Mrs. Stewart's Bluing Bottle Value Guide

The Mrs. Stewart's Bluing bottle is a staple of early 20th-century American laundry history, manufactured by Al Stewart's Minneapolis-based company. These clear, oval-shaped glass vessels are highly collectible for their distinct embossed shoulders and their role in the evolution of domestic whitening agents.

What Is Mrs. Stewart's Bluing Bottle Worth?

The typical price range for Mrs. Stewart's Bluing Bottle is $12 - $14 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the glass, specifically the absence of chips, cracks, or heavy 'clouding' from burial.
• Presence of the original paper label, which significantly increases the value beyond the $12-$14 base price.
• Clarity of the embossed lettering on the shoulder and neck area.
• The specific variant of the oval mold used during the 1883 to 1930 production span.

How to Identify Mrs. Stewart's Bluing Bottle?

• Look for the distinct oval-shaped clear glass body with a cork-top finish characteristic of the 1910-1930 era.
• Verify the presence of specific embossed lettering on the neck and shoulder of the bottle.
• Check for a lack of screw threads, as authentic early examples predated the transition to screw-cap closures.
• Inspect the base for glass manufacturing marks consistent with United States production from the early 20th century.

History of Mrs. Stewart's Bluing Bottle

Mrs. Stewart's Bluing was first manufactured in 1883 by Al Stewart in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The product was used by home launderers to whiten clothes by adding a minute amount of blue dye to the water, which counteracts the natural yellowing of white fabrics. This specific cork-top style was common in the early 20th century before the transition to screw-cap closures.