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Here's
where you'll find answers to some on the most Frequently Asked Questions
about shot glasses and shot-glass collecting. Or then again,
maybe not..........
What's a "pre-pro shot glass"?
What's "HSG" and "OASG"?
What's an "unlisted" glass?
What's the best way to take photographs of my shot glasses?
What's "glass-lust"?
Where can I buy shot glasses?
What's the best way to find glasses from my
great-grandfather's business?
What can you tell me about a bottle I found?
I have a full bottle of pre-Prohibition hooch.
What's it worth?
Where can I find display cases suitable for shot glasses?
Why are some of my shot glasses purple?
Why don't you guys get a life?
Who is the glassmaster?
Where did this site come from?
Who built this site?
What's "HSG" and "OASG"?
The
abbreviations refer to two books on pre-pro shot glasses by Barbara Edmonson.
You can find more details at "Essential
Books"
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What's an "unlisted" glass?
Any shot glass that is not listed in HSG or OASG
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What's "glass-lust"
The uncontrollable need to acquire new shot glasses (or even
glasses that you already have) even when faced with an irate
spouse, two credit cards that have been maxed out, and
absolutely no more room to house them.
Solution:
get a new credit card before the auction closes.
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Where can I find display cases suitable for shot glasses?
Visit the Useful Links page for
information on case
manufacturers
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Why are some of my shot glasses purple?
A:
Glass manufactured prior to 1917 contained manganese, which was
added to neutralize the colors produced by
impurities. The result was a very clear and pristine
glass. Prolonged exposure to UV rays (i.e. sunlight)
causes manganese to oxidize and take on an amethyst color.
Thus, the previous owners of your purple glasses probably
displayed them by sitting on a window ledge for ten or twenty
years, during which time they gradually assumed that attractive
purple hue. Bottle collectors generally treasure amethyst
'desert glass' but shot-glass collectors have mixed
feelings. While the purple tint makes a glass more
interesting, it also makes the label less distinct. Bottom
line is that a hint of amethyst is good, whereas a deep purple
hue is not.
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What's
the best way to find glasses from my great-grandfather's
business?
Finding
specific glasses can be tough. If there isn't one on the sales
page, then the best hope is to contact
the glassmaster and ask to have a want-ad placed on the
"Shots Wanted"
page. It's a free service for those people trying to
locate glasses from a specific distiller or wholesaler.
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What can you tell me about a bottle I
found?
If you're simply interested in
knowing how much a bottle is worth, we can't be of much help to
you. Try clicking on over to a bottle website, such as that
managed by Digger Odell.
But if you're more interested in history, then we may be able to
help. This site contains several
databases containing information about brand names,
distillers, and liquor wholesalers. Try searching the
City Directory database first, then
try the Cumulative Shot Database.
If you don't find anything of interest in either, then consulting
a bottle website (such as mentioned above) is probably your best
bet.
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I have a full bottle of pre-Prohibition
hooch. What's it worth?
So far as I know, there is no
organized group of collectors who specialize in pre-Prohibition
vintages. Full, sealed bottles do appear for sale on eBay
once a week or so. Prices realized can vary widely, from no
bids to in excess of $2,500 for a sealed case of 12 bottles.
A good auction estimate would be around $100.
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Why don't you guys get a life?
A1:
Hey, it's better than collecting train numbers
A2:
I used to have a life but the wife took it away from me
for being bad
A3:
Glass-lust is not a treatable condition
A4:
It's cheaper than collecting antique cars
A5:
Who's asking?
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