Message #40865

[Joey Silver / Si Zhouyi 義周司]

Dear Marcos,
 
     One used to be able to buy them on Ladder Street or Cat Street (Upper Lascar Row, Hollywood Road, etc.) in Hong Kong, from the 1950s till the early 1980s. There were woven baskets 60cm across and 15-20cm high on the sidewalk outside shops, on top of rattan stools. These baskets were piled high with bottles like yours, 50 to 100 in a basket! They looked for all the world like baskets at a greengrocer's, piled high with fruit.
You rooted around till you found examples without cracks or other damages, and then paid US$5-10 each . You could also bargain, if you were buying a bunch. In 1980, I bought a dozen for US$50 - I was hosting a dinner party, and put the name cards each in a plastic holder in a bottle. The guests received them as party favours...
Best,
Joey