EARLIEST "CROWN TOP" SODA BOTTLES 1892 - 1900

[Sam_MaineBottles]

Concerning early Moxie bottles I believe most of them (except the hutches) were embossed with the words 'Moxie Nerve Food'. The FDA act of 1906 forced Moxie to drop the Nerve Food reference. I sold my collection of Moxie Nerve Food bottles that contained 23 variants (lip styles and embossing) but there were at least 10 of them with BIM crown tops. This pic is one of the few I have of that collection but it doesn't include the more common crown variety.

-Sam

 

[Sam_MaineBottles]

In this quest to find early crown tops I can be of some help. The Murdock & Freeman Co. of Portland ME included embossed years on their bottles for several years. Here's a pic of a couple of their script embossed bottles from 1904, 1903 and 1902.

 

[Sam_MaineBottles]

Here are two more dated Murdock & Freeman crown top bottles, these are from 1901 and 1899.

 

[Sam_MaineBottles]

It's like doing the limbo, how low can you go? The two bottles in this pic I always take with me when I do bottle presentations as they clearly demonstrate the transition to crown tops. Thes two are both dated 1895.

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

celerycola ~

I normally keep stuff like the following to myself, but since it was you who put the "Punch & Judy" idea in my head, and since I would never have thought to look for this in a million without your bottle connection, I feel obligated to share it with you now. Put let's keep this between us for the time being, and don't mention it to anyone else. []

I was looking on Google, as well as on e-Bay to see what I could find related to Punch & Judy, and discovered the puppets go as far back in England as early as the 1600s. But what I found that "really" caught my eye was on e-Bay. Someone is selling what they call their grandfather's "original" Punch & Judy mechanical, cast iron bank. No bids yet, with a $.99 cent option to open bidding. But what's so amazing about this is that there is another seller offering the same bank on a "Buy It Now" basis, and is asking $3,499.99 ! I don't think the $.99 seller even knows what they have. I should have kept my mouth shut and hoped no one else sees the $.99 cent one and then "steal" if if I can. But, what the heck ... we are all friends here, right? Plus, I seriously doubt it will remain at $.99 cents for long. (Six days left). But I intend to watch it like a hawk anyway! But even though it appears to be an original, I'm no expert and could be wrong. But I don't think so. Check it out and see what you think. Hopefully one of us will get it. Wouldn't that be nice. And please, no one send the seller a message with this information. It's not our fault if they don't know what they've got. Personally, this sort of thing doesn't make me feel guilty in the least.

Good luck!

SPB

Here's the e-Bay link and photo.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Punch-and-Judy-Bank-Old-/120560139646?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c11f1bd7e

 

[Sam_MaineBottles]

This pic is of two Murdock & Freeman blobs dated 1892 and 1894. So to summarize, Murdock & Freeman made their switch to crown tops circa 1895.

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

Sam_MaineBottles ~

Sorry 'bout that ... I got side-tracked for a minute.

Your Murdock & Freeman bottles are awsome! How much easier could it be? I've never-ever seen a bottle with the dates embossed on them like that. The 1895 Crown example is the earliest and first "confirmed" crown-top to date. Good job - and great photos!

Thank you,

SPB

 

[cyberdigger]

Wow that really is an EXCELLENT run of dated bottles, Sam!! WTG!!!

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

I hope nobody minds this little detour. It's just too hot to pass up!

Anyway, here's the link and photo of the $3,499.99 Punch & Judy bank.

I might be imagining things here ... but I don't think so!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-Cast-Iron-Mechanical-Bank-PUNCH-AND-JUDY-/120304442945?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c02b41e41

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

I intend this to be my last mention of the "Punch & Judy" bank.

In fact, someone (Cy ? ) should "punch" me in the nose for even posting it. Because now that I have the two enlarged photos side-by-side for comparison, the $.99 cent one clearly appears to be a reproduction.

But what still confuses me is the seller saying it was their "grandfather's" bank.

Anyway, "Buyer Beware!" I'll keep an eye on it and see what develops.

Heck, I can't even recognize an early crown soda bottle when I see one, what makes me think I know anything about old cast iron banks?

SPB