Collecting Vintage Mason Jars

Did you notice a few years ago that it seemed like every restaurant, bar and special event started serving drinks in mason jars? Me, too. I don’t know what was driving this trend but I was thrilled to see it. You see, Bill and I have been collecting vintage Mason jars for more than three decades. It all started when Bill began attending farm and estate auctions when we lived in the Midwest. Our love for them continues today.

The Evolution of Mason Jars

If you feel the same about these containers, you may be surprised to learn that Mason jars didn’t exist until, according to Smithsonian Magazine, John Landis Mason invented them in 1858. At that time, they were seen as a modern marvel, because they offered a threaded neck and a screw-on lid. It was the first of its kind to create an air-tight seal, which was perfect for canning and preserving food.

Blue Mason Jars

Until I started working on this article, I didn’t realize how prized blue-tinted jars were. Also, I’d never made the connection between the fact that we got them at farm auctions in Michigan — and the blue glass came from Lake Michigan sand. So it was fortuitous that we found them so easily while living there.

According to my research, you could still buy new blue Mason jars up until around 1930. Then, all of these jars started coming in clear glass only, save for a special production run from time to time that included glass in a special color, such as amber.

I just discovered that one of my favorite of our blue Mason jars is at least 100 years old. The Outer Banks Candle Company has a page devoted to Mason jars, including figuring out when they were made — based not only on color but the saying etched into the glass jar.

My favorite jar, which is about a half-gallon size, says “Ball” and “perfect mason” on the front. That website says those jars specifically rolled off the production line between 1913 and 1923. We have a second, much smaller blue jar with the same markings. I’m told that these blue jars are now highly prized by collectors.

Types and Varieties

Over the years, Mason jars have come in many sizes and styles. Common sizes include:

• half-pint (eight ounces or the equivalent of one cup; also the nickname of Laura Ingalls in “Little House on the Prairie)
• pint (16 ounces)
• quart (32 ounces)
• half-gallon (64 ounces)

Sometimes you’ll see special sizes, such as four-ounce jelly jars. I’m sure we have a few of those hanging around in our basement, too.

Modern Mason jars retain the basic design but may incorporate features like measurement marks or decorative patterns. You can find jars designed specifically for crafts or drinking as well as traditional canning.

In addition, for many years, Classico was selling its jarred sauce in glass bottles that resembled Mason jars. And even though we prefer to make our own meat sauce and marinara sauce, we did buy Classico just for the jars.

I found a 2015 press release that explained Classico’s decision to sell sauce packaged this way. One, to capture a growing trend and interest in Mason jars. And two, as a promotion for Earth Day to encourage people to reuse the jars rather than just toss them into the recycle bin. I tried looking on Amazon to see if you could still buy the Classico pasta sauce in Mason jars but I guess with the label placement, it’s impossible to tell. If you figure out where you can still buy it, please let me know.

Care and Maintenance of Vintage Mason Jars

To preserve your vintage Mason jars, handle them with care and clean them gently. Wash jars by hand using warm, soapy water and a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive scrubbers that could scratch the glass. I’ll admit that I’ve put my blue Mason jars in the dishwasher. That was until I researched and wrote this article. Now I won’t do that ever again.

For stubborn stains, soak jars in a mixture of warm water and baking soda. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a lint-free cloth to prevent water spots. Store your collection in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent discoloration. Oops, perhaps I should not use my blue Mason jar as a vase anymore, especially if I’m going to keep it in the sun.

Comparing with Ball Canning Jars

You might wonder if Ball canning jars are the same as Mason jars. The short answer is yes, they are essentially the same thing. Ball Corporation began producing Mason jars in 1884, long after John Landis Mason’s original 1858 patent.

Ball jars are a brand of Mason jars, much like Kleenex is a brand of facial tissues. Over time, the Ball name became synonymous with Mason jars due to their widespread production and use.

Key similarities include:

• Two-piece lid system (flat lid and screw band)
• Standard mouth sizes
• Made for home canning and food preservation

The main difference lies in branding and subtle design variations that have occurred over the years. You may also see Mason jars with the Kerr name on it. And, ironically, Anchor Hocking, which makes dishes similar to vintage Pyrex also made Mason jars at one point.

Where to Shop for Vintage Mason Jars

Much like shopping for vintage Corningware or Pyrex, you’ll want to hit up the usual shopping suspects. That would be:

• garage, yard or tag sales
• estate sales
• flea markets
• thrift and resale stores

Also, you can try online shopping sites that specialize in vintage products. That would include Etsy and eBay.

Finally, don’t be shy about asking family members to search their attics, basements and garages for Mason jars they may have collected over the years. Then, when you get a pretty collection together, you can have fun displaying them.