E.L. BILLINGS W/ GRAVITATING STOPPER

[DeepSeaDan]

My only grav thus far; it's a rare one, only two know at this time. Will continue searching diligently for more examples!

 

[UncleBruce]

They had more crazy closures than Carter has pills. Some totally useless as far as drinking from the bottle is concerned, as well as being unsanitary. UncleBruce posted a thread asking for members to post pictures of odd bottle closures. I can't remember the title, but it was a good thread.
ROBBYBOBBY64.

I put my example of the GRAVITATING STOPPER in the thread mentioned.
Here is a link: https://www.antique-bottles.net/threads/odd-closures-are-so-awesome.693236/page-3

 

[ROBBYBOBBY64]

I put my example of the GRAVITATING STOPPER in the thread mentioned.
Here is a link: https://www.antique-bottles.net/threads/odd-closures-are-so-awesome.693236/page-3

That's it! Thanks buddy.
ROBBYBOBBY64.

 

[hemihampton]

My only grav thus far; it's a rare one, only two know at this time. Will continue searching diligently for more examples!

View attachment 218833

Nice one, I bet the Canadian Collectors would like that one. Congrats. LEON.

 

[DeepSeaDan]

Nice one, I bet the Canadian Collectors would like that one. Congrats. LEON.

Yes indeed, I've had considerable interest in this one. There were 3 local bottlers in that town, each producing a grav soda bottle, so I'm keen to look for the other two. One of my diving buddies had all three at one time, but let them go over time and now has a few pangs of regret over the decision:

 

[ROBBYBOBBY64]

Yes indeed, I've had considerable interest in this one. There were 3 local bottlers in that town, each producing a grav soda bottle, so I'm keen to look for the other two. One of my diving buddies had all three at one time, but let them go over time and now has a few pangs of regret over the decision:

View attachment 218950

Amazing trio. Diving for bottles must be great. Thanks for the pictures Dan.
ROBBYBOBBY64.

 

[hemihampton]

all 3 are nice. it always seemed to me that older bottles from 1870's or older from Canada are even harder to find then they are here in USA. Wonder why? Thanks for pic. LEON.

 

[ROBBYBOBBY64]

all 3 are nice. it always seemed to me that older bottles from 1870's or older from Canada are even harder to find then they are here in USA. Wonder why? Thanks for pic. LEON.

Population probably was a factor. 1870 Census Bureau states U.S population at 38,558,371 while Canada's population was 3,485,761.
ROBBYBOBBY64.

 

[DeepSeaDan]

all 3 are nice. it always seemed to me that older bottles from 1870's or older from Canada are even harder to find then they are here in USA. Wonder why? Thanks for pic. LEON.

I think RB 64 hit the nail on the head; in fact today, Canada's population is close to the number RB gave for America in the 1870's comparison!

An exception to this rule occurred in Toronto back in the mid-80's, when Skydome was built. The excavation for that build uncovered an enormous amount of booty, as the area encompassed the location of the old waterfront docks, plus countless old city dumps. A buddy of mine managed to get special permission to collect from the site; they gave him a safety vest, hardhat & an I.D. ticket! He told me he'd head home in the evenings and the arse-end of his station wagon would be near scraping the asphalt, so loaded down it was with bottles, crocks and other assorted loot!

For me, as an underwater hunter, such largess doesn't exist. I must spend many, many hours traversing the underwater landscape, to find something of significance. My J. Broad grav I found in 3' of water; it was laying on a small, lonely patch of sand, adjacent to the ballast stones of an old dock, surrounded by acres of thick weed growth. 99.9% of that particular lake has bottom material the consistency of loon poo - anything dropped in it would sink away forever, thus my find was exceptionally fortunate.

Good thing for me that I absolutely love being underwater - the hunts are always a joy!

Happy Valentines Day to all you lovers of significant others and...your collections of treasures!

DSD

 

[Marc26]

Very cool!