Introduction
Before the use of glass bottles for milk, the local milkman would fill the customers own jug to the required quantity. Between 1860 and 1890 diary farmers were experimenting with the concept of bottling milk in various jars. It wasn’t until 1878 when George Henry Lester patented the first glass jar with the intention of holding milk.
The glass Milk Bottle
The glass milk bottle commonly referred to now, may have somewhat looked different to the original patented design. As time went on each diary company changed the shape and size of the jars. By the 1920’s the glass milk bottle was widely in use across the UK after being introduced from the US. Each dairy company would have their name embossed or pyroglazed (painted) on the bottle. This helped with the delivery (by the local milkman) of the bottles to ensure the bottles were returned to the correct diary.
Advertising On Glass Milk Bottles
It is not known how or when advertising on glass milk bottles became about. However it makes sense, for example Kellogg’s advertised on milk bottles with various dairy companies. After all milk and cereal are a what most of us eat for breakfast. Some milk bottles had cartoon, colourful characters with information about how calcium is good for children. Slimming/dieting adverts with milk being a health option. This idea was a great way of advertising and made the bottles more desirable.
The decline of the Glass Milk Bottle
As the decades changed so did the milk bottle. Plastic and cardboard became lighter for transportation and cheaper to produce. The rise of supermarkets as a more convenient way of shopping also changed the demand for dairy companies. The local milkman also find a decline in demand for fresh daily milk on your doorstep. The clink of milk bottles and the whistle of the milkman was to become a distant memory.
Not all Doom and Gloom
The glass milk bottle is desirable amongst collectors. The dairy name, shape, size and age all add to the uniqueness of each bottle. The advertisement milk bottles make for a more quirky addition to a collection. Value does depend on age and dairy name along with other specialist features. The appeal now for these vintage glass milk bottles does not lie with collectors only. People have upcycling ideas for these milk bottles and can make some lovely decorative items with them.
At the time this blog was written we were still in the process of cleaning, and cataloguing these glass milk bottles ready for sale. However we have a wide selection of antique, vintage and retro items for sale online
