Rare Barkhouse bourbon bottle - one of 'finest' - brings $28,000 at auction

It wasn't long ago that we reported on the sale of the first prototype Coca Cola bottle - one of the 20th century's greatest design icons - for a whopping $240,000 at Julien's Auctions.

And now another rare bottle has sold for an impressive sum: a Trademark Barkhouse Bros. & Co. Gold Dust Kentucky Bourbon bottle.

 

Trademark Barkhouse Bros bottle

Trademark Barkhouse Bros. &
Co. Gold Dust Kentucky Bourbon
bottle

The rare bourbon bottle is one of the most popular western fifths and, in terms of condition, is also one of the finest known to exist.

This bottle may not have sold for six figures, but nevertheless brought an impressive $28,000 in American Bottle Auctions' internet and catalog auction held between December 9-18.

It was one of 144 western whiskeys and historical flasks up for sale, and emerged as the top seller.

Numerous record prices were set during the auction. Jeff Wichmann of American Bottle Auctions declared it "one of the strongest auctions we've ever had."

"The bottles averaged around $1,700 each," he added. "That includes the lesser pieces that brought less than $200.

"The western whiskeys did particularly well and the historical flasks were also very strong. There were really no disappointments, as many lots soared past their high estimates. It helped that most pieces were graded 9.5 and higher (out of 10) for condition."

Overall, American Bottle Auctions' sale grossed just over $250,000.

"The hobby is very strong, with eager buyers from every area of bottle collecting," said Mr Wichmann.

Given the hobby's continual strength, the success of rare and collectible bottles at auction will surely continue in 2012.

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