Ceramic bottles nearly a century old found
Ginger beer purchased about 90 years ago in Medicine Hat came in ceramic bottles, and several were recently found when a property was demolished in the Flats.
The ceramic bottles were made at Medalta circa 1928.
It was the pre-glass era, said Aaron Nelson, associate director of Medalta. About six companies were purchasing these bottles from Medalta at the time.
The bottles were individually made on a potter’s wheel, said Nelson. One of Medalta’s employees who was particularly good at his job was a Scottish man who could make 700 a day. This man was addicted to having his pipe dangling from his mouth even as he worked. This eccentricity had been tolerated until a new manager decided the pipe simply had to go. He told the employee either the pipe go or he would need to go. The employee did not even need to think about it. He picked up his belongings and headed to the door. Before he got outside the manager came to the realization this employee was too valuable and he was asked to return. He did.
Last week, two properties on the corner of Washington Avenue and Dominion Street were demolished. It was under one of these houses that the ceramic ginger beer bottles were discovered. The demolition of the houses is part of plans for a new residential development around the historic Sharland House on Dominion Street.
Once glass bottles were being produced, the demand for ceramic declined. Nelson says people wanted to see what was in the bottle — impossible with ceramic.
Ginger beer was the precursor to pop. The drink made with yeast, sugar, water and ginger developed a fizz like home-made beer does.
Nelson estimates tens of thousands of the ceramic bottles were made by Medalta for about six companies. After the bottles were glazed a stamp was used to identify the company and content: “King’s Old Country Limited, Winnipeg, Manitoba. King’s Old Country Stone Ginger Beer.”
The stamp was flat and it took an expert hand to roll that across the round bottle, said Nelson.
Today the bottles are collector’s items, selling for between $70 and $200 each depending on their condition, said Nelson.
Someone who bought a home in the Flats neighbourhood was clearing the backyard that was rather overgrown, said Nelson. Initially it appeared there was a patio that had been made with small round stones. On closer inspection the “round stones” were in fact ceramic ginger beer bottles that had been turned upside down. Nelson says a couple of the bottles were donated to Medalta and the rest were sold to collectors by the homeowner.