Ball Glass Company Whiskey Bottle?
I have what I think is a whiskey bottle made sometime between 1930's to mid-1960's. It's approx. 13 1/2" tall and 5" wide at it's widest part as it tapers down from the lip to the base. On the bottom it says "Federal Law Forbids Sale Or Re-Use Of This Bottle" in an arc. In the center it says "73", "D-9", "54". Across the lower side of the bottom it says "A3", "64D50", "Ball" written in cursive. I read that part of this is the permit number for producing a bottle for alcohol.
Any information would be appreciated, date of manufacture, who it was made for, and approximate value. I know that Ball canning jars are collectable, but I'm not sure of other Ball products.
Any information would be appreciated, date of manufacture, who it was made for, and approximate value. I know that Ball canning jars are collectable, but I'm not sure of other Ball products.
Comments
Here is what one can conclude from what you have provided:
(1) The "Federal Law Forbids" text was required by US law during the 1930s to 60s on all spirits bottles, so your dating assumption is correct. Yes, this bottle might have contained whiskey but could also have been any other alcoholic drink.
(2) The D in D-9 indicated a distillery as opposed to a bottler. This is a bit confusing...read on.
(3) Ball Bros. Co. did operate throughout the 30s to 60s but is thought of as a manufacturer of canning jars (think Ball Perfect Mason) It is possible that they produced containers for other uses but it seems highly unlikely that they were also in the liquor manufacturing business.
A photo might help others piece together the significance of the marks - would be worth posting one if you can.
Found an advert from the 1930s for Old Quaker which says Schenley's Old Quaker Whiskey... The Old Quaker Co, Lawrenceville, Indiana.
http://www.sha.org/bottle/pdffiles/ballbros.pdf