Heard it through the Grapevine

Medicine Show? Picture This

Dr. Finch reports: Got the bug for old medicine bottles? This won’t cure you, but …

Offered last Nov. 25 on eBay was this photo described (edited) as an “ORIGINAL ‘MEDICINE SHOW’ / PATENT MEDICINE TENT SHOW, CABINET CARD. This rare albumen image mounted to an 8 by 10 inch card stock is in very good condition. The image depicts five men, one being what appears to be a Native American in traditional dress. The other four men are standing on the same stage, which appears to be in a tent with a tent pole and rope seen in the foreground. A musical accompaniment was germane to these operations and an organ can be seen at the right of the image.”

“The back of the image is annotated ‘Dr. Lawrence and Company - McDonald W. Va - Summer 1901’.”

“A rare image from the height of the patent medicine practice where purveyors of mysterious ‘cures’ would use magicians, shamans, Native Americans, circus performers and other attraction whimsies to gather crowds and sell their medicines, which claimed to heal just about every malady imaginable. These products never lived up to the exagerrated claims, but due to the traveling nature of the operations, they would be long out of town before the customer’s could realize they’d been duped for a nominal charge.” “This practice began just before the Civil War and continued well into the twentieth century, especially in rural areas. This image is a rare and important documentation of what the operation would have looked like about the turn of the century.”

It was offered with a minimum bid of $249.99, plus $10.50 for shipping. It didn’t sell.

Tired of Breaking Old Glass Bottles?

Some heavy thoughts from Ralph Finch

When was the last time you heard that delicate — yet thunderous — sound of a tink, crack, or crash! Next time, why not think about collecting old bricks. I have a few, and haven’t broken one yet. Or, if you don’t want bricks, how about cast iron?

This information is just a bit late, but on Sept. 26, Soulis Auctions firm of Kansas City offered the Richard and Valerie Tucker Collection, an “unrivaled collection of American cast iron,” including the largest grouping of shooting gallery targets.

The 2014 book, Step Right Up! Classic American Target and Arcade Forms, is a compendium of the Tucker Collection, with its many “only-known” or “one-of-two-known” examples. So, the next time you set your sights on old glass, consider aiming for cast iron.

Heard it through the Grapevine

Are You a Card Carrying Member?

George Schwaub certainly was, as is duly indicated on this turn-of-the-century Salem, N.J. glassblower’s card. It is for membership in the Glass Bottle Blowers’ Association of the United States and Canada. The image of the glassblowers card is courtesy of long time AB&GC subscriber, as well as contributing writer, Richard Sheaff.

Late Delivery of Magazines

Unfortunately, some readers are experiencing late delivery of their magazines. It seems as though timely delivery of the October issue has been impacted as well. We apologize for any delays in delivery that some readers may be experiencing.

We pride ourselves on meeting production deadlines and in delivering each month’s issue to the post office in a timely manner.

The higher volume of mail moving through the system (political ads and other periodical material), is likely contributing to some of these delays. We have been in communication with the post office and are working with them to try and mitigate the delivery issues.

— John Pastor

Editor’s note: Are You Puzzled by Puzzles?

In the current issue readers will find the latest edition of the bottle puzzle, Back to the Beginning. It was designed as a back-to-basics puzzle for the novice collector. In past issues we’ve included puzzles on Flasks, Bitters, Jars, Sodas and Mineral Waters, ‘Bottles and More’, and even glasshouses. We hope that you have enjoyed them.

However, we’re puzzled! Are the puzzles challenging, mind-bending, too difficult, easy-as-pie, or even of interest? Ideas and feedback are always encouraged, so let us know.