Suffolk Bitters...Real?

[Chuck1188]

I dont know if these were ever reproduced. If they are real they do have a low bid right now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250589361595&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180476332121&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

[appliedlips]

Yes, both are reproductions.

 

[Chuck1188]

How do you tell on these if they are real?

 

[Oldtimer]

Various things tip you off to them being fake. Including but not limited to..
"perfect" glass with no bubbles or flaws
No base wear, or not enough base wear for the age..
type and size of the top
color
embossing isn't right
etc.

I figured these to be fakes, just because the glass looked "new", and had no signs of old glass character.

 

[Chuck1188]

They looked odd to me but I dont know much about them to make an assumption. Its always good to know the details that point out a fake.

 

[BRIAN S.]

The real pigs have PHILBROOK & TUCKER / BOSTON embossed on one side. Most repros have : AMERICA'S SUFFOLK BITTERS LIFE PRESERVER embossed on them ( real Suffolk's never had this embossing ).
And also , most real piggies have a Double collar or ground lip treatment.

 

[BRIAN S.]

The LTC type lip treatment seen on most repro Suffolk's is more common to the original Berkshire Bitters pigs . I can't ever recall seeing an original Suffolk's with the Long Tapered Collar lip treatment.

 

[Oldtimer]

ORIGINAL: Chuck1188

They looked odd to me but I dont know much about them to make an assumption. Its always good to know the details that point out a fake.

I'd say better safe than sorry unless it's a $10 score. I'd hate to drop $400 and find out it's a wheaton.

 

[walkingstick]

A real piggie!