828-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, September 20, 2003 Anita Gold Answers Questions About Cow Molds, Milk Bottles, More Glass Cow Molds Worth Moolah Could you provide me with any information regarding a glass butter mold with a cow design, and tell me what it could possibly be worth? Georgia Marshall Indianapolis, Ind. Most of the butter molds manufactured in the 19th cen tury were made of wood. The few that were made of glass were patented pieces manufac tured in the last third of the century. Such examples are clear pressed or molded glass and are of the plunger type, consisting of a cylindrical cup shaped glass piece and an inner round glass tamp attached to a wooden handle, that would move up and down through a hole at the top of the outer cyl inder. The most attractive feature of such glass butter molds is their designs that were incised or pressed into the glass tamp. When butter was packed into the glass cylinder and pushed out with the wooden plunger handle attached to 'hi he br the tamp, ti mtter was embossed with the mold’s design. Some glass butter molds, were de signed with a star motif, others had a fleur-de-lis, and still others (which are the most popu lar and sought after examples) are designed with a fig ure of a standing cow. However, re productions with the cow motif were made, and therefore can easily fool the unwary unless one knows how to spot an original. Some genuine glass butter molds with the standing cow motif are em bossed with the words “Bomer Pat. Apld. For” around the sides of the outer cylinder. Others that are au thentic are emboss ed or marked with a patent date. Such examples are genu ine, and although there are other gen uine examples with the cow motif that are not marked with the name or patent date, their authenticity is questionable. If you ever come across a glass but ter mold with the cow design, and have difficulty dis tinguishing whether it’s an original or a reproduction, here are some handy tips that’ll help you decide. On some reproductions, the glass has a bit of a greenish tinge or tint, and when held up to the light, it shows flaws, bub bles, and has wavy and uneven sur faces to appear old-looking. (Gen uine examples are of clear glass with the bottom edge of the outer cylinder is not perfectly round, and on some copies a some what pleated or scalloped area can be felt when the finger is run around the inside of the mold. (When you do the same thing to a genuine example, it should feel smooth). The tops of some reproductions (when looking straight down on the mold’s cup-shaped part) look pitied to appear old. A good clue is the wooden plunger han dle (attached to the tamp) which on a genuine example is topped off by a nicely turned and rounded mushroom-shaped finial that’s stained a honey brown or butternut color. The handle on a reproduced exam ple is of crude workmanship and of unfinished wood, and has a flat knob at the top. Then, too, the outer cylinder on some of the reproductions is somewhat shorter (measuring 2 Vs inches high), while the origi nals are taller measuring 3-inches high). The value of a glass butter mold with a cow design, depends on its condi A New Alllancel W^MT/OAfhV/DE A§ W ~.*SL AUCT/ON SYSTEMS and Contractors, Inc. 2-DAY EQUIPMENTAIICTION 1450 New York Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19801 (302) 573-5005 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2003 @ 10:00 AM - Construction Equipment SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2003 @ 10:00 AM - Light Duty Vehicles Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) is sponsoring its inaugural auction for members on September 26 & 27, 2003 with Nationwide Auction Systems in Wilmington, Delaware. Over 1,500 of the best companies in the region will be represented by four sponsoring chapters: Baltimore-Metro, Delaware, Southeast Pennsylvania and Eastern Pennsylvania. Asphalt Equipment: Barber Greene RX-40 Profiler. Loader Backhoes: (2) 1999 Komatsu WBI4O 4x4 Extend-a-Hoe w/cab, Caterpillar 416, John Deere 710. Crawler Tractors/Loaders: Komatsu D-58-P, Dresser TD-20-E, Dresser TD-15-C, John Deere 450 E, CAT 951 C. Case 650-G, Caterpillar 951. Wheel Loaders: Volvo BMLI2OC, Kawasaki 80ZII. Skid Steers: Gehl 4625 SX. Excavators: Komatsu PC-60-6, Komatsu PC-128UU-1, Komatsu PC-100-5, Komatsu PC-40-7, Komatsu PC-20-7E, Komatsu PC-30-FRI, Komatsu PC2OO-LC-3, Komatsu PC22O-LC-3, John Deere 690, John Deere 690 B, Leibehr972. Boom Trucks: 1981 Ford F-9000 W/MTCO 7000. Service Trucks: (2) 1990 International 4600’s w/crane, 1989 International S-1700 w/crane, 1989 Ford F-350 w/crane, 1987 International S-1700 w/crane, 1987 Ford F-350 w/crane, 1986 GMC Lube Truck. Dump Trucks:2oo2 International 4900 (unused). Mixer Trucks: 1985 Mack, 1972 Mack. Cargo Vans: (2) 1994 Chevrolet Astro Vans, 1990 Chevrolet Astro Van, 1989 Chevrolet Astro Vans. Office Trailers: (1) B’x2o’, (1) B’x2B'. Misc. Items: Hertzel Senes 50 6yd. batch plant refurbished; Large quantity of formed foam pipe insulation. Many more units to be added prior to sale!!! Thinking of selling with Nationwide ... Maximize the return on your investment!!! Nationwide Auction Systems is the nation's largest public auction company specializing in the sale of fleet vehicles, heavy trucks, construction machinery and other assets for over 25 years! tion and markings. Original old examples in good condition with no cracks or chips in the glass, can command as much as $lOO or $2OO because of their scarcity. The nice thing about glass butter molds is that they can still be used and are easily cleaned afterwards, as most collectors do not particularly care to use old wooden types. An elderly neighbor recently moved into a retirement home, and left behind dozens of emboss ed brass planters, pots, and urns which once held plants and flow ers, but are now covered with dirt and tar-like stains, spots, and streaks that are impossible to re move being kept in a damp flooded basement for a number of years. I’ve tried numerous brass polishes and other types of clean ing products, but the black stains and streaks won’t budge. What (if anything) will clean such pieces? Gloria Peterson, Gary, IN To restore the pieces to their original shine and watch them come to life as they glimmer and glow right before your ** INVENTORY REDUCTION SALE! ** For additional information, contact: Phil Forester at (302) 573-5005 or toll-free; (800) 550-8810 On Behalf of: - Preliminary Listing - eyes, use MAAS Metal Polish which has a powerful “wipe on wipe off” formula that instant ly removes years of residue, rust, tarnish, and oxidation from all metals, and leaves a brilliant reflective long-lasting shine that can last for as long as a year or even longer. It is available in a large bottle for $9.95 plus $2.95 shipping from MAAS Polishing Systemes, Dept. D, P.O. Box 128, La Grange, IL 60525-0128. Also, to preserve and keep outdoor brass lanterns, lamps, and other metals exposed to harsh weather looking beautiful, use MAAS Metal Protector, Ex treme Protection for all Metals, which has an anti-tamish for mula which applies super strong long-lasting protection to all metals and more, avail able in a large tube for $9.95 plus $2.95 shipping from MAAS Polishing Systemes, Dept. D, P.O. Box 128, La Grange, IL 60525-0128. I have some old milk bottles including a green one, that be longed to my father. How can I find out more about them? Karen Lee Johnson Green Bay, Wis. You’ll find out everything you want to know about all types of milk bottles and relat ed items, by subscribing to “The Milk Route” - Publica tion of The National Associa tion of Milk Bottle Collectors, which offers an annual sub scription for $2O. Send check to the National Association of Milk Bottle Collectors do Ju lian Gottlieb, 18 Pond Place, Cos Cob, CT 06807. Phone (203) 869-8411. E-mail: got tmilk@msn.com Write Anita Gold, P.O. Box 597401, Chicago, IL 60659. Enclose a self- addressed stamped envelope with a copy of this column and the name of the paper in which it appears for a reply.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers