Hood's Sarsaparilla Bottle Value Guide

The Hood's Sarsaparilla bottle is a quintessential piece of Victorian patent medicine history, produced by C.I. Hood & Co. in Lowell, Massachusetts. These aqua glass vessels are highly collectible due to the company's status as one of the most successful pharmaceutical advertisers of the late 19th century.

What affects the value of Hood's Sarsaparilla Bottle?

• Condition of the glass, specifically the absence of chips, cracks, or heavy 'sickness' (cloudiness) from burial.
• The presence of an original paper label, which significantly increases the $35-$40 base value.
• Clarity and sharpness of the embossed lettering on the glass panels.
• Historical provenance or inclusion of original advertising materials like trading cards from the same era.

How to Identify Hood's Sarsaparilla Bottle?

• Look for the distinct embossed lettering reading 'C.I. HOOD & CO.' and 'LOWELL, MASS.' on the side panels.
• Verify the presence of 'HOOD'S COMPOUND EXTRACT SARSAPARILLA' embossed vertically on the bottle.
• Check for characteristic late 19th-century manufacturing marks, such as a tooled lip and a light aqua glass tint.
• Ensure the bottle stands approximately 9 inches tall with a rectangular body and chamfered corners.

History of Hood's Sarsaparilla Bottle

C.I. Hood & Co. of Lowell, Massachusetts, was one of the most successful patent medicine companies of the late 19th century. Their sarsaparilla was marketed as a blood purifier and general tonic during the Victorian era. The company became famous for its aggressive advertising campaigns, including trading cards and calendars, making their bottles a staple of American pharmaceutical history.