White House Brand Embossed Vinegar Bottle

Q: My husband and I have an old bottle and I was wondering what it’s worth. A picture of the White House is embossed on the bottle. It says “White House Brand” above the picture and “Vinegar” below it. On the bottom of the bottle it says “Bottle patented March 6, 1909.” The bottle has a pouring spout and a little handle. It’s in good condition. Is it valuable?

A: White House vinegar has been made for more than 100 years. In 1908 Frank Armstrong and B. Fleet Board bought a cider vinegar business in Alexandria, Va., and renamed the business Board, Armstrong and Co. In 1913, after Board died, Armstrong organized National Fruit Product Co. White House Foods is part of that company. National Fruit Product Co. is still in business and makes apple juice, apple sauce, specialty apple products and vinegar. White House vinegar is still available, but it’s sold in modern bottles with paper labels. In earlier years, it was sold in bottles, jugs, jars, cruets and pitchers in several different sizes, shapes and colors and with different embossed designs or lettering. Bottles shaped like an apple, lighthouse or the Unisphere at the 1964 New York World’s Fair were made. Some were embossed with ballerinas and cabbage roses. Bottles or jugs embossed with the White House design like yours were made in the 1920s and usually sell for $10 to $50.