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Antique "Jno R Gilfillan Chillicothe Ill" Crown Top Soda Bottle 1909–1915
Antique crown-top soda bottle embossed “JNO. R. GILFILLAN / CHILLICOTHE / ILL.” Probably dating from approximately 1909–1915. Mouth-blown in a mold with a hand-tooled early crown-cap finish. Stylized "G" mold or glasshouse mark on the base.
Scarce early Chillicothe, Illinois soda bottle embossed:
JNO. R. GILFILLAN
CHILLICOTHE
ILL.
“Jno.” was a period abbreviation for John. The bottler is believed to have been John Roscoe Gilfillan. Collector research involving related Chillicothe bottles indicates that Gilfillan purchased the bottling business of local bottler Tony Andersen in October 1909. Based on that history, the early crown-cap finish and the bottle’s hand-finished construction, this example likely dates from approximately 1909–1915.
The bottle is made of clear flint glass. It is colorless in normal viewing, although the thick glass—particularly around the base and lip—can appear pale aqua or green in photographs depending on the lighting and background. Some photographs were taken filled with a dark liquid to make the embossing and internal condition easier to see.
A large, distinctive block-style “G” with a pointed tail is embossed on the bottom, likely representing Gilfillan. The bottle was blown in a mold and has an early hand-tooled crown-cap finish. Manufacturing characteristics include bubbles, glass irregularities and tooling marks typical of bottles from this period.
Approximate specifications:
• Height: 7.5 Inches
• Base diameter: 2.5 Inches
• Color: Clear flint glass
• Closure: Early crown-cap finish
• Manufacture: Mold-blown with hand-tooled finish
• Estimated date: Circa 1909–1915
• Base mark: Large stylized “G”
Condition is very good structurally for its age. No chips or cracks, and the crown lip is intact. The bottle does have some internal glass sickness/cloudiness, along with minor scratches, scuffs and general surface wear from age and use. Bubbles and irregularities within the glass are original manufacturing characteristics rather than damage.
Please examine all photographs closely, as they are an important part of the condition description. An uncommon piece of Chillicothe and central Illinois bottling history.
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Vintage 1997 Coca-Cola 1894 Hutchinson Bottle Commemorative ReplicaAdd a piece of soda history to your display shelf! This is an officially licensed commemorative reproduction of the legendary 1894 Hutchinson style bottle, released by The Coca-Cola Company in 1997. It beautifully mimics the iconic, early straight-sided design and stopper-style neck that predates the famous contour hobbleskirt shape.Key Features & Details:
- Historic Styling: Features the early embossed "Coca-Cola" script font.
- Detailed Embossing: Reads "Property of Coca-Cola" around the upper shoulder and "Bottling" directly underneath the logo.
- Authentic Branding: The base is embossed with: “© 1997 The Coca-Cola Company, All Rights Reserved”.
- Stunning Display Piece: Thick, vibrant aqua-tinted glass that catches the light beautifully on any shelf or windowsill.
Condition:
Excellent vintage condition. The glass is clean and clear with crisp embossed lettering. No chips, cracks, or repairs observed. Please review the high-resolution listing photos carefully to verify the overall cosmetic condition.
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