Just Love Those Torpedo Soda’s

10 May 2011

Jeff Wichmann, owner of American Bottle Auctions, has done it again with a nice selection of bottles for his Auction 52 which is now online. My favorites this auction have to be the three (3) Torpedo Soda’s that are listed below and pictured. Descriptions and Photos courtesy American Bottle Auctions.

Lot #22 – H. FITZGERALD TORPEDO SODA. (Pictured Below) When we talk about rare, this is about as tough to find as the get. Super early and super crude, here is a Baltimore soda that has amazing eye appeal, as it shimmers in the light, covered in whittle. A bit of an oddball aqua, the pictures are on the money. The “R” and part of the “A” are quote a week mold impression and have some scratching although we’re not sure why. For rarity and overall beautiful early glass, this is a tough one to top. Grades 9.2 simply because of the lettering. Estimate: $2,000 – $3,000

H. Fitzgerald Torpedo Soda

H. Fitzgerald Torpedo Soda

Lot #23 – KEACH BALT Lot TORPEDO SODA. (Pictured Below) Here’s a popular torpedo, these come in various colors. As for crudity, you don’t get much more than this, the entire bottle is misshapen. For a torpedo it is so oddly blown that it is almost flat on one side and just makes for a greater example. There is some fairly heavy scratching around the top with a couple areas having very minor flakes. Please see video. Overall the bottle is very heavily whittled and as previously mentioned, extremely crude. Grades 8.5. Estimate: $ 1,000 – $ 2,000

Green Keach Baltimore Torpedo Soda Water

Lot #24 – KEACH BALT TORPEDO SODA in apricot. (Pictured Below) Another Keach from Baltimore, this one is identified as apricot puce. Extremely crude with loads of whittle, this sold in a sale featuring the Grapentine collection. If memory serves, it wasn’t cheap. Condition is certainly the best of these three torpedoes, thank goodness. And although it appears to have been professionally cleaned, this one is a real standout. Grades a 9.3, mostly for some extremely minor scratches and a cleaning. It might be a while before another one of these pops up. Estimate: $10,000 – $15,000

Apricot Keach Baltimore Torpedo Soda Water

About Ferdinand Meyer V

Ferdinand Meyer V is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and has a BFA in Fine Art and Graphic Design from the Kansas City Art Institute and School of Design. Ferdinand is the founding Principal of FMG Design, a nationally recognized design consultation firm. Ferdinand is a passionate collector of American historical glass specializing in bitters bottles, color runs and related classic figural bottles. He is married to Elizabeth Jane Meyer and lives in Houston, Texas with their daughter and three wonderful grandchildren. The Meyers are also very involved in Quarter Horses, antiques and early United States postage stamps. Ferdinand is the past 6-year President of the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors and is one of the founding members of the FOHBC Virtual Museum.

View all posts by Ferdinand Meyer V →