SODAPOPBOB
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This thread is one I have been wanting to do for sometime now and may be my biggest challenge yet. It's primary focus will be to try and develop a simple but comprehensive formula regarding the value of any given (acl) painted label soda bottle. Even though this might sound like an impossible task at first glance, by taking a closer at a few basic factors, a reasonable general rule of thumb might very well be achieved.
I think most of us will agree that so called price guides and book values are outdated almost as fast as they are published. Exceptions to this might be publications that are updated and republished on a yearly basis such as Kovels', Warman's, Antique Trader, just to mention a few of the numerous listed here ...
http://www.antiquebottles.com/books.HTML
Unfortunately, books like those referred to above usually have limited categories when it comes to painted label soda bottles, which is our primary focus here, not to mention that many of the values listed in those books are often the subject of controversy.
So just how does a soda bottle collector, especially those just starting out and sometimes referred to as "newbies," determine the value of their treasured finds and/or bottles they are considering buying but are uncertain as to how much to pay?
All things considered, I believe the best resource to be found anywhere when it comes to determining the true values of painted label soda bottles is right here on Antique-Bottles.Net and simply "Ask The Experts."
However, asking experts often produces varying opinions and evaluations depending on what part of the country a particular bottle comes from. For example; a rare and highly sought after bottle from southern California won't be as desirable or worth as much to a collector in Connecticut, and vice versa. But this doesn't mean that a bottle's general value can't be determined. It simply means we need to rely on the expertise of varied collectors from one region to another.
Before asking an expert for their evaluation, I feel there are a few key factors that need to be considered first, which brings us to the so called "formula" part of this discussion. Almost on a daily basis, especially by novice collectors, a new thread will appear on this forum and the first question asked is, "How much is my bottle worth?"
By considering the following, I feel it possible to make a basic, preliminary evaluation of your own prior to asking an expert ...
1. RARITY ... Often difficult to determine unless you are an advanced collector with years of experience. Books like Rick Sweeney's "Collecting Applied Color Label Soda Bottles" can help, but due to ever changing times and ebay, which has caused previously thought of rare bottles to surface by the numbers, books today are more often than not just a generalization of rarity. Of course, some select bottles that were considered rare twenty years ago are still rare, but one needs to be careful of this as there are numerous exceptions to this rule that need to be considered. Again, when in doubt, "Ask an expert." There are many of them on this forum more than willing to help.
2. DEMAND ... I think this category dictates a bottle's true value more than anything else. It falls back on what I was saying earlier about a California bottle versus a Connecticut bottle. However, setting the regional aspect aside for the moment, there are certainly an ample number of bottles that are popular coast to coast irregardless of their regional origins. Bottles like Coca Cola, Pepsi Cola, Mountain Dew, Dr. Pepper, 7up, just to mention a few from anywhere are usually popular with most collectors, with the primary demand factor generally involving their age and condition. Of course, one cannot entirely discount the city/state factor of these so called common bottles. It seems that no matter how you slice it, location always plays a major factor when it comes to demand.
3. AGE ... Self explanatory in my opinion. Generally the older an acl soda bottle is the more likely it is to attract attention, especially the one's whose label remained relatively the same over the years. For example; I would much rather pay a premium for a nice 1936 7up acl than I would for a 1946 example that has the same basic label as the 1936 with the ever popular "Swimsuit Girl."
4. CONDITION ... Again, self explanatory. I could write volumes of information regarding this category but will limit it to the following words. An acl or any other soda bottle in near mint condition is worth more than a bottle in poor condition. So when asking an expert or referring to books, always consider a bottle's condition first. If it has a weak label, cracks, nicks, chips, scratches, etc; it will only be worth a fraction of the value compared to a bottle in excellent condition. The only exception I can think of to this are extremely rare bottles where few examples are known to exist. But even then, one in great shape will always be worth more than one in poor shape.
5. VALUE ... See all of the above! Take into account all of the above! And hopefully you will be better educated and better armed when it comes to determining an acl soda bottle's "TRUE VALUE"
REGARDING PICTURES ... Whenever posting an inquiry, please try to accompany it with as many focused pictures as possible. There is nothing that forum members like better than good pictures.
I don't expect this thread to get a great deal of replies as it is not really formatted or intended for that. But I do hope it serves as a helpful tool now and in the future whenever someone asks ... "HOW MUCH IS MY BOTTLE WORTH?"
Sincerely,
Your collecting friend.
SODAPOPBOB
Footnote: Even though I hinted at Rick Sweeney's (2002) book as being outdated regarding rarity and value, I still consider it a good reference for generalized evaluations. Not only does it feature approximately 1,200 acl labels pictured in full-color, but it also has about 80 pages of other helpful information. By the way, I still have a few copies available prepaid for $50.00 with free shipping. Please PM me if interested.
Speaking of pictures, what thread would be complete without at least one? Here we have a perfect example involving all that I discussed above, and personal favorite in my collection.
Rarity vs. Demand vs. Age vs. Condition vs. Value
Country Boy ~ San Diego, California
Rarity = Very Rare
Demand Locally = High
Demand Nationally = Low
Age = 1944
Condition = Near Mint
Value Locally = $200
Value Nationally = $???
I think most of us will agree that so called price guides and book values are outdated almost as fast as they are published. Exceptions to this might be publications that are updated and republished on a yearly basis such as Kovels', Warman's, Antique Trader, just to mention a few of the numerous listed here ...
http://www.antiquebottles.com/books.HTML
Unfortunately, books like those referred to above usually have limited categories when it comes to painted label soda bottles, which is our primary focus here, not to mention that many of the values listed in those books are often the subject of controversy.
So just how does a soda bottle collector, especially those just starting out and sometimes referred to as "newbies," determine the value of their treasured finds and/or bottles they are considering buying but are uncertain as to how much to pay?
All things considered, I believe the best resource to be found anywhere when it comes to determining the true values of painted label soda bottles is right here on Antique-Bottles.Net and simply "Ask The Experts."
However, asking experts often produces varying opinions and evaluations depending on what part of the country a particular bottle comes from. For example; a rare and highly sought after bottle from southern California won't be as desirable or worth as much to a collector in Connecticut, and vice versa. But this doesn't mean that a bottle's general value can't be determined. It simply means we need to rely on the expertise of varied collectors from one region to another.
Before asking an expert for their evaluation, I feel there are a few key factors that need to be considered first, which brings us to the so called "formula" part of this discussion. Almost on a daily basis, especially by novice collectors, a new thread will appear on this forum and the first question asked is, "How much is my bottle worth?"
By considering the following, I feel it possible to make a basic, preliminary evaluation of your own prior to asking an expert ...
1. RARITY ... Often difficult to determine unless you are an advanced collector with years of experience. Books like Rick Sweeney's "Collecting Applied Color Label Soda Bottles" can help, but due to ever changing times and ebay, which has caused previously thought of rare bottles to surface by the numbers, books today are more often than not just a generalization of rarity. Of course, some select bottles that were considered rare twenty years ago are still rare, but one needs to be careful of this as there are numerous exceptions to this rule that need to be considered. Again, when in doubt, "Ask an expert." There are many of them on this forum more than willing to help.
2. DEMAND ... I think this category dictates a bottle's true value more than anything else. It falls back on what I was saying earlier about a California bottle versus a Connecticut bottle. However, setting the regional aspect aside for the moment, there are certainly an ample number of bottles that are popular coast to coast irregardless of their regional origins. Bottles like Coca Cola, Pepsi Cola, Mountain Dew, Dr. Pepper, 7up, just to mention a few from anywhere are usually popular with most collectors, with the primary demand factor generally involving their age and condition. Of course, one cannot entirely discount the city/state factor of these so called common bottles. It seems that no matter how you slice it, location always plays a major factor when it comes to demand.
3. AGE ... Self explanatory in my opinion. Generally the older an acl soda bottle is the more likely it is to attract attention, especially the one's whose label remained relatively the same over the years. For example; I would much rather pay a premium for a nice 1936 7up acl than I would for a 1946 example that has the same basic label as the 1936 with the ever popular "Swimsuit Girl."
4. CONDITION ... Again, self explanatory. I could write volumes of information regarding this category but will limit it to the following words. An acl or any other soda bottle in near mint condition is worth more than a bottle in poor condition. So when asking an expert or referring to books, always consider a bottle's condition first. If it has a weak label, cracks, nicks, chips, scratches, etc; it will only be worth a fraction of the value compared to a bottle in excellent condition. The only exception I can think of to this are extremely rare bottles where few examples are known to exist. But even then, one in great shape will always be worth more than one in poor shape.
5. VALUE ... See all of the above! Take into account all of the above! And hopefully you will be better educated and better armed when it comes to determining an acl soda bottle's "TRUE VALUE"
REGARDING PICTURES ... Whenever posting an inquiry, please try to accompany it with as many focused pictures as possible. There is nothing that forum members like better than good pictures.
I don't expect this thread to get a great deal of replies as it is not really formatted or intended for that. But I do hope it serves as a helpful tool now and in the future whenever someone asks ... "HOW MUCH IS MY BOTTLE WORTH?"
Sincerely,
Your collecting friend.
SODAPOPBOB
Footnote: Even though I hinted at Rick Sweeney's (2002) book as being outdated regarding rarity and value, I still consider it a good reference for generalized evaluations. Not only does it feature approximately 1,200 acl labels pictured in full-color, but it also has about 80 pages of other helpful information. By the way, I still have a few copies available prepaid for $50.00 with free shipping. Please PM me if interested.
Speaking of pictures, what thread would be complete without at least one? Here we have a perfect example involving all that I discussed above, and personal favorite in my collection.
Rarity vs. Demand vs. Age vs. Condition vs. Value
Country Boy ~ San Diego, California
Rarity = Very Rare
Demand Locally = High
Demand Nationally = Low
Age = 1944
Condition = Near Mint
Value Locally = $200
Value Nationally = $???
]
