What is it?

[capsoda]

Hey Jason, It looks like a flask. Very cool.

Some of the flask specialist may be able to help.

 

[swizzle]

Wanted: Flask Specialist!!

Can anyone out there who specializes in old flask determine wether or not this is a flask and the possible age/history/value? Thanx for the info capsoda. Jason

 

[southern Maine diver]

That's a nice looking window type of display flask. I believe that type is referred to as a pattern molded flask, possibly mid western... However, take a close look at the base and the pontil... very, very clean and no "base wear" ... almost too clean...[&o]

The base wear, rub marks or abbrasions on the rim of the base of a bottle, where it is removed and replaced on the shelf over hundred or so years, add to the authenticity of a bottle. I can not pin point the origin yet, but I have seen these come up every so often as reproductions.[:-]

I'm not saying that this is one, but it is extremely clean... you realy have to take a close look at it, the circuimstances of its' discovery... where, how and who it was obtained from... look at the bottle in it's "totality" in order to make a determination of age, value and authenticity...[8|]

I know that the more experienced bottle and flask guru's will weigh in on this... I could be wrong of course, and then I would gracefully "eat Crow" ... maybe even publicly...
and, I'd give you an hour to draw a crowd...[&:]

Wayne

 

[bearswede]

I'd give you an hour to draw a crowd...

I, and the rest of the crowd, will be anxiously awaiting this event up in Somersworth... Maybe we can get Cap's Mom's recipe for robin pie and skip the crow...

ROR...


Ron

 

[amblypygi]

ORIGINAL: southern Maine diver

...I'm not saying that this is one, but it is extremely clean...

I was thinking the same thing, but I didn't want to say anything... It looks an awful lot like Clevenger to me, but maybe I'll be begging a wing from Wayne. If it is old, then it would be valuable, but it looks all wrong to me.

When you say "in with some 1860/70's glass and stoneware", do you mean in a box at an antique store, or in the dirt?

Sean

 

[swizzle]

I found this at a "junk sale". Kind of a glorified year round garage sale. It came from an estate of person with a tendance to collect fine antiquities. The stoneware pitchers I'm looking at I would have to say are maybe 1850's as well as the chamber pot, but I'm no pottery expert. I'm going on the word of someone who knows little about the stuff she's selling. She's just selling a lot of it. There are a few tiny flea bites on the back of the flask and what looks like two funny shaped open bubbles. I'm guessing from the location of the shop which is less then a mile from a huge dump that it may very well be dug. Which would account for the lack of base marks, but I would think that if it was dug that it would be more scratched. It could very well be a simple vase that an old man bought his wife and through some flowers in. Either way I enjoy your honesty and welcome it. Be as critical as you like. I'd rather have a rough and honest opinion than sit at home waiting for no one to reply. Thanx for all of your reply's and feel free to keep them coming. If you feel you've done enough to help me then so be it and again I thank you. I paid $3 for it and I think I could get more then that if I wanted to sell it. I would rather know what I'm selling though instead of passing of a reproduction to someone else who thinks they found a gem. Jason

 

[NORG]

I've seen similar ones listed as poisons.

Rob

 

[walkingstick]

I'm going on the word of someone who knows little about the stuff she's selling.

I believe in another post on this site the words "don't listen to what the person behind the table ... "

'nuff said.

When I find something that clean, I always look at the base for those light scratches from where the glass object (I don't only collect bottles) sat on the shelf and was moved around through the years. I get suspicious when I don't see them and will not buy. I also pay attention to the direction the scratches go. If they all go in the same direction I get suspicious also ...

It is a purty piece though, and interesting.

 

[swizzle]

I've been using my dad's computer and camera and my bottle was home so I went home last night and took another look at my bottle. It does have base marks on two locations on the base. I tried to take some pics to show the scratches and they are a little rough but I'll post them anyway. I took about 8 pics and narrowed it down to the two best. The marks are on the sides of the base and not all the way around. The bottle doesn't set perfectly level. When I sit it down it wobbles back and forth slightly and then stops. The scratches are in all different directions and on the one side there is a space in between the marks. It doesn't have them as heavy as I would've liked to have seen it. I was thinking about it on the way home as to what would cause the lack of base marks if it was an old piece. I came up with 3 possibilities. 1)It had a leather cover for protection. 2)It came in a gift box type set (Did they have gift box sets of booze over 100 years ago?) 3) Its been in the attic for 90 years. When I did see the base marks it made me feel a little better about my estimate on the age. The best I guess I could do would be take it to a glass show and see what they tell me about it. Well lets see what you guys think about it. Jason

 

[swizzle]

Sorry about the pic quality, Jason