Bottles: Identification and Price Guide, 3e (Antique Trader's Bottles: Identification & Price Guide) [Paperback]

Michael Polak (Author)

Book Description

Series: Antique Trader's Bottles: Identification & Price Guide | Publication Date: August 22, 2000

Do you need help in finding that elusive and rare antique bottle? How about some clues on where to locate the best digging spots? Do you wonder how old your bottle really is?

The "Bottle Bible", a comprehensive reference for all collectors from bottle-collecting enthusiast Michael Polak, is now newly revised for the third edition.  Bottle collecting continues to grow as an incredibly popular hobby, with more and more people digging through old dumps, foraging through old ghost towns, digging out old outhouses, exploring mine shafts, and searching at swap meets, flea markets, and garage sales for the treasured bottle.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael Polak, an avid bottle collector since 1976, has amassed a collection of nearly 3,000 bottles, and has written for a variety of antiques publications including Antique and Auction News and The Antique Trader Weekly. He lives in Long Beach, California, with his wife, Jacqueline.

Product Details

• Paperback: 560 pages
• Publisher: Collins Reference; 3 edition (August 22, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 038072815X
• ISBN-13: 978-0380728152
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #884,811 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #35 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Bottles

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, April 22, 2003

By 

jacqueline pace (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bottles: Identification and Price Guide (Paperback)

I've been an Antique Bottle Collector for approximately 10 years and have bought all of the previous editions of Bottles: Identification and Price Guide. While the other 3 editions have been excellent and a great help, the 4th Edition is by far the best of the group. The front part of the book with respect to how to understand bottle collecting,the history of bottles and glass, and digging for bottles (which I do) is an excellent update. In addition, the updated pricing sections along with the photographs, both black & white and color, are also extremely helpful. I find that the other area that provided a great deal of help is the back section of the book. The Trademark Section, Glossary, Clubs and Dealer Guide, and Bibliography. Overall, Mr. Polak has done a great job providing a super updated 4th Edition. The book makes mention that it has been called the "Bottle Bible" and I can understand why. It's been extremely helpful to myself and many of my fellow bottle colletors.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars extremely informative, July 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bottles: Identification and Price Guide (Mass Market Paperback)

As a novice bottle collector, this book was recommended to me by a friend. I found this book to be extremely informative. Mr. Polak knows his material and has presented it in a reader friendly fashion. I highly recommend this book to others.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I would not recommend, September 9, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Bottles: Identification and Price Guide, 3e (Antique Trader's Bottles: Identification & Price Guide) (Paperback)

The begining of this book has lots of useful information including digging and diving for bottles. However, I was disappointed with the amount of pictures. The descriptions for most bottles were vague. I rated it a 2 because of the extensive listing of Jim Beam bottles. If you collect Jim Beam this would be a worthwhile book.