Damaged Old Sachem Bitters And Wigwam Tonic Bottle Value

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Nola

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Hi,
This is my first post to this forum and I am a complete novice with bottles. I hope I'm asking my question in the right place.
I recently got an Old Sachem Bitters and Wigwam Tonic bottle which unfortunately has a bubble in the top half that broke making a hole in the side of the bottle.
The hole has a few radiating fractures as you can see in the photos but other than that, overall, the strength and condition of the bottle seem pretty good.
I have researched and seen a few different values for these bottles in good shape but no info about damaged bottles.
I wonder if anyone would please help me and let me know what they think my bottle might be worth and why.
Thanks very much in advance for any and all input!
 

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Nola

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Does it have a pontil scar on the bottom, or is it smooth-based?

Not sure exactly how to determine if there is a pontil scar or not.
There is a slightly raised smooth area in the center of the bottom.
It is not a perfectly smooth bottom but there is nothing sharp edged.
Hope the photos I've included will help.
Thank you!
 

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hemihampton

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I would think a damaged bottle with that much damage would be worth 25% of a undamaged bottle. Some people hate damaged bottles & may say 5-10% value of a nice one. LEON.



P.S. Doesn't look pontiled.
 

Nola

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Thank you, Leon!
I hope you don't mind but I have another question and would like to learn more.
What bearing does having or not having a pontil have on the age, history and/or value of this bottle?
Thanks again for your help.
 

hemihampton

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Thank you, Leon!
I hope you don't mind but I have another question and would like to learn more.
What bearing does having or not having a pontil have on the age, history and/or value of this bottle?
Thanks again for your help.


I'm far from any expert on bottles like some in here but as far as I know you have 2 different kind of Pontil bottles, the open Pontil & non open Pontil both dating before the 1860's or maybe upto early to mid 1860's for the graphite Pontil. Your bottle probably dates from 1870's+. Pontils always seem to get more money just because they are older & more desirable, Just my opinion. Anybody else wanta chime in? LEON.
 

hemihampton

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Here's a example of a similar one I found with a graphite or iron pontil bottom. Usually a reddish or grayish color on bottom. The open pontil no color just a small round rough looking hole. LEON.PontiledBottom (2).jpgPontiledbottom.jpg
 

Harry Pristis

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Looks like a casualty of over-enthusiasm with a steel bottle probe. What a shock that bottle must have been when dug up! As is, the bottle might fetch $10 - $20 from the right buyer, I think.


 

Robby Raccoon

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I agree with Harry. Damage destroys value, but that bitters isn't one the general collector would be able to afford and would fill the spot temporarily. And, no, it isn't pontiled.
 

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