Letters to the Editor

to the Editor

Macy’s Bay Rum Bottle

Hi, John,

Some years back I saw a circa 1890s to early 1900s embossed “MACY’S BAY RUM” bottle in emerald green, but was not able to purchase it. I was left wondering what the long-gone backside label may have read. I recently acquired this mint condition, fully labeled, Macy’s Bay Rum bottle in emerald green. It measures 7.5/8” tall, or 8.5/8” tall to tip of sprinkle stopper. Though not of the glassembossed type, and a bit later than the aforementioned, it is a scarce gem, and a neat window to a past product.

The metallic stopper is fitted in the center of a cork secured in bottle’s neck. The metallic sprinkler is easily removed from the time-weathered cork, with the bottom of the stopper being embossed: “I. M MFG. Co” (Note: The final letter of ‘o’, which is not capitalized, has a dash or short line just below.)

Beginning with Photo 1, the small label wrapping bottle’s neck reads: THIS IS A SPRINKLER TOP. Remove stopper with a twisting motion, then use as a sprinkler.

Photo 2 shows the bottle with full label. Note, top of label reads, in red: FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY.

Photo 3 shows the base, which is embossed: M. B. W. / U.S.A. Note: I’m assuming the first set of initials stands for MILLVILLE BOTTLING WORKS.

Photo 4 highlights the handwritten refilled date of 5-16-28, at bottom right of the label.

Just imagine bringing a cosmetics or perfume bottle to Macy’s today and asking them to refill it! Happy hunting to all.

Dan Desmarais Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey

PHOTO 1

PHOTO 3 PHOTO 2

PHOTO 4

to the Editor

Hires Bottle Closure

Hi, John,

I am writing seeking information about the type of closure present in a bottle I recently purchased. The bottle (at left) is a “BIMAL” type with crown top that is embossed “Hires/Carbonated/Beverages.” The closure (below) is metal with a rubber stopper. The closure has a wingnut that is turned, thereby drawing the rubber stopper upward and sealing the bottle. The closure is embossed “Hires / Household / Root Beer / Extract.”

My brother and I have a combined hundred year history of bottle collecting and attending bottle shows. Neither he, nor I, have seen such a bottle closure before. I would appreciate any information you can provide about this bottle stopper.

Thank you.

Mike Connolly Bel Air, Maryland

Read the Small Print

Recently I was looking at an auction house’s listing and noted the “small print,” which stated (word for word):

“All descriptions are visual opinions based on the Auction house's experience and do not warrant as a guarantee. Condition is appropriate to age of the item. The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is free from damage and wear. Please review all pictures posted on this listing. We encourage all buyers to request a condition report and/or additional photos prior to bidding on any lot as ALL ITEMS ARE SOLD AS-IS, WHERE IS.”

In other words, a lawyer has apparently freed the auction house from ANY responsibility for anything it is selling.

Have you ever read anything like that with any of the glass sold by the major glass auction houses? Nope. And that is one of their great strengths. (Of course, that is one of the reasons that all of the heads of the glass auction houses are going gray — or have no hair at all.)

Dealing with bottle collectors is a hassle. Many glass collectors want, no, demand, that the glass they buy is as perfect as when it was made 150 years ago.

Ask how many of these auction chiefs have had to accept the return of a piece of glass from someone who has taken a 100X microscope to a piece of 200-yearold glass and found an unlisted grain of sand in the bottle.

We are fortunate to be doing business with Pastor, Hagenbuch, Heckler and others who give us faith in who we are dealing with and what we are purchasing.

Ralph Finch Farmington Hills, Michigan