Avon calling

Question: Many years ago my wife bought me a bottle of Avon After Shave. Since then I have a collection of 600 bottles. Is this collection of any value? -- Jim Valentine

Answer: Wow, 600 bottles is quite a collection! A disclaimer: I am not an expert or an appraiser. But I can point you in the right direction. Here is the link for Avon bottle collectors.

You might want to check out "Bud Hastins Avon Collectors Encyclopedia: The official Guide for Avon Bottle and CPC Collectors." It's published by Collector Books and lists for $29.95.

My only experience with collecting bottles came through my family. My mother liked Avon bottles and my grandmother collected Jim Beam decanters. Once, my grandmother was showing her collection to a guest, and when she lifted a bottle off of the shelf she found it to be unexpectedly light. It seems my grandfather had been quietly sipping the "contents" of her collection without her knowledge. I'm happy to say that was not the case with my mother's perfume bottle collection!