Seamus Hammond
There are many ways to tell the age of a perfume bottle. One way is to look at the design of the bottle and the label. For example, Art Nouveau-style bottles are generally from the 1900s to the 1920s, while psychedelic designs are from the late 1960s to early 1970s. The lip and closure of a glass bottle can also indicate its age, as these features reflect the technological advances and social changes of its time. Another way to determine the age of a perfume bottle is to look for any batch codes or reference numbers, which can be checked on websites like CheckFresh.com. Other indicators of age include the use of revenue stamps, which appeared on imported scents coming into America in the early 20th century, and the use of Zip Codes, which were required by the US Postal Service from 1962 onwards.
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What You'll Learn
Check the bottle's base for patent dates, acid stamps, or batch codes
Checking the base of a perfume bottle for patent dates, acid stamps, or batch codes can be a helpful way to determine its age. Here are some tips to guide you through this process:
Patent Dates: Older perfume bottles from the 1930s to the 1940s often featured patent numbers embossed or etched into the glass base. These patent dates can be used to look up additional information about the bottle's age. Search engines for US patents allow you to input the patent number and find associated details.
Acid Stamps: Look for acid stamps on the base of the bottle, which can indicate valuable markings. For instance, stamps for Baccarat, Lalique, Cristal Nancy, or Cristal Romesnil are considered desirable. These stamps can add value to your perfume bottle.
Batch Codes: Batch codes are identification codes that specify when a perfume was produced. They are usually found on the bottom of the bottle or the packaging. Batch codes can consist of three to twelve numbers and may also include letters. These codes are unique to each manufacturer, and websites like CheckFresh.com can help you decipher the codes for various brands. However, keep in mind that batch code databases might not cover all perfume manufacturers, and some perfume houses repeat their codes every ten years.
Lot and Bottle Shape Numbers: In the 1930s and 1940s, lot numbers or bottle shape numbers were often embossed into the glass base of perfume bottles. These numbers can provide information about the production batch or the shape of the bottle.
By examining the base of a perfume bottle for these various markings, you can gather valuable information about its age and rarity. Combining this information with other dating methods, such as analysing the style of the bottle or label, can help you create a comprehensive profile of your perfume bottle's age and origin.
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Look for the perfume company's address on the label or box
If you're looking to determine the age of a perfume bottle, one of the key things to look for is the perfume company's address on the label or box. This can be a helpful indicator as companies often change addresses, so comparing the address on the bottle to the company's historical addresses can give you a good idea of its age.
Additionally, the style of the label or box can also provide clues about its age. For instance, if the design is in the Art Nouveau style, it likely dates to the early 1900s to the 1920s. Art Deco designs, on the other hand, typically indicate a bottle from the mid-1920s to the 1940s. Psychedelic designs point to the late 1960s to early 1970s. However, it's important to note that this method isn't always foolproof, as some companies may have used certain designs outside of these time frames.
You can also look for warning labels to help narrow down the age of the bottle. For example, if the label includes an FDA-approved warning about intentional misuse, it dates to 1975 or later. Similarly, the term "hypoallergenic" was allowed by the FDA for cosmetic products starting in 1975. The word "dram", indicating the contents, was commonly used in the 1930s and 1940s.
Another detail to pay attention to is the presence of a zip code on the label. Zip codes were introduced in 1937, and from then until 1962, two code numbers were used. In 1962, all zip codes were required by the US Postal Service, so a label with a zip code indicates a bottle from 1962 or later.
Lastly, you can also look at the condition of the label. Over time, labels naturally turn brown due to oxidation, and they may also develop stains from exposure to water and perfume. Enamel lettering, also known as serigraphy, which was used instead of labels, started appearing on glass bottles after the 1930s and became common in the 1940s. This lettering is fragile and can be easily lost with cleaning.
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Identify the style of the label or box
The style of the label or box can help determine the age of a perfume bottle. Here are some tips to identify the style and approximate age:
Firstly, if the label or box has the perfume company's address, you can try to date the bottle by researching the company's history and the dates they operated from each address. This can be a helpful clue in determining the age of the perfume bottle.
Secondly, the artistic style of the label or box can provide an indication of its age. For example, the Art Nouveau style was popular from 1900 to the 1920s, while Art Deco was prevalent in the mid-1920s and carried into the 1940s. Psychedelic designs were common in the late 1960s to early 1970s.
Thirdly, certain labels can indicate specific time periods. For instance, if the label states "SDA" (Specially Denatured Alcohol), it likely dates to the 1940s or 1950s. Labels with a number followed by a degree symbol indicate the perfume's alcohol percentage and can help date the bottle to after the 1950s.
Additionally, the presence of a Zip Code on the label suggests the bottle is from 1962 or later, as Zip Codes were mandated by the US Postal Service from 1962 onwards.
Finally, cellophane packaging can also be a clue to the age of the perfume bottle. Cellophane packaging was originally used for luxury items and was expensive, so finding early perfumes with cellophane packaging is rare. It wasn't until the late 1930s that cellophane became a common feature in perfume box packaging.
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Observe the colour of the perfume
Observing the colour of the perfume is an important step in determining the age of a perfume bottle. While the scent and chemical composition of a perfume are key indicators of its age, the visual appearance, specifically the colour, can also provide valuable insights.
Firstly, it is important to understand the typical colour range of perfumes. Perfumes typically range from clear or translucent liquids to more opaque or amber-hued variants. Knowing the original colour of the perfume is essential when trying to determine its age through colour observation.
Over time, perfumes with high alcohol concentrations may evaporate, resulting in a darker colour. This is a sign that the perfume may be expiring or has expired. The presence of vegetable oils in some perfumes can also cause them to expire and turn darker. However, perfumes with heavier base notes, such as oriental scents with patchouli and amber, tend to last longer and may even improve with age, similar to fine wine.
Additionally, the colour of the glass bottle itself can provide clues about its age. Antique glass bottles, particularly those produced before the 1870s, often featured indented bases with pontil marks from glassblowing processes, leaving circular scars on their surfaces. By the 1870s, most bottles transitioned to smooth, flat bases made in molds. Examining the base characteristics, including mold seams, markings, and shape, can help pinpoint an approximate era for further research.
Furthermore, the colour and style of the bottle's labels can offer additional age indicators. Old labels tend to turn brown naturally over time due to the effects of water and perfume stains. Specific artistic styles, such as Art Nouveau (1900-1920s) and Art Deco (mid-1920s to 1940s), can also help narrow down the age of the perfume bottle.
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Examine the lip and closure of the bottle
Examining the lip and closure of a perfume bottle can provide valuable clues about its age. The lip and closure are not just functional elements; they also tell the story of the bottle's origins, reflecting the technological advances and social changes of its time.
The transition from machine-made to hand-tooled lips, for instance, can indicate a shift in production processes and provide a timeline for dating the bottle. A bottle with a poorly applied lip, indicating a production era before automation, will be older than a bottle with an evenly applied lip. Additionally, the evolution of closures reflects consumer demands and technological advances. The cork, a popular closure method for centuries, gradually gave way to newer mechanisms. The advent of the screw top in the early 20th century marked a significant shift, with its convenience and effectiveness leading to its widespread adoption in bottles. As such, a screw-top bottle is likely a product of the 20th century, while older bottles may feature corks or earlier methods such as the lightning stopper.
The style of the lip and closure can also offer insights into the bottle's age. Bottles with tapered lips and screw-top or crown cap closures likely date from the early 20th century or later. In contrast, bottles from the early 19th century often featured more crudely rounded lips and cork stopper closures. Mold seams on the lips and closures can also be indicative of the bottle's age. Bottles produced between 1870 and 1910 typically display mold seams running along their necks, indicating the use of a cup-base mold. After 1910, the widespread use of automatic bottle-blowing machines resulted in constant mold seams, including on the lips and top surfaces of bottles.
The overall shape and size of the bottle, including the bottleneck and opening size, can also provide clues about its age. For example, wide-mouthed bottles with paper enclosures often indicate milk bottles, while ink bottles usually have wide mouths. The thickness of the glass can also be indicative, as thicker bottles are typically associated with holding liquids such as soda, milk, or beer.
Examining the lip and closure of a perfume bottle, along with other factors such as base markings, mold seams, colour, and label details, can help piece together the history and approximate age of the bottle.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to determine the age of a perfume bottle. The lip and closure of a glass bottle can indicate its age, as can the texture (look out for bubbles, striation lines, and slight asymmetries). The colour of the glass can also be a clue—pre-20th-century bottles often have distinct hues like deep amber or rich green. You can also look out for the following:
- A patent number on the base of the bottle—common in the 1930s and 1940s
- Enameled lettering (serigraphy) instead of labels—common after the 1930s and regular in the 1940s
- A warning label approved by the FDA—denotes a bottle from 1975 or later
- A "Made in Occupied Japan" label—denotes a bottle made from September 1945 to April 1952
- A Zip Code on the label—denotes a bottle from 1962 or later
- A number with a degree symbol—denotes a bottle from the 1950s or later
You can check the manufacture date of your perfume by looking up the batch code (a short set of numbers and letters) on CheckFresh.com.
A batch code is an identification code that specifies when and where a product was manufactured. It is usually made up of three to 12 numbers, sometimes with letters included. It is often found on the bottom or back of a perfume box or bottle.
A PAO (Period After Opening) number is a small symbol that looks like an open jar with a number next to it. It indicates how long a product remains usable after it has been opened.
If your perfume bottle doesn't have any distinguishing features, you can try to identify its age by comparing it to similar bottles online or by posting on perfume forums.
