Letters to the Editor

to the Editor

Dan Sheds Some Light on this Kola-Ray Bottle

Hi, John,

A few months ago I bought this clear, quart, applied lip, crown top bottle. I have coated the embossing with a magic marker to better read the words. The base is embossed with a backwards 521, which reads 125 when held up to a mirror. The bottle is horizontally embossed in four rows on one side only, reading:

CRYSTAL SPRING BOTTLING CO. KOLA-RAYS REGISTERED THE GREAT HEALTH DRINK

Note: The words KOLA-RAYS are in bolder type than the other three rows of words, all of which are capitalized. In doing some research, I found several listed histories of Crystal Spring bottling firms, but none mentioned a KOLARAYS line.

One of the companies was founded around 1907, and the other in 1921, so either of these would’ve been started early enough to turn out the applied crown top, which was patented back in 1893.

The Owens Bottle Machine Company marketed an improved and widely accepted full bottle pressing multi-unit in 1903. But many glass companies couldn’t afford the hefty price tag that came with such a revelation, and it’s of certainty the lip-finishers union didn’t want these machines eventually overtaking their jobs.

This is no more evident than with 192040s milk bottles, of which a vast amount have tool-applied lips.

Oddly enough, most of the early toolapplied crown top bottles were later fitted with a wire bail, and a porcelain, lead, or iron stopper. All of these types of stoppers required either a rubber or leather seal to keep contents within the glass vessel. It was some time later that the metal “piecrust” edged top came onto the market, which several glass companies still use as a seal.

The majority of older metal crown top seals that I’ve examined over the years were lined inside with a thin layer of cork, though I did see some rubber seals on others. I have seen cork used in modern tops.

As you all know, the earlier metal crown top seals required a bottle opener, whereas today a great deal of these tops are made to twist off.

So, one remaining question comes to my mind, that being: Was there indeed a unique health drink in every bottle of KOLA-RAYS? The probable answer is vitality was briefly experienced via a caffeine fix. To be fair, the water itself may have been positively pure, with several healthy ground minerals included.

The one certainty is that this was one of many products riding on the Coca-Cola popularity wagon.

Dan Desmarais Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey

One of the Hobby’s Best Sends us a Fan Note

Hi, John,

Just a note to say a friend appreciates you today. I really liked Bob Strickhart’s Halloween “Tombstone Bitters” article. I also want to say I appreciate all of your contributing writers that really help to make and keep our hobby so fun and interesting. I appreciate Bottles & Extras also and look forward to both mags arriving at my door.

One last tip of my hat to Ralph Finch and Tom Caniff for their years of dedication to the writing of countless articles.

Best Regards,

Gary Beatty North Port, Florida

P.S.: Kevin Sives, needs to write more. He is so good.

to the Editor

A Little Help with a Trade Mark

Hi, John,

I just came across this and can’t find “Q & Co.” Would you happen to know anything about it? Not a super bottle but I thought the mug, logo, or whatever with the Q in it, was interesting.

Thanks,

Jim Lockmiller Battle Creek, Michigan

Editor’s note: Jim, I believe that I have seen this mark before, but am not aware of what the interesting trade mark or initials represent. Maybe one of our readers can help solve the mystery.

Interesting Jar

Dear John and AB&GC,

Here is a recent acquisition that I would like to know more about. The enclosed pictures show the shape, lid, and embossing of this gallon jar. Is it a kerosene jug with the pour spout broken off? C.R. & CO stands for Curling & Robinson & Company, I believe. A little research yielded this much – that the Pittsburgh glass house produced window glass, druggist ware, demijohns and bottles. I don’t know the significance of the number 21. Do you or the other readers have any information on this jar? Thanks.

Sincerely,

Caleb Hufford Delano, Tennessee

PHOTOS:

MIDDLE COLUMN: The mysterious Q & Co. flask at top with the base shown below. RIGHT COLUMN: C.R. & CO base with the number 21embossed underneath with the complete jar shown at bottom.