Page 23 - Issues131-133

Keith Short wrote to me: “Unopened Bottle is 50 ml while cylinder
with hole in the middle to accommodate screw holding oak above
and below it. Label is Lionstone and now between bottle and oak
base. Any info would be appreciated.” Keith sent the picture on the
left.

I knew that this bottle was not listed on
Miniature Bottle Library but something
went ‘ding’ in my mind and I looked up
Lionstone in Montague’s. When initially
putting MBL together I saw the Lantern
photo on the right but assumed that this
was a large bottle. I now suspect it is a
mini in the same series as the Hour
Glass.

I wrote back to Keith: “WOW! I suspect
you have got a sample bottle, dating from
about 1983. Let me explain.

When initially setting up MBL I relied extensively on Montague’s
Modern Bottle & Price Guide (3rd Edition). This covers both large
and small bottles but unfortunately only has small B&W photos. It is not 100% accurate as to
whether the bottle shown is a large or mini or whether it was a sample or a bottle made in a
commercial quantity. There is a picture of a brass lantern (see attachment) which is
somewhat similar to what you have. I assumed that this was a large size bottle and at $65 I
think that Montague’s did also. I suspect that they got it wrong as that appears to be a white
bottle like yours near the top.”

Keith replied: “Thank you. I’ve
opened up the oak platforms on the
bottle so you have better
understanding of the product. I
probably purchased it back in the
early 1980’s at a liquor store in
Denver or Littleton, Colorado. It’s
4.5" wide, 11.5 tall, and x 6" deep
overall with 4.75” sand glass. It just
doesn’t seem to fit in anywhere in
the Lionstone products—yet.”

So, there you have it. Probably a sample
bottle in a series of two, or maybe two
bottles meant to start a series that just did
not sell well (at 11.5” it is very big for a
mini)
David Smith

= 22 =
= 22 =
- 22 -