Rare bitters and Midwestern bottles fetch high prices in Glass Works Auctions' online-only auction

EAST GREENVILLE, Pa. - Oct. 14, 2020 - PRLog -- An American Life Bitters bottle made in Ohio circa 1865-1875 sold for $42,000, a Constitution Bitters bottle made in New York circa 1865-1875 brought $23,000, a St. Drake's Plantation Bitters bottle patented in New York in 1862 fetched $14,000, and a pattern globular bottle made by Zanesville Glass Works in Ohio, circa 1815-1835, hit $7,500 in Premier Auction #143, which opened for bidding Sept 21 and closed Sept. 28 by Glass Works Auctions.

The online-only auction was headlined by two outstanding collections: the Paul and Mary Ballentine bitters bottle collection and the Don Spangler Midwestern bottles and glass collection. Of the 275 total lots in the auction, 140 found winning bidders. By the time it was all over, the sale grossed $354,600. All traffic was driven through the website, www.glswrk-auction.com.

"The Ballentines were pioneer collectors from Ohio who started collecting in the early 1960s," said Jim Hagenbuch, the owner of Glass Works Auctions. "Paul passed away, but Mary retained the collection until her recent passing. Don Spangler is probably the last of the early collectors of early Ohio glass. At age 90 he reluctantly decided it was time to pass it on to other collectors."

The American Life Bitters bottle (P.E. Iler, Mfg., Tiffin, Ohio) was from the Ballentine collection and was the top achiever of the auction. The 9 ¼ inch tall bottle (Ring/Ham, A-49) had a light to medium yellow color with an olive tone cabin, and featured a smooth base and applied tapered mouth. "This bottle was about perfect, save for a tiny spot of roughness on the tip of a lower log," Hagenbuch said. "It's rare in amber, but only a few exist in this yellow coloration."

The Constitution Bitters bottle (Seward & Bentley, Buffalo, N.Y.), also from the Ballentine collection, was medium pink amethyst in color and was in perfect condition. The bottle (Ring/Ham, C-223), 9 ¼ inches tall, featured a smooth base and applied tapered collar mouth.

Glass Works Auctions maintains offices in East Greenville, Pa., and a gallery in nearby Pennsburg. The firm is always accepting quality bottles for future sales. To inquire about consigning a single piece or an entire collection, you may call them at 215-679-5849; or, you can send an email to info@glswrk-auction.com. The next auction is tentatively slated for later in the fall. Watch website for details. To learn more, visit www.glswrk-auction.com.