tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842291092692051858.post6316281757250923795..comments2024-03-10T16:18:44.220-07:00Comments on Western Bottle News: The Times -They Are a Changin’Rick Simihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08482738207230371864noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842291092692051858.post-68772385397110822362010-03-28T09:22:52.556-07:002010-03-28T09:22:52.556-07:00OH BOY! Dexter Sundberg. That name goes back a few...OH BOY! Dexter Sundberg. That name goes back a few years. His goop was nothing more than diluted Hydroflouric Acid, a harsh chemical that dissolves glass. Pure Hyd. has to be stored in wax containers as it will eventually eat through even plastic. There was another similar product called Miracle Water that was a popular cleaning solution back in the early '70s, but it would also badly etch bottles if left too long in it. Bad JU-JU! Quality western glass needs only a light cleaning with soap and water. Leave the scuzzy eastern bottles as-is. Sicko stuff like junky Hostetter's get the toss right back into the pit. After packing those things around for decades at 5 bucks, what's the point? The recyclers around this 'hood prob'ly wonder where all the old bottles are coming from.Mike Dolcinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08100009168892063834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842291092692051858.post-82377592567865848532010-03-27T16:37:55.716-07:002010-03-27T16:37:55.716-07:00Speaking of cleaning bottles back in the "old...Speaking of cleaning bottles back in the "old days"--remember that stuff called Dexter's? When I first started digging I thought that stuff was the bomb. Started using it on everything until I accidentally let a group of bottles sit overnight and found them paper-thin the next day with no embossing. Thank goodness tumbling came onto the scene. Even when tumbling, I prefer a slight stain to remain. There's nothing worse looking than an over-tumbled piece of glass.IXLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14693918799907531116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842291092692051858.post-39958563811845728812010-03-27T09:26:40.470-07:002010-03-27T09:26:40.470-07:00"Investment" buyers are problematic, as ..."Investment" buyers are problematic, as they only see a particular bottle from a strict value standpoint, and, in doing so, tend to drive the market artificially upward. These folks know very little about their purchases and primarily concerned with the "bottom line". This practice often times forces the true collector to pony up more for a prized bottle than anticipated, and can also eliminate them from the hobby. Not everyone has their pockets lined with golden thread.<br /><br />By the same token, stocks are by and large a poor investment. "Tangible" assets are much more likely to reap rewards, and come without fear of taxation, in most cases. Antique firearms are another collectable that have surged dramatically in the past few years, with quality examples quadrupling almost overnight. By comparison, bottles have remained static, with some exceptions, and are still a bargain in these tough economic times. Hopefully, investment buyers will not stay the course and move on to the next "hot buy", leaving the old glass for us who fully appreciate it for what it is.Mike Dolcinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08100009168892063834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842291092692051858.post-84541329314714952732010-03-27T02:40:04.642-07:002010-03-27T02:40:04.642-07:00Amen to this,my collection is what it is some are ...Amen to this,my collection is what it is some are in nice condition and others are cloudy and dull. The problem with condition is too many people are buying bottles for investment. If people want investments buy stocks !Dan Turnernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842291092692051858.post-54159477226065961482010-03-26T21:30:31.477-07:002010-03-26T21:30:31.477-07:00Rick,
You are right on with your commentary! I h...Rick,<br /><br /> You are right on with your commentary! I have been studying western blown glass for some time, and there are many different in-making flaws that these bottles had when they left the glassworks. Crazing,splits,vitrification (crystalization),flashes,bruising,pitting, potstone fractures,etc. All part of the glass making process. It is these characteristics that make western glass appealing to most of us. For those who insist on perfect glass without factory flaws, don't collect the 'early stuff'.Warren Friedrichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15175276008602674129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842291092692051858.post-72170831146036096272010-03-26T21:24:30.372-07:002010-03-26T21:24:30.372-07:00Well said O C, The defects in the glass put their ...Well said O C, The defects in the glass put their by the glass blowers and their helpers "boys" are the primary reason that I love and collect antique bottles in the first place!! If ya want new glass go to safeway.....AndyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842291092692051858.post-56840598222034914542010-03-26T18:41:45.466-07:002010-03-26T18:41:45.466-07:00My personal preference is to leave good bottles in...My personal preference is to leave good bottles in as-dug condition. Many of the bottles in my meager collection have light content stain and a little "no-faze haze". A blast from the front yard hose and soap and water treatment is all they get. I remember bringing the green Grange home and blowing out the dirt with the hose. I thought AT was going to collapse. HAR!<br /><br />Annealing checks are another off-putting "issue" with bottle purists. Sorry y'all, but they's pufeckly nachul. Nope, those tiny little checks in the neck didn't happen as the bottle was restin' comfortably 'neath the surface, or when it was first brought back to light, but were caused during the cooling of the glass immediately after being removed from the mold. They don't bother me none. No problemo, Señor, ellos me son indiferentes.Mike Dolcinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08100009168892063834noreply@blogger.com