The Rare Vintage Mason Jar That Collectors Dream Of Finding Secondhand In Thrift Stores

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Mason jar collectors search far and wide for certain rare secondhand jars. One such jar is a vintage Atlas E-Z Seal jar, which was produced by the Hazel-Atlas Glass Company for some 40 years beginning in 1910. These Mason jars came in a few colors, including aqua and olive, with the amber ones being the most collectible of the group today. However, any of the Atlas E-Z Seal jars may be counted among the valuable vintage jars you should be on the lookout for at thrift stores and estate sales.

These Atlas E-Z Seal jars are known for their anti-cracking lids that make them a bit more durable than the typical glass Mason jar. An old ad posted to Facebook had this description for the jars: "Atlas EZ-Seal, round, all glass jars are available in Half-Pints, Pints, Quarts and Half-Gallons." Today, these jars are typically valued anywhere from tens of dollars to $100 or more each, largely depending on the color and condition.

According to The Keene Sentinel, the amber-colored glasses were the first of the E-Z Seal jars, so if you find one, you could be looking at a jar that's over 110 years old. It's just one reason why coming across an Atlas E-Z Seal Mason jar secondhand at a thrift store would be a collector's dream.

It's easy to recognize an Atlas E-Z Seal jar, as the company's name appears across the front, along with the words "E-Z Seal" (pictured above). Having this logo is certainly helpful in authenticating, as the Depression glass that the Hazel-Atlas Glass Company made during the 1920s and '30s is known to not carry the company's logo, making it a bit more difficult to spot when thrifting for vintage Atlas jars.

As for the E-Z Seal jars, another tell you want to look for is the lid design. Rather than a traditional metal screw-on lid, these jars featured a glass lid that closed shut with a metal clasp. With regard to price, as mentioned, it can vary by color, as well as design and how rare the jar is. Clear jars go for between $15 and $30, while jars with color will cost a bit more. Along with the amber E-Z Seal jars, the olive ones go for a similar price, $100 or so. One note about amber glass, according to Iowa State University Extension, this color provides greater protection from ultraviolet rays, and is thus why it was used for Mason jars by companies like Atlas and Ball in the preservation of food.

Along with thrift stores and estate sales, also search online marketplaces like eBay or Etsy. These jars, while certainly not abundant, are still being resold. Certain Atlas E-Z Seal jars, like the ones in amber, will, of course, be rarer, but not impossible to track down — even at over 100 years old. (On that note, learn what number to look for on Ball Mason jars for a more valuable thrift haul.)