FYI.  In some areas this service lasted later than the 1940s.  In Tazewell
County Illinois, we used the wash and return glass milk bottles up into the
late 1960s (maybe even 1970 or 71).  These did not come from a supermarket
but from a chain of small drive up mini-mart type stores that specialized in
dairy products.

Linda Derry, Director
Old Cahawba - AHC
719 Tremont St.
Selma, AL 36701 - 5446
ph. 334/875-2529 / email: [log in to unmask]


> -----Original Message-----
> From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of
> LOCKHART BILL
> Sent: Thursday, November 14, 2002 6:07 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: milk bottle
>
>
> Both the Wash and Return and numerous variations on the not
> bought or sold idea
> are at least as old as the first decade of the 20th century on
> milk bottles and were
> used until at least the late 1940s.  I will have to check my
> sources at home, but I
> believe that the Creamery Package embossing is found on bottles
> around the 1900-
> 1910 period.
>
> Bill Lockhart
>
>
> > Does anyone have a source and date for a milk bottle marked "THIS
> > BOTTLE TO BE WASHED AND RETURNED/NOT TO BE BOUGHT OR SOLD", issued by
> > the Creamery Package Mfg., of Chicago? I think it must be around the
> > early 20th century when laws regulating dairies, but I don't have a
> > reference for this specific company. Any help will be greatly
> > appreciated.
> >
> > Nancy O'Malley
> > Assistant Director
> > W.S. Webb Museum of Anthropology
> > and Office of State Archaeology
> > 1020A Export St.
> > University of Kentucky
> > Lexington, Ky. 40506-9854
> > Tele: 859-257-8208
> > FAX: 859-323-1968
> > email: <[log in to unmask]>
> > Museum website: <www.uky.edu/AS/Anthropology/Museum/museum.htm>
>