Old canning jars, particularly the old Atlas canning jars, are valuable and worth money. In order to determine the value of an Atlas Mason jar, however, it is essential to date the jars, as older jars are typically more valuable than newer ones. So, how does one date Atlas Mason jars?
Atlas Mason jars’ value can be determined beyond the PATENT DATE on the glass because new jars may retain the dates of the old jars from which they were made. Atlas Mason jars can be dated using mold seams, glass textures, and color.
As a collector of Atlas canning jars, you must be able to distinguish between an antique and a replica and determine which is more valuable. This article will teach you how to date and determine the worth of Atlas Mason jars.
Table of Contents
The History of Atlas Mason Jars
As a child, you may have seen an old canning jar in your grandparents’ house or heard about old canning jars. You might have wondered what inspired the Atlas canning jars. Discover the history of Atlas Mason jars below.
The Mason canning jars were named after their manufacturer, John Landis Mason, an American tinsmith who patented and invented the Atlas Mason jars in 1858.
Through the invention of a machine that could produce screw-threaded lids through thread cuts, John Mason produced the antique fruit canning jars known as Mason jars.
After John Mason died in 1900, the Hazel-Atlas glass company, famous for producing Depression glass, began producing Atlas Mason jars from 1902 to 1964.
The Mason jars originally featured only ‘Atlas’ logos instead of the current ‘Hazel-Atlas’ logos we now see on them.
What Is an Atlas Mason Jar?
Atlas Mason jars were among the most valuable products manufactured by the well-known glass company Hazel-Atlas Glass Company between 1902 and 1964, when it ceased operations.
These Atlas Mason canning jars are vintage canning jars that came in a variety of styles and designs, all with the “Atlas” logo engraved somewhere on the glass.
Essentially, an Atlas Mason jar is a crystal clear glass with a screw-on lid that comes in a variety of sizes and shapes for home canning.
Even though the Hazel-Atlas glass company ceased production of Mason jars, paving the way for newer companies, their oldest Atlas canning jars are among the most valuable Atlas Mason jars today.
Atlas Mason jars are one-of-a-kind antiques that have had lasting significance over the years.
How to Identify Valuable Atlas Mason Jars
The most valuable Atlas Mason jars are old Atlas canning jars. Still, identifying a valuable Atlas Mason jar among other canning jars on the market can be quite difficult and challenging, particularly if you are unfamiliar with an old Atlas Mason jar. You could mistake a fake Mason jar for an authentic one.
Fortunately, this article has covered everything you need to know about identifying the most valuable Atlas Mason jars from a variety of Atlas Mason jars.
Examine the Color of the Atlas Canning Jar:
The colors in authentic Atlas Mason jars are crystal clear, or sometimes aqua. Observe the color of the Atlas canning jars. If they are clear or aqua, they are authentic Atlas Mason jars, but if they are another color, such as purple, they are counterfeit.
But the color of an Atlas canning jar alone isn’t enough to tell if it’s a Mason jar or not, as some newer companies now imitate the clear or aqua hues for their canning jars.
Examine the Atlas Canning Jars Glass:
Atlas Mason jars manufactured by the Hazel-Atlas glass company bore the HA logo on the glass.
There is no specific spot to check for the HA logo; it may be at the bottom of the canning jar, close to the lid, or around the base of the glass. The HA logo stands for Hazel-Atlas, and the A appears beneath the H in capital letters.
Examine the Logo On the Canning Jar:
The ‘Atlas’ logo appears on the glass side of authentic Atlas canning jars. To identify a genuine Atlas canning jar, examine the logos written on the jar. Most Atlas Mason jars have the ‘Atlas’ logo written on the body rather than the bottom or lid.
Easy Ways to Date Your Atlas Jars
Some Atlas jars have dates inscribed on them by the companies, but that doesn’t mean those PATENT dates on the jars are their actual dates, because these companies now imitate the same dates or model numbers of the original Atlas canning jars, which were manufactured decades ago.
However, there are several ways to date Atlas Mason jars to determine how old they might be; check them out below.
❖ Examine the Mold Seams On the Atlas Mason Jars:
When you find an old canning jar, look at the rim of the jar to see if it has any mold seams. The Atlas Mason jars today have these seams around them because they were finished by a machine that wasn’t available before.
However, if you pick up an Atlas Mason jar and there are no mold seams around it, it is an old Atlas Mason jar because the rim of the jars were done by hand tools.
Atlas canning jars made in the early twentieth century, specifically before 1915, were handmade and had no visible mold seams across the top and beneath the Mason jars.
❖ Look At the Logo Of the Atlas Canning Jar:
On the side of older canning jars produced by the Hazel-Atlas glass company, the word “Atlas” is inscribed.
If the logo reads “Atlas”, it is an old canning jar, whereas if it reads “Atlas Mason,” it is a newer model. Checking the Atlas brand name on the jar is a method for logo dating Atlas Mason jars.
❖ Examine the Glass Texture of the Atlas Canning Jars:
Before purchasing an Atlas Mason jar, run your hands through it and feel the texture to see if it is smooth or slightly rough.
Old Atlas Mason jars have ripples and distortions around the glass, as well as some nicks and chips; these indicate that the canning jars are old because there were no machines to produce the jars back then, but despite that, they still produced clear glass canning jars.
The newer Atlas Mason jar models, smooth and uniform textures, with no rough edges. Don’t forget to run your hands through the Atlas Mason jars before you buy. It is a very important way to date them.
How to Determine the Value of Atlas Mason Jars
In general, Atlas Mason jars have a market value of $15 or less. Some Mason jars, however, have a higher market value. The older types, like all valuable antiques, have a higher market value.
Old Atlas canning jars have more value and worth than newer jars, but there are some factors to consider when determining the value of an Atlas Mason jar.
● Determine the Atlas Mason Jars Patent Date:
When figuring out how much Atlas Mason jars are worth, the most important thing to look at is when they were made. The older an Atlas Mason jar is, the more valuable it is.
Unfortunately, determining the age of an Atlas Mason Jar is a difficult task, especially if you don’t know much about old Atlas Mason Jars.
Some glass companies that produce fake Atlas Mason jars imitate the date written on the original Mason jar or even engrave false dates on the glass to make it look like the original Mason jars.
Atlas Mason jars can be difficult to date because modern manufacturers use older patent dates. However, if you follow the tips in ‘Easy Ways to Date Your Atlas Jars’ above, you should find dating atlas jars easier, even if you are unfamiliar with Atlas Mason jars.
● Check the Condition of the Atlas Mason Jars:
Alt-text: Four different types of Atlas Jars without lids.
The condition of the product being appraised or auctioned is critical for all antiques. Therefore, certain conditions must be met in order for the product to be considered valuable. The same is true for the Atlas Mason Jars. Before the jars can be considered valuable, certain conditions must be met.
If an Atlas Mason jar has scratches, chips, breaks, cracks, or any other form of physical damage on the glass, the value of the jar decreases significantly. Atlas canning jars in poor condition are less valuable, even if they appear old and meet other criteria.
Collectors should also keep in mind that not all physical damage to canning jars is the result of the owner or seller’s carelessness.
Some physical damage is the result of manufacturing flaws and has no effect on the value of Atlas Mason jars; for instance, jars with bubbles in the glass or wavy-textured glass from the company are still as valuable.
● Consider the Styles of the Atlas Mason Jars:
Another way to determine the value of Atlas Mason jars is to look at the styles. Atlas Mason jars are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, including quart, pint, and half-pint, but the value of some Mason jar styles is significantly higher than that of others.
The Atlas Strong Shoulder Mason, Atlas E-Z Seal Mason, and Atlas Trademark Mason are examples of Atlas Mason jar values styles, with the Atlas E-zeal Mason being the most valuable.
● Examine the Colors of the Atlas Mason Jars:
Take a close look at whether the Mason jars you’re looking at are the traditional clear or aqua colors.
There are many different colors of Mason jars in antique shops and flea markets today, so the color of an Atlas Mason jar can tell you a lot about its value.
Atlas Mason jars are typically aqua or clear in color, with rare exceptions of exotic colors such as purple. Mason jar collectors are now seeing exotic colored Mason jars with expensive price tags, which may indicate value but are mostly fake. Be mindful of the colors when purchasing Atlas Mason jars; they can be deceiving.
● Compare Actual Selling Prices:
You can determine the value of your Atlas Mason jars by comparing market prices of similar Atlas Mason jars, such as old Ball Mason jars or recently sold Mason jars.
However, the actual selling prices of Mason jars are more accurate because sellers of canning jars inflate the prices of canning jars above their actual selling prices when demand is high. They set their prices based on the number of available canning jars.
A blue color Atlas E-Z seal jar with a glass lid in good condition sold for over $100, while a ball blue color pint-sized Atlas strong shoulder Mason jar in good condition with a lid sold for less than $50.
Types of Vintage Atlas Mason Jars
Aside from the Atlas Mason jar’s value, which has distinguished them over the years, the significance of Mason jars and their nostalgic effects is also a good thing. Check out the vintage Atlas Mason jars listed below.
Atlas E-Z Seal Jars
The first E-Z seal jars were made in 1910. They were amber in color. These jars are still the most valuable Atlas Mason old jars today. It has the “E-Z seal” inscribed on it, and is available in quart, pint, half-pint, and half-gallon sizes.
Round in shape, the Atlas E-Z seal jar style features an integrated glass lid, a bail or fastener, and a glass lid. This Atlas Mason canning jar should only be used to store dry ingredients.
Atlas Strong Shoulder Mason Jars
Atlas Strong Shoulder Mason Jar is one of the most valuable Atlas Mason jars. It has rounded shoulders and a slightly elevated “strong shoulder.” This feature gives it a distinct shape, which is among the many reasons why it is so valuable.
These Atlas strong shoulder Mason jars are manufactured in a variety of sizes, with the words “Atlas,” “Mason,” and “strong shoulder” etched into the glass of the canning jars. The Atlas Strong Shoulder Mason Jars are also known as the Atlas Round Mason Jars.
Atlas Trademark Mason Jars
This Atlas Mason jar features the company’s signature H-over-A design elements. In the same manner as the Atlas E-Z seal jars, they are available in quarts, pints, half-pints, and half-gallon capacities. The first set of Mason jars bearing the Atlas Trademark may be worth a significant amount of money.
Atlas Square Mason Jars
It is, as the name implies, an Atlas Mason jar that comes in square shapes and the standard four sizes of pint, half-pint, quart, and half gallon. One noteworthy feature of the Atlas Square Mason Jars is that they have two glass lids.
In addition, the Atlas Square Mason jars feature the “Atlas” logo on the front, the “HA” logo on the side, and the “Mason” logo beneath the jar.
Atlas Whole Fruit Jars
The “whole fruit” inscription on the side of the Atlas whole fruit jar, which is located in a diagonal position between the “Atlas” and “jar” logos, is a telltale sign of the product’s authenticity. The Atlas jar of whole fruit is available in pint, quart, and half-gallon sizes.
Atlas Good Luck Mason Jars
The Atlas Good Luck Mason Jar is among the varieties of Atlas Mason Jars that are the rarest, making it one of the most valuable. Both the bodies and lids of these square-shaped Mason jars are made of glass.
“Good Luck” and “Atlas” are prominently displayed on the glass of the Atlas Good Luck Mason Jar. Like most of the other jars, it comes in four sizes and can be used to keep things dry.
Where Can I Buy Atlas Mason Jars?
Many fake Atlas Mason jars have old dates but are not authentic; read the paragraphs on how to identify Atlas Mason jars before purchasing one. That being said, where can one acquire original Atlas Mason jars besides flea markets and yard sales? Scroll down for further details.
• Etsy
Etsy is an online marketplace where you can buy and sell antiques of all different kinds of products, including unique and expensive Atlas Mason jars. Etsy is home to a wide variety of Atlas Mason jars. The website features high-quality and rare mason jars.
• Amazon
Amazon is another popular e-commerce website where you can purchase an Atlas Mason jar. However, if you are looking for old Atlas Mason jars, you should make sure to check the jars properly to ensure that they are in good condition and that they are actually vintage.
• Walmart
Walmart is another store where you can buy Atlas Mason jars depending on the type you want. If you want quality Atlas Mason jars, be sure to inspect the jars thoroughly and not just their price tag. If the mask glass is still intact but the lid is broken, it can still be a good purchase; simply buy a new lid.
How Does the Value of An Antique Atlas Mason Jar Compare to the Value of Modern Atlas Mason Jars?
After the Hazel-Atlas company ceased production of Atlas Mason jars in 1964, other companies, such as Ball Mason jars, started making their own.
Some products still retained the “Atlas Mason” logo on the Mason jars like the Classico Pasta Sauce, making the jars appear like the original Atlas Mason jars, but they are completely different.
Let us compare the older jars and the modern Atlas Mason jars:
- Older jars have thicker glass jars, whereas modern Atlas Mason jars have lighter glass jars. As a result, they are fragile and break easily.
- Some antique Atlas Mason jars are valued at more than $100, whereas modern Atlas Mason jars can be purchased for as little as $10.
- The old Atlas Mason jars had the “HA” logos written on the glass jars with the “A” below the “H,” but the modern Atlas Mason jars do not have any “HA” logos written on them.
Conclusion
Atlas Mason jars are among the most valuable antique canning jars due to their historical significance and durability. Check the color of the jar, the logos on the jar, the texture of the glass, and the mold seams to determine how old an Atlas Mason jar is.
We hope this article has helped you to further understand and be able to easily identify actual Atlas Mason jars. Please leave a comment if you have any additional questions about dating your atlas mason jars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Most Valuable Atlas Mason Jar?
The Atlas E-Z seal jars produced by the Hazel-Atlas company are the most valuable Atlas Mason jars. They are among the earliest produced Mason jars in an amber color in a round style and different sizes, such as the pint, half-pint, quart, and half-gallon sizes.
Are Atlas Mason Jars Still Manufactured?
Between 1902 and 1964, the Hazel-Atlas Glass company produced Atlas mason jars. Although Atlas Mason jars are still manufactured, those manufactured by the Hazel-Atlas Glass company are considered authentic Atlas Mason jars.
Is It Possible to Freeze Anything In Atlas Mason Jars?
Atlas Mason Jar contents can be frozen. You can put soups, jams, sauces, stocks, and other foods in mason jars and put them in the fridge.
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