Bixby Bill
Well-Known Member
There was some interest in info on Bixby shoe polish bottles, so here starts a series on what I know about them, starting with the first ones covered by Bixby`s March 6, 1883 patent, which covered the bulbous shoulder. In the patent, the applicator sponge would squeeze out any excess blacking at the expanded shoulder so it wouldn`t make a mess on the outside of the bottle when removing the applicator.
The first bottles under this are only embossed "Patent / Applied For" on the base with "Bixby" in the center. These come with sheared lips and for colors I`ve found them in aqua, light green, and teal blue. They date to before the patent was actually granted to Bixby, so they would date to about 1880 to March 1883.
The first bottles under this are only embossed "Patent / Applied For" on the base with "Bixby" in the center. These come with sheared lips and for colors I`ve found them in aqua, light green, and teal blue. They date to before the patent was actually granted to Bixby, so they would date to about 1880 to March 1883.