This bottle recently caught my attention. Why not? It is puce in color, has an applied seal, an applied handle and is otherwise pretty amazing. But it is not old.
Collectors will recognize this as a somewhat faithful copy (at least in general form) of the 19th century Star Whiskey bottle. Original bottles are amber in color and have some other minor differences.
But here is the most interesting part, the marking on the base.
Look closely and you will see an indented area with the embossing “OI 1974.” I believe this to be Owens Illinois.
I am not familiar with the bottle but it was made in the 1970s, an era of great interest in bottle collecting and a time when one say many a reproduction and modern “re-interpretation” bottle being produced.
Incidentally, the bottle sold on eBay in July, and fetched $62 plus shipping.
Here is another example in amber which is currently on ebay (August 2017)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/172843632590
From this auction, these photos show more detail regarding the manufacturer:
Vicky Barclay on said:
Thank you for your post. It has assisted me in determining a price to sell one of these replica bottles on eBay. Mine has its original tag from the maker: Owens-Illinois glass blowers in Belgium. The tag also provides a historical account of the history of the reproduced bottle, which is in the unusual form of a “cruet”, with a spout and handle. Mine also has the markings on the bottom. If you’re interested you can find my listing @ Tractorbarn1812 on eBay. Thanks again. vb