Historical Legal Inscription
The listing details mention the phrase "Law Forbids," which refers to a historical federal warning embossed on the glass: "FEDERAL LAW FORBIDS SALE OR REUSE OF THIS BOTTLE".
• Purpose: This phrase was legally mandated by the U.S. government starting in 1935, shortly after the repeal of Prohibition. It was designed to combat bootlegging and prevent illegal moonshiners or compliance-dodging establishments from refilling genuine distillery bottles with untaxed or unregulated black-market alcohol.
• Era: The mandate remained strictly in effect until it was officially repealed on December 1, 1964. Because of this, the presence of this specific embossing dates these bottles cleanly between the mid-1930s and mid-1960s.
2. The Manufacturers
The listing attributes the bottles to two major legacy entities in American liquor packaging:
• Seagram's: One of the largest historic distillers and spirits companies in North America, famous for mid-century staples like Seagram's Seven Crown. Decanters like these were often distributed as promotional or holiday packaging containing their blended whiskey.
• Owens-Illinois Glass Company: A massive American glass manufacturer. They produced millions of commercial spirit bottles and decanters for companies like Seagram's. Their vintage bottles can typically be identified by a specific makers-mark on the base—an "I" inside an oval or a diamond shape superimposed with an "O".
3. Design & Features
The listing features two distinct styles of vintage barware:
• Left Bottle: A teardrop or cone-shaped glass decanter equipped with a round, ball-shaped glass topper set into a cork stopper. The glass features vertical molded ribbing or stylized panel detailing near the flared base.
• Right Bottle: An hourglass or gently tapered silhouette highlighted by a distinct, tall metallic-finish collar (silver/gold-toned) hugging the neck beneath its cap mechanism.
• Thumbnails: The series of smaller preview images show close-up angles of the glass tops, the weathered cork plugs, and the embossed regulatory codes stamped directly onto the circular glass bases.
Today, these empty bottles are widely collected as rustic barware decor, retro kitchen props, or historical pieces of post-Prohibition Americana. Premium Mid-Century Barware & Decor Appeal:**
These 2 clear glass decanters offers an exceptional historical aesthetic, perfect for display on a mid-century modern bar cart, tavern shelf, or as a period-correct film/theater prop.
Unlike many dug-up vintage bottles, these have been exceptionally well-preserved above ground. The glass retains excellent structural integrity, catching the light beautifully through the geometric facets of the glass topper and the elegant flared neck of the Seagram's piece. The inclusion of the original, fragile vintage cork assemblies adds an undeniable layer of authentic historical charm that is incredibly difficult to find intact today.
Use code with caution.
The product is a rare vintage Seagrams and Owens Illinois Glass decanter ,featuring a clear color and Federal style. includes a lid/stopper and decanter, made of cork, glass, and plastic materials. The unique aspect of this decanter is that it comes with a stopper, adding to its functionality as barware. This collectible set would be a stylish and practical addition to any home bar or kitchen decor.
Decoding the Bottom Markings
Commercial liquor bottles from the post-Prohibition era (1930s–1960s) feature standardized base codes mandated by federal regulations. Looking at the close-ups of the bases in your photos, the numbers break down as follows:
• "FEDERAL LAW FORBIDS SALE OR REUSE OF THIS BOTTLE": Embossed clearly around the circular edges of the bases. This legally timestamps your bottles between 1935 and 1964.
• The "D" Code (e.g., D-23 or similar): The letter "D" followed by a number represents the Distiller ID Number. This code was assigned by the government to identify the specific distillery or rectifying plant that originally filled the bottle (in this case, a Joseph E. Seagram & Sons facility).
• The Manufacture Numbers (e.g., 65-57 or similar): On Owens-Illinois glass bases, you will typically find two double-digit numbers flanking their factory logo.
• The number on the left is the Permit Number representing the specific glass plant that manufactured the bottle.
• The number on the right is the Date Code. For example, if it reads 57, the bottle was manufactured in 1957; if it reads 61, it was made in 1961.
• Central Mold Number: The single or double-digit digits sitting alone near the center are mold cavity numbers used by the glass factory tracking system to trace back mechanical production runs.