The Elusive Scent: Blue Bottle's Yellow Number Cologne

The blue bottle cologne with a yellow number is a vintage perfume. The blue colour of the bottle is likely a result of the addition of cobalt oxide to the glass batch during manufacturing. The specific shade of blue, however, depends on the concentration of cobalt oxide and other compounds in the glass batch. The yellow number on the bottle may be a batch code, which is used by the company to note the year and month the product was created.

The colour blue in perfume bottles

The various blue colour shades and densities give rise to a wide assortment of names, with cobalt blue and sapphire blue being the most common covering the darker and lighter ends of the spectrum, respectively. Dark sapphire is often used to describe medium cobalt blue; light cobalt blue is used to describe dark sapphire blue. Other descriptive names include: midnight blue (cobalt so dark it appears black without strong backlighting), cornflower blue (pale or very light sapphire), electric blue (a deep brilliant cobalt), and others. However, the usual modifiers with the two main terms (cobalt and sapphire) are sufficient to describe most hues and densities of the "true" blue colours. Blue-green colours were described under the "green" colour section. "Ball blue" — the very distinctive light greenish blue colour of 20th-century Ball® fruit jars — was discussed in the "aqua" section.

The presence of the various noted blue colours has limited dating and typing utility because of the wide application of the colours for various products. Though not a common colour when compared to aqua, amber, and the greens, cobalt and sapphire blue can be found to some degree in virtually any type of bottle from inks to figured flasks to beer bottles to even occasional food bottles. These blue colours are somewhat more common in certain classes of bottles like those intended for poisonous substances and cosmetics. An example of the former would be the relatively common early 20th-century Owl Drug Company poisons. These blue colours were also frequently used with soda and mineral water bottles from the 1840s into the early 1900s and ink bottles from from the 1840s into at least the 1930s.

Cobalt blue glass

In the past, cobalt blue glass was also used as an optical filter in flame tests to filter out strong yellow light emitted by traces of sodium, allowing for a better view of violet and blue hues. However, didymium glasses are now preferred for this purpose as they absorb less light.

Blue glass bottles in the 1950s

Blue glass bottles have been produced for centuries, with ancient examples from China and Mesopotamia. In the 20th century, blue glass bottles continued to be produced, with notable examples from the 1950s including:

• A 1950s Blenko smoky blue glass bottle lamp, made in the USA.
• A 1955 Avon Thunderbird 2 oz blue glass bottle of Deep Woods aftershave.
• A 1951 Avon Studebaker Starlite Coupe spicy aftershave, sold in a blue glass bottle shaped like a car.
• A 1950s blue Empoli bottle with a stopper, made in Italy.
• A 1950s blue glass bottle with a wicker basket, manufactured in France.

These bottles showcase the continued production and use of blue glass bottles in the 1950s, with a variety of shapes, sizes, and purposes.

Blue glass bottles in the 1960s

Blue glass bottles have been produced for many years, with some of the earliest examples of cobalt blue glass bottles dating back to around 2000 BC in ancient Mesopotamia. In the 1960s, blue glass bottles continued to be produced and were used for a variety of purposes, from perfume bottles to decorative items.

During the 1960s, blue glass bottles were often used for perfumes and colognes. These bottles came in a variety of shapes and sizes, from tall and slender bottles to shorter, rounder bottles. The glass was often hand-blown and featured intricate designs, such as gold trim or colourful overlays. Some bottles were made by well-known glassmakers such as Venini, while others were produced by smaller studios or artisans.

In addition to perfumes, blue glass bottles in the 1960s were also used for other cosmetic products like aftershave and lotions. These bottles often had unique shapes or designs that reflected the style of the time. For example, some aftershave bottles from this era were designed to look like cars or trucks.

Blue glass bottles were also used for decorative purposes in the 1960s. These bottles often featured intricate designs or colourful overlays and were used to add a touch of elegance to a room. Some blue glass bottles from this era were even made to be used as lamps, combining function and beauty.

Today, blue glass bottles from the 1960s are sought-after collectibles. They can be found at antique stores, auctions, and online marketplaces. Prices can vary depending on the age, condition, and rarity of the bottle, with some bottles fetching hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Blue glass bottles in the 1970s

Blue glass bottles have been produced for many years, including the 1970s. Here is some information about blue glass bottles from that decade:

1970s Blue Glass Bottles

In the 1970s, blue glass bottles were produced in various shapes and sizes and used for various purposes, including decorative items, perfume bottles, and containers for beverages such as Coca-Cola. Some of these bottles were machine-made, while others were hand-blown or mouth-blown. The colour of the glass could be achieved by adding cobalt oxide or copper oxide to the molten glass mixture.

Identification and Authentication of Blue Glass Bottles

To identify and authenticate blue glass bottles from the 1970s or any other decade, one can look for certain characteristics and markings. These may include:

• Embossed or stamped labels: Older bottles from the 1970s and before may have had their names and origins stamped or embossed on them, while newer bottles may have stickers or labels.
• Lot numbers, bottle shape numbers, or patent numbers: These may be embossed or etched on the glass base of older bottles.
• Batch codes: By the 1970s, cosmetic companies were using four-digit batch codes to indicate the year and month a product was created. These codes were usually stamped on the bottom of the bottle.
• Style of the box or label: The style of the packaging can also provide clues about the age of the bottle. For example, Art Nouveau-style packaging was typically used from 1900 to the 1920s, while psychedelic designs were popular in the late 1960s to early 1970s.
• Barcodes and recycling symbols: These are indicators of more modern bottles, with the Green Dot recycling symbol appearing on boxes from 1992 onwards and EAN barcodes indicating bottles produced after 1989.

Examples of 1970s Blue Glass Bottles

• A 1970s Astonishing green and blue bottle in Murano Glass by Michielotto, described as a sculpture with a blend of colours.
• A 1970s Italian vintage orange, black, white, and blue Murano glass oval-shaped perfume bottle with murrine in various colours.
• A 1970s large bottle in blue and red Murano glass, with slight traces of use but in very fine vintage condition.
• A 1970s Avon Skin-So-Soft white pitcher bottle and basin with a blue floral pattern.
• A 1970s vintage Coca-Cola glass bottle in various sizes, including 10 oz, 16 oz, and 64 oz.

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