Fred. Wolff

[Robby Raccoon]

Got this bottle off of e-Bay.
Embossed "FRED. W. WOLFF / 2723 JEFFERSON ST / PHILADA, PA. / REGISTERED"-- nothing else; no base- or heel-embossing; disappointingly no glass-maker's mark. Don't get me wrong, I'm the total opposite of disappointed. It has much going for it.
1. The embossing is a private mold done in the shape of a scroll on its side. 2. "FRED." has the period in it--we don't use a period to abbreviate "Fredrick" anymore. "ST" lacks a period. 3. It's an applied blob-- the seller said "about 1890," if I recall, but the lack of vent-holes and a true applied-blob might make it older. Nonetheless, without any knowledge of the glass-maker, I have no solid premise to say that. 4. Ice-blue color.5. The swirls-- I have not seen the swirling on the glass surface like this in bottles this old, but instead I have only on bottles from around the '30s made in large, quick batches. Also, there exist many bubbles. Further, many twists are obvious in the neck.6. The seam vanishes on the shoulders.7. Might I add that this variation does not appear to be listed. 8. Only a small chip on the surface from it's bail (I assume.)9. Almost stain-free.10. I like it.

 

[Robby Raccoon]

Pic one on here is from the e-Bay seller.

 

[Robby Raccoon]

See the swirls? Not likely, but I do.

 

[Robby Raccoon]

Some nice twists, too. Click here for the listed variation. Beyond this, I know almost nothing. The location either no longer exists, or they changed the address slightly over time and the building I found (looked old enough) still standing is its original home now turned residence.

 

[BellwoodBoys]

Nice bottle, this "scroll slugplate" was seldom used. Here's one from Atlantic City. Photo credit to NJBottles.com

 

[Robby Raccoon]

A slug-plate is interchangeable and leaves sign of it, whereas a private mold is it's own unique mold, right? I'm confused--thought mine is a private mold? My slug-bottles look different than private-molds. Even with a shape around it.
Private V. Slug shown here: http://brucemobley.com/beerbottlelibrary/il/chicago/manhattan.htm
Give it a tumble, and it would really shine!
Thanks for the compliment.
I just finished highlighting the embossing. No case-wear to it, no "flea-bites," or any other damage to it. Just one fleck of white from what I think is the last time it was highlighted.

 

[MichaelFla]

The area with the embossing is entirely within a frame that could easily be removed and replaced with alternate embossing. That Gregson & Strickland bottle looks almost identical with the exception of the actual words, so I would guess that the whole frame was used as a slug plate, as stated by Bellwood Boys. Very nice pieces, though. I've never seen that type of slug plate before! If you can track down who used that type of slug plate it might help to identify the maker.

 

[Robby Raccoon]

Nor had I. I found it most unique. Thanks.

 

[sunrunner]

round slug plates were always interchangeable many had the same diameters.

 

[Robby Raccoon]

The bottler was around from 1894-1895 according to Tod von Mechow.

I know of the round slug. That was the first way of embossing I learned about.