Buckeye 2 Lid: Adams Patd May 20. 1862

Buck eye 2

Adams Patd May 20. 1862

Adams & Co., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Blue Green Pint

Provenance: Phil Smith Collection

The Buckeye jar is listed with three embossing variations. The first is ‘BUCKEYE’ on aquamarine pints, quarts, and half-gallon jars. Light green and light olive-green quarts are noted. The second is ‘BUCKEYE 1’ (or other mold numbers), also on pints, quarts, and half gallons. Glass colors are clear and aquamarine. Apple green, yellow-green, and ball blue quarts and half gallons are noted. The third is a clear and aqua quart embossed ‘BUCK EYE’ in two distinct words with a period. Our example defies these listings in Red Book as it is a blue-green pint embossed ‘BUCK EYE 2′ in a serif typestyle. “Buck Eye” is arched over a very crude number “2.” The original glass lid is embossed ‘ADAMS PATD MAY 20. 1862.’

The jar is hand blown with a ground lip. The closure is a top seal on a ground lip, with a glass lid held on by an iron yoke clamp that engages two inclined ramps on the lid top. Two lid variations are noted, ‘ADAMS PATD MAY 20. 1862’ (like our jar) and ‘PATD MAY 20 1862.’

The patentee was John Adams of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The jar was made circa early 1860s by Adams & Co. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They were located at No. 27 Wood Street in 1862. This jar and the ‘J. C. Baker’s Patent August 14 1860” jar uses similar clamps. The pivot post on the Buckeye clamp is square, not pointed as found on the J. C. Baker clamp.

An August 1863 advertisement in the Pittsburgh Gazette said the following:

“The Buckeye Fruit Jar. We direct the attention of housekeepers and others to the celebrated Buckeye Jar, manufactured and for Sale by Messrs. Adams & Co., No. 27 Wood Street. Glass jars are preferable to tin or earthenware, because they are easily cleaned, are never subject to rust, and their utility cannot be impaired by age. The Buckeye Jar is so arranged that no cement or other composition is required in sealing. The top of the jar is ground to an even surface, while the edge of the lid is supplied with a gum band, and the lid adjusted by means of a strong iron clasp. The work of sealing does not require half a minute’s time, and the jar will be warranted perfectly airtight. It is just such a jar as every lady will approve and adopt. It is made of strong material, and will not break except through carelessness or accident. These jars can be used for an indefinite number of years, and there is no possibility of having the fruit spoiled by cement, which often happens when corks are used. But our lady readers will, no doubt, call and examine this jar for themselves. Messrs. Adams and company have also on hand the ordinary cork jars, which they are enabled to sell, either wholesale or retail, at the very lowest market rates.”

Primary Image: Buckeye 2 pint jar imaged on location by Alan DeMaison, FOHBC Virtual Museum Midwest Studio.

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

Support: Reference to Red Book No. 12, the Collector’s Guide to Old Fruit Jars by Douglas M. Leybourne, Jr.

Support Image: Auction Lot 15481: Two original glass lids for BUCKEYE Jar. Standard size, aqua and clear (with tint). Fits BUCKEYE jar of any size. Good condition, uncommon – Greg Spurgeon, North American Glass, November 2017

Support Image: Whittled BUCKEYE 3 Quart, All original. This “BUCKEYE 3” quart comes in an attractive deeper aqua, or perhaps light Ball blue coloration. Has crisp embossing and a lovely overall whittled appearance to the glass. The glass is shiny clean too, with no damage or stains. Correct original closure consisting of the embossed aqua glass lid, and also has a rare original stamped sheet iron clamp, that is in fine condition. Jar has a thick ground rim with normal roughness. A top example of this appealing old jar. – Greg Spurgeon, North American Glass

Support Image: Auction Lot 269: BUCKEYE 3 aqua quart. An aqua quart embossed “BUCKEYE” in an arch and “3”. Displays sparkling glass and good embossing with no damage or stains. Good thick ground rim with minimal flaking. Correct original glass lid and a replica metal clamp. A great looking example of this scarce early jar. – Greg Spurgeon, North American Glass, March 2008

Support Image: Auction Lot 14778: BUCKEYE 4 quart, aquamarine. Original correct clear glass lid (hazy) and a replica clamp. Light haze, shallow flakes on the ground mouth, embossing strong, base unmarked, 1860s, scarce. – Greg Spurgeon, North American Glass, July 2017

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