Big News about a Big Jar
Mike Beardsley poses with the monster fruit jar.
Weird and impressive stuff still turns up — here is the latest! Ralph Finch reports
M
ike Beardsley of New York State writes: “Last week I turned up what may be one of the largest fruit jars ever made. This colossalwax sealer really has to be seen to be believed. It weighs in at a little over 22 pounds and has a capacity in excess of five gallons. I don’t know if it was made for actual use or if it is a ‘one off’ made as a ‘show stopper’ for a booth at a fair or exhibition? No idea, but it sure is impressive. “I jotted down a quick little story to go along with the discovery. I shared the jar with Doug Leybourne. It has never been reported to him. “In the attached picture I set a quart wax sealer next to our new behemoth for comparison. “Sure wish I knew the manufacturer. We find very few wax sealers here in central New York. When we do they are usually this cylindrical style stoneware in a brown glaze. These are one or two quart. Nothing like this guy and no handles of course. “A new discovery, yes, but this jar ticks off a lot of heretofore ‘unprecedented’ boxes. As such, it may be somewhat important? “No, this jar isn’t an amber Lafayette or a cobalt Beaver BUT it has proven that it can elicit similar gasps from those who
36
Antique Bottle & Glass Collector
have seen the photos. I’m pretty sure that this jar will be ‘breaking news.’ No one I’ve talked to has ever seen anything close.” AB&GC jar expert Tom Caniff of Steubenville, Ohio, who has been researching preserving products since, well, probably a week after John Mason* introduced his preserving jar lid commented: “Nope, never seen one of this size before, but I don’t know what more to say about it, except that I think that it was probably intended more for a commercial product than for home canning. “There are a lot of strange pottery jars out there, some with unusual closures, but I’m not sure that collectors of glass fruit jars are as interested in them as one might expect. I’ve written about the stoneware jars over the years but I’ve gotten less feedback from either glass or pottery jar collectors than I expected. Still, a nice unusual piece.” And there is no truth to the rumor that Tom’s first column was an actual interview with Mr. Mason … and I apologize for starting that rumor.
*FYI1: John Landis Mason (1832-1902) Patent 22,186, dated Nov. 30, 1858, was primarily for the use of exterior threads in the jar and a corresponding metal cap. Later patents (such as 102,913) improved upon this in various ways such as the addition of rubber rings. FYI2: Mike’s late father, Leigh, was one of the early and most impressive fruit jar dealers some 40-plus years ago. And while he could come up with incredible jars, he never really collected them. Well, he said that, but he did amass a great display of Mason 1858s in an amazing array of colors. Also, Mike’s delightful mother, Mary, had a nice array of 1800s baking soda jars. And of his lovely mother Mike recently added: “Mom is planning a 17-day river cruise in Europe in September. She wants to “See castles.” She has such spunk and drive for being nearly 91. I have a hard time keeping up with her.” Does anyone have anything to say about this impressive wax sealer? Please email rfinch@twmi.rr.com
