Ball Jar number 13

This is a Ball Jar from the 1930s or 1940s. Estimated Retail Value $3 - $5. There are a ton of these jars out there with all different types of jar makers and most are not very valuable. Atlas and Ball are the most common. There are entire collectors out there try to gather every type of Ball jar out there. People used to can everything and if you lived on a farm – you would buy very little food at the store. Back when I was a kid – people were not as Dependant on the store as they are today. I want to tell you a local story that I heard around here recently. Many of these jars have a number on the bottom 1-24 which make up a case of 24 (this one has the number 3 n it). The number 13 Jar is highly sought after because in the 20s and 30s when many people made illegal moonshine they would break this jar and not use it. They felt that the number 13 was very unlucky and since they did not want to get caught they broke this jar. If you can validate this story about moon shiners or if you have any of these jars and you would like to know what it is worth – call Holly Hill Antiques 804-695-1146 and we will give you a free appraisal. We would love to hear your story.
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What is it? Back on the Farm

This is an early Bee Smoker used to subdue bees so that the beekeeper could get the honey. Estimated Retail Value $48 and sometimes these go higher if there is a name printed on the side. The backend would be like a bellows and when pump some smoke out (burlap, straw or grass) which would come out to make the bees mad. When they are mad - they begin to eat their own honey which will make the bees very calm. When they become calm that’s when the beekeeper can harvest the honey. With all the beehives around the area these days it is good to know that people use to raise bees. Years ago, you could order your bees from Southern States and they would be delivered through the mail in a small box (the queen would be in a separate little box and would always be mad). You could also order your hive too. But “Bee” careful when driving these little guys home - because some would always get out of the box and which makes for an exciting drive. Has anyone ever seen one of these being used in Gloucester or have an interesting story - Give us a call at Holly Hill Farm Antiques 695-1146.