Topic: Crown Perfumery Mitcham Lavender Bouquet

[chopin-liszt]

We don't really discuss values here, I'm afraid. They are arbitrary in the secondary market.
And for something like this, where we cannot find other examples which have sold, even a ball-park figure would be hard to imagine.
We're all mostly just amateur collectors who want to talk about glass and identify it.

[Paul S.]

Hi  -  don't really follow the negative response from Barbara Miller re value  -  after all, this is someone who collects this very material, and is far more likely to have a better idea of worth than the rest of us put together:-)     As you say, you were only asking for a ball park guide value.

I doubt that anyone here will even dream of suggesting a value  -  apart from the fact that we aren't a bottle collecting forum, there is a general rule on the GMB that values are too subjective to be pushed out on an internet forum, though it might be different on a private basis.

Presumably with your finds now residing in the B.M., your received some market value dictated by the treasure trove arrangements  -  I think it would be perhaps a tad presumptuous to suggest these will never see the light of day  -  who knows, the museum might have an exhibition in the coming year or two and your pieces may be included.           Suppose, as the original finder, you could always ask to see them again:-)

Best of luck with the sale.

[bottleboy666]

Thanks for your comments regarding values. I hope I didn't offend by asking. I appreciate that it's difficult when there is no yardstick against which to measure.

As suggested, I did receive payouts for the treasure items that were taken for the museums. Payouts were based on estimated auction value, arrived at by a specialist panel known as the Treasure Valuation Committee. All such payouts are split 50/50 between the finder and landowner.

[Paul S.]

would imagine you watched the 'Detectorists' on the box - for a while it became one of my favourite programmes - I did once have a machine, and enjoyed the hobby but the Saxons were obviously avoiding me.
Being a little less euphemistic as to why we avoid giving values, might be more easily understood by saying that difficulties could arise easily if we said that something was worth X pounds, but in the event realized only X minus whatever.        The seller might be disappointed to a degree that subsequently we found ourselves knee deep in arguments and recriminations  -  not the sort of discussions anyone wants.

To those not in the know, the approach of avoiding values is seen as out of touch with many forums - especially the States guys, who regularly give values, and whose books are published with values included.

You certainly didn't offend by asking.              This isn't my piece of course, but another suggestion re selling might be to enter into a local auction house - not on line - with a reserve to safeguard if necessary, and see what happens. 

[bottleboy666]

Yes, I did watch the Detectorists and loved every episode. I have been detecting since 1988, so could relate completely with some of the more subtle humour that only hardened detectorists would have understood.
Thanks for your support and suggested selling options. I have now discovered lists of appraisers and dealers within the International Perfume Bottle Website that I can contact. I will also explore specialist auctions. Thanks again.

[bottleboy666]

Having researched dozens of websites and found no other examples or references to Crown Mitcham Lavender Bouquet bottles having existed after William Gossage turned The Crown Perfumery Co. into a Limited company in 1921, I have come to the conclusion that my bottle is unique for the completeness of its type, stopper and labelling. Key references including the Encyclopedia of Perfumes do not list Crown Mitcham Lavender Bouquet as a product of Crown Perfumery Co.Ltd.  Unless one of you knows differently of course?

[bottleboy666]

Woohoo! I have finally been informed by Barbara W Miller, expert in all things Crown Perfumery, that my Crown Mitcham Lavender Bouquet bottle is unique.

[Paul S.]

very interesting comment  -  I'd imagine confirmation of that situation requires some very particular information - possibly from the manufacturer of the bottle plus Crown Perfumery themselves.                  Assume you have already asked Barbara W. Miller for the lady's source of details as to how this unique status has been arrived at ?
I might have missed seeing it, but believed the bottle manufacturer remained unknown  -  am I wrong on that.

Whilst it's not impossible, it tends to defy common sense that a commercial product such as this - with specially made embossed bottle, crown shaped metal lid, cork and purpose made coloured label - should have been made as a one off.
Despite other examples being unrecorded at the moment, it's always possible one might surface at some time - it's that difficult situation of how do you prove there aren't any others out there, somewhere.
I say all this, with of course, the greatest of respect to Barbara W. Miller, who doubtless has probably forgotten more about this particular area of  collecting than I shall ever know.

Forgive the scepticism, and would love to be proven wrong for your sake, but I need to be convinced with something a little more positive. 

[bottleboy666]

Hi Paul, thanks for your comments. Both Tori Snowball, who is the Brand Manager of Clive Christian Perfumes (formerly known as the Crown Perfumery Co) and Barbara W miller who is an expert and author of books on all things Crown Perfumery related, have confirmed that there are no other known examples or documented evidence of Crown Mitcham Lavender having existed in the Gossage era.
I agree that this does not mean that there aren't any other examples in existence, but to date, none have been identified.
As mentioned previously, green glass bottles of this style, both with or without embossing are widely known. However, none have their original labels and sprinkler stopper. It is the labels showing that my bottle contained Crown Mitcham Lavender as opposed to say, Opoponax, which used the same style bottle and is recorded for that era, which make my bottle unique. I believe you are correct that the maker of the green glass bottle is unknown. The nearest match I found was a set of bottle designs where a tapered bottle similar to mine had a number 66 code.
Paul, thanks again for your interest. Now I need a rich buyer!     

[Paul S.]

wish you luck in selling  -   let's hope half a dozen more don't suddenly appear just as you're about to sell