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The market for antique bottles has changed since I wrote my last column on the subject. In fact, if I were a novice in the hobby, I would think that the demand for bottles is at an all time high.

Bottle prices in most areas of collecting are high, very high. We sold some sodas recently for almost double what we have before and, along with a great number of other bottles, things seem to be selling for the high estimate or higher. Take a look at Glass Works Auctions, Heckler's and the sale of bottles in general, and things are good. Make no mistake about it, most bottles, especially the rare and beautiful, are selling for as much as ever.

So, all is good in the bottle world, or at least it would seem that way, if you're selling. The only thing I don't quite understand is not related to the demand, but rather the supply. Obviously you can't sell bottles if you don't have em'... and it's getting harder and harder to get em'.  That's the thing that has me puzzled.

My friend, Mike, found almost 50 of a particular bottle, an M.R. Sacramento soda in the 1970's or 80's (I can't remember exactly when). Anyway, he had almost 50 of the little devils in kind of an off blue color, at least the one I saw was. I asked him where the rest of them were and he said that he had sold them. I dismissed it, as anyone would, thinking, "He found a bunch of bottles, sold them and probably made a few bucks." The question I have to ask, years later, is where did they all go? He sold almost 50 of a particular bottle, in a strange color, and 20 years later... where are they?

That's not the only instance of a bottle that has since disappeared or has joined the list of endangered species. I know of many Wonser's U.S.A. Indian Root Bitters that were found, over the years, and I haven't sold one in quite some time. Where are they? Where are the Lacour's Bitters, or the multitude of other western bitters that are highly coveted, but rarely seen? Have they all run off, like little mice hanging out at some small tavern, waiting for their fish and chips? Have their monkeys absconded with their bottle stash, trading them for fresh bananas at the local flea market? I think not.

No, neither mice nor monkeys could be responsible for this rash of disappearing glass bottles. But what then, my dear Watson, could be the reason for this lack of new (fresh to the market) bottles?

I believe that people are causing the problem! That's right. People like you and me, or our neighbors, or even our relatives. People you see at parties, and say hello to, but don't really know. That's right. People that have collections of bottles but refuse to part with them because... and that's the interesting part.

My father used to say that a good employee is hard to find. I believe him... he fired me twice. Thankfully, I didn't take it personally but did realize one thing: when you have something you like, you're foolish to part with it. Is that what's going on with the bottle collecting world? They actually like their bottles? What in the world is up with that? You're supposed to like them for a while, then look at them one day and say, "Boy, I bet these are worth a lot of money, maybe I should sell them." That's what is truly wrong with America... people aren't looking closely enough at their bottles. If they did, they would ask that very question and be calling all the glass auction houses, begging us to sell their bottles for them. What in the world is wrong? Are people just too proud to beg anymore?

It's possible, that when people look at their bottles, that they actually like them. There, I said it. They look at them and see some intrinsic value, not monetary, but just... something special. So instead of coins or stamps, it's a piece of glass that really gets their heart fluttering. Kinda like love. Let's face it, bottles are neat. They come in lots of colors, sometimes are very crude and unique, may remind you of a old friend, or even bring back special memories. But come on! That gets old! Get with it America! If you don't sell your bottles, you could end up in the poor house, or even worse, be saddled with a bunch of glass that you love!

So where have all the bottles gone? Well, they're sitting in people's closets, on shelves, or in basements and attics. They're under parking lots and in storage containers. They sit patiently in cardboard boxes, waiting for the day when they'll join other bottles, sitting joyously next to their brethren on the window sill. Until then, dig deep America, check your spaces and bring out your old and tired. Where are all the bottles? I don't know, I just know they aren't here.

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