Preliminary identification
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Overview
A beautiful clear glass pint-sized canning jar featuring the distinctive 'Eclipse' embossing and a side-wire bail closure system. This design represents a fascinating transitional era in food preservation, moving away from zinc caps toward glass lids secured by wire clamps.
Story
In the early 1900s, home canning was a matter of winter survival. Ball introduced the 'Eclipse' line to compete with the popular 'Lightning' style closure, offering a cleaner, glass-on-glass seal that didn't spoil food flavors.
Maker / Origin
Founded by five brothers in 1880 with a $200 loan from their uncle, the Ball Brothers Company grew from making wood-jacketed tin cans to becoming the absolute giants of the American glass canning industry. Their innovations in Muncie, Indiana, standardized home food preservation and made the 'Ball' name synonymous with the American pantry.
Condition & Value
The jar appears to be in excellent condition with clear glass, strong embossing, and the original wire bail intact. There is a modern orange rubber gasket present; while great for display, original or period-correct white rubber rings are preferred by purists.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.