whiskeyman
Posts: 2012
Joined: 4/17/2005
From: NE TENN-SW VA
Status: offline
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Found a little additional info on the Web...
Credit goes to Dave Hinson:
Subject 7 Reproduction jars.
Subject: (7.1) What are some examples of reproduction fruit jars?
1. There have been new reproduction fruit jars from China turning up in antique malls for outrageous prices but they're worth about $6-$8 each. The regular old zinc lids don’t fit right and the aluminum lids that come with them are new and shiny giving away the jar's recent manufacture. These reproductions are copies of the old Hero jars made in the 1880s. As a collector these new jars usually have a poor quality to their color and the glass has a slicker than usual feel. The lips and the screw threads don't look right either. These new Chinese reproductions are coming in light green, light blue, light pink and light cobalt.
2. There were also some reproductions that were made in the 70s that are much better quality than those above. The colors are truer, they have ground lips and the old zinc lids fit correctly. Collectors have paid $75-$100 and up for some of them.
3. In the early 90s some reproduction Lightning half-pints started showing up in apple green, amber and aqua. These jars are distinguishable due to their smooth lips and unusual and new looking wire bales. Also, the apple green color is a give-away -- it's bright and unique.
Subject: (7.2) How can you spot a reproduction?
It is widely accepted that the first reproduction jars were some wax sealers made in Mexico. They were made in the colors of black-amber, emerald green and olive green. Since then other jars have appeared, some which have risen to become collectors items in their own rite and others, like the recent reproductions from China, will probably never be worth a lot to collectors.
Sometimes mold seams can give a reproduction away. On some reproduction jars the mold seams are offset and out of line with the neck bead. Sometimes the hardware will look new or out of place i.e. bale wires that are not tied in the way you would expect them to be. Often times the glass has a greasy feel to it and the colors are not like the colors you would expect to see in an old jar.
The black glass reproductions have a purple tint to their coloring. The old original black glass jars usually have a green or brown tint to them. Hold a black glass jar up to the light and you will be able to tell.
Probably the best way to protect yourself is to buy from reputable dealers and if your are in doubt about an item ask an experienced collector. The best teacher for spotting reproductions is experience.
Subject: (7.3) Ball commemorative jars from 1976.
The Ball Bicentennial jars were made from about 1975-1980 by Ball and another manufacturer. Value depends upon capacity. The half-pint and half-gallons are worth about $20 each. The quarts, which were the most common and sold in grocery stores all across the country in 1976, are worth about $6 each.
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Member: Bristol Historical Assoc....and...
Friends of Steeles Creek Nature Center & Park
President: Bristol Tenn-Va Bottle Club
Author of: Spirits & Medicinal Bottles of Bristol,TN-VA.
My WebSite: www.bristol-tenn-va-bottles.com
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