John G. Epping Bottles

[SODAPOPBOB]

Josh

Great bottle in great condition - I especially like the ACLs. I've seen similar example that have multiple towns embossed on the base. If I'm not mistaken, I believe there are some examples that have, Louisville, Lexington, Lebanon and Campbellsville on the base. I'm not 100% certain about the Campbellsville example, but I swear I came across one somewhere. ???

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

Josh

I have looked at more maps than I can count, and if the 1943 and 1949 maps are accurate, which I'm certain they are, the measurements I keep coming up with place Indian Mineral Wells no more than about 750 feet northeast of the old intersection of La Grange Road and Shelbyville Road. As for the freeway that's there now, it was constructed sometime between 1959 and 1961 as evidenced by this 1961 map. As near as I can determine, Indian Mineral Wells was located somewhere in the near vicinity of the purple star.

As for the old Airport that used to be there, even though I can't find an exact address I did find a couple of references that said it was on La Grange Road. So based on that I have eliminated the Airport from being on Shelbyville Road. Which fits because most accounts say Indian Mineral Wells was located opposite of the airport. Which would place the old Airport just to the northwest of La Grange and Shelbyville on the other side of the road from Indian Mineral Wells.

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

Epping Locations Timeline / Subject to Revision ...

Note: To the best of my knowledge these are close-approximate start-up dates for when each of the Epping Bottling facilities were established and do not include addresses, which I'm still working on ...

Louisville, Kentucky = 1863 (Confirmed)

Lexington, Kentucky = At least as early as 1927

Campbellsville, Kentucky = At least as early as 1930

New Albany, Indiana = 1936 Possibly as early as 1934 ???

Lebanon, Kentucky = 1937

Josh

I'm not certain if this Epping Kentucky Club bottle is a 1934 but if it is then I need to revise my earliest date for New Albany, Indiana. Its an Owens-Illinois bottle and marked with 3 <(I)> 4 and doesn't have Duraglas on it which started in 1940. The 3 is for the Huntington, West Virginia plant that opened in 1930. What do you think?

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

P.S.

If it is a 1934 bottle, then it raises the question as to whether this November 12, 1936 article is talking about their first plant in New Albany or a new plant to replace the old one? And if the article is referring to a new plant located at 504 State Street, but it wasn't their first plant, then I wonder what their old address/location was in New Albany prior to 1936?

 

[jblaylock]

I cannot figure out the Owens Illinois dating. I was trying to date these before you started your research. Here's the ones I have with New Albany on them.

7oz Green Eppings: Date mark appears to be a 5


12oz Green Eppings: Date code 6


7oz Kentucky Club: Date code 5


Alkalaris Water 12oz: Date code 2??


Also, the 2 Old Colony bottles have New Albany, but have 9 as the date code.

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

Josh

Here's how I interpret the codes ...

I cannot figure out the Owens Illinois dating. I was trying to date these before you started your research. Here's the ones I have with New Albany on them.

7oz Green Eppings: Date mark appears to be a 5
1935
View attachment 170247

12oz Green Eppings: Date code 6
1936
View attachment 170248

7oz Kentucky Club: Date code 5
1935
View attachment 170249

Alkalaris Water 12oz: Date code 2??
1942 - The Duraglas glass hardening process was introduced in 1940
View attachment 170250

Also, the 2 Old Colony bottles have New Albany, but have 9 as the date code.

1939

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

Regarding the Owens-Illinois plant numbers/locations/dates ...

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

This isn't an Epping bottle but is one to look for. I especially like the brand on the neck label ...

IMW for Indian Mineral Wells

1931 Ad

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

Here's something else to look for ...

(Date Unknown)

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

This super-early (? 1860s-70s ?) H Epping bottle is still on eBay as Buy It Now for $100 or Best Offer. I offered $50 but it was declined ...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/antique-H-E...192826?hash=item2813f0147a:g:U48AAOSwJkJWkyNp