H. Hoffmann Hoboken, NJ blob top

[stonebottle]

This is a blob top I found in northern NY state last fall. The mold seams stop about 3 inches from the top. The bottom was sticking out of a steep muddy bank behind the site of an old railroad station that had been built about 1855. The depot is long gone, it was torn down by about 1920. I have looked all over for info. on this one but can't find anything. Embossing on front in slug plate: H. Hoffmann Hoboken, NJ. On the back it has: This Bottle Not To Be Sold. I thought maybe one of our NJ collectors might have seen this one. Pretty strange that it was found way up in NY, far from NJ. Any info. on this one? stonebottle

 

[stonebottle]

Here is another picture, showing the whole bottle. The stopper was still there, just a bit rusty.

 

[stonebottle]

While we were taking the pictures, here's what walked by. They are pretty brave up there after hunting season is over and the snow starts piling up. This was just after Christmas with almost 3 feet on the ground. stonebottle

 

[cyberdigger]

I've never seen this particular company, but I've seen lots like it, and apparently these bottles got around quite a bit. I've dug up New York, Pennsylvania, even Massachusetts bottles down here on the Jersey shore. I bet this type of enclosure made them good to use while traveling. My opinion is this is an earlier one, maybe 1880's.. we're still waiting for the proper research to be done on these.. heck maybe I'll just do it myself one day! -Charlie

 

[stonebottle]

cyberdigger,

Charlie: Since you haven't seen this name, does that make it a rare one, or is there just so many different ones that new ones turn up all the time? I figured that someone brought this bottle up with them and drank it on the train, got off at the depot, then chucked it over the hill. It's cool how every bottle is like a little snapshot of history, a moment frozen in time. Thanks for your reply. stonebottle

 

[cyberdigger]

That's the million dollar question with these guys!! The bottle type is of course very common, but what is not known is how many of them were made for this particular merchant.. could be 12 or 120,000.. and sadly it might be a few more decades until people really start to give a hoot! Personally, I love these bottles, and my collection is 50% these and 50% everything else.. mainly because that's what I dig up. for now, it would seem the best way to find a market for them is to offer them up in their home town (they were supposed to be returned anyway!)[] But I also agree with you that the history of their travels is fascinating!