old port

[simon Lisle]

I have bought a private collection of port,amongst it are two unmarked bottles i don't want to cut the capsules to see if the corks are branded and rather wait until i open them.I would like some help on possible dates one is two part moulded bottle with wax capsule the other three part moulded lead capsule,I guess before 1920 but am no expert my oldest port upto now is a 37 any ideas anyone.

[Steven Kooij]

Without pictures it will be impossible to tell, and even with photos it will be very hard. I assume the capsules themselves don't have a name (either of a shipper or a bottler) embossed on them?

However, from the literature I understand that 3-mold bottles were mostly produced between 1835-1870 and 2-mold bottles between 1860-1910. Of course, there is no way of telling whether your bottles date back from these periods (bottles were often re-used), but it does point to very, very old Port! How is the fill level? Might I ask what you paid for them?

[simon Lisle]

Stevie they were bought with others from 1945 to 1960 but breaking the prices down i guess about £140 a bottle they were from a private house sale where the owner had died and the relatives were disposing of the contents, thanks for the interest I thought they were a bit later but i won't know until I open them part of the surprise for me,Thanks again Steve

[simon Lisle]

One is mid shoulder the other top shoulder