Bottles, Bottles, & More Bottles

....It's a Friday morning, and we're set for our day on the yard sale trail. Our first stop is just a few miles from my home in Peone Prairie. It's advertised to open at 8:00 A.M. but, we're there at quarter of. An elderly gentleman and his very sweet little mother, she in a dress with nylons and carrying a little red purse to keep her change in, are still dragging their wares out of the garage. We spot several old wooden boxes full of old glass bottles and medicine jars, sitting outside the garage. The bottles were covered in mud, they appeared to have spent the winter (maybe several) outdoors. As we showed interest in these beautiful bottles, the elderly gentleman began to share a story told in such an earnest manner that we felt reluctant to up root them from their history and home. He told us that he and his cousin started collecting bottles when they were fifteen years old. They would dig up old bottles and jars in the Peone Prairie and the surrounding area from abandoned buildings and home sites, wash them and line them up on a shelf and a window seal, he so kindly let us look at his collection. The elderly gentleman and his mother were happy to see the bottles go especially when we told them we were going to use them for a very special day. (Celia & Josh's wedding in August)
We love the thought of a treasured belonging of another, is now apart of our life and for us to treasure.
This little junking journey was less about the find and more about the people, and our experience along the way.

** Most bottles made between 1810-1910 were crafted by hand. These are the ones serious collectors are after. Bottles with lots of bubbles in the glass are really very old ones.
Colbalt blue, red, green, and amber or any unusual shade contributes to the value of the bottles. Bottles with paper labels intact are more valuable.
*Try to avoid bottles that are chipped or cracked.

xo Happy Junking ~ Glad & Cel