During my past 16 years of collecting bottles, I was able to see thousands of Rhode Island bottles, whether I dug or bought them, saw them at shows, online, or in collections. Out of all those bottles, I would guess more than 50% of them could be classified as "common". It can be hard for a beginning collector to determine if a bottle is common or not, so I am making this list as an effort to help new collectors know what some of the common RI bottles are. For now I am only focusing on embossed bottles, and plan to go over ACL sodas and milk bottles at a later time.
I would also like to stress that this not a value guide. Most of the bottles listed below don't have much value ($1-10 average), but bottles not listed here or variants I call uncommon or rare does not automatically mean they are valuable.
This is not an exact science, but I hope you will find it helpful as you peruse antique shops, flea markets, or dig up bottles.
If you want to use any of the information below, please quote your source as TaylorsRIBottleBlog.
Soda bottles:
Term to remember: slugplate
A typically circular or oval plate that could be custom engraved and inserted into a generic bottle mold. This made production of custom bottles much cheaper.
American Bottling Co. Providence, RI- common
This company was in business from 1902-1921. It was one of the most successful bottling companies of its time in the state. Most versions are common, though examples with an embossed address or "clean bottling" are harder to find.
Anthony Bottling Works- Anthony, RI- semicommon
In business from 1922-1944, this company was probably a competitor to the juggernaut Warwick Bottling Works/ Warwick Club Ginger Ale Co. While not common, they are certainly easy to find.
Arnolds Bottling Works- Riverpoint, RI- semicommon
In business from 1911-1933, the story of this company is very similar to the Anthony Bottling Works.
Batchelors Bottling Works- Woonsocket, RI- common to semicommon
Easily the most common embossed soda from Woonsocket, this company was in business from 1911-1970s. There are a number of less common variants, but the small sizes are more common, and machine made examples are too.
Bell Bottling Co. Providence, RI- common
Another highly successful company, these bottles date from 1923-1963. The shoulder and heel embossed versions are very common, while quart sizes are less common. Slug plated versions with the bell on front are also common.
Berry Spring Mineral Water Co.- Pawtucket, RI- very common
The Berry Spring Mineral Water Co. was probably the most successful bottling company in RI in the 1920s-30s. Most of their bottles feature an attractive radiant cross embossed on the front. Green examples are common, and oddly, the small 8oz. size is uncommon.
James H. Blackler/ Black Rock Westerly, RI- semicommon
A successful bottler (from ca. 1888-1935), Mr. Blackler also had good design taste, embossing American flags on many of his bottles. Most crown top versions are semicommon, with the Black Rock (shoulder) J.H. Blackler (heel) being the most common version. Blob top versions are uncommon-scarce.
Thomas H. Blackler- Westerly, RI- uncommon
Nearly all "squat" style sodas from RI are hard to find, but interestingly two of the most common examples are from Westerly. I have owned over half a dozen of these, so it is apparent that he was quite successful. Ca. 1875-1889.
Bridge Club Beverages Providence, RI- semicommon
This appealing deco soda bottle resembles an ear of corn. After digging over half a dozen of them, I realized that they were not hard to find. This bottle also comes in green, which is scarce. In business from 1936-1958.
Burke Bros. Providence, RI- semicommon
The Burke Bros. (1886-1920) were successful liquor dealers. The most common style has a fancy "shield"-like slugplate. Clear examples with the address are also semicommon. Amber examples are rare.
California Wine Co. Providence, RI- common
Why a RI company would name their business after a huge western state I do not know, but it certainly did not hurt their business. Dating from 1890-1920, all versions are common.
Antonio F. Cappelli / Nicola Cappelli- Providence, RI- common to semicommon
These two brothers started off as the Cappelli Bros., but decided to start their own businesses. They were both very successful. Antonio (1897-1920) prefered blob top bottles, while Nicola (1893-1920) used both blob and crown tops. There are probably close to a dozen different bottles from each brother.
Caproni Bros. Providence, RI- common
Another pair of very successful brothers, they certainly surpassed the Cappellis in business. Starting in 1892, they enjoyed success until 1925, when they completely switched their name to the Hebe Co. (see below). Examples with the shield on front are common, shoulder embossed versions are also common. Older slugplated versions are less common.
Centredale Bottling Co.- Centredale, RI- semicommon
Somewhat of an oddball small town bottling company, they enjoyed moderate success from 1908-1936. Normally shoulder embossed, the front embossed example is scarce.
Coca-Cola Providence, RI- very common
Ah yes, good-old Coke bottles! There are a number of variants though. Early straight-sided examples are scarce. The 1915 patent is rare. The 1923 "Christmas" patent is semicommon. The D- 105529 patent is very common. The "patent office" version is also very common. I will make an exception for Coke bottles by valuing a few of them. The Christmas Coke is worth $10-20. The D-pat and patent office examples are worth $1-5 depending on condition. If you pay more than $5 for one you are getting robbed. I once found over 100 of them in one dump! I still have buckets of uncleaned Cokes.
Coca-Cola Peace Dale, RI- semicommon
The southern distribution hub for Coca-Cola was Peace Dale. They apparently did quite well with all the beaches nearby, and are quite easy to find.
Coca-Cola Newport, RI- uncommon
Still easy to find, it is harder to find than the Providence and Peace Dale Cokes. The 1923 Christmas patent is scarce, and is also the source of inexplicably wild gesticulations. I have seen one asking $500 on Craigslist, which didn't sell after being listed for a year (no surprise), and someone told me in person he had one, and that it was worth $10,000. I'm not sure what he was on, but just to give you an idea, they are worth around $30-60. If you have one and don't believe me, list it on ebay, starting at $9.99, and you will find out exactly how much they sell for.
Bernard Conaty Co. Providence, RI- common
Uncommon until last year, when over 100 of them flooded the market. One collector found the old bottling plant, and crates of the bottles in the basement. They date from 1913-1934.
Crystal Beverage Co. Providence, RI- semicommon
Dating from 1921-1936, the most common versions have Crystal or a C embossed on the shoulder, and more embossing on the heel. Slugplated and deco versions are harder to find.
Joseph Demers Pawtucket, RI- semicommon
A nice Pawtucket blob, but comes in a number of variants, all relatively easy to find. Dates from 1905-1920.
E.J. Dybala Cranston, RI- common
A very successful company, dating from 1954-1970. Only known variant is a deco soda.
Dybalas Spring Woonsocket, RI- semicommon
Harder to find than the Cranston version, they are still readily available. The green version is uncommon. They were in business from 1931-1991 (preceded by J.M. Dybala).
Empire Bottling Works Bristol, RI- common
This rather unique bottle has ornate embossing, but is very easy to find. In business from 1930-present, most of the bottles date from the 1950s-60s. Green examples are semicommon, the slug plated version is scarce.
Peter Faerber & Sons Newport, RI- common to semicommon
By far the most successful bottler in Newport, Faerber & Sons were in business from 1878-1947. His sons joined in 1884, and it became Faerber & Sons Co. in 1913. ABM versions are the most common, with the quarts being uncommon. Handmade crown tops are semicommon. The embossed stone mill version is rare, as well as the blob top version.
J.L. & P. Gannon Providence, RI- common
The Gannons conducted a lively bottling business from 1891-1922. ABM versions are the most common, blobs are semicommon.
Antonio Gasbarro Providnce, RI- semicommon
Notable because Garbarros is still in business today, having started in 1898. Comes in a number of variants, all are semicommon.
Francis Gavin Pawtucket, RI- common
One of the most successful liquor dealers in Pawtucket from 1902-1906 (possibly later). The blob and crown tops with no slugplate are the most common. Slugplated versions are semicommon, and the amber version is scarce.
Geneva Springs Bottling Co. North Providence, RI- semicommon
Dating from 1930-1944, the deco style bottle is common. The slugplated versions are uncommon.
Gladstone Springs Water Co. Narragansett Pier, RI- semicommon
The most successful bottling company in southern RI (outside of Westerly). Dating from 1899-1930, clear and aqua versions are semicommon. Large (12oz) and BIM versions are scarce.
John E. Good- see Providence Bottling Co.
Thomas Grimes & Bro. Providence, RI- common to semicommon
Another very successful liquor dealer from 1890-1920.
Hand Brewing Co. Pawtucket, RI- common
The second most successful brewing company from RI (that had embossed bottles). One known variant, very easy to come by! In business from 1898-1927.
A. Hasselbaum Co. Providence, RI- semicommon
A distinct blob with a triangle design in the slugplate. Crown top versions are uncommon.
Dates from 1889-1916.
Havens Bottling Works Westerly, RI- common
The most successful bottling company in Westerly. In business from 1922-1956. Quart sizes are uncommon, abbreviated Bott. Wks. is uncommon, green versions are scarce.
J.S. Hazard & Co. Newport and Westerly, RI- semicommon to scarce
Most commonly found as a base-embossed squat blob, some say Newport, RI on the base as well. Westerly embossed versions are front-embossed and uncommon. EPF (block letters) version, Porter & Ale version, and gravitating stopper versions are rare. They all date from 1877-1896.
The Hebe Co. Providence, RI- very common to common
A relatively mundane RI soda bottle, always embossed on the shoulder. All versions common.
In business from 1916-1944.
Joseph A. Hebert Central Falls, RI- semicommon
The third most common Central Falls liquor/soda bottle. 1900-1920
Herb-O Phosa / Phosa (Providence)- common to semicommon
A popular beverage with curious looking slot marks on the shoulders. Small size is common, quarts are semicommon. Dates from 1909-1937.
J. Keron Central Falls, RI- common to semicommon
Shoulder embossed ABM version is abundant. BIM crown top, usually embossed Herbola is semicommon. Most date from 1900-1920.
Kerona Beverages (Central Falls, RI)- very common to common
Not to be confused with the modern beer Corona, Kerona was a very successful soda. The clear deco version is very common, I had dug dozens of them. The green version is common. Quart non-deco versions are also common.
Kings Bottling Works Westerly, RI- semicommon
The second most successful bottler in Westerly was in business from 1918-1941. Plain and deco styles are common, quarts are scarce. Green deco is also scarce.
James Lavell Providence, RI- common to semicommon
Another big-time liquor dealer from 1889-1918.
S. Levin & Sons/ Levin Bros. Providence, RI- semicommon
S. Levin version is uncommon (1893-1900), Levin Bros. is common (1901-1913)
Liberty Club Providence, RI- common
This prosperous company was in business from 1936-1955. The deco style soda bottle is common, but green examples are scarce.
Lobello Spring Water Co. Providence, RI- semicommon
In business from 1926-1960, this was one of the more popular spring water companies in RI. Crown top versions are semicommon. There is a half gallon size cork top bottle that is very rare.
Maine Bottling Co. Providence, RI- common
Another successful bottling company, they did business from 1921-1930. Small size bottles are common, while quart sizes are uncommon.
McKenna Bros. Providence, RI- common to uncommon
The McKenna Bros. were one of the bottling companies that dominated Providence in the 1890s-1910s period. They were in business from 1887-1920. Clear blob tops and crown tops are common. Aqua blob tops (normal and narrow sizes) are uncommon. The Thasmo patent stopper bottle is rare.
McKenna & Conaty Providence, RI- common to uncommon
Almost as successful as the McKenna Bros., McKenna & Conaty were in business from 1883-1912. Clear blobs are common, crown tops are semicommon. Aqua blobs are uncommon.
McLaughlin's Soda Works- Woonsocket, RI- common to uncommon
This successful Woonsocket bottling company was in business from 1914-1927. Small ABM crown tops are common, BIM examples are semicommon. Quart sizes are uncommon. The "old fashioned spruce" bottle is scarce.
McManus & Meade Nasonville, RI- semicommon to scarce
Nasonville is a small town that almost qualifies as being in the "middle of nowhere" for Rhode Island. When a bottling company was started there, they tapped into a large market that had previously relied on imported beverages from larger towns. McManus & Meade started their business in 1895, and sold out in 1913. They were one of a handful of RI bottlers to use amber bottles, and they used a lot of them! Amber crown tops are semicommon, with the Western Hotel versions being more common. The clear and amber blobs are rare. Clear crown tops are semicommon. And the fabled hutchinson, of course, is very rare.
L.H. Meyer Co. Providence, RI- common
This highly successful liquor dealing company was one of the most successful dealers in the state. It was known as the L.H. Meyer Co. from 1904-1920. Shoulder embossed versions are common. Front embossed versions are semicommon. The quart sizes are uncommon. Earlier bottles marked Olneyville are uncommon.
Mineral Spring Bottling Co. North Providence, RI- common
This company only produced a deco soda bottle, dating from 1936-1941. It is common.
Modox- see Nickel Tone Mfg. Co.
Mt. Hope Distilling Co. Providence, RI- common
One of the most successful liquor dealing companies in the state from 1901-1920. I have over 15 different bottles from them, ranging from aqua blobs to ABM crown tops. All are common.
Narragansett Brewing Co. Providence, RI- very common to semicommon
Rhode Island's claim to fame was the nationally famous Narragansett Brewing Co. Starting in 1890, the company is still in business today. In almost every 1910-20s dump and every antique shop in New England, one can easily find a clear ABM shoulder embossed Narragansett bottle. BIM versions, and aqua examples are semicommon. Front embossed examples embossed "famous export lager" or "famous lager and ale" are also semicommon. Examples with embossing in a circle on the shoulder are uncommon, as well as etched bottles.
Nasonville Bottling Co. Nasonville, RI- common to semicommon
The successor to McManus & Meade prospered from 1913-1923. Clear versions and ABM amber versions are common, while amber BIM versions are semicommon. The Western Hill Spring version is uncommon.
Natick Bottling Works- Natick, RI- semicommon
What was once a likely scarce bottle became rather common when the town dump was thoroughly excavated. Clear BIM versions are semicommon. Aqua crown tops, including ABM are uncommon, and blobs are scarce. They were in business from 1911-1929.
National Bottling Co. Providence, RI- semicommon
In business from 1925-1935, the small size and quart size are semicommon.
New England Bottling Co. Westerly, RI- semicommon
The predecessor to the Havens Bottling Works was in business from 1905-1923. ABM versions are semicommon, clear BIM versions are also semicommon. Aqua examples are uncommon.
Nickel Tone Mfg. Co. (Modox) Providence, RI- common to uncommon
This company was a direct copycat to the more popular Moxie. They enjoyed some success from 1902-1909, until Moxie sued them and they lost. They had to grind the word "Modox" off their bottles, so you can find them either ground off or unground. The ratio seems to be 50/50. These examples are common. Later versions are just embossed Modox, and are uncommon. The aqua version is scarce.
Ochee Spring Water Co. Providence, RI- very common to semicommon
The most successful spring water company in Rhode Island was in business from 1890-1953. Most of their bottles are embossed on the shoulder. Clear examples are very common, green examples are common. The half gallon mineral water jugs are semicommon, with the square collar lip examples being scarce.
Olneyville Mineral Waters Johnston, RI- semicommon
Another successful mineral water company, although no one would want to drink water from Olneyville nowadays! Small crown tops are semicommon, the quart size is scarce. They were in business from 1887-1912.
Orange Cream Bottling Co. Providence, RI- semicommon
In business from 1925-1936, this company has common shoulder/heel embossed sodas. The examples with embossed "cream" or icicle design are uncommon.
Orme Carbonating Co. Providence, RI- semicommon
A moderately successful bottling company from 1911-1935. All versions are semicommon.
Peerless Soda Works- Woonsocket, RI- semicommon
In business from 1912-1922, this company used shoulder//heel embossed (semicommon), and shoulder embossed (uncommon) bottles. The Pe-Ne-To bottle is scarce
Phosa- see Herb-O Phosa
John Prior & Co. Providence, RI- common
Another very successful liquor dealer, Mr. Prior was in business from 1886-1919. All versions are common, with the exception being the versions with Rhode Island spelled out (uncommon).
Providence Bottling Co. Providence, RI- very common to uncommon
It just happened by chance that the company named after the city it was in became immensely successful. John E. Good was the proprietor responsible for the companies success. Crown top examples with cursive writing are very common (I have dug over two dozen of them). Script blobs and shoulder embossed examples are also common. Plain lettering versions (aqua blobs to clear crown tops) are semicommon to uncommon, the Finneran script example is uncommon. This company was in business from 1887-1920.
Puritan Bottling Co. Providence, RI- common
In business from 1901-1930, their small ABM crown tops are common. Quarts are semicommon, and BIM examples are uncommon.
Red Fox Ginger Ale Co. Providence, RI- very common to common
This was the second or third most successful bottler in RI during the 1930-60s period. In business from 1932-1980s, their signature deco style bottle is very common in clear, and common in green. Quart sizes are also common.
Royal Carbonating Co. Providence, RI- semicommon
A moderately successful company from 1915-1927. Small versions are semicommon, crown top quarts are semicommon, quart blobs are uncommon.
Harry Sharpe Centredale, RI- semicommon
The founder of the successful Yacht Club Beverages was in business from 1915-1922. His bottles are semicommon.
Sherba Beverage Co. West Barrington, RI- common
From 1924-1950, this company dominated the East Bay beverage market. Their clear small and quart bottles are common, the aqua and green shoulder embossed versions are semicommon.
Shiloh Bottling Works/Company Providence, RI- common to uncommon
I like to call this company Ochee Spring's competitor, due to their use of similar shoulder embossed bottles. Mostly quarts, they are quite common. The "bottling works" versions are earlier and semicommon. The fancy deco soda (lines and dots) is semicommon. The less fancy deco soda is scarce. The embossed Indian versions are scarce. Bottling Works from 1920-1929, company from 1929-1952.
Silver Spring Bowes Bros.- common
A common soda bottle, and it is actually not from RI, but Brockton, Mass.
The Edward Smith Co. Pawtucket, RI- common to semicommon
A successful liquor dealer in Pawtucket from 1899-1920. Bottles range from common to semicommon.
Standard Bottling Co. Pawtucket, RI- common to uncommon
The most successful pre-prohibition bottling company in Pawtucket. All examples have an embossed American flag. Clear slugplated blobs and crown tops are common. Vertically embosssed flag versions are semicommon. The Pavonia beer version is rare. In business from 1887-1921.
Star Bottling Co. Pawtucket, RI- very common to semicommon
A highly successful company from 1921-1955. Small bottles are very common, quarts are semicommon.
Sullivan Bros. Providence, RI- common to uncommon
One of the most successful liquor dealers in Providence from 1878-1920. Clear blobs and crown tops are common. Five Sullivan Bros. versions are uncommon. Of course we can't forget the hutchinson, which is very rare.
Albert H. Sydney Co. Providence, RI- semicommon
In business from 1915-1922, all of his bottles are semicommon.
John Theroux Pontiac, RI- common
A very successful small town liquor dealer from 1896-1920. The narrow blobs are more common than the normal sized ones.
Turks Head Beverage Co. Providence, RI- semicommon to uncommon
Certainly a curiously named company, they were in business from 1920-1936. The aqua ten pin bottle is semicommon. The slugplated versions are semicommon. The clear and aqua quarts with embossed Turks head are semicommon, and the green one is uncommon.
United Mineral Water Co. Providence, RI- common to semicommon
In business from 1920-1932. Clear and aqua quarts are common. Green quart is uncommon, small size is semicommon.
United States Bottling Co. Providence, RI- semicommon
One of the prettiest RI blobs features an embossed eagle on the shoulder. They come in a number of variants, some with no eagle embossed. All are semicommon.
Warwick Bottling Works / Warwick Club Ginger Ale Co. Arctic, RI- very common to common
By far the most successful Rhode Island-based bottling company of all time. Known as Warwick Bottling Works from 1902-1930. Over two dozen variants known. The ABM versions are very common (clear extremely common), examples without the W.B.W. are slightly less common. The W.B.W. only pint and quarts are common. The BIM crown tops are common. The blob tops are semicommon, one example is reported being embossed Warwick instead of Arctic, which would be scarce. A deco style version is semicommon. None of these are worth over $10.
In 1930 the company became the Warwick Club Ginger Ale Co. They were in business until 1968. All examples embossed Warwick Club Ginger Ale Co. are very common or common. None of these are worth over $5, unless the have a label.
Roger Williams Bottling Co. Cranston, RI (also Providence)- common to semicommon
The most successful bottling company in Cranston from 1903-1915. Clear blobs and all crown tops are common, aqua blobs and the Providence variants are semicommon.
Jacob Wirth & Co. Providence, RI- common to uncommon
With the roots of this famous liquor dealer in Boston, Mr. Wirth opened a Providence branch in 1880. It closed in 1922. Most of his bottles have a signature square diamond design on front. All of these bottles (blobs and crown tops) are common. Slug plated aqua blobs are uncommon.
Yacht Club Bottling Works Centredale, RI- semicommon to rare
This successful company was started in 1915 and is still in business today. Their shoulder embossed bottles are semicommon, the quart is uncommon, and the fancy deco soda is rare.
S.H. Zucker & Co. Pawtucket, RI- semicommon
This liquor dealer was in business from 1906-1920. All blobs are semicommon.
No comments:
Post a Comment