Bill & others interested,
    We have been working with a collection of bottles which we have tentatively dated to
the period between the late 1880s and roughly 1920.  We have noted that there are fairly
frequently 'ghost' numerals on the bases (where the base has an embossed identifying
number).

    Would these 'ghosts' also likely be from the same process you cite in your suggestion
regarding the 'ghost' seams?

    Chris Murphy
    Dept of Hist. & Anthro.
    Augusta State University
    Augusta, GA 30904

LOCKHART BILL wrote:

> Sarah and all,
>
>         I have seen ghost seams at least into the 1950s on soda bottles.  Although I
> cannot offer documentary evidence, I believe they are just a part of the Owens
> process.  When the parison mold is transferred, it is sometimes turned slightly.  That
> would mean the ghost seams could extend to the full range of Owens machine use--
> from the early part of the century until at least the 1980s.
>
> Bill
>
> > Dear histarchers,
> >
> > Does anyone know if there is a specific date range for
> > ghost seams?  In Jones & Sullivan:37, they mention it
> > is proof of machine made manufacture.  I am working on
> > an assemblage that contains several bottle fragments
> > with ghost seams, including one solarized body
> > fragment (the rest were clear) and am wondering how
> > far ghost seams extend into the 20th century.
> >
> > Happy Holidays!
> >
> > Sarah
> >
> >
> > Sarah Miller
> > Kentucky Archaeological Survey
> > 1020 A Export Street
> > Lexington, KY  40506
>
> Bill Lockhart
> New Mexico State University
> Alamogordo, NM
> (505) 439-3732