"Ball and Claw Bitters..."

drjhostetters · Mar 4, 2004

Question....thinking of buying at Antique store..miniture, 3 1/2" tall, dark purple, long slender neck, "pointed" cork top, neck shape of eagle "leg and claw" grasping round ball base....???? embossed "Ball and Claw Bitters"..thus name....

Thanks...

Harry Pristis · Mar 4, 2004

My guess is that it is almost certainly a "fantasy" bottle.

drjhostetters · Mar 5, 2004

Forgive my ignorance...what is "fantasy" bottle?...I'm kinda new to the "lingo" of bottle collecting..I see one that catches my eye..I buy for collection... is the "Ball and Claw" worth the $3.00 they're asking...???? or is it a "faked cork top"...looks authentic to my untrained eye..????

Also what does "sheared lip", and "pontil"...

Thank you...

Harry Pristis · Mar 5, 2004

A "reproduction" is a new bottle made as a replica of an old bottle. There are many collectible reproductions of the original E.G. Booz bottle, for example.

A fantasy bottle does not replicate an old bottle, but represents a designer's conception of a "cool, old bottle." A fantasy bottle is a new bottle made with an old-style or ornate appearance.

Fantasy bottles are not antique bottles, so there is no established market for them. They are worth whatever they may bring at the flea-market.

We have no FAQ list on this forum; however, you can search this forum for references to the terms you don't understand. You should buy some books or look on the Internet. Start HERE.

----------Harry Pristis

deepwoods · Mar 7, 2004

Odell claims that there are a couple of these known that are the real deal-one was stolen
years ago.This bottle 'urban legend' has always peaked my curiosity.Ive seen so many of
the repros.Anybody know anymore about this-the famous Ball & Claw Bitters?

dhgb2 · Mar 7, 2004

most of these will have wheaton or tawain on the bottom. Look real close. Ether way if you like it it,s worth 3.00. For investment. I would say no. DHG

drjhostetters · Mar 8, 2004

dhgb2...
Thanks for the info...I went back and checked it out..under the price label on the bottom were the infamous words..."made in Taiwan"..looks nice...but....[

]
Again thanks....
drj

drjhostetters · Mar 8, 2004

Thanks everyone for your repies....false alarm...made in taiwan....guess I have a lot to learn about this old bottle biz...

Thanks...and good hunting...

drj

"Ball and Claw Bitters..."

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