HutchBook.com

Figure 1 represents a view of a bottle, partly broken away, with my improved stopper applied to closing the neck of the same, showing also, in red lines, its position when open...

Bottles that utilized Matthews Gravitating Stopper are frequently confused with bottles that used Hutchinson’s Patent Spring Stopper.  Matthews’ bottles typically have distinctively sloping shoulders, and a narrower applied top than Hutchinson bottles.  Most (but not all) of the Matthews Gravitating Stopper bottles have the aforementioned Matthews base embossing.  It isn’t at all unusual to find Matthews-type bottles with Hutchinson Patent Spring Stoppers intact, as many bottlers continued to use their existing bottles with Hutchinson stoppers as long as the stopper provided an effective seal.  This dual-stopper use was facilitated by the fact W. H. Hutchinson and Company intentionally manufactured Hutchinson Patent Spring Stoppers in at least 15 different lengths and diameters. 

For HutchBook cataloguing purposes, the following listing guidelines were established:

1. If a Matthews-type bottle has Matthews base embossing, it was not added to the Hutchinson bottle data base; and

2. If the base of a Matthews-type bottles does not have the Matthews embossing, it was added to the Hutchinson bottle data base. 

The illustrated LEVY BROs / PORTLAND / OREGON bottle contains an intact Matthews Gravitating Stopper and has Matthews base embossing and therefore was not catalogued in the HutchBook database.  And although the illustrated TOLEDO BOTTLING / WORKS bottle (from Toledo, Ohio) has an original Hutchinson Patent Spring Stopper in its mouth, this bottle also has Matthews base embossing and therefore was not catalogued in the HutchBook database. 

Here's a link to the complete HutchBook posting for this fascinating closure, with more of Matthews' original patent description and illustrations: Matthews Gravitating Stopper

KA-CHING: HUTCHINSONS BRINGING BIG BUCKS!

An increasing number of Hutchinsons have been listed for big bucks at on-line auction sites lately.  Auctions for these four bottles caught our eye:

Left to right: FL0167; MI0374; RI0010; SC0002

FL0167 - This is one of the nicest Escambia Pepsi-Cola Hutchinsons we have seen in quite some time, as most examples seem to have quite a bit of case wear and/or damage.  The bottle isn't as rare as the seller indicates, but it is hard to find in good condition, and highly desirable because it is the sole embossed Pepsi-Cola Hutchinson.  It appears the bidders agree, as it has drawn 11 bids from six different bidders and is at $2,038.00 with just under three days to go.  It is listed as GreedyBay #161013678111.  Update 05-03-13: The auction closed with 17 bids from nine bidders at $2,938.00.

MI0374 - This beautiful, cobalt blue Hutchinson from Mt. Clemens, Michigan has an opening auction price of $1,799.99 and a Buy-It-Now price of $1,999.99.  It has no bids thus far and is listed as GreedyBay #400477212565.  Update 05-03-13: The sale closed when someone snapped it up at the $1,999.99 Buy-It-Now price.

RI0010 - When this Hutchinson was first listed we directed the seller to the 13 different Rhode Island HutchBook listings because this bottle isn't "The Rarest Of The Two Known Rhode Island Hutchinson Bottles" as claimed.  Alas, that claim hasn't been changed, again proving you can lead 'em to water, but you can't make 'em drink.  Even so, this looks like a nice Rhode Island Hutchinson and it is therefore very desirable, particularly by those collectors working on completing 50 state Hutchinson collections.  It was originally listed with a $2,000.00 Buy-It-Now price, re-listed with the price reduced to $1,800.00, and just dropped to $1,495 with free shipping.  All five offers made thus far have been declined by the seller.  The listing has a week to go as GreedyBay #121091866280.  Update 05-03-13: Closed without selling.

SC0002 - We had this rare Anderson, South Carolina Hutchinson catalogued but hadn't seen a photo of it until this bottle surfaced.  Two bidders chased it and drove the opening $399.00 price up to close at $510.00.  It was listed as GreedyBay #251265422627. 

Phase I: Hutchinson History (launched September 30, 2009)

HutchBook.com Phase I focuses on historical development of the North American soft drink industry during the 1879 to World War I Hutchinson Era.  Site content includes extensively researched, factual documentation concerning: the origin of the term "soda pop;" the evolution of bottle closures, including 30+ stopper patents often confused with Hutchinson’s Patent Spring Stoppers; a history of the W. H. Hutchinson and Son company; Hutchinson's lawsuits; the American bottling system; pre-Hutchinson Era bottling; Hutchinson bottles; the Hutchinson bottling process; and much more.  Printed out, the content is 300+ pages in length! 

Phase II: Bottle Directory (launched August 1, 2012)

HutchBook.com’s newest feature is the Hutchinson Bottle Directory, a fully searchable, free access database cataloguing extensive data about over 17,000 different Hutchinson bottles.  The powerful new “Hutchinson Search” engine is a gateway to detailed data about the Hutchinson bottles utilized in all U.S. states and territories, Canadian provinces, and several foreign countries.  Users have access to numerous pre-defined, printable lists of Hutchinson bottles, plus lists of bottles in popular collecting categories, such as colored and picture Hutchinsons.  The database is continually updated to ensure users have access to the most current and accurate Hutchinson information available.

To access the database and its related features, click on the Bottle Directory link located in the left side navigation bar on any HutchBook.com page.

Phase III: Bottle Illustrations (commenced August 1, 2012)

Phase III is the addition of photographs, scans, and computer-assisted drawings to accompany individual Hutchinson bottle listings.   A small sampling of images is now on-line, with thousands more scheduled for posting in months to come.