The Evolution Of Avon: From Fancy Bottles To Simplicity

Avon, founded in 1886 in New York City, initially gave away small vials of perfume to customers to increase interest in its products. However, the perfumes became so popular that the company began manufacturing and selling them under the name California Perfume Company. Over the years, Avon introduced novelty containers, including its first glass car decanter in 1968, and hundreds of unique bottles for its men's and women's fragrance lines. These bottles came in various shapes and sizes, such as animals, people, vehicles, and household objects, and were often filled with fragrances, lotions, and cosmetics. While some bottles were designed to be reusable and refillable, others were sold as decorative items. Despite their popularity among collectors, the oversupply of Avon bottles has led to a flat market, with many ending up at yard sales, flea markets, and thrift stores.

The market for Avon bottles is flat

The bottles were initially marketed as novelty containers for fragrances and cosmetics. They came in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, including animals, people, vehicles, and household objects. Some of the most popular designs included cars, with Avon producing classic car shapes like the 1936 MG and modern sports cars like the Corvette and Thunderbird. Other popular shapes included famous people, such as Elvis Presley and George Washington.

Today, these bottles are often sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, who appreciate their unique designs and the nostalgia they evoke. However, the market for these bottles is highly dependent on their rarity, condition, and design. Collectors look for bottles in good condition, with no chips or cracks, and intact labels or decorations. Rarity also plays a significant role, with limited-edition or discontinued bottles being more valuable.

Despite the interest from collectors, the market for Avon bottles remains flat due to the high supply and varying levels of demand. Those looking to sell their Avon bottle collections may find it challenging to get a high return on their investment, and are often advised to buy these bottles only as collectibles to personally enjoy rather than for financial gain.

Avon bottles are now considered collectibles

The bottles were made of various materials, including glass, porcelain, and plastic, and were often filled with fragrances, lotions, and other cosmetics. Some of the bottles were designed to be reusable and could be refilled with different scents or used as decorative items. Today, vintage Avon figural bottles are popular among collectors and can be found in online marketplaces, antique stores, and estate sales. Their value can vary greatly depending on their rarity, condition, and design.

If you are interested in collecting vintage Avon bottles, it is important to do your research beforehand. Look for books, online resources, and collector groups to learn about the different types of bottles, their value, and how to identify genuine vintage Avon bottles. Condition is also an important factor when determining the value of a bottle, so look for those that are in good condition, with no chips, cracks, or damage. Rarity can also affect value, so keep an eye out for bottles produced in limited quantities or those that are part of a special collection.

In addition to their collectible value, some people may also have an emotional connection to Avon bottles. For example, someone may have fond memories of their mother or grandmother selling Avon products when they were growing up. These bottles can serve as a reminder of those special times and the strong women in their lives.

Avon bottles were made of glass, porcelain, and plastic

The California Perfume Company, now known as Avon, was founded in 1886 in New York City. Its founder, David H. McConnell, started by giving away small vials of perfume to customers to boost interest in his books. However, the perfumes soon became more popular than the books, and McConnell began manufacturing and selling them under the California Perfume Company name.

In 1930, the company was renamed Allied Products, and in 1937, it officially changed its name to Avon Products, Inc. The company began marketing novelty containers in the mid-1960s, with the first glass car decanter introduced in 1968.

Avon bottles were made of various materials, including glass, porcelain, and plastic. They were often filled with fragrances, lotions, and other cosmetics. Some of the bottles were designed to be reusable and could be refilled with different fragrances or used as decorative items.

The popularity of Avon figural bottles was at its peak between 1965 and 1980, although other figural containers have been produced since then. These bottles came in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, including animals, people, vehicles, and household objects. Some of the most popular designs were shaped like cars, trains, animals, and famous people, such as Elvis Presley and George Washington.

Vintage Avon figural bottles are now popular among collectors and can be found in online marketplaces, antique stores, and estate sales. Their value can vary greatly depending on their rarity, condition, and design. 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.

If you are interested in collecting vintage Avon figural bottles, it is important to do your research, look for bottles in good condition, and consider rarity and original packaging when making a purchase.

Avon bottles were designed to be refilled and reused

The popularity of Avon figural bottles was at its peak between 1965 and 1980, although other figural containers have been produced since then. These bottles were created in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, including animals, people, vehicles, and household objects. Some of the most popular designs were shaped like cars, trains, animals, and famous people, such as Elvis Presley and George Washington.

The bottles were designed with reusable functionality in mind, allowing customers to refill them with different fragrances or use them as decorative items. This encouraged repeat purchases of Avon's fragrances and cosmetics, as well as providing a collectible aspect to their products.

Today, vintage Avon figural bottles are sought-after collectibles that can be found in online marketplaces, antique stores, and estate sales. Their value can vary greatly depending on their rarity, condition, and design. 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.

For collectors interested in Avon figural bottles, it is important to do research beforehand to learn about the different types of bottles, their value, and how to identify genuine vintage Avon products. Condition is a crucial factor in determining the value of these bottles, with those in good condition and without any chips, cracks, or damage being the most desirable. Rarity also plays a significant role, with bottles produced in limited quantities or those that were quickly discontinued tending to be more valuable.

Avon bottles were sold as decanters

The "decanters" were created in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, including animals, people, vehicles, and household objects. Some of the most popular designs were shaped like cars, trains, animals, and famous people, such as Elvis Presley and George Washington.

The bottles were made of various materials, including glass, porcelain, and plastic, and were sold with plastic lids that either complemented or contrasted with the colour of the glass.

The most popular series of Avon figural bottles was probably their line of glass automobiles, which included representations of early classic vehicles and various "race car" models. Most of the car bottles date from around 1968 throughout the 1970s. Other bottles collected alongside the cars include boats, ships, trains, and other vehicles.

The car bottles were produced in a variety of attractive colours, including sapphire blue, emerald green, light golden amber ("topaz"), yellow, and grey smoke, among others.

Some of these bottles were unmarked on the base, originally bearing a sticker with information on the cologne brand name and company name. Others were marked with the name ""Avon" embossed on the base, sometimes accompanied by a mould number. In some car bottles, the name "Avon" appeared on the front, as part of the grille or where a license plate would be positioned.

The "decanters" were often sold in boxes, and the value of these bottles increases if the original box is still available and intact.

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