Adlam Patent Pail Jar

Samuel Adlam, Jr., Boston, Massachusetts

Cobalt Blue

Provenance: Jerry McCann Collection

Our museum example of a cylindrical, three-fourth (¾) pint Adlam Patent Pail in medium cobalt blue glass is beautiful in its compact size. The specimen is pristine perfect and has a matching metal screw cap cover with a wire carrying bail. There are three square ribs encircling the jar at the heel, center, and shoulder. Some refer to it as a candy jar.

A primary patent was issued to S. Adlam, Jr. of Boston, Massachusetts as drawing No. 300,749 on June 24, 1884. These jars were made from this date into the early to mid-1890s. The jar manufacturer is unknown.

S. Adlam, Jr. Jar drawing No. 300,749, Patented June 24, 1884.

The container has a ground lip and is base embossed ‘PAT. GLASS PAIL’ (top line semicircle arch) ‘JUNE’ (2nd line) ’24’, 84′ (third line) and ‘BOSTON, MASS.’ (4th line upwards semicircle). In some examples, the lid is embossed ‘ADLAM PATENTED PAIL.’

Embossed Adlam Patent Pail copy on metal lid.

FOHBC 2018 Hall of Fame inductee and jar authority Richard Allen “Dick” Roller described the closure for these jars as having a “friction side seal, metal press-down lid over a metal band permanently attached to the jar neck. The band has a carrying bail hooked through holes in its side.” He noted that Samuel Adlam was the patentee, and the jars were likely intended to be used as packers or home utility jars – not as canning jars. Jars made to the 1884 patent were featured in the ca. 1887 A. G. Smalley & Co. catalog

Adlam Patent Pail – Creswick illustration.

Roller also listed a total of a dozen variations of the Adlam Patent Pail. Besides our three fourth cobalt blue pint, the pail can be found in half-pint clear, white milk glass, light blue, Prussian blue, cobalt blue, and yellow vaseline glass. A pint is also recorded with a yellow-vaseline glass coloration. A bulbous half-pint example is pictured and has one rib. It can be found in light blue and yellow glass.

Two labeled Adlam Patent Pail jars in Prussian blue and vaseline yellow. Examples read, “Genuine Selected Whole Mixed Spice For Pickling, Thomas Wood & Co. Boston.”

Support: Research assistance by Jerry McCann. Reference to Fruit Jar Annual 2020 – The Guide to Collecting Fruit Jars by Jerome J. McCann

Support: Reference to Red Book #11, the Collector’s Guide to Old Fruit Jars by Douglas M. Leybourne, Jr. Alice M. Creswick jar illustrations courtesy Douglas M. Leybourne, Jr.

Support: Reference to Containers and Marks by Bill Lockhart, Bill Lindsey, Beau Schriever, and Carol Serr

Support Image: Auction example: “Pat. Glass. Pail / Boston. Mass.” in blue aqua – Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates.

Support Image: Labeled Adlam Patent Pail Prussian blue example from the Danny Cathreno collection.

Support Image: Auction Lot 129: “Pat. Glass. Pail / Boston. Mass.” Base Embossed Jar, probably Boston and Sandwich Glass Works, Sandwich, Massachusetts, 1881-1890. Figural milk pail form, brilliant vaseline, finely ground mouth with applied tin collar and lid with wire handle – smooth base, ht. 4 1/2 inches; (shallow 1/8 inch flake from base edge). L#20 Lid reads “Adlam Patent Pail”. Fantastic bright color that varies in different light conditions from light yellow to vaseline. No surface wear. – Norman C. Heckler & Company

Support Image: Lot 1545: Cobalt Blue ¾ Pint Adlam Patent Pail. Measuring about 4-½ inches tall overall. Closure: original with an embossed tin cap as shown, Appearance: shiny, Condition: flaking of the ground mouth all around, Strength of embossing: base only, Base: shown, Age: late 1800’s, Availability: scarce in this appealing color. – Greg Spurgeon, North American Glass

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Adlam Patent Pail Jar