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New Zealand Miniature Bottle Club






















NZMBCDating Minis


There are various ways of dating miniature bottles, few of which are precise but all of which will at least give you an idea as to when that 'special' bottle was made. Much of this page is made up, with permission, from an article written by late member Jim Crawford in about 2000. This was published by both ourselves in miNiZ and by the Midwest Club in their newsletter. Jim revised the article in 2004 and that is the version reproduced here. This deals mainly with US bottles and a little with Japanese bottles.


The first place to look with straight bottles is the closure. This is likely to be a rough guide as to the age. A bottle with a cork is likely to be, at least, pre-WWII. Generally, next came heavy metal screw caps (both sides of WWII), which in turn were replaced by plastic screw caps (1950's - 1980's), which were then replaced by light metal or plastic screw caps with a clinch (1970's - now). Other forms of capping, such as rip-caps, were used at various times and some were popular in some countries and not others. You can get 'throw back' capping - we are seeing a lot of bottles with non-clinched plastic caps in New Zealand currently for instance.


The best source we know for dating ceramic minis (decanters), especially American ones, is Montagues Modern Bottle Identification and Price Guide. This was last published in 1984 but if you can get hold of a copy it is invaluable. There used to be a good web site, Decanter Pictorials, that had pictures of thousands of decanters, large and mini, in both colour and black and white. Unfortunately the site is no longer there and we know of no other site comprehensively listing large decanters.


If known, Miniature Bottle Library shows the ages for mini decanters and figural bottles as well as some straights.


Another invaluble source is Miniature Bottle Collector Magazine (MBC). Back issues of this can be ordered from the former editor, David Spaid (email address on MBC Page), or can be read on-line on this web site. Click Here to view the MBC Page.


Anyone who has information to help with dating miniature bottles is invited to



Dating (mainly) US Straight Bottles by Jim Crawford


From 1873 to 1929 the Illinois Glass Company's trademark was an "I" inside a diamond and "I. G. Co." on the bottom of the bottle. From 1918 to 1929 the Owens Bottle Company's trademark was a circle inside a square on the bottom of the bottle. In both cases the 1 or 2 digit number to the right of the trademark indicates the year the bottle was made.


Prohibition started in the United States on January 16th 1920 and lasted until December 5th 1933


In 1929 the Owens Bottle Co. and the Illinois Glass Co. merged into a new company called the Owens-Illinois Glass Company. The new company used a trademark of an "I" inside a diamond, with a circle around the "I". In September 1954 the trademark was changed to an "I" inside a circle. The numbers to the right of the trademark indicates the year the bottle was made.


All 100 Proof liquor ("Bottled in Bond") bottled in the USA contains the season and year the liquor was distilled and the season and year the liquor was bottled. These dates appear on the Federal Tax Seal Strip.


Starting sometime in 1945, and continuing to September 1st 1977, the Federal Tax Seal Strips contained the word "SERIES" just to the left, and "111" just to the right of the Eagle's feet.


Effective September 1st 1977 the "LESS THAN 1/2 PINT" phrase was removed from the ends of the Federal Tax seal strips when the government went to the metric system of measure. The words "BUREAU OF AFT" appears on the top left and top right of the seal strip. Also the words "TAX PAID" were added to the bottom left and "DISTILLED SPIRITS" was added to the bottom right of the Federal Tax Seal strip.


In late 1979 USA distillers moved from ounces and 1/10 pints to 50 ML as the standard unit of measure.


In 1982 the Federal Tax Seal Strip was again modified when the word "DISTILLED" replaced "TAX PAID" on the bottom left and the word "SPIRITS" replaced "DISTILLED SPIRITS" on the bottom right side of the Seal Strip.


Effective December 1st 1982 the green, and the blue, ("Bottled in Bond") Federal Tax Seal Strips were discontinued.


Effective July 1st 1985 the "Deficit reduction Act of 1984" repealed the use of Federal Tax seal strips on liquor bottles.


Starting November 18th 1989 government health warning labels were required on all liquor bottles sold in the United States. This regulation does not apply to alcoholic beverages produced, imported, bottled, or labeled for export from the U.S., or for delivery to a vessel or aircraft as supplies to be consumed outside the jurisdiction of the United States.


In 1990 USA distillers moved from "Proof" to "% Alcohol" as a standard unit of measure.


The following are descriptions and names associated with various state beverage tax stamps:


ALABAMA: Decal tax stamps were used from 1937 up to 1979 or 1980. In the early and mid 1940's red, white, and black circular (like a "Bulls Eye") decal tax stamps were used. They had an outline of the State in the center. 1950 was a green rectangular decal stamp with white printing and the state seal in the middle. In the 1960's fancy blue and white decal stamps were used with the state seal on the left side and serial numbers on the bottom. In the 1970's yellow decal tax stamps were used.


ALASKA: 1/2" Square Decal Tax Stamps were used in 1938. The decals were green with black print, and had "Territory of Alaska" across the top, the territory seal in the middle, and "MINIATURE" across the bottom.


CALIFORNIA: Tall reddish-Orange 2¢ decal tax stamps, with a rounded top, were used on miniatures until 1941. The actual date of issue is stamped on the decal.


COLORADO: In the 1930's, 40's, and early 50's, 1-1/4" x 2" orange paper tax stamps were used. The value shown was 20¢ in 1939, 1941, 1950 and 1951. In the later 1950's the stamps were reduced in size. 1955 was a 20¢ cream colored postage type stamp with orange printing; 1-5/8" x 3/4"; with a 7 digit serial number and the secretary of state's name and date stamped on the bottom. 1961 was a 5¢ cream colored postage type stamp with green printing; 1-5/8" x 3/4"; with a 7 digit serial number and the secretary of state's name and date stamped on the bottom. From 1942 to 1949 wine tax stamps were blue. Secretaries of state were...(1927-1935 Charles M. Armstrong)... (1935 James H. Carr) ...(1935-1941 George E. Saunders)...(1941-1943 Walter F. Morrison)...(1943-1945 Leslie J. Bennett)...(1945-1949 Walter F. Morrison) ...(1949-1953 George J. Baker)...(1953-1955 Homer M. Bruce)


FLORIDA: Decal tax stamps were used from 1934 to June 30th 1969. 1934 decal tax stamps were 1¢, yellow on white, 3/4" x 1-1/4" with a rounded top. They had "State of Florida" on the top and "Alcoholic Excise Tax" on the bottom, and had a scene of palm trees by the sea shore in the middle. 1935-1936 decals were 7/8" square 1-1/2¢ white with an orange state replica shown on the tax stamp. 1937 tax stamps were 7/8" square, 1¢, orange with a yellow state. "1¢" is in a clear circle at the bottom of the stamp on some decals, and in an orange circle on others. 1938 tax stamps were 3/4 x 1" 1¢ orange with a yellow state. "1¢" is in white box at the bottom of stamp. 1940 was a 3/4" x 1", 1-1/2¢ white decal with blue printing, an orange state outline, a blue state seal on the upper right corner, and a wavy line border. 1941 was 7/8" x 1", 1-1/2¢ white with green printing, paper postage type stamp with the Directors name on the bottom. 1942-1943 decals were 1" x 3/4" green with black printing, "State of Florida" was in white across the top, the state seal was in white on the upper left side, and a white state outline was in the center right. 1944 decals were 7/8" square, 7-1/2¢ blue with white printing, small state outlines on both sides of the state seal, and palm trees on each side of the stamp. 1948-1949 decals were 7/8" square, 7-1/2¢ mustard with black printing, small state outlines on both sides of the state seal, and palm trees on each side of the stamp. 1950 decals were 7/8" square, 7-1/2¢ olive with black printing, small state outlines on both sides of the state seal, and palm trees on each side of the stamp. 1951 decals were 7/8" square, 7-1/2¢ green with black printing with small state outlines on both sides of the state seal, and palm trees on each side of the stamp. 1953 decals were 7/8" square, 7-1/2¢ cream with tan printing with small state outlines on both sides of the state seal, and palm trees on each side of the stamp. 1954-1955 decals were 7/8" square, 7-1/2¢ cream with green printing with small state outlines on both sides of the state seal, and palm trees on each side of the stamp. 1957 decals were 7/8"x 3/4" square, 7-1/2¢ white with orange printing with small state outlines on both sides of the state seal, and palm trees on each side of the stamp. 1959 decals were 3/4" square, 7-1/2¢ cream with tan printing and small state outlines on both sides of the state seal, with palm trees on each side of the stamp. 1961 was a white decal with green printing, 3/4" square, 7-1/2¢ on upper right and lower left, the state seal on the left, and the state outline on the right side of the stamp. 1962 was a 3/4" square white decal with brown printing, the state seal in the middle, and "MINIATURE" across the bottom. 1963 decals were 3/4" square, cream with olive printing, "MINI-ATURE" in circles in the upper right and lower left corners, the state seal on the mid left and the state outline on the mid right. 1964 decals were 3/4" square, cream with black printing, the word "MINI-ATURE" is in circles in the upper right and the lower left corners, the state seal is on the mid left and the state outline is on the mid right. 1965 decals were 3/4" square, cream with tan printing, "MINI-ATURE" in circles in the upper right and lower left corners, the state seal on the mid left and the state outline on the mid right. 1966 -1967 was a 3/4" square cream decal with tan printing, the state seal in the middle with palm trees on each side, and the word "MINI-ATURE" in circles in both lower corners. 1968-1969 was a 3/4" square cream decal with tan printing, the state seal in the middle, and the word "MINIATURE" along the bottom.


Except for 1934, one of the following Florida Beverage Director's names appears on Florida tax decals stamps. (July 1st 1933 - September 30th 1935 J. A. Cormier)... (October 1st 1935 - October 30th 1937 Geo. O. Weems)... (January 11th 1937 - September 12th 1937 John N. Allen)...(September 12th 1937 - February 28th 1941 Thos. W. Long)...(March 1st 1941 - January 2nd 1945 E. W. Scarborough)...(January 3rd 1945 - January 4th 1949 James T. Vocelle) ...(January 5th 1949 - March 21st 1952 Lewis M. Schott)...(March 26th 1952 - January 6th 1953 John E. Montgomery)...(January 6th 1953 - June 5th 1953 Sam F. Davis)...(June 22nd 1953 - February 4th 1954 J. R. Hunter Jr.) ...(February 5th 1954 - January 4th 1955 A. E. McKinney)...(January 4th 1955 - July 1st 1957 J. D. Williamson)...(July 1st 1957 - June 30th 1959 H. G. Cochran Jr.) ...(July 1st 1959 - January 4th 1961 L. Grant Peeples)... (January 4th 1961 - January 1st 1963 Thomas E. Lee)...(January 2nd 1963 - January 1st 1965 Richard B. Keating)...(January 5th 1965 - January 1st 1967 Ren Morris)...(January 4th 1967 - November 25th 1968 Don D Meiklejohn)...(November 26th 1968 - July 1st 1969 A. R. Brautigam)


GEORGIA: Some were yellow 3-1/8¢ tax stamps. 1938 stamps were 5/16" x 2" light green decals with black print; "STATE OF GEORGIA REVENUE TAX" on the top with 1¢ in a white box in the middle of the stamp and the state seal in a circle at the bottom; under the seal is the commissioners name.


IDAHO: 1937 stamps were 1½ x 7/8 inches and were white with green printing. The State Liquor Commission seal is in the upper left corner, and the Chairman's signature is on the bottom of the stamp.


ILLINOIS: Red colored decal tax stamps, in the shape of the state, were used in the 1930's. The year is indicated on the stamp. In 1934 an orange oval decal tax stamp was used. The 1934 wine mini stamp was in the shape of the state with purple writing on a white background and has the year indicated on the stamp. Some 1935 mini's had a 7/8" x 5/8" cream with blue print "ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR ADDITIONAL TAX PAID" oval decal tax stamp, with a red 6 digit number in the middle. 1935 - 1939 wine mini's had a 1/2"x 3/4" blue and pink tax stamp. Some 1939 mini's had a 7/8" x 5/8" cream with blue print "ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR ADDITIONAL TAX PAID" oval decal tax stamp, with a red 6 digit number prefaced with an "H". Also in 1939 some mini's had red, white and purple colored 25¢ decal tax stamps, in the shape of the state. 1948 wine mini's had a 5/8" x 1 1/8" red decal stamp with the state in light red; the state seal is in the upper middle; and "STATE of ILLINOIS" across the top with "1/2 PINT SERIES D" printed in a red and white circle at the bottom. 1949 wine mini's had a 5/8" x 1" blue decal stamp with the state in light Purple; the state seal is in the upper right corner; and "STATE of ILLINOIS" across the top with "1/2 PINT SERIES X" printed in a white circle at the bottom. The following names of the Directors of State Finance appear on the back of some of the decal tax stamps. (1934-1936 Knowlton L. Ames) ...(1937-1940 S. L. Nudelman).


INDIANA: Between 1934 and 1974 tax stamps in the shape of the state were used. In 1936 and 1937 decal stamps were green with black printing. "STATE of INDIANA" is printed in a white box across the top; 6-1/4¢ is in a white circle at bottom left; and an 8 digit serial number is printed in silver, vertically up the stamp. In 1938 decal stamps were green with black printing; "STATE of INDIANA" is printed in black across the top; and "6-1/4¢" is in a white box across the middle.


IOWA: Decal tax stamps were used from 1934 to June 30th 1986. The 1968 tax stamp was a 1" x 3/4" yellow decal in the shape of the state with black printing. "STATE of IOWA" and "LIQUOR CERTIFICATE" are on the top of the stamp, the state seal is on the mid right side, and an 8 digit serial number is in a white box at the bottom of the stamp.


KENTUCKY: Prohibition ended in Kentucky in 1938. From 1938-1944 decal tax stamps were 2¢ and were 5/8" x 1" with a rounded top. These stamps were yellow with black printing and a white state seal in the middle. "KENTUCKY" was printed on the top curve and "MINIATURE" and "SPIRITS" were printed on the bottom of the stamp.


LOUISIANA: No records exist that the State of Louisiana ever issued or used Liquor Tax Stamps. However, in 1934-1935, 3/4" circular green and white tax decal stamps were used. These decals had the state seal in the middle, and had a white tab extending downward with 1¢ written on it. If sold in the city of New Orleans, these Mini's may have also have had a 3/4" x 1-1/8" green on white "City of New Orleans" decal tax stamp.


MAINE: 7/8"x 1-1/8" white decal stamps with blue printing were used from 1934 through 1974. Stamps had the state seal in the middle of a state outline with an 8 digit serial number on the bottom.


MARYLAND: Large, 2-1/2 x 1", yellowish paper tax stamps with issue dates were used through June, 1939. In 1939 Maryland issued 1-1/8"x 3/4" cream with tan printing postage type wine tax stamps with the State Comptroller's name on the bottom. From 1939 to 1967, 3/4"x 1-1/4" purple paper postage type tax stamps were used. One of the following Maryland Comptroller's names appeared on Maryland tax stamps (1939-1947 J. Miller Tawes)...(1947-1950 James J. Lacy) ...(1950-1959 J. Millard Tawes)...(1959-1971 Louis L. goldstein)


MICHIGAN: Michigan used tax stamps from 1934 to early 1970. 1961 was a 7/8" x 5/8" white decal with blue printing and the state seal on the left side. It has a 7 digit serial number on the bottom.


MINNESOTA: Decal tax stamps were used from 1934 to June 30, 1959. From 1934 to June 30th 1937 the rate was 60¢ per gal.; from July 1st 1937 to June 30th 1947 the rate was $1.00 per gal.; from July 1st 1947 to June 30th 1949 the rate was $2.50 per gal.; and from July 1st 1949 to June 30th 1959 the rate was $2.75 per gal. Minnesota also used Certification decal tax stamps from 1934 to 1959. This stamp certified the contents were indeed what was indicated on the label. This was really just another way to get an additional 1¢ tax per bottle. By the way, this 1¢ tax is still collected today even though the stamps were discontinued in 1959. In 1934 the stamps were oval and were 3-3/4¢. In 1938 the liquor tax stamps were 5/8" x 1-1/8" olive decals with black printing; 6-1/4¢; a white state seal in the lower middle; "STATE of MINNESOTA" across the top; and an 8 digit serial number, printed in silver, vertically up the stamp. In 1938 "CERTIFICATION" decals were 1-1/8" x 7/8", light blue with dark blue printing. 1939 stamps were 5/8" x 1 1/8" orange decals; 2¢ is in a white box under a white state seal; "STATE OF MINNESOTA" is across the top with a silver serial number vertically up the stamp. 1940 stamps were 5/8" x 1 1/8" red decals; 1¢ is in a red box under the white state seal; "STATE OF MINNESOTA" is across the top with a silver serial number vertically up the stamp.


MISSOURI: Decal tax stamps were used from 1934 to 1949. 1934 stamps were 3/4" x 1-1/2" 1¢ purple on white decals with a state seal in the middle, "STATE OF MISSOURI" on the top, and Treasurer and Liquor Supervisor's signatures on the bottom. The 1938 stamp was 1¢, black on orange, 3/4" x 1-1/8" with a state seal in the middle, and the Treasurer and Liquor Supervisor's signatures on the bottom. The 1942 tax stamp was a 1¢ white 7/8" x 7/8" decal in the shape of the state, with black printing; the state seal in the upper right corner; signatures of the Director of Revenue and Liquor Control Supervisor in the middle, and a 5 digit serial number on the bottom. The 1943 tax stamp was a 1¢ white 7/8" x 7/8" decal in the shape of the state, with black printing; the state seal is in the upper right corner; signatures of the Treasurer and Liquor Control Supervisor are in the middle, and a 5 digit serial number is on the bottom. The 1944 tax stamp was 1¢, green on white, 1-1/2" x 5/8" with the state seal on the upper middle, signatures of the Treasurer and Liquor Control Supervisor, and a red 8 digit serial number on the bottom. State Liquor Control Supervisor's were (January 26th 1934 - May 26th 1937 E. J. Becker)...(April 30th 1938 - January 31st 1939 Edmund J. McMahon)...(January 28th 1939 - February 1st 1940 Walker Pierce)...(February 1st 1940 - July 15th 1941 C. R. Noel) ...(July 15th 1941 - March 22nd 1945 W. G. Henderson) ...(March 22nd 1945 - June 14th 1949 Edmund Burke)


MONTANA: In 1940 decal tax stamps were 5/8" x 1-1/4" light green with dark green printing. "STATE of MONTANA" is across the top of the stamp, the state seal is in the middle and "LIQUOR BOARD" is on the bottom. A 6 digit serial number is printed in black in the middle of the stamp. In 1947 stamps were 3/4" x 1-1/8" green on white paper. "MONTANA" is on the top, the state map in the middle, the state seal under the map on the left, "LIQUOR CONTROL BOARD" under the map on the right and a red 8 digit serial number on the bottom.


NEVADA: 7/8" x 1-5/8", green on white, 1¢ liquor tax stamps (postal type stamp), with a picture of state house dome, were used from 1935 to 1945.


NORTH DAKOTA: North Dakota did not keep records of when tax stamps were first used, what types of stamps were used, or when they stopped using liquor tax stamps. 1958 was a 3-3/4¢ green decal tax stamp in the shape of the state, 1" x 3/4" with the state seal in the upper left corner and a black 7 digit serial number on the bottom. 1954 was a 3-3/4¢ green decal tax stamp, 7/8" x 1-1/8" with the state seal in the middle and a red 7 digit serial number on the bottom.


NEW MEXICO: Decal tax stamps were used from 1935 through 1957. In 1935 orange 5¢ stamps were used. In 1936 1-1/2¢ orange stamps were used. 1940 to 1947 were 1-1/2¢ white decal stamps with green printing, 5/8" x 7/8", with the state seal in the middle. From 1948 to 1957 1/2" x 3/4" rectangular red and yellow decal stamps were used with an Indian type design (State Seal) in the middle.


NEW ORLEANS: No records exist that the City of New Orleans ever issued or used Liquor Tax Stamps. However, in 1934-1935, 3/4" x 1-1/8" green on white "City of New Orleans" decal tax stamps were used.


OHIO: There is no official record of stamp usage. However, 1933 wine tax stamps were 1" x 3" with green etched printing on a white background. "WINE TAX" is on the left side, the state seal is in the middle, and "TAXABLE BASIS" and the year are on the right side. 1938-1942 "WINE AND MIXED BEVERAGE TAX" stamps were 7/10¢ green 1" square postage type stamps with the Ohio state seal in the middle. The 1938 liquor tax stamp was a 5/8" square blue decal filled with a circle. The outer circle is white, the inner circle is red with a state outline and seal in the middle. A blue tab with an 8 digit silver serial number extends up. The 1939 liquor tax stamp was a 5/8" square red decal filled with a circle. The outer circle is white, the inner circle is red with a state outline and seal in the middle. A red tab with an 8 digit silver serial number extends up. The 1950 "WINE AND MIXED BEVERAGE TAX" stamps were 1-2/5¢ blue 1" square postage type stamps with the Ohio state seal in the middle. The 1959 stamps were 1" x 1" yellow fancy decals with green printing; "STATE OF OHIO" in scroll across the top, the state seal in the middle and a 9 digit serial number in a white box on the bottom.


PENNSYLVANIA: Light green decal tax stamps in the shape of Pennsylvania's Keystone state seal with a serial numbered tab off the top were used from December 20th 1933 to May 23rd 1935. It is common to find these stamps used on Mini's up through 1938.


TENNESSEE: Decal Tax Stamps in the shape of the state were issued until 1992. Stamps were 5/8" x 7/8" decals printed in various colors on a white background, with an "ID" printed in a white circle in the center of each stamp. Tennessee did not keep records for more than 3 years, so getting historical data is all but impossible. Supposedly, a different decal stamp color was used each time a new batch of decal stamps were printed. No specific records were kept detailing what year a particular color stamp was printed, and it was common to have a number of different colored decals available for use. Various stamp colors include black, blue, brown, green, orange, purple, red, and yellow.


TEXAS: Texas indicates that no miniatures were sold in the state and that no state tax stamps were ever issued for Minis. However, stamps do exist on some bottles. 1935 was an 8¢ white paper tax stamp with green printing, 1" x 5/8" with an 8 digit serial number across the middle. It appears that most of the bottles with Texas tax stamps came from Mexico.


UTAH: 1968 was a 3/4"x 1" yellow decal tax stamp, in the shape of the state, with green print. "UTAH" is in upper left corner, the state seal in middle, and "LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION" at the bottom.


WASHINGTON DC: Late 1940's were 1-1/2" x 7/8" orange postage type stamps with "1/80 GALLON" printed in a large oval in the center of the stamp.


WISCONSIN: Decal tax stamps were used from 1933 to August, 1986. Between 1935 and 1940 some bottles had 7/8" x 1-1/4", 1-9/16¢ purple decals with the outline of the state, the state seal in the upper left corner and a 7 digit serial number on the bottom. Most of the Tax tamps were green, black and orange and had the State Treasurer's signature on the front or on the back. 1936 stamps were 1-9/16¢, blue, black and pink in the shape of the state and had the State Treasurer's name at the bottom on the front. 1936 also had some 1/2¢ "Pharmacist Tax" decals which were white with orange print in the shape of a shield with the State Treasurer's name at the bottom. 1937 stamps were 3-1/8¢ and had the State Treasurer's name at the bottom on the front. 1939 stamps were 1-9/16¢ and had the State Treasurer's name on the back of the stamp. 1940 were 1-9/16¢, 7/8"x1" purple postage type stamps with the outline of the state and state seal, with a red 7 digit serial number on the bottom. The state outline is very close to the left edge and extends down to the top of the serial number block. 1941 were 1-9/16¢, 7/8"x1" purple postage type stamps with the outline of the state and state seal, with a red 7 digit serial number on the bottom. The state outline is centered and extends down to the top of the phrase "OCCUPATIONAL TAX". In 1947 the stamps were in the shape of the state, were 5/16¢, had serial numbers starting with a letter, were green, white, and black, and the state seal and the word "WISCONSIN" were printed in light green. 1947 also had 1/2"x5/8" blue on white 5/16¢ "OCCUPATIONAL LIQUOR TAX" stamps. 1949 stamps were in the shape of the state, were 3-1/8¢, had serial numbers starting with a letter, were dark green, white, and orange, and the state seal and the word "WISCONSIN" were printed in light green and had "TREASURY DEPT" at the bottom. In the 1950's stamps were in the shape of the state, were 3-1/8¢, had serial numbers starting with a letter, were dark green, white, and orange, and the state seal and the word "WISCONSIN" were printed in light green. These decals were also completely surrounded by a thin white border. Starting in the 1960's stamps had serial numbers without letters, were black, white, and green, and the state seal and the word "WISCONSIN" are printed in orange. These stamps had "2 oz or less" printed on the bottom. In 1962 the "2 oz" at bottom of stamp was larger than the rest of the printing. 1978-1979 colors were changed to black, white, and red, and the state seal and the word "WISCONSIN" are printed in green with "50 ML" on the bottom. In 1980's stamp colors were again changed to black, white, and silver, and had "50 ML" indicated on the bottom.


State Treasurer's are: (1933-1937 Robert K. Henry)...(1937-1939 Solomon Levitan)...(1939 - August 17th 1947 John M. Smith)...(August 19th 1947 - September 30th 1948 John Soneregger) ..(October 1st 1948 - January 3rd 1949 Clyde M. Johnson)...(January 3rd 1949 - December 4th 1957 Warren R. Smith)...(December 5th 1957 - 1959 Dena A. Smith)...(1959 - 1961 Eugene M. Lamb) ...(1961 - February 20th 1968 Dena A. Smith)...(February 21st 1968 - December 31st 1970 Harold W. Clemens)...(January 1st 1971 - December 30th 1990 Charles Smith)


Dating Japanese Bottles by Jim Crawford


It was mandatory that all alcoholic drinks in Japan were classified as "Class-Special", "Class-1" or "Class-2" by the Liquor Tax Law until it was abolished in 1990. (I'm not very sure when this rule started but bottles produced in early 1970's do not have this notation, so I assume it started in late the 1970's or early 1980's.) Tax was charged depending on this classification. Class-S bottles were taxed the highest, Class-1 bottles the next highest, and Class-2 bottles were taxed the least. The classification was determined by the alcohol percentage, and "Class-S" had higher percentage, while "Class-2" had the lowest. Typically, "Class-S" whisky contained 43%, "Class-1" 40% and "Class-2" 39%.


Several items sold over the "regulation change in 1990" have 2 types of labels: one with the classification notation, and another without. Remember, this was a domestic taxation rule, and therefore this classification was only stated in Japanese.


The following is what the notation on the labels look like in Japanese Characters. This law applied to imported liquors as well, so all Scotches and Bourbons imported before 1990 have this notation on the "Importer's Label", or sometimes on the main label.



Again, anyone who has information to help with dating miniature bottles is invited to