The Evolution Of Cologne: Glass Car Bottle Creators

The California Perfume Company, now known as Avon, began manufacturing and selling perfumes in 1892. The company's founder, David H. McConnell, initially gave away small vials of perfume to customers to boost interest in his books. However, the perfumes soon became more popular than the books.

In 1965, Avon began promoting the sale of figural bottles, which were produced in a wide variety of shapes, including cars. These bottles were often termed decanters and were made to contain men's cologne or aftershave. The car bottles were introduced around 1968 and continued to be produced throughout the 1970s. They were made in various colours, including sapphire blue, emerald green, and light golden amber.

Today, vintage Avon car cologne bottles are sought-after collectibles and can be found for sale on websites such as Etsy and eBay, as well as at flea markets and thrift stores.

Avon's history and the California Perfume Company

The history of Avon, the cosmetics, skincare, perfume, and personal care products company, began with David H. McConnell, a book salesman who started giving away small vials of perfume to customers in an attempt to increase interest in his books. This endeavour began in 1886, in a small office at 126 Chambers Street, Manhattan, New York.

McConnell soon found that interest in the perfumes was outpacing that of his books, and so he began to manufacture and sell perfumes under the firm name California Perfume Company in 1892. The name was suggested by his business partner, C.L. Snyder, who was living in California at the time, and felt that the name would evoke imagery of the abundance of flowers in California.

McConnell hired women, including many housewives, to sell his perfumes door-to-door, and sales rapidly increased. A new plant was built in Suffern, New York, in 1894, and in 1897, they built a laboratory there.

In 1909, the corporate office moved to 31 Park Place, New York, and on January 28, 1916, the California Perfume Company was incorporated in the state of New York, with McConnell, Henderson, and William Scheele listed as company officials.

In 1928, the company introduced the Avon line of products, with the first product being a toothbrush. Other products introduced that year included a powdered cleanser, men's talcum powder, a gift atomizer, and a vanity set.

In 1938, the company name was changed to Avon Products, Inc. The name change was influenced by one of McConnell's most popular fragrances, named "Avon", introduced in 1929, which became so popular that customers began asking for his line of products under the name "Avon".

In 1965, Avon began promoting the sale of figural bottles, produced in a wide variety of shapes, including representations of early classic vehicles and various "race car" models. Most of the car bottles date from around 1968 throughout the 1970s.

Avon's glass bottle manufacturers

The California Perfume Company, now known as Avon, has been manufacturing perfumes since 1892. The company was founded by David H. McConnell, a book salesman who began giving away small vials of perfume to customers to increase interest in his books. Eventually, he began manufacturing and selling perfumes under the California Perfume Company name.

Avon's glass bottles are unmarked on the base, with a sticker attached to the bottom bearing the cologne brand name and company name. Some bottles are marked with the name "Avon" embossed on the base, sometimes accompanied by a mould number. In the case of some car-shaped bottles, the name "Avon" appears on the front of the car.

Avon's glass bottles were made by several manufacturers, including:

• Wheaton Glass Company of Millville, New Jersey
• Owens-Illinois Glass Company
• Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation
• Fostoria Glass Company
• Carr-Lowery Glass Company of Baltimore, Maryland

Avon's car-shaped cologne bottles were introduced in 1965 and were produced in a wide variety of shapes and colours, including sapphire blue, emerald green, light golden amber ("topaz"), yellow, and grey/smoke. Most of the car bottles date from around 1968 to the 1970s.

The value of Avon bottles

• The Thomas Flyer 1908 bottle, inspired by the Thomas Motor Company's Model 35 automobile, is worth around $200.
• The 1970s blue motorcycle bottle with the original content and nylon handlebar wrap is valued at nearly $200.
• A 1960s/70s Avon Charisma Perfume full bottle with its original content and sticker can fetch over $170.
• The Avon Sweet Honesty Body Splash bottle, produced between 1970 and 1985, is valued at almost $150.
• The Alsatian dog-shaped bottle from the 1970s, with its original content sticker, is worth over $100.
• The Model A Wild Country Aftershave bottle, inspired by the 1928 Ford Model A, is valued at nearly $100.
• The Pony Wild Country Aftershave horse-shaped bottle, produced in the 1970s, is worth almost $100.
• The Gay Nineties Unforgettable Cologne Decanter, inspired by the 1890s, is valued at about $100.
• The Big Mold Glass Train Aftershave bottle, likely from the 1970s, is worth over $90.
• The Shaving Brush Endeavour After Shave Lotion Bottle, probably from the 1970s, can sell for over $65.

However, the market for Avon bottles is generally flat due to oversupply, and they are commonly found at yard sales, flea markets, and thrift stores. Therefore, it is recommended to buy these bottles as collectibles to enjoy personally rather than as an investment.

The safety of using Avon bottles for other liquids

Avon bottles are typically made of ordinary soda-silica-lime glass, the same general formula used for most typical container bottles and fruit jars. They are safe for storing other liquids, such as olive oil, as long as the stopper fits tightly to preserve the liquid's quality and flavour. If reusing a bottle that once contained perfume or fragrance, ensure it is thoroughly cleaned to avoid any lingering scent.

Avon bottles made of cobalt blue glass contain trace amounts of cobalt, which produces the strong blue colour. This cobalt is locked into the glass and does not leach out. It is also an essential trace element required by the human body.

Avon bottles are not made with lead. They are safe to reuse, although it is always important to ensure they are thoroughly cleaned before refilling.

The different types of Avon car bottles

Avon car bottles were made in a variety of colours, including sapphire blue, emerald green, light golden amber ("topaz"), yellow, grey/smoke, and more. They were produced in the shape of early classic vehicles as well as various "race car" models. The car bottles were made from around 1968 throughout the 1970s, with other bottles in the shape of boats, ships, trains, and other vehicles also being produced.

• Sterling Six After Shave bottle in brown glass
• Sterling Six After Shave bottle in amethyst glass
• Corvette Stingray '65 in green glass
• Thunderbird '55 in blue glass
• Black glass sports car decanter
• Red car aftershave bottle
• Blue car cologne decanter
• 1973 silver car bottle
• Jaguar car decanter
• Volkswagen Beetle Bug in green glass
• Cable Car Decanter in green glass
• Stock Car Racer in black glass
• 2001 Mustang Mach I in black suede
• Vantastic Van in blue glass

Frequently asked questions