In 1966, Jim Beam introduced what was to become one of their
longest running collections of bottles. They were called “Beam Collector
Editions”. They ran from 1966 to 1986. Each year Beam would introduce a
new “collection” under this heading. The first was a series of four
different bottles with paintings from famous artists. The bottles were
boxed in a simple but colorful box with an open front so that the
painting on the decanter was visible. The bottles in the first series
were coated with a velvet or felt-like material that was blue with the
painting in the middle of the bottle and a label under the painting.
These were pint size bottles with a blue plastic lid that screwed off.
They were ugly to say the least but in 1966 the hobby of bottle
collecting was enjoying significant growth, with Beam and other bottle
clubs popping up everywhere. Liquor store shelves were well stocked
with these decanters and many of the store owners were collectors
themselves. This had a huge bearing on the popularity of the hobby at
the time as the distributor reps (many of them collected also) would get
the owners excited about new intros and the owners would pass this
excitement onto their customers. This, in turn, had a direct impact on
the prices that the decanters were bringing at that time. The “Collector
Editions” were inexpensive and the dealer could buy them in quantity,
create a nice display near the cash register and price the pint bottles
at $5.95 to appeal to his customers. It was a great marketing ploy.
But like many other things in life, you get what you pay for. The
contents of the decanter were still the high quality but the container
was cheap. Today, some 30 some years later, these bottles (full or
empty) still aren’t worth any more than when they were introduced.
Each series is known as a “volume”. There are over 80 bottles in the entire collection. Volumes 1 & 2 (1966-67) each contained 4 different paintings and are valued at $4.00 each. Volumes 3 & 4 (1968-69) each continued 8 different paintings and are only valued as $4.00 each. Volume 5 (1970), 6 different paintings, is valued at $3.00. Volumes 6 through 11 (1971--76) include paintings as well as pictures of birds (‘74), fish (‘75) and wildlife (‘76). These are valued at $3.00-5.00. Later volumes included pictures of dogs (‘77) and waterfowl (‘80), with similar values of approximately $5.00. The last several years were devoted to duck stamps (‘84-’86) and these have a slightly higher value of $7.00-8.00. For easy reference, you can find the year in the bottom on each bottle. The list price is taken from “Mario’s Price Guide to Modern Bottles” current edition (July-Sept. 99). So now you know the story of the Beam’s Collectors Editions. Many of you who read my columns ask me to appraise these types of bottles. As I have mentioned in previous columns, I offer an appraisal service for large and small collections. I don’t mind giving values on one or two bottles. For larger collections, I charge $45/hour for this service. Depending on the size of the collection and the description you are able to provide for each bottle, I can usually appraise them in two hours. You can do your own appraisal in most cases by ordering Mario’s Price Guide. The cost is $6.00. His address is: Mario Latello, 146 Sheldon Ave; Depew, NY. 14043. It’s a great little pocket guide and lists thousands of modern bottles. Tell him that I sent you! I love talking bottles and am a buyer too. I have a list available of decanters I offer for sale; anyone interested can receive the list by e-mail or snail-mail. I am currently into “ships”. There weren’t a whole lot of them made but if you have one you want to sell, let me know. I am always interested in doing an appraisal in exchange for the right bottle(s). In the mean time keep the letters coming, I will answer all and good luck collecting. E-mail: bvdurance@juno.com. Bernie Happy Collecting! Other Columns Bottles 101 Determining Values Collecting Decanters for Investment Jim Beam Collectors Edition Decanters Other China Decanter Bottle Makers Jim Beam Related Jim Beam Overview Jim Beam Message Board |
