The earliest canning jars were made of thin glass so that they could be sealed with a cork. These cork-sealed jars were first used in the 18th century and are now referred to as “lightning” or “bluing” jars. Ball Jars were first manufactured in Buffalo, New York in 1884 by the Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company.
The company was started by five brothers who had previously worked for another glass company.
The Ball brothers designed a machine that could mass-produce canning lids, which greatly increased the efficiency of the canning process. The design of the Ball Jar lid also helped to create a strong seal that would prevent food from spoilage.
The company’s name comes from the fact that early versions of their jars had a distinctive ball shape.
Today, Ball Jars are still produced by the same company and are widely available in stores across the United States. While the original purpose of these jars was for home canning, they have become popular collectibles due to their unique history and design.
- Check the bottom of the ball jar for a date
- If there is no date, check for other identifying marks that might help you date the ball jar
- Once you have a general idea of when the ball jar was made, consult an expert or reference book to get a more precise date
- Enjoy your vintage ball jar!
Date Old Ball Mason Jars
How Do You Date Mason Ball Jars?
If you’re a fan of Mason jars, you might be interested in learning how to date them. The process is actually pretty simple, and there are a few different ways to go about it.
One way to date Mason jars is by looking at the jar’s logo.
If the logo is embossed on the jar, that means it was made after 1858. If the logo is printed on the jar, that means it was made after 1901. So, if you see a Mason jar with an embossed logo, you can be pretty sure that it’s at least 158 years old!
Another way to date Mason jars is by looking at the color of the glass. Clear glass was used up until about 1900, when blue glass started becoming more popular. So, if you see a blue Mason jar, you can be pretty sure it was made after 1900.
Finally, you can also tell how old a Mason jar is by its lid. The lids on older jars were made of zinc and had no screw threads. The lids on newer jars are made of tin and have screw threads so they can be screwed onto the jar.
So, if you see a Mason jar with a zinc lid and no screw threads, you know it’s an older one!
What are the Most Sought After Ball Mason Jars?
There are a few different types of Ball Mason jars that are considered to be the most sought after by collectors. These include the early clear jars, the blue jars, and the amber jars. The clear jars are the oldest and most valuable, followed by the blue jars, with the amber being the least valuable.
However, all three types of Ball Mason jar can be quite collectible and can be worth a significant amount of money depending on their condition and age.
What Years were Ball Perfect Mason Jars Made?
Ball perfect mason jars were first made in 1858 by the Ball Brothers. The jars were produced until 1963 when the company was bought out by Muncie Glass Company.
Are Old Ball Mason Jars Worth Anything?
Yes, old Ball Mason jars are worth something. They are not worth a lot, but they are definitely worth more than their new counterparts. The value of an old Ball Mason jar depends on its age, condition and rarity.
The most common and oldest ones are worth about $5, while the rarer ones can go for up to $50.
Credit: adirondackgirlatheart.com
Mason Jar Collectors Guide
There’s something about mason jars that just makes them so darn charming. Maybe it’s their rustic, old-fashioned appeal, or the way they make even the simplest of ingredients look like a gourmet creation. Whatever the reason, we’re all suckers for a good mason jar (or three).
If you’re a fellow mason jar lover, then you’ll want to check out this collector’s guide. We’ve got everything you need to know about collecting these classic containers, from where to find them to what to look for in a good one. So grab your favorite jar and let’s get started!
Mason jars have been around for over 150 years, and in that time they’ve been used for everything from canning fruit and vegetables to storing spices and dry goods. Today, they’re most commonly used as drinking glasses or decoration, but some people take their love of mason jars even further by collecting them.
If you’re thinking about starting your own collection, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
First, consider what type of mason jar you’d like to collect. There are many different styles and sizes of jars out there, so it helps to narrow down your focus before you start shopping. Do you want antique jars or modern ones?
Small jars or large ones? Jars with color or without? Once you’ve decided on a style, you can start looking for specific examples.
The best place to find mason jars is at flea markets, garage sales, or antique stores. You might also be able to find some at thrift stores or online auctions sites like eBay. When shopping for jars, look for any chips or cracks in the glass; these can weaken the structure of the jar and make it more likely to break.
Also be sure to inspect the lid – if it doesn’t fit snugly on the jar, it’s not worth buying. Finally, check the price; unless you’re an experienced collector who knows how much a particular jar is worth, stick to cheaper options when starting out.
Now that you know what to look for in a mason jar (and where to find it), happy hunting!
Ball Ideal Jar With Glass Lid
If you’re like me, you love finding new and interesting ways to use things around your home. Today, I’m going to share with you my latest discovery – the Ball Ideal Jar with Glass Lid. This jar is the perfect size for storing all sorts of things, from spices and herbs to nuts and bolts.
The best part about it is that the lid is made of glass, so you can see what’s inside without having to open it up.
I’ve been using mine to store my herbs and spices, and it’s been working out great. I can just grab what I need without having to dig through a bunch of different containers.
And because the lid is clear, I can easily see when I’m running low on something.
If you’re looking for a versatile storage solution that looks great too, then I highly recommend checking out the Ball Ideal Jar with Glass Lid. Trust me, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!
Ball Perfect Mason Blue Jar Value
If you’re a fan of old-fashioned canning jars, then you’ve probably come across a Ball Perfect Mason jar at some point. These blue jars were first produced in 1858 by the Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company, and they were used for canning fruits and vegetables. The company continued to produce these jars until it was bought out by Jarden Corporation in 1998.
Although the Ball Perfect Mason jars are no longer being produced, they are still highly sought after by collectors. If you find one of these jars at a flea market or garage sale, it’s likely to be worth quite a bit of money. The value of these jars depends on their age and condition, but even a common jar can sell for $20 or more.
If you’re lucky enough to have an antique Ball Perfect Mason jar, then it could be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The most valuable jars are those that were made before 1900 and are in good condition with no chips or cracks. So, if you come across an old Ball Perfect Mason jar, don’t hesitate to snatch it up – it could be worth a small fortune!
Conclusion
If you’ve ever found a Ball jar at an antique store or flea market, you might have wondered if it’s an antique itself. Here’s how to date Ball jars to find out.
The first step is to check the logo.
EarlyBall jars used different logos depending on when they were made. If the logo is on the front of the jar, it was made after 1885. If it’s on the side, it was made between 1880 and 1885.
Next, look at the style of the jar. The earliest Ball jars were made in aqua glass, but other colors were introduced in later years. Jars with screw-on lids were also introduced later than those with bail lids.
Finally, check for any identifying marks on the jar. These could include a mold number or a date code. Mold numbers can be used to date jars made between 1900 and 1937.
Date codes were used after that time period up until 1961.