"Ball and Claw Bitters..."

[drjhostetters]

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]

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

 

[drjhostetters]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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