but otherwise both are pretty tight and sound...and still stapled together.  The Old Bottles & Ghost Towns is a third printing (1962) and the other an apparent first (1966).  The "Old Bottle..." book also has some reviews of the book cut out and pasted inside the cover and part of the envelope with the address of the person who ordered the book; unusual but kind of neat.  Like May Jones's classic "The Bottle Trail" series (incidentally May was a friend of Adele and also did her illustrations) these books are very similar in that there are lots of line drawings and rambling information on all kinds of bottles.  Both Reed and Jones were letter writers and were always sending letters to companies and libraries asking about the history of bottles they owned.  Classic and valuable works for archaeologists or collectors.  Both books for one price.  SOLD!

Bottles - Yesterday's Trash Today's Treasures - by Donald E. Colcleaser.  A privately published, larger format (8 1/2" by 11") book that only comes in a softbound version.  Copyright 1967 (1970 printing).  Colcleaser's books are cross-over types between the more information oriented ones like listed above and the pure price guides which I don't typically sell as they have little utility and are quickly out of date.  Though this book contains pricing (wildly out-of-date of course) it does provide some useful information as it contains hundreds of pictures and illustrations, and more importantly,  includes descriptions (or illustrations) of the embossing found on the base of the listed bottles.  Base embossing is useful for the identification of fragmental bottles and is a relative rarity for most price guide listing type books.   Also includes some limited though decent glassmaking and company history at the start of the book.  Condition is pretty good with some age related wear (some curling to the cover/page corners, scattered soiling) but is tight and soundly put together, though the binding cover strip has come free as one can see in the picture.  A decent book all round and still useful after all the intervening years.  SOLD!

Western Bitters - by Bill & Betty Wilson.  Copyright 1969.  Photographic "plasticized" hardback cover with no dust jacket (as issued).  As with the Wilson's book above, this is the classic on the subject and the source of information for Jeff Wichmann's more recent book (though Jeff's book has great color images and the Wilson's are B&W but profuse).  Not much else to say about it except a must for all Western or bitters bottle collectors.  Condition is essentially perfect - just a light stamp on the copyright page noting that it was purchased from the Old Time Bottle Publishing Co. (that was Lynn Blumenstein's old time bottle shop back in the 1960s in Salem, OR.).  SOLD!

Picnics, Coffins, Shoo-Flies - by John Thomas.  This book is long out of print, first being published in 1974.  This example is the second - and final - printing from 1977.  Thomas's book continues to be THE source of the best information on these type liquor flasks from the West...period.  Softbound cover in Thomas's typical larger format size of 8 1/4" by 11 3/4".  Covers over 400 flasks from primarily California, Oregon, and Washington (with a few others) with exceptionally well researched information and history on the companies and saloon proprietors that put out the flasks.  Condition is fine++ condition - essentially in like-new condition - with no issues besides a tiny bit of wear along the bottom of the front cover.  Excellent tight and sound copy and very hard to find.  SOLD!

Click on the following links to go to these other pages with more bottles for sale.

Listed prices do include shipping at the media mail rate but not insurance. 
Please read the Information for Buyers section on the main "Bottles For Sale" page for complete buyer information.

Click here to return to the main Bottles For Sale Page menu