How to Start a Bottle Collection
Do you still have fond memories of those little glass bottles your grandmother used to fill with colored water and put on the windowsill? Have you been thinking of taking up a new hobby? Decorative glass bottles can be beautiful and satisfying to collect. But where to start? Apothecary (drug store) bottles? Coca-Cola, gin, perfume, beer, snuff or pickle bottles? The Internet can be your doorway into the world of antique bottles. Collecting information before you collect the bottles can save you time, trouble and money and start you on a fun and rewarding new pastime.
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Instructions
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Decide on a Type of Collection
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Browse a website like Antique Bottle Collector's Haven for pictures of the various types of glass that collectors value (see Resources below).
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Consider size, shape, color and ease of storage before you decide on which kinds of bottles you would like to collect. After some research, simply ask yourself what kind you like best.
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Look at your personal situation: Are you able to afford this kind of collection? Do you have small children or pets that could harm the pieces? Do you live in an area where there are earthquakes? Think carefully before you begin this rather expensive pursuit.
Start Your Bottle Collection
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Consider joining the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors or browse books at the Essential Reference Books for Collectors and Dealers for access to expert advice and information (see Resources below).
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Chat with other collectors at the Antique Bottles Forum website to learn more about what is available and how much it costs (see Resources below).
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Decide where you will put your collection. When you have acquired more than a few bottles, you will almost certainly not be able to display them all. Where and how will you store those you are not using? A small collection could be housed in a hutch or bookshelf, but a larger collection may need more space.
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Tips & Warnings
Think about your reason for pursuing this hobby. If your purpose is investment, then apothecary and beverage bottles are probably your best bet. The most beautiful bottles are generally perfume and "figure" bottles--that is, those made in the shape of an object, animal or person.
Glass bottles are fragile and take up a lot of room. Be sure you have the space to store your pieces properly before you start to collect.
