Owens-Illinois Liquor Bottle Value Guide

This Owens-Illinois liquor bottle is a quintessential piece of American glass history, representing the industry's shift to high-volume machine production following the 1929 merger. These clear glass vessels are highly collectible for their embossed federal warning labels, which serve as a direct historical link to post-Prohibition liquor regulations.

What affects the value of Owens-Illinois Liquor Bottle?

• Presence and clarity of the embossed federal warning statement and manufacturer date codes.
• Condition of the clear glass, specifically the absence of 'sick glass' cloudiness or heavy ground burial staining.
• The integrity of the applied collar and the presence of any original labeling or tax stamps.
• Market demand for mid-20th century barware, with current valuations typically ranging between $12.00 and $13.20.

How to Identify Owens-Illinois Liquor Bottle?

• Look for the embossed 'Federal Law Forbids Sale or Reuse of this Bottle' text, mandatory for bottles produced between 1935 and 1964.
• Identify the Owens-Illinois manufacturer's mark on the base, typically an 'I' inside an oval or a diamond and circle logo.
• Check for the specific rounded square body shape and a tall neck with an applied collar finish.
• Examine the glass for machine-made characteristics, such as mold seams that run all the way through the lip.

History of Owens-Illinois Liquor Bottle

Produced by the Owens-Illinois Glass Company, this bottle represents the transition from mouth-blown to machine-made glass. The company was formed in 1929 through a merger, becoming a dominant force in the American container industry. These bottles were ubiquitous in the mid-20th century, often used for rye or bourbon, and frequently feature federal warning labels embossed on the glass that read 'Federal Law Forbids Sale or Reuse of this Bottle', a requirement for all liquor bottles sold in the US between 1935 and 1964.