Dr. J. Hostetters Stomach Bitters Bottle

[Lilacpa]

does anyone know why there are so many of these on ebay? there were a few that ended last week that went for over 100.00. but are they worth anything if the market is flooded with them?I was going to bid on one and try to get it at low price but now im wondering.
thanks,
lee

 

[BRIAN S.]

Hi ,
Dr. J . Hostetter's Stomach Bitters was one of the most successful and popular Bitters ever produced . And it was produced over a very long period of time ..... So it is one of the most common Bitters bottles out there , if not the most common.
There are many different mold and color variants , with medium amber being the most common coloration . And you say you saw some sell in the 100.00 range ..... More than likely they were a scarcer color variant ( such as Yellow , Olive toned , ect. ). Or possibly they were of a scarcer mold ( rare base embossing ) .
The more scarce the mold and/or coloration ........ the higher the demand and value.
You will see a big range of pricing on these depending on rarity . Say from 10.00 or so on the most common to thousands of dollars for a pontiled example.
I believe there were several discussions on Hostetter's on this forum in the past ...... you might want to do a search .

 

[Lilacpa]

brian,
thanks that helps alot.
lee

 

[GuntherHess]

Hostetter's bottles were produced over a huge time frame (>100years??).
The earlier, crude ones tend to be worth more than the later ones but as Brian said color is probably the biggest determining factor for value. In bottle collecting color has always been king.

I think Atwoods might give Hostetters a run for their money in the popularity contest.

 

[bearswede]

Here's one of those threads...

https://www.antique-bottles.net/forum/m_19940/mpage_1/key_hostetters/tm.htm#19943

Ron

 

[bearswede]

Here's another...

https://www.antique-bottles.net/forum/m_40838/mpage_1/key_hossie/tm.htm#41352