Expert: Paul Wagner - 9/30/2006

Question

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Paul,

Thank you so much for your response. If you have the time i could send you photos of the bottles. I did recieve the bottles from a distributer of Courvoisier, so you may very well be correct in your assumption.
If you have time to view the photos please send me an address or a link to post the photos.
Thank you once again.

Scott

Followup To

Question -
Dear Sir,

I have recently aquired what i think are Erte Collection bottles. However on the bottom gold ring of the bottles i found "sample only" on 2 of 3 bottles (bottle # 5,6 and 7) There is a serial number above the gold ring on the glass, starting with the letter L followed by 3 individual serial numbers for each bottle. (010674, 015398, 019479). My question is are these legitimate 'erte' bottles?
Each bottle has its own box lined with silk and a registration card and 'limited edition certification' card.
p.s. the bottles are empty

Answer -
HI Scott:

I can't be sure without seeing the bottles, but these sound like some of the bottles that Courvoisier created as part of their marketing campaign back in the late 1980's and early 1990's.  Here is what the company said about them:

Erte Collection
Erte, the renowned French artist of the Art Deco period, was a connoisseur of cognac. Courvoisier's remarkable Collection Erte consists of eight decanters, beautifully designed and inscribed by Erte and containing an exceptionally rare blend influenced by his impeccable taste. This classic blend, reflecting the warmth and sensuality of Erte's designs, is made from only the oldest Grande Champagne cognacs. The heart of this cognac is the 1892 vintage, the year in which Erte was born.

If these were full, they would be worth something near $1,000 a piece.  Empty, you might get someone to pay $100 on ebay...

Paul Wagner  

Answer
Hi SCott;

I have a better idea:  check the auctions on ebay for Erte Decanters from Courvoissier.  You will find lots of examples of these bottles, and you can certainly decide whether yours fit the same mold.  My guess is that they do!

Paul Wagner