Slight Lid Variations

One thing that seems to become more apparent as more antique HB steins appear online are that there are a number of variations, often times very slight ones in HB steins that are of the same style. This poses the dilemma to those of us who collect these steins of whether or not to try and obtain a stein in each of the different styles the Hofbrauhaus produced, or whether or not to collect each different variation. The latter is very daunting task. As you can see from the photos below, the differences in variation are often very subtle. These differences however are also interesting, because they may also enable a more accurate dating for the steins.

In the first picture you see three HB steins from my collection that at quick glance seem to be almost identical. When you look more closely at the pictures of each of the lids individually, you can see that on stein #5643 the circle the HB is found within is sunken inside the outer ring and the HB is embossed outward from it. The hinge on this stein has 5 rings, and on the inside of the lid is an early stein mark from Ludwig Mory. This would make the steins age date from likely between 1889-1895. My guess would be likely 1889 or 1890. The next stein #1163 has a circle where the HB is found that is level with the outer ring that defines it. You can also see there are slight differences in the outer rings. This stein has a 3 ring hinge and is older than the last one. There is no maker's mark and the HB etched into the body of the stein is pretty crudely carved. This stein likely dates from the late 1870s. The third stein #1810 is similar to the last one in that it has a circle where the HB is found that is level with the outer ring that defines it, but the outer ring is wider than in the last stein. This stein has a five ring hinge. This stein is mostly likely from either the late-1870s or the early-1880s. The fourth stein pictured #432, is one that appeared a few months ago on eBay. The differences in this steins lid are more apparent than the previous three steins. Although the style is the same, the centre area where the HB is found is much smaller than on the other ones and the number is larger. It is very similar to #1163 in that has a circle where the HB is found that is level with the outer ring that defines it, and in the style of outer ring. The photos posted did not show the hinge, but I would hazard a guess that it would be a 3 ring hinge. The HB on the stein body was very crudely carved. I would guess without being able to examine the stein more closely that it dates from the 1870s and is perhaps slightly older than #1163.

This is just one of a number of examples found in HB steins of how there can be small variances within the various styles of HB steins.

My HB Stein Collection Thus Far...

Since I have been fortunate enough to find a few more steins to add to my collection lately I decided to update the pictures of what I currently have in my HB stein collection. My main focus is on the early numbered HB steins that would have been used in the Hofbrauhaus, rather than the variant steins that they would occasionally put out. The first two pictures are of 1L steins that range in date from 1875-1890, with the exception of the one in the center on the bottom row which pre-dates 1872 and could likely be from the late-1860s. The third photo includes two steins that are similar that are like from between 1890-1906, as well as the stein featured in my last post that has the tobacco advertisement inside the lid, and a 0.5L stein that has a unique lid with the trademarked logo with the words Schutz-Marke. It age could be as early as 1879, but is uncertain for sure. The last picture includes steins that are post-1900, one of which is accompanied by an original sales receipt for the stein from the Hofbrauhaus. I also have accumulated about 50 unlidded HB steins that range in date from 1900 onward. They were the first HB steins I purchased from antique stores and garage sales before I focused my collection on the antique lidded steins. I am trying to add different variations of pre-1900 steins to my collection, preferably that are numbered. All but two of the steins pictured are numbered.

 



 

HB Stein With Tobacco Advertisement Inside Lid

Pictured is a fairly uncommon HB stein that I recently picked up. It  most likely dates from early-1900, and bears the marking of CH. Reck from Munich (in business circa. 1893-1930) on the side of the stem just below the hinge, as can be see in the last photo. The lid is pewter with what appears to be porcelain in the centre bearing the HB logo. On the inside of the lid, is the advertisement for Regie Virginier; which is a toabacco company I believe in Austria. I have seen a handful of HB steins in this style and a couple of them have slight variations from the one that I have.