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Antiques
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Fish Decoys
Harbor Buoy Bells
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Maine Balsam
Moses Bottles
Ne'Qwa Ornaments
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Peggy Karr Glass
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| | Moses Bottles from
Poland Spring Inn
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MOSES
BOTTLES
The Moses Bottles were first created for the grand opening of the Poland
Spring Hotel, Poland Spring, Maine in 1876. They were filled with
the famous Poland Spring Water and given as souvenirs to those who
attended the opening.
Over the years 1876 - 1972, 43 different varieties of Moses Bottles were
created for Poland Spring Water, Gin, Sloe Gin and Whiskey. Often a
bottle would be made to commemorate a special event. Because of the
wide variety of types, sizes, colors and the uniqueness of the shape, the
Moses Bottle has always been a noted addition to any collection.
One of the most popular Moses Bottles is the 1925 type. 1925 was the
last year the clear Poland Spring Moses Water Bottle was made. It is
the fourth of the "facsimiles" (all bottles made after the
destruction of the original mould in a fire around 1878 were marked
"facsimile"). Each new generation of Moses Bottle has it's
own characteristics and the 1925 Moses is no exception. The facial
features were broad to begin with and the more the mould was used the
flatter his features became; thus the nickname "Old Flat
Face". As a rule these bottles also have a high
iridescence. Today the 1925 bottle in good condition sells for $65.
One of the prettiest Moses Bottles ever made has to be the 1931 Honeymoon
Bottle. Made in quart size, this brilliant Emerald green bottle was
given as a special gift to honeymooning couples staying at the Poland
Spring Hotel. Today's value is $175 to $200. |
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1931
Quart Honeymoon Bottle in Emerald Green. $175.00
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At
top, left to right: 1931 Emerald Honeymoon; 1925 clear
"Flat face"; 1876 Honey Amber Original; 1876 Aqua Original; 1876 Amber
Original; Unknown date Olive Green Flat top; 1911 Clear that turns
Amethyst.
Above
left: 1925 Clear "Flat face"
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1935
Pint Amber Liquor with glass ball stopper. $90.00
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The
1893 and the 1911 Clear Moses Water Bottle will turn amethyst when left in
the sun. This is due to the manganese that was added to the glass
for a clearer product. The amethyst was a welcome surprise for the
bottle collector. It was not as appreciated, however, in other glass
products of the day that manganese was added to; for example,
window panes. Nice and clear, but purple!
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Another
style of interest is the One Cup Limited Editions. These miniature
versions were made from 1914 until the mid 1920s in both clear and
Emerald green glass. $225. to $495.
Shortly after the repeal of Prohibition a new family of Moses Bottles
appeared: Gin and Whiskey bottles in pint, quart and fifth sizes in
clear, honey amber and green glass.
Values:
$15 to $85. |
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Ask us about any of the Moses Bottles mentioned or shown on
this page. We have the rarer bottles in our museum, but many others are in
stock for sale. For more interesting facts and information on how you can
get your own copy of the book "The Moses Bottle" by Pal Vincent,
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"The
Moses Bottle"
(with
updated price list)
by
Pal Vincent
$7.95 |
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"Not
solitude but friendliness
Beguiles the passing hour;
With
comrades near,
our cares grow less,
Life blossoms as a flower."
from
The
Charm of Poland Spring and
Other Poems
by
Nard Leckler
$9.99 |
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