Dating a ball jar can be tricky, but with a little bit of know-how, it can be easy to date most jars produced by the Ball Manufacturing Company. The company started producing mason jars in 1885 and continued to do so until around 1930. While many companies produced similar glass jars during this time period, there are certain characteristics that can help narrow down the age of a Ball jar.
One such feature is the mold number on the bottom of the jar. This number indicates where the jar was made and can often be used to date a jar within a few years. Another way to date a Ball Jar is by looking at the logo.
The logos used by Ball changed over time, so by comparing your jar’s logo to known examples, you can often pinpoint its era of production.
- Check the bottom of the ball jar to find the manufacturer’s logo
- Look for a three-digit number in the bottom center of the logo
- This number corresponds to the year the jar was made
- If there is no three-digit number, look for a four-digit number below the Ball logo
- The first two digits of this number correspond to the year the jar was made
- Find out what style of Ball jars were made in specific years by consulting online resources or reference books about Ball jars
ball jar dating guide
How Do You Tell How Old Your Ball Jars Are?
You can date most ball jars from the early 1900s up to about 1960 by looking at the logo. The earliest logos were on the side of the jar and are called “cursive script” or “ball in a shield” logos. Jars with these logos are rare and highly sought after by collectors.
From about 1900 until 1910, Ball used a cursive script logo that was slightly different each year. In 1910, they started using a more standardized logo that featured the word “Ball” in a circle with a large capital “B” inside of it. This logo was used until about 1923.
From 1923 until 1933, Ball used what is known as the “banjo”logo. This logo featured a man playing a banjo inside of a circle with the word “Ball” above it and “Mason” below it. Jars with this logo are also fairly common and collectible.
In 1933, Ball changed their logo again, this time to what is called the “ball in a shield’ logo. This logo has the word “Ball’ inside of an oval with two vertical lines on either side of it and looks somewhat like a shield. Jars with this logo are fairly common as well.
The last major change to Ball’s jars came in 1940 when they introduced their now-famous fruit jar design which features raised lettering spelling out “BALL MASON” around the lower half ofthe jar beneath horizontal raised lines (this style was produced until 1962). You can find many variations of this design including jars that say “Home Canning” or “Ideal” underneath the BALL MASON name (these were produced during WWII when glass was rationed).
How Do I Date a Ball Mason Jar?
Dating a Ball Mason jar can be tricky, but if you follow these simple tips, you’ll be able to date most jars with ease. The first thing you need to do is take a look at the logo on the jar. If the logo is raised and embossed, then it was made after 1885.
If the logo is written in cursive script, then it was made between 1858 and 1885. If the lettering on the jar is block letters, then it was made before 1858.
Once you’ve determined when the jar was made, now you need to look at other identifying factors like color, size and shape of the jar.
Ball Mason jars were originally blue-green in color, but over time they’ve been produced in a variety of colors including clear (flint), amber, green and even pink! The most common sizes for Ball Mason jars are pint (16 oz), quart (32 oz) and half-gallon (64 oz). And finally, Ball Mason jars come in two different styles – regular mouth and wide mouth.
Regular mouth jars have a narrower opening than wide mouth jars and are typically used for canning fruit or other items that don’t require a lot of space.
Now that you know how to identify a Ball Mason jar, all you need to do is find one that fits your needs! Whether you’re looking for a specific size or color or just want an old-fashioned mason jar for decoration, there’s sure to be one out there for you.
So get searching and enjoy your new addition to your home!
What Years were Ball Perfect Mason Jars Made?
The Ball Perfect Mason was first introduced in 1913, and production continued until 1937. The jars were produced in a variety of colors, including blue, green, amber, and clear (colorless). The Ball Perfect Mason was the most popular home canning jar in the United States from its introduction in 1913 until the mid-20th century.
What Makes a Ball Jar Valuable?
Mason jars have been around for over 100 years and are a staple in many homes. Ball jars, in particular, are valuable because they are well-made and can be used for a variety of purposes. Canning is the most popular use for Ball jars, but they can also be used for storage, as vases, and more.
The value of a Ball jar depends on its age and condition. The older the jar, the more valuable it is. Jars that are in good condition with no chips or cracks are also worth more than those that are damaged.
Ball jars were first produced in 1884 by the Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company. The company was founded by five brothers who wanted to provide high-quality glass products at an affordable price. They quickly became one of the leading producers of Mason jars and other glassware.
Today, Ball jars are still made by the same company (now called Jarden Home Brands). They continue to be a popular choice for canning and home storage due to their durability and timeless design.
Credit: www.wikihow.com
1923 to 1933 Ball Jar Value
If you’ve ever come across an old Ball jar at a garage sale or thrift store, you may have wondered if it’s worth anything. Well, you might be in luck! Ball jars from the 1920s and 1930s are highly collectible and can be worth quite a bit of money.
The value of a Ball jar depends on a few factors, such as its age, condition, and rarity. Jars from the early 1900s are the most valuable, with those from the 1920s and 1930s following close behind. Common jars in good condition can sell for around $20, while rarer jars in mint condition can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
So, if you happen to stumble upon an old Ball jar, don’t hesitate to grab it! You could be sitting on a small fortune.
1923 Ball Perfect Mason Jar
The 1923 Ball Perfect Mason Jar is a unique and highly collectible item. These jars were produced by the Ball Corporation during the early 1920s and are characterized by their distinctive blue color. While many of these jars were sold commercially, they also became popular as home canning jars.
Today, the 1923 Ball Perfect Mason Jar is a sought-after item among collectors.
The most distinguishing feature of the 1923 Ball Perfect Mason Jar is its blue color. This was caused by a change in the manufacturing process at the Ball Corporation.
During this time, the company began using cobalt oxide to produce a more vibrant blue color in their glassware. While this change was initially made for commercial reasons, it ultimately resulted in a more striking jar that quickly caught on with home canners.
In addition to its distinctive color, the 1923 Ball Perfect Mason Jar also features a wide mouth design.
This was another change that was made during the early 1920s and helped to make these jars more popular for home canning purposes. The wide mouth made it easier to fill and empty the jars, which was a major advantage over other types of jars at the time.
Today, original 1923 Ball Perfect Mason Jars are quite rare and highly coveted by collectors.
These jars typically sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars depending on their condition and rarity.
Rare Ball Jars
If you’re a fan of canning, or even if you just like collecting old jars, then you’ve probably come across a few rare Ball jars. These jars are highly sought after by collectors and can fetch a pretty penny on the open market. But what makes them so special?
For starters, Ball jars were first produced in 1884 by the Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company. The company was founded by five brothers who had previously worked for another glass company. They developed a new process for making glass jars that made them much more durable than previous versions.
These early Ball jars were produced in a variety of colors, including blue, green, amber, and clear. The most common color is clear, which was used for most food storage purposes. The other colors were generally used for decorative purposes or to indicate the contents of the jar (for example, blue was often used for pickled foods).
Over the years, the production of Ball jars has undergone some changes. In 1918, the company was sold to Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company and then again in 1928 to Allied Chemical & Dye Corporation. In 1962, it finally came under the control ofBall Corporation.
However, despite these changes in ownership, Ball jars have remained popular throughout the years.
One reason for their popularity is their timeless design. The classic round shape and simple screw-on lid make them recognizable and easy to use.
They also come in a variety of sizes (including half-pint, pint, quart), which makes them versatile for different canning projects or as storage containers for pantry items or leftovers.
Another reason people love Ball jars is that they are very sturdy and reliable; unlike many other types of glassware, they rarely break or chip (although this does occasionally happen). This means that they can be reused over and over again – something that’s especially important to those who are environmentally conscious or who like to save money!
Conclusion
The blog post begins by talking about the history of Ball jars. It then goes on to give tips on how to date a Ball jar. The first tip is to look at the logo on the jar.
If the logo has a capital “B”, then the jar was made between 1885 and 1900. If the logo has a lowercase “b”, then the jar was made after 1900. The second tip is to look at the bottom of the jar for a raised circle with a number in it.
This number corresponds to the year that the mold for that particular jar was made. So, if you see a number 6 on the bottom of a jar, you know that it was made in 1916. The third and final tip is to look for embossed letters on the side of the jar near the bottom.
These letters correspond to where the jars were manufactured.