The Rare Avon Gulf Cologne Bottle: How Much Does It Cost?

Avon has been producing collectible perfume bottles for many years, with unique and beautiful designs, often in limited editions. These bottles have become collectibles in their own right, with vintage Avon perfume bottles fetching high prices at auction. The price of an Avon Gulf cologne bottle depends on its rarity, condition, and age. Older bottles tend to be more valuable, with the most valuable bottles featuring unique designs. The value of an Avon Gulf cologne bottle can range from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars.

Avon Gulf cologne bottle rarity and value

The value of vintage Avon bottles varies depending on their rarity, condition, and age. The Gulf bottle is a sought-after collectible, with some of the most valuable Avon bottles featuring unique designs.

Factors Affecting the Value of Avon Bottles:

• Rarity: The more unique or hard-to-find an Avon bottle is, the higher its value. Pre-1965 bottles are particularly rare and valuable.
• Condition: The better the condition of the bottle, the more valuable it becomes. This includes considering whether the bottle is opened or unopened, how full it is with its original content, the presence and integrity of stickers, the availability of original packaging, and freedom from scratches and cracks.
• Age: Older Avon bottles tend to be more valuable than newer ones.

The Rarity and Value of the Avon Gulf Bottle:

The Avon Gulf cologne bottle is a collectible item, and its value depends on the factors mentioned above. The Gulf bottle is considered a rare find and is inspired by the "Gay Nineties" or the 1890s, a decade associated with comfort and prosperity. This era's perception adds to the bottle's appeal and value.

The Gulf bottle originally held Avon Unforgettable cologne and is valued at just under $100. It is a rare vintage find, and its value may increase over time.

Where to Find Rare and Valuable Avon Bottles:

If you're looking to purchase Avon bottles for your collection, it's essential to buy them from reputable sources. Online platforms like eBay, Etsy, and Collector's Weekly offer a wide range of listings. On Etsy and eBay, you can easily narrow down your search to find specific bottles. Additionally, you can interact with sellers by asking questions and checking their reviews to assess their reputation. Collector's Weekly aggregates listings from various auction sites, providing a diverse selection.

A Brief History of Avon Bottles:

Avon has a long history of producing collectible perfume bottles, dating back to its founding in 1886 by David McConnell. Initially, McConnell was a traveling book salesman who offered free perfume samples to his female customers, eventually realizing their interest in fragrances. He then founded the California Perfume Company in 1892, hiring women to sell perfumes door-to-door.

Over time, Avon introduced unique and beautiful bottle designs, often in limited editions, featuring various subjects such as animals, flowers, beauty objects, historical figures, and popular films. The "Little Dot" cologne bottle, introduced in 1956, resembled a hatpin and became the first of many collectible Avon bottles. Each bottle was produced in limited runs to boost its value as a collectible.

Today, vintage Avon bottles are sought-after collectibles, attracting high prices at auctions. Their value depends on their rarity, condition, and historical significance, with prices ranging from a few dollars to hundreds or even thousands.

Where to Sell Old Avon Bottles:

When selling old Avon bottles, you can consider options like flea markets or direct sales to vintage antique collectors. Alternatively, online platforms like Etsy, eBay, and Ruby Lane provide convenient avenues for reaching collectors. These sites cater to second-hand and handmade products, vintage items, and serious sellers, respectively.

In conclusion, the Avon Gulf cologne bottle is a rare and valuable collectible, with its value influenced by factors such as rarity, condition, and age. Its inspiration from the "Gay Nineties" adds to its appeal, and it is currently valued at just under $100.

Avon Gulf cologne bottle designs and collectability

Avon has been producing collectible perfume bottles for many years, with unique and beautiful designs often in limited editions. These bottles have become highly sought-after collectibles, with some of the most valuable featuring unique designs.

Avon Gulf Cologne Bottle Designs:

Avon's cologne bottles have undergone several design changes over the years, ranging from simple to novelty shapes. The "Little Dot" cologne bottle, introduced in 1956, was designed to resemble a hatpin and marked the beginning of Avon's collectible bottle era.

In the 1970s, Avon's cologne bottles featured designs such as angels, cars, and animals. The "Little Miss Muppet" decanter, shaped like a girl sitting on a tuffet, is a unique porcelain design from this era. The "Bulldog Pipe" aftershave decanter, shaped like a smoking pipe with a bulldog's head as the bowl, is another example of Avon's creative cologne bottle designs.

Collectability of Avon Gulf Cologne Bottles:

Avon's cologne bottles are highly collectible, with some fetching high prices at auction. The value of these bottles depends on various factors, including rarity, condition, age, and historical significance.

When determining the value of an Avon cologne bottle, consider the following:

• Rarity: Unique or hard-to-find bottles, particularly those produced before 1965, tend to be more valuable.
• Condition: Unopened bottles that are full, have intact stickers, original packaging, and are free from scratches and cracks are more valuable.
• Age: Older bottles are generally more valuable, with vintage Avon bottles being more sought-after than newer editions.
• Historical Significance: Bottles that are limited editions or designed after pop culture icons tend to be more collectible.

Examples of Collectible Avon Gulf Cologne Bottles:

• 32-piece Avon Chess Set (1971-1978): $50
• "Little Miss Muffet" Decanter: $20
• Automobile Collection (1990s): $100 to $500
• 1979 Avon Anniversary Keepsake Bottle: $10 to $20
• Beehive Bottle: $30
• Bulldog Pipe Aftershave Decanter: $20
• Vintage Avon Old Bottle Dog Shaped (1970s): $100
• Vintage Avon Big Mold Glass Train Aftershave Bottle: Under $100
• Vintage Avon Fashion Figurine Gay Nineties Unforgettable Cologne Decanter: Under $100

Avon Gulf cologne bottle age and condition

The age and condition of an Avon Gulf cologne bottle are two of the most important factors in determining its value. The older the bottle, the more valuable it tends to be. For instance, pre-1965 bottles are considered rare and highly valuable. However, the condition of the bottle is also crucial, including whether it is opened or unopened, how full it is, whether the stickers are intact, and whether it is free from scratches and cracks.

Avon began promoting the sale of figural bottles, such as the bottle in the shape of a boot, in 1965. These bottles were produced in a wide variety of shapes, including figures of people, animals, cars, and trains. The "heyday" of these vintage Avon figural bottles was from 1965 to 1980, although other figurals have been produced since then.

The value of an Avon Gulf cologne bottle depends on its rarity, condition, and age. The most valuable Avon bottles can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars, while the most common ones sell for up to $50.

Avon Gulf cologne bottle markings and identification

Avon bottles are highly sought after by collectors and vintage dealers looking to resell. The company was founded in 1886 by David McConnell, a travelling book salesman who decided to form a company where female salespeople would sell perfumes and toiletries door-to-door.

The first cologne bottle was called the "Little Dot", designed to look like a hatpin, and it became very popular with customers. It was the first of many collectible Avon bottles, often designed by the likes of Fenton Art Glass and Wheaton Glass Company.

Each Avon bottle was purposely produced in limited runs to boost its value as a collectible. They were often modelled after stunning vintage perfume bottles, or they were designed to look like pop culture icons. The bottles were also refillable.

Some of the most valuable Avon bottles feature unique designs, including everything from a chess set to Little Miss Muppet.

The markings on the bottom of Avon bottles can help with identification. Wheaton Glass Company didn't label their bottles, but you may find other markings on the bottle, including the word "AVON". If the bottle is unmarked, it may be difficult to identify. Avon figural bottles were first produced in 1965, so if you have one of these, it may be easier to date than other bottles.

• Dark slate blue "The General" Locomotive / train engine bottle, marked AVON. This figural bottle (decanter) was issued circa 1970 and held Wild Country men's aftershave.
• Most of the figurals were made to contain either women's perfume or men's cologne or aftershave. These bottles are often termed, and were sold by Avon as "decanters".
• Some of the bottles held other cosmetic products including bath oils, lotions, etc.
• Some of the more popular shapes include figures of people, many types of animals including ducks, eagles, a buffalo, moose, hippo, etc; cars, train locomotives, books, clocks, shoes, guns, cannons, horns, telephones, a hammer, bells, a steamboat, keys, steins, pipes, a tennis racket, an Indian chief, and many other designs.
• In many cases, the lid is an integral part of the design/shape of a bottle, often made of plastic, with the colour of the plastic being very close, although not identical, to the colour of the glass portion of the bottle. Sometimes the plastic lid is in a contrasting, or complementary colour.
• The most popular series within the sphere of Avon figural bottles would probably be their line of glass automobiles, including representations of early classic vehicles as well as various "race car" models. Most of the car bottles date from around 1968 and throughout the 1970s.
• Some of these kinds of Avon bottles are unmarked on the base, and originally bore a sticker attached to the bottom of the bottle, with info on the cologne brand name and company name.
• Some bottles are marked with the name AVON embossed on the base, with or without an accompanying mold number. In the case of some of the "car bottles" the name AVON appears on the front of the car, as part of the "grille" or where a license plate would be positioned.
• The "heyday" of the vintage Avon figural bottles might be said to date during the 1965-1980 time frame, although other figurals have been produced since that time.
• A wide variety of cologne bottles and decanters of every description were made and were sold in large quantities. The oversupply of these bottles has resulted in a "flat" market for a good majority of them.
• Most larger antique malls will have a few booths that carry some Avon bottles. Many people purchased large quantities of these bottles in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, and have now discovered that they have not held their value (or increased in value) as much as they had hoped.
• As a general rule, Avon figural bottles should not be purchased as an investment. Buy them only as a collectible, and something you will personally enjoy!
• "SMART MOVE" (Knight) chess piece AVON men's cologne decanter – the sticker on base indicates this bottle held Öland Cologne- sold in the Smart Move (Knight) bottle in 1971-1972 (according to info from Bud Hastin). This was one of six different bottles (including the King, Queen, Rook, Bishop and Pawn) part of a Chess piece decanter set sold in the 1971-1976 period.
• Few, if any, Avon bottles are marked with a logo or other identification indicating exactly what glass company made them. However, many of the Avon bottles were made by Wheaton Glass Company of Millville, New Jersey.
• Other glass companies that produced Avon glassware include Owens-Illinois Glass Company, Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation (possibly some of the red glass items were made by that company), Fostoria Glass Company, and the Carr-Lowery Glass Company of Baltimore, Maryland.

Avon Gulf cologne bottle buying, selling and collecting

Avon Gulf Cologne Bottle: Buying, Selling and Collecting

History of Avon

Avon, or the California Perfume Company, was founded in 1886 in New York by travelling book salesman David McConnell. McConnell's female customers were often more interested in the perfume samples he offered than the books he was selling, so he began selling his perfumes door-to-door. Avon's "Little Dot" cologne bottle, designed to look like a hatpin, was introduced in 1956 and became the first of many collectible Avon bottles.

Buying Avon Gulf Cologne Bottles

If you are looking to purchase Avon bottles for your collection, it is important to buy from a reputable source. Online marketplaces such as eBay, Etsy, and Collector’s Weekly offer a wide range of vintage Avon bottles, but it is important to look for listings that provide detailed descriptions and photos of the item's condition. When buying online, ensure that the bottle is authentic and in good condition.

Selling Avon Gulf Cologne Bottles

If you are looking to sell your Avon bottles, you could consider selling them to an antique store or pawn shop. However, these stores will likely offer a lower price than what your bottle is worth as they will be looking to resell it for a profit. To get a better price, consider selling your bottle individually on an online auction site such as eBay, or on Etsy.

Collecting Avon Gulf Cologne Bottles

Vintage Avon figural bottles are popular among collectors and can be found in online marketplaces, antique stores, and estate sales. The value of these bottles can vary greatly depending on their rarity, condition, and design. When collecting Avon bottles, it is important to consider the following factors:

• Research: Familiarize yourself with the different types of bottles, their value, and how to identify genuine vintage Avon bottles.
• Condition: Look for bottles that are in good condition, with no chips, cracks, or damage. Ensure that the label or decoration is intact.
• Rarity: Rare bottles, such as those produced in limited quantities or discontinued quickly, are often the most valuable.
• Original packaging: Bottles with original packaging, including boxes, tags, or inserts, are generally more valuable.
• Authenticity: Always buy from reputable sellers or dealers and ask for proof of authenticity if you are unsure.
• Storage: Store your bottles in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and dust. Use shelves or display cases to keep them organized and protected.

Popular Avon Bottle Designs

Some of the most popular designs for Avon bottles include cars, trains, animals, and famous people. Avon has released bottles shaped like classic cars such as the 1936 MG, as well as modern sports cars like the Corvette and Thunderbird. Animal-shaped bottles, including cats, dogs, horses, and even a kangaroo, have also been popular. Some of the most valuable vintage Avon bottles include the 1968 Volkswagen Beetle, the 1971 George Washington bottle, and the 1978 California Perfume Company bottle.

Frequently asked questions