Historical information

These bottles were common in the late 1800's and 1900's. Bottle Nos 1 and 2 were made by Angus & Co, a Sydney company producing ink and gums (glue and clag) from about 1880 to 1920. Their products were sold in stoneware and glass containers in varying sizes. 1. Small pottery bottle referred to as a "Penny Ink" bottle, made by Angus & Co. The small bottle got its name because of the price of 1d. = 1 penny. This bottle is missing.
Nos. 3 and 4 The two tall thin Erven Lucas bottles with handles at the top were usually referred to as "Dutch Gins". In fact they actually contained "'Seltzer Spa water' or a form of Quinine Tonic, both supposed to be health drinks. These types of bottles first arrived in Australia with the Gold-seekers from Europe. Early samples are somewhat crudely made. The potter would have formed the bottle with a young apprentice applying the handle, name stamp and the glaze prior to being fired in the kiln. There is evidence of fingerprints from these processes on both samples.

Physical description

A collection of five handmade rare stoneware bottles with a salt glaze:
1. Small pottery bottle referred to as a "Penny Ink" bottle, made by Angus & Co. The small bottle got its name because of the price of 1d. = 1 penny. This is missing.
2. Medium glazed brown pottery bottle with a pouring spout (Angus & Co Ink Commercial).
3. Medium glazed brown pottery bottle with a pouring spout (Bourne Denby).
4. Large glazed brown pottery bottle with a pouring spout (Bourne Denby). Sample is from England probably sold for 2/- or 2/6d. Two shillings or two shillings & sixpence.
5. and 6. Two tall thin brown pottery bottles, one with a broken cork stopper and one without a stopper with Erven Lucas Bols - Het Lootsje Amsterdam stamped at the top of both. They were usually referred to as "Dutch Gins".
6. Green/black bottle is a traditional Dutch Gin with tapering sides, which made it easy to remove from the mold after being blown by hand and the cork top was applied by an apprentice. This sample dates from approximately 1900. Earlier samples are very crude with later samples being machine made with embossing.(This bottle is missing, 13.10.2022).

Inscriptions & markings

2. 'Angus & Co Ink Commercial' 3 and 4. 'Bourne Denby' stamped inside an oval lined shape. 5. and 6.Erven Lucas Bols - Het Lootsje Amsterdam