A Fortune In A Flask
Recently newspapers reported that somebody sold a $44,000 bottle at a yard sale for just three bucks.
Collectibles expert Tony Hyman doesn't want you to lose out on any valuable items you might have. He explains what to look for when examining old bottles and flasks in CBS News Saturday Morning's continuing series on collectibles.
First, if there is no mold seam going up the neck, the bottle may be handmade and definitely worth checking out. And, never get rid of an obviously old bottle that has a picture embossed into the glass.
Before the Civil War, people bought their bottles separately from their whiskey, and a store might offer a half dozen pictorial flasks to choose from.
Favorites were historic subjects, famous men, current events, even singers like Jenny Lind would be molded into the bottle.
The figures embossed into the glass make it desirable.The color of the glass determines the price.
An aqua-colored 1830s flask featuring George Washington is worth $300. If it is amber or dark blue, the price would be more like $10,000.
The worse the quality, the more collectors like the bottle. Bits of sand, bubbles, mold marks and wrinkles all add to the charm and value of historic flasks.
For more on historical flasks, Hyman recommends collector Burt Spiller. His email address is bottlebug@aol.com.
For more information on collectibles go to Tony Hyman's Web site.
Previous CBS News Saturday Morning segments with collectibles expert Tony Hyman are available in the collectibles archive.
If you think you have a collectible worth a lot of cash, send an email to sat@cbsnews.com. Put "What's it Worth?" in the subject line, or write to "What's it Worth?" CBS News Saturday Morning, 514 West 57th St., 6th floor, New York, N.Y. 10019.
Please note that because of the volume of mail received, Saturday Morning can't respond to all requests, but some will be selected and featured on the show in the near future.
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