Ball Sanitary Sure Seal Jar Value Guide

The Ball Sanitary Sure Seal jar represents a pivotal shift in food safety, utilizing a glass lid and wire bail to ensure no metal contacted the contents. Produced in Muncie, Indiana, these jars are highly collectible for their distinctive 'Ball Blue' aqua glass and historical significance in early 20th-century home preservation.

What Is Ball Sanitary Sure Seal Jar Worth?

The typical price range for Ball Sanitary Sure Seal Jar is $25 - $28 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The physical condition of the glass, specifically the absence of chips around the rim or 'flea bites'.
• The presence and integrity of the original glass lid and the tension of the steel wire bail.
• Clarity and depth of the aqua blue color, which can vary based on the original mineral composition.
• The sharpness and legibility of the embossed 'Sanitary Sure Seal' branding on the jar's surface.

How to Identify Ball Sanitary Sure Seal Jar?

• Look for the specific 'Sanitary Sure Seal' embossed lettering on the front of the aqua blue glass.
• Verify the presence of the original glass lid and the steel wire-bail closure mechanism.
• Check for the 'Ball' logo style consistent with the 1910-1915 production era.
• Identify the natural 'Ball Blue' tint caused by mineral-rich sand from the Indiana glassworks.

History of Ball Sanitary Sure Seal Jar

The Ball Sanitary Sure Seal line was introduced around 1910 and was a significant improvement in home canning safety. Unlike earlier jars that used metal lids, which could react with food and harbor bacteria, this design utilized a glass lid and a rubber gasket held in place by a wire bail mechanism. This ensured that no metal touched the contents, making it more 'sanitary' than its competitors. The distinctive aqua color, often called Ball Blue, came from the natural minerals present in the sand used at the Ball Brothers' glassworks in Muncie, Indiana.