The Kansas Territory Bottle & Postcard Show

Circle the wagons and plan your trip to one of the hottest shows in the Midwest! The Kansas Territory

Bottle & Postcard Show

By Mark Law

Clear your calendar for April 5, 2020 to attend the Kansas Territory Bottle and Postcard Show in Hutchinson, Kansas. The show is sponsored by the Kansas Territory Bottle and Postcard Club based in Hutchinson, Kansas. The 13th annual show is being held at the Hutchinson State Fairgrounds. The fairgrounds is a great venue with easy access in and out of the building without any steps or stairs.

Setup will be available on Saturday, April 4, from noon until late evening and again on Sunday, April 5 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday setup allows for a great time for vendors to get an early look at the tables full of items and, of course, many of those change hands on Saturday. Setup is very unusual in that vehicles can be pulled into the building to unload during inclement weather. Only club members and dealers can be in the building on Saturday and before 9 a.m. Sunday. Club membership is only $10.00 per year so if you want in early become a member, or better yet get a dealer table.

The show has never charged admission but does accept a free will offering. Over the past twelve years they have had dealers from over fifteen states and it is proving to be a lot of returnees again this year. The potluck dinner on Saturday evening is always a great time to meet new friends, visit with old friends and, of course, eat (we give the Methodists a run for their money when it comes to potluck dinner).

Following dinner, the club traditionally has guest speakers on topics including the history of brewing in Kansas, soda fountains in Kansas, bottle shoot-outs, and even live auctions. This year’s entertainment won’t disappoint you either. He’s a great speaker with a very curious topic pertaining to Goats, the Kansas Governor, and a radio station.

Whether you are in the market for a rare fruit jar, bitters, flask, poison, applied color label, or any other bottle, this is a great show to find it. The insulator collectors are starting to make their way to this show too, and they have great colorful glass to show and sell. Great dealers with a wide variety of items are always available. Attendance has always been good with numerous walk-in items making their way to dealers. Tabletop collectables are always welcome, with a variety of advertising pieces available. The postcard collectors have not been disappointed either, with several postcard and ephemera dealers making their way to the show each year. There have always been a good variety of displays each year showcasing historical, educational and even a collaborative collection of some of the rarest Kansas bottles ever assembled!

If you are able to plan a few extra days to visit Hutchinson you can take in the Cosmosphere, Strataca Salt Mine Museum, Dillon Nature Center, Hutchinson Zoo, and the Indian Creek Bison Ranch. With easy access from I-135 crossing central Kansas, Hutchinson is an easy drive from most anywhere. As you cross Kansas be sure to stop in Topeka, Wichita, Abilene, Hays, Alma or any of the other towns to visit the antique shops and attractions. Whether you make plans to be a dealer at the show, or just come and visit for the day as a collector, a good time is in store. You are guaranteed to meet some friendly people and have a great time. For more information, or to register as a dealer, please contact either Mike McJunkin at scarleits@cox.net Phone: 620-728-8303, or Mark Law, kansasbottles@gmail.com Phone: 785-224-4836. We look forward to seeing you in April!

TOP LEFT: A nice display of Schnapps from 1840-1900. TOP RIGHT: Display of rare mini ACL and embossed sodas. MIDDLE LEFT: One of the many sales tables with great offerings. MIDDLE RIGHT: Display by author, digger, and collector Johnnie Fletcher’s rare finds from Atchison, Kansas. BOTTOM LEFT: H.H. Warner’s historical display BOTTOM RIGHT: The late John Moore and his wife, Katherine. John was a long time collector of early American glass. He proudly served our country in the Marines during WWII in the South Pacific.