c.1890 Antique Ship in "Bubble Bottle" Folk Tramp Ar (03/04/2011)...

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c.1890 Antique Ship in "Bubble Bottle" Folk Tramp Art

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c.1890 Antique Ship in "Bubble Bottle" Folk Tramp Art

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Sold Date: 03/04/2011
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Transportation and Vehicles

The Blue Bubble Bottle Comes Out of The Closet ... I've had this great little ship in bottle for years. I always referred to it as the "bubble bottle" and in some of those photos you can see why -- bubbles of every shape and size embedded in the glass. Every bottle collector loves defects such as bubbles, and sib collectors are no different. This bottle has a wonderful bluish-aqua hue. Each time I considered selling it, I ended up putting it back in the closet. Well, every sib has a day of reckoning . I know I'm going to regret it, but I'm finally willing to let this one go to a new home. I've made a lot of new acquisitions, and it's time to move some inventory.
What's For Sale ... I can't remember having an old bottle with this many bubbles in the glass. There are a lot more than what you can see in the photos, and they're truly beautiful. Big bubbles and tiny bubbles. But this little sib has a lot more going for it than bubbles. There is a wonderful ship model inside that is somewhat primitive, but in a bottle this old -- the model is perfect. One way I evaluate what's inside a sib bottle is how everything fits inside the bottle. The negative space is as important as whatever was inserted through the neck of the bottle. It takes a lot of planning to get it right -- and the maker of this sib certainly did. The model is the perfect size and shape for this bottle This sib hearkens back to the earliest days of making ships in bottles. I date this one to approximately 1890; it could be a few years on either side of that, but there's no question this one is really old. The bottle is shaped like a flask, and is 7.5 inches (19 cm) in length and 3.5 inches (9 cm) in width. The hand carved hull has an overall primitive feel to it, yet unlike most ship models from this era, this one actually has a lot of nice details to it, including a railing on both sides of the hull and additional details on deck. The sea resin is a very faded green that has almost become ashen colored. Consistent with the age of this bottle, the neck was added after the main body of the bottle was removed from its mold.
Age And Rarity and Valuation ... All ships in bottles are different and unique. What makes this one worth even more than the listed price is just what I said above -- rarity and age. In addition, condition is a factor affecting value and pricing, and in that regard, there isn't one thing wrong with this flask. There is no loose rigging, no loose shards inside the bottle. Prices for old ships in bottle continue to rise. A pumpkin seed flask recently sold on eBay for $550 (Item No. 110628724398 )
Details, Details ... The flask measures 5.5 inches (14 cm) high and is about 4 inches (9 cm) wide and 1 inch deep. Note: the cork is not original. Consistent with bottles of this era, the flask was made with a two seam hand-blown mold, with both the neck and the bottom added after the main body of the glass was blown. The bottle has numerous defects -- stretched glass and bubbles. And virtually all collectors like to see those kind of defects as reflective of its age. The model inside the flask is not glued down, but it will travel without any problem -- I can remove the cork and insert a tissue to stabilize the sib for transit. On the ship model, the hull is nicely carved, and the patina of the hull and masts is very dark brown. The bottle sits nicely on its flat bottom and needs no stand. Those who have eyes will see.
Don't hesitate to ask questions regarding this item :

Note: I'm cleaning out the sib closet . Check out my other items -- I'll be posting other ships in bottle in the very near future.

Interested in learning more about ships in bottle? Join the Ships in Bottle Association of America. Check out the website: / Learn more from the people who still make them. (FYI, I myself don't have the patience, but I can appreciate the results all the same.)

Original vs. Factory Made: There are a lot of ships in bottles l...