This blue marble codd bottle recently sold for $50,673. A new world record for an empty English glass bottle, of any age!
Also in this issue... ACL #12 Small Town USA Devils, Demons & Disease Da Bear and Other Cool Bottles Dug in 2023 Beer Stein Bling...a Primer and so much more!
Featuring inside... Jim Hagenbuch a sit-down visit with.
Coming next issue or down the road: Houston 2024 National Antique Bottle and Glass Expo Feature Article•The Three Blue Bitters•The Saltsburg Glass Works•ACL #13 More Ladies•Privy Digger’s Dream•What Do You Collect?•Another Adventure of the Bottle Thief: Dead Chickens & Barking Dog•A Clinton Physician Dr. Carl Gruber•M. A. Rue of Cranbury, New Jersey•Early Pittsburgh Glasshouses•Keystone Coffee Jar•Soda City’s Only Two Earliest Colored Sodas: H. Deming & Co. and C.C. Habenicht•Probst & Hilbs German Bitters Little Rock, Ark.•Pressed Stoneware Bottles•Whites Prairie Flower•Caswell Hazard Druggists•Smith & Jones–Brazil, Indiana Bottlers•Clum’s Liver Cathartic•An Unusual American Liberian Dual Embossed Jar•Peter Bisso Soda Water Manufacturer, Corsicana, Texas•From Ashes to Ashes, A Tragic Story•and so much more!
So you don’t miss an issue of Antique Bottle & Glass Collector, please check your labels for expiration information.
To Advertise, Subscribe or Renew a subscription, see pages 66 and 72 for details.
To Submit a Story, send a Letter to the Editor or have Comments and Concerns, contact:
Elizabeth Meyer
FOHBC Business Manager
P.O. Box 1825
Brookshire, Texas 77423-1825
phone: 713.504.0628
email: fohbcmembers@gmail.com
Fair use notice: Some material in Antique Bottle & Glass Collector has been submitted for publication in this magazine and/or was originally published by the authors and is copyrighted. We, as a non-profit organization, offer it here as an educational tool to increase further understanding and discussion of bottle collecting and related history. We believe this constitutes “fair use” of the copyrighted material as provided for in Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law. If you wish to use this material for purposes of your own that go beyond “fair use,” you must obtain permission from the copyright owner(s).
Postmaster: Send address changes to Elizabeth Meyer, FOHBC Business Manager, P.O. Box 1825, Brookshire, Texas 77423-1825; 713.504.0628, email: fohbcmembers@gmail.com
Annual subscription rate is: $40 for standard mail or $55 for First Class, $60 to Canada, $80 Other countries, $25 Digital Membership [in U.S. funds]. Life Membership: Level 1: $1,000, Level 2: $500. The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors, Inc. (FOHBC) assumes no responsibility for products and services advertised in this publication. See page 72 for details.
The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors is a non-profit organization for collectors of historical bottles, glass and related collectible items. Our primary goal is educational as it relates to the history and manufacture of historical bottles and related artifacts.
FOHBC Officers 2024–2026
President: Michael Seeliger, N8211 Smith Road, Brooklyn, Wisconsin 53521, phone: 608.575.2922, email: mwseeliger@gmail.com
Vice-President: Position Open
Secretary: Alice Seeliger, N8211 Smith Road, Brooklyn, Wisconsin 53521, phone: 608.575.1128, email: AliceSecretaryFOHBC@gmail.com
Special Projects Director: Ferdinand Meyer V, P.O. Box 1825, Brookshire, Texas 77423, phone: 713.222.7979 x115, email: fmeyer@fmgdesign.com
Director-at-Large: Stephen R. Jackson, P.O. Box 3137, Suffolk, Virginia 23439, phone: 757.675.5642, email: sjackson@srjacksonlaw.com
Director-at-Large: John O’Neill, 1805 Ralston Avenue, Belmont, California 94002, phone: 650.619.8209, email: Joneill@risk-strategies.com
Director-at-Large: Richard Siri, PO Box 3818, Santa Rosa, California 95402, phone: 707.542.6438, email: rtsiri@sbcglobal.net
Northeast Region Director: Charles Martin Jr., 5 John Hall Cartway, Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts 02675, phone: 781.248.8620, email: cemartinjr@comcast.net
Midwest Region Director: Henry Hecker, W298 S10655 Phantom Woods Road, Mukwonago, Wisconsin 53149, phone: 262.844.5751, email: phantomhah@gmail.com
Southern Region Director: Tom Lines, 1647 Olivia Way, Auburn, Alabama 36830, phone: 205.410.2191, email: Bluecrab1949@hotmail.com
Western Region Director: Eric McGuire, 1732 Inverness Drive, Petaluma, California 94954, phone: 707.481.9145, email: etmcguire@comcast.net
President Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors
N8211 Smith Road, Brooklyn, Wisconsin 53521
608.575.2922
mwseeliger@gmail.com
Houston 24 is now behind us. What a whirlwind event! The big takeaway from all this is the closeness of the bottle world. I want to thank all those who had a hand in making this a truly successful event. So many people chipped in and did whatever was asked of them. Long-time friends pitched in to fold boxes, move displays, set up cameras and basically just answer the call to do whatever was required. We made new friends and strengthened relationships with others. The bottle community clearly showed its love and passion for the hobby.
Tuesday evening we set up a fire brigade to fold 250 boxes for the commemorative blue Drake’s in preparation for inserting the Drake’s the next day. We had lots of laughs and it went pretty fast with the number of helpers who showed up. Scouting out all the areas for the bottle show and sale, and displays, took up the rest of the day. (The Drake’s sale was successful and we have a few remaining for sale to FOHBC members who could not attend.)
Wednesday’s “Glass in the Grass” was great with the temperatures among the Meyers’ pecan trees quite bearable all morning. Ferd and Elizabeth graciously opened their home to show enthusiasts their collections. The air conditioning provided a welcome respite, and it took some time to see their very eclectic and perfectly placed treasures. A big Thank You to Ferd and Elizabeth for sharing this with all of us. At first it was only going to be a select few who could enjoy the tour; but just the day before Ferd posted “All are welcome” and the house was filled with wide-eyed guests.
Thursday gave dealers a chance to bring in wares to tuck under their tables. And they had time to attend some seminars. This was also the first chance to see the exhibits at the Museum. WOW! Was that an experience! Words fail me, and almost everyone else, in explaining how spectacular the two exhibits were. The action-packed day concluded with the well-attended Texas Hold’em bottle competition.
The ”full breakfast” membership meeting on Friday morning was really well-attended. Bylaws changes were explained and approved and the 2024-2026 board of director members were inducted into office. Promptly at 1:00 the gates were opened for over 100 VIPs to check out the bottle sale and exhibits. Later that evening the annual awards banquet was held under the dinosaurs in the Hall of Paleontology at the Museum. What a photo op that was! With over 150 in attendance, a chance to hear Joel Bartsch’s short but sweet keynote address, a lovely meal, and robust awards presentation, this banquet will surely be remembered as one of the greatest. We were grateful to finally meet Joel Bartsch, president of HMNS and a major sponsor of Houston 24. Couldn’t have done it without him!
Saturday’s sales were brisk and lots of items changed hands as many bottles and related items went up for sale for the first time. With hardly a chance to catch our breath, the on-line and live auction filled the rest of the day. Although it started slowly, it soon turned into a lively and entertaining bidding frenzy for some very cool items. Crowded House Auctions and Martin Van Zant and his crew did a fantastic job and helped to make this a really successful event for sellers, buyers, and FOHBC.
By the time Sunday rolled around, bringing the Expo to its end, we could see that it had been a huge success and everyone who attended thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
A few comments about our membership meeting on Friday morning: we acknowledged our accomplishments of the last few years such as the Virtual Museum additions, Auction Price Report activity, the successful merger of Bottles and Extras and Antique Bottles & Glass Collector magazines, and one year of monthly on-line webinars. Looking ahead, we outlined our major goals: updating the Auction Price Report is first on the list, and a new website is another high priority project. An on-going priority is to continue to increase our members’ activity on our website and other social media platforms. And, of course, we want to continue to bring in new members.
Changes to our bylaws were adopted and we have a new organization chart for the board of directors. Many changes involved bringing things up to date in our technological world. Major changes were made to each Director’s responsibilities. Each Director will now have an active role in the administration of the Federation with their individual duties outlined and spread out throughout the 15-member board. We are grateful that all 2022-2024 board members chose to continue for another two-year term!
Conventions and their national placement will now reside in a committee of Regional Directors to best move the conventions around and ensure that optimal proposals are chosen. The Membership Director will help grow the organization and organize the membership which has grown with the magazine merger. Our public relations, newsletter, merchandise, webinars, and social media are now under our Marketing Director. This hopefully will allow us greater exposure to growing social media contacts. Special Projects are grouped together to coordinate the AB&GC, our website, Virtual Museum, and Auction Price Report activities. This restructuring will allow committees, led by a board member, to make decisions affecting our operation and allow for new ideas and activities to flourish. Rather than having a few people volunteering to do all the required activities, more Board members will be involved in a variety of new endeavors. Committees are being formed, so be sure to let us know where you’d like to get involved.
I’m sorry if you missed Houston 24 but we will share as much as we can in the November-December issue of AB&GC. You can catch a glimpse before that on our website and social media sites where attendees are posting personal photos and sharing their experiences. And now…Bring on Reno 2025!
Shards of Wisdom
“Heard
Texas Trademarks Display at Houston 24
Last issue you may recall that Eric McGuire, Western Region Director, posted in Shards of Wisdom about researching bottles. He told us about the U.S. Copyright Office embarking on a massive digitization project that will eventually include thousands of bottled products.
He also tells us that an act of the U.S. Government, Patent and Trademark Division, allowed for the legal protection of certain trade names used by businesses beginning in 1870. Some states had already allowed for the legal protection of trademarks as early as the late 1840s, but the federal trademark act was legally
J.M. Neathery, Barnes’ Scrofula Cure, Van Alstyne, Texas
Morley Bros., Morley’s Dentifrice, Austin, Texas
Shards of Wisdom
“Heard it Through the Grapevine”
binding in all states and territories. No one else had the rights to approved trademarks, which significantly reduced the ability of trade names and marks to be stolen by others. Houston 24 Display coordinator, Andy Rapoza, and Ferdinand Meyer V, H24 Chair, asked Eric to send examples of Texas trademarks
for a special exhibit at Hotel ZaZa. Of the thirty or so examples received, we selected a few and enlarged the trademarks to 18 x 24 inch posters. The display turned out very nice. We thought we would share some of the imagery.
Thompson, George & Co., Indian Acorn Oil, Galveston, Texas
Nikolas Kifer, Universal Stomach Bitters, San Antonio, Texas
FOHBC News
From & For Our Members
Weather or not to come to Houston!
Did you know there were three weather-related disasters in Texas leading up to Houston 24? I bet some of you wondered if the big event would ever happen. The primary weather events were:
East Texas Floods (Event #1): Severe weather, including large hail, damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and flash flooding, impacted the state from April 26 to June 5. The Houston flooding and power outages made national news for many days. Many people contacted the Houston 24 team asking if the event was still on or if the hotel flooded.
The Derecho (Event #2): On the evening of May 16, 2024, a derecho struck the Gulf Coast from Southeast Texas to Florida, causing widespread damage, particularly in the city of Houston and surrounding metropolitan area. At least seven people were killed by the storms, dubbed the Houston Derecho by the National Weather Service, which brought winds up to 100 miles per hour along with three weak tornadoes. There were lengthy power outages and the severe straight-line winds blew out glass windows in many downtown skyscrapers. This spectacular Houston weather event made national news for many days.
Hurricane Beryl (Event #3): On July 1, Hurricane Beryl became the earliest category-5 storm on record in the Atlantic basin. Beryl caused catastrophic damage and approximately 20 fatalities in several islands in the Caribbean Sea, with an additional preliminary death toll of about 25 people in Texas, Louisiana and Vermont. Power was out for millions of people in Houston, and it made national news for well over a week. We had just about every person coming to our event or considering coming contact us asking if Houston 24 was still on and asking if we had power. The thought of coming to Houston in August without adequate power is not enticing. This also caused room cancellations at both hotels.
A byproduct of each of these major weather-related events was the air traffic situation with flights being canceled, delayed or diverted. Pictures on national news of crowded Houston airports did not put Houston in a favorable position to make travel plans.
AASLH 2024 national book award winner
Hi Ferd, I just received notice today that I was named a national book award winner by the American Association
for State and Local History (AALSH) for my book, Promising Cures. The press release (attached) includes mention of my membership in the FOHBC.
In my response to them, I wrote, “I am sincerely honored and absolutely ecstatic to be selected for this award! To have my book selected by a jury of my peers to be one of this year’s best offerings in state and local history is wonderfully validating and makes these past four decades of time, effort, and personal sacrifice all worthwhile.”
Also, I will have the four volumes of my book on display at the Houston 2024 National Antique Bottle & Glass Expo, so the timing of this announcement couldn’t have been better; I will proudly show the award on the covers of my books! This is truly a special day for me and I wanted to share the good news with you and all my friends. Thanks for all the support you have given me these past several years,
Andy Rapoza Conroe, Texas
Metropolitan Milk Company Bottle
Ferdinand, Edward P. Pomeroy was purported to be the first user of glass milk bottles in Texas when he supplied his Metropolitan Milk Company with them in the early 1890s. I dug the only known example in Galveston several years ago, and David Pomeroy (Edward’s Great Grandson) came all the way from North Carolina (to Houston 24) to see the bottle. Edward Pomeroy moved to Pasadena after the 1900 Hurricane and the Pomeroy homestead is part of the Pasadena Heritage Park. I attached a photo that Michael (Seeliger) took.
Best Regards, Brandon DeWolfe Spring, Texas
BIG UK auction story following the SummerNational
I’m completely blown away by such amazing prices—previous high for a UK codd/mineral water was just under £13,000—shattered not once but twice. The blue marble codd bottle made US $50,673 and the amber pointy-ended codd Hamilton hybrid US $35,400—two new world records for empty English glass bottles, of any age. The sale made headlines in Antiques Trade Ga-
David Pomeroy (left) and Brandon DeWolfe
zette, the world’s leading antiques weekly publication. Hope all is well over there—I believe David van Loon and Richard Womersley will be representing the UK at the Houston 24 Expo. Hope all goes well for that! Regards,
Alan Blakeman
BBR Auctions, United Kingdom
139. GOFFE & SONS BIRMINGHAM COBALT BLUE CODD BOTTLE. 7ins tall. A magnificent, superb example, of perhaps the most all time classic UK mineral water bottle ever, the bottle of everyones dreams? A really beautiful cobalt glass colour, not too dark. Crossed bottles pictorial trade mark in the middle of the crisp company embossing. To rear, near bottom, E BREFITT & CO LTD/ MAKERS/ CASTLEFORD. Base embossed 6355. We believe this is the very first offering of a pristine condition example of such a rarity, so often damaged or repaired. Ex Garth Morrison Collection - a bit of real Garth class! Very minor rear mark but in truth exc/ A1 - an absolute gem. A true once in a life time offering to obtain a top of the class bottle. 9.8/10. NR. £8,00010,000+
Passing the Bitters Torch
Cyndy Forbes, Bill Ham’s wife, is in touch with Peachridge Collections (Ferdinand and Elizabeth Meyer) to organize shipping, taking receipt, storage and selling the balance of the three Bitters Bottles books. This includes Bitters Bottles, (published 1998), Bitters Bottles Supplement (published 2004) and Bitters Bottles Supplement 2 (published 2020). It seems like there is quite an inventory of books to sell as Cyndy counted 186 boxes of Bitters Bottles (6/box), 50 boxes (6/box) of Bitters Bottles Supplement and 20 boxes (6/box) of Bitters Bottles Supplement 2. As many bitters collectors may already know, Ferdinand Meyer V and Joe Gourd have been gathering new bitters information and material since the last book was published, so please submit any new finds, bottles and ephemera, to fmeyer@fmgdesign.com. We need to pay homage to the great Carlyn Ring and Bill Ham, authors of the three books.
Bill Ham’s Bitters Bottles books are stored in California and need to be shipped to Houston, Texas. This includes 186 boxes of Bitters Bottles (6/box), 50 boxes (6/box) of Bitters Bottles Supplement and 20 boxes (6/box) of Bitters Bottles Supplement 2. A new sales and marketing campaign to sell the remaining books is in motion.
Cyndy Forbes, Bills wife, said with a humorous but firm option to send the books to the nearest landfill, which of course, would be tragic.
Alan Blakeman holding the Goffe & Sons Birmingham cobalt blue codd bottle.
Goffe & Sons Birmingham cobalt blue codd bottle and two advertisements for James Goffe and Goffe & Sons.
Picture: Shaun Colborn
FOHBC Regional News
Please visit FOHBC.org for expanded coverage.
Northeast Region [Charlie Martin,
Jr., Director]
WOW!! The Houston 24 Bottle Expo has come and gone, but the experience of a lifetime will live on in my memories and conversations for years to come. My wife, Jane, and I were quite fortunate to be able to attend this spectacular event, which contained events within events. It was a non-stop activity, from the Peachridge “Glass in the Grass” hosted by Elizabeth and Ferdinand Meyer at their home just outside of Houston to the closing moments of the Expo on the 4th of August.
The Houston Museum of Natural Science curated the two marvelous bottle exhibitions and we doubt that we will see another professional presentation like it again. Words fall short when describing those two bottle displays’ magnificence, beauty, and splendor. Hotel ZaZa, in the Houston Museum District, was as advertised and then some! A special hello goes out to all the new friends Jane and I met from Alabama, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Washington, to mention a few. If you missed this event, rest assured that our magazine’s November–December issue will thoroughly review the Houston 24 Expo.
Sadly, I must report on the death of long-time collector/dealer Ron Tetrault of New Bedford, Massachusetts. Ron was a much-loved and respected local dealer in the Northeast region and beyond for many decades. Even in his later years, when driving was difficult for him, his wife Deanne would get behind the wheel of their van and drive. That enabled Ron to do what he most enjoyed, after family and friends, get wonderful antique bottles into the hands of fellow collectors. Ron rarely missed a bottle show in New York, Maine, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Even when he could not set up at a show due to health-related issues, he attended as a customer supporting the local club hosting the event. All will deeply miss his support. Ron was known for his humor, ever-present smile, and willingness to help a collector add that special bottle to their collection. Ron and Deanne were long-time Little Rhody Antique Bottle Club members. He will be remembered fondly by those individuals whose lives he touched with his kindness and
generosity. Rest in peace, my friend.
The apex of the antique bottle show season for the Northeast Region has been and continues to be the year’s Fall season—particularly September and October. During this time of year, you can count on attending a bottle show almost every weekend. Many of these shows, hosted by the same antique bottle clubs for many, many decades, are well known to local collectors. It is time for those of you who want to experience the fall foliage provided by Mother Nature to travel to our region. You will enjoy the wonder of this natural beauty coupled with the excitement of so many antique bottle shows. Please see the Show Calendar in this issue or on FOHBC.org to begin making your travel plans for this Fall. Until next time, happy bottle collecting.
Western Region [Eric McGuire, Director]
The Houston 24 event dominated the Western Region activity. The Expo will be discussed at length in this and the following issue of AB&GC. I will reserve comments as much as possible, except for a few personal experiences. However, I do need to give special recognition to the ever-tireless Ferdinand Meyer, many of his family members, as well as the Federation board and the many volunteers, who put together an “experience” that will be well remembered for many years. Houston 24 was not just your typical bottle show/sale. Driven by Ferdinand’s inspiration, guidance, and expertise, the show was, as noted above, an EXPERIENCE.
Houston 24 began with the wonderful open house of Ferdinand and Elizabeth Meyer’s home, Peachridge. This amazing gesture of Southern hospitality was met by a number of attendees who were awed by the special gardens of unusual succulents—a rare sight in itself. Ferd’s amazing collection of bottles, primarily bitters, was a riot of color, placed in front of sunlit windows. Collections of multi-generational antiques were also present in the Meyers’ personal “museum.” What a wonderful opening for a national bottle and glass event, even with the ever-present southern heat and humidity. As a native Californian, I just had to “deal with it.”
Peachridge “Glass in the Grass”
Left to Right. Bigtime bitters collectors Jerry Forbes (Big Sur, Ca.), Stephen Hubbell (Gig Harbor, Wash.) and Bill Taylor (Wausau, Wisconsin) catch up on the news at the Meyer Peachridge open house.
Photos: Dan Lakatos
Photo: Dan Lakatos
“Ground Zero” of the H24 antique bottle show and sale was located at Hotel ZaZa, a refurbished 1926 structure adjoining Houston’s famous Museum District. Bottle collectors literally took over the hotel, and I still wonder what went through the minds of those non-collectors who were also staying there. One must remember that of the roughly 36 million residents in the United States, only a relative few have taken to collecting old bottles. I suppose the other guests just tolerated our quirkiness, even though, from my perspective, they don’t know what they are missing.
The complexity and timing of all the events, which should be known to all Federation members by now, made it challenging to execute seamlessly, but I witnessed no major issues.
A highlight for me was the amazing dinner in the HMNS Hall of Paleontology, among the largest collections of dinosaur skeletons I have ever seen. My wife and I literally had dinner with a Triceratops skeleton, some 65 million years old. Now, that is something I will always remember. And the dinner fare went far beyond anything I have experienced at a large group event. Surpassing any traditional hotel banquet, I expect I will experience nothing like it again. Once more, thank you, Ferdinand, for your inspirational expertise.
Southern Region [Tom Lines, Director]
Charlie Livingston is a familiar name to many of us throughout the South. He hails from Tampa, Florida. He’s been collecting
since he was 12; he’s now 66. Both he and his wife Lorraine are retired, so he has plenty of time for his hobby—or I should say hobbies. Best known for his black glass collection, including many early seals, he also collects local memorabilia, Native American artifacts, cigar jars, and associated industry-related go-withs.
I found it interesting that Charlie started digging at the invitation of his sixth-grade teacher in Tampa. Both excited, he and his dad loaded up and went digging. The dump was a turn-of-the-century dump that produced hundreds of bottles of all types plus local stenciled jugs. He said there were several feet of fill on top of the dump because it was a low swampy area, so they dug in the muck! My hat’s off to him for his continued interest in the hobby after that.
But the story gets even better. Charlie’s house was built on one of the old city dumps. Can you imagine being able to dig bottles in your own yard? Wow! He said their yard produced about 2,000 bottles! His wife’s parents lived nearby, and their house was also on the dump, so he got to dig there, too. Even more bottles were found. At a nearby construction site on the dump site, he obtained permission for the Tampa Bottle Club to dig there for two weeks without interference from the construction folks. How nice is that!
Charlie collected for years before he started setting up at shows as a dealer. He went to the shows to look and buy before that. He said his first show as a dealer was quite rewarding, providing enough funds to start acquiring things that really interested him. In his early years of going after black glass, a local collector invited him to buy his black glass collection and provided easy terms for Charlie to do so.
Charlie and his brother Craig now travel to virtually all of the Florida shows, plus shows in Mobile, Alabama, and Columbia, South Carolina. Of course, his local Tampa/St. Pete show is one of his best. This year’s show was quite productive, as he acquired a mixed collection of flasks, bitters, and other early bottles from a local collector’s estate that he had never known about. Surprises like that are always welcomed!
So what else does Charlie like to do—in one word, “travel”! He and Lorraine went to Portugal, Spain, and London earlier this year. Next year, they are planning on doing the FOHBC Reno 25 National Convention and spending an extra week or so in advance of the show to see some Western sites, including Yosemite National Park (my all-time favorite park).
Other Southern Happenings. With Houston 24 just over, many Southerners were found there. As an Alabamian, I only spotted three other fellow collectors from there. I was most impressed
2024 Suncoast Antique Bottle Collectors Assoc. Show & Sale in Tampa.
Left to Right: Charlie Livingston (SABCA), George Dueben (Show Chair), Richard King (SABCA President), Michael Seeliger (FOHBC President)
Photos: Gina Pellegrini-Ott
Photo: Alice Seeliger
Morian Hall of Paleontology “Dinosaurs Banquet”
and delighted that my friend Rick Ciralli came down from the Northeast to set up his wares. Plus, several West Coast dealers were present. One local family with their children included a precocious young lady. I asked what she collected, and her response floored me. She said she has yet to collect any bottles. So I asked why. She said she dug bottles and had a shelf of the different things she dug but insisted she didn’t collect; she just had them. So cute!
Jake Smith hosted his 9th Annual Antique Bottle & Glass Show at the Munford Civic Center this past weekend. Though historically held in Lincoln, Alabama, the facility notified him three weeks before the show that the usual building had to be closed due to a leaky roof. Jake was able to scramble and get the Munford location within just a few days. He called the dealers and spread the word about the venue change. As it turned out, it was a very successful show, with lots of public streaming through and buying things! Congratulations, Jake, for a job well done!
That’s all, folks! Please send me news of your local happenings so it can be included in the next Southern Region report. Tom Lines, Bluecrab1949@Hotmail.com or 205.410.2191.
Midwest Region
[Henry Hecker, Director]
If you could not attend Houston 24, you missed one of the greatest assemblages of rare and beautiful glass ever to be viewed in one place. The early American flasks, figural bitters, blown dining vessels, and barber bottles were breathtaking and expertly curated for display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Two beautiful coffee table books memorializing the exhibits are available from the FOHBC, and I highly recommend them. The rest of Houston 24 will be extensively covered, but I wanted to plug these two gorgeous books.
Previously, I have mentioned the aging of collectors in the hobby, as in many fields of collecting, and how to get “fresh blood” into clubs and shows. This trend was again starkly evident in the dealers and show crowd. I want to challenge the Midwest Region to send me ideas on how your clubs attract new members and, most importantly, how you reach the population under 25 years of age. It is easy to dismiss the situation as unsalvageable: The young are mostly minimalists and are satisfied with expe-
riences rather than material objects.
Socializing in clubs has been replaced by (impersonal) social media.
Financial challenges have shrunk disposable income.
History is no longer a priority in schools; thus, appreciation has waned.
Digging is hard work, and site access is being squeezed by liability and state restrictions on amateur archeology.
Those are just some of the issues. But we cannot give up, as it would be a great loss if our collections ended up at thrift shops or, heaven forbid, glass recycling centers!
Personally, I am not that fatalistic, but the FOHBC does need to develop an action plan to better understand the motivations to collect and join and to assure the sustainability of the hobby.
Locally here in Wisconsin, another disconcerting trend is part of the contemporary approach in museum science to tell stories using much fewer artifacts and rely more on audio-visual, and interactive technology. The new State Museum in Madison will allow more space for artifacts, but the organizers and designers are touting the technology, not the collections. The new Milwaukee Public Museum, no longer a ward of the County who can no longer afford it, will be greatly compressed in a new facility significantly smaller than the current building dating back to 1962. While there is an impressive public relations campaign by the current board of MPM to hype the new facility, which still needs to be fully funded, the PR rings a little hollow. The current designers are holding hard to a decision not to re-create the “Streets of Old Milwaukee” and “European Village” in the new museum. The former allowed visitors to walk through several streets filled with recreations of a general store, drug store, saloon, photography studio, butcher shop, blacksmith, theater, and homes accurately depicting the use of relics of old Milwaukee. The latter set of exhibits explained settlement and immigration to the area in visual and hands-on terms. Every survey has shown that these two exhibits are overwhelmingly the most popular among all age groups and have been for decades.
On my wife’s and my trip to Texas, we visited the Arabia Steamboat Museum in Kansas City, the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City, and the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Refreshingly, these three museums all have the right balance of artifacts and flashy technologies to tell the stories. We want to be educated about the backstories (of course), but we also want to see the old stuff!
Arabia Steamboat Museum in Kansas City, Missouri.
Martin Van Zant holding an Old Sachems barrel with Jim Hagenbuch and Bill Granger looking on.
Virtual Museum News
By Richard T. Siri, Santa Rosa, California
AlanDeMaison was set up at Hotel ZaZa imaging for the Virtual Museum. You could not miss his traveling photography studio prominently set up in the Piano Man Lounge. Alan had scheduled a healthy list of bottles and a few small collections to image. Every time we looked his way he and Terry Crislip, his VM assistant, were busy at work. It was especially exciting to see him imaging bottles from some young collectors. Alan and his wife, Elaine, remained in Houston at the Houston Museum of Natural Science and imaged the American Antique Glass Masterpieces exhibition on Tuesday and Wednesday, 06 and 07 August and the Wilber-Gugliotti Barber Bottle exhibition on Thursday through Saturday. Alan will spend a couple of weeks processing images before sending them to Miguel Ruiz for website gallery insertion and Ferdinand Meyer for curating and gathering the historical information to accompany the pieces. The Virtual Museum team wants FOHBC membership to know that we are low on development funds. As we totally rely on donations, we need to raise funds for the many exciting plans we have to grow the museum.
The FOHBC Virtual Museum was established to display, inform, educate, and enhance the enjoyment of historical bottle and glass collecting by providing an online virtual museum experience for significant historical bottles and other items related to early glass.
Please help us fill our PHASE 4 “Wishart’s Pine Tree Tar Cordial” bottle.
Please help us with our Phase 4 fundraising capital campaign to continue development of the FOHBC Virtual Museum. The FOHBC and the Virtual Museum team thank our many donors who have helped us raise over $109,478 to date. We have $9,604 in available funds to continue development to build our galleries, exhibition hall, research library and gift shop. Donations are tax deductible. All donors are listed on our Virtual Museum Recognition Wall With one salaried website technician averaging $1,200 a month, we need help. We are continually traveling to collections, so more costs are incurred. All other time is donated by the Virtual Museum team out of our love and passion for the hobby and the FOHBC. Thank you!
Donations to the Museum are always needed to ensure we continue. We are a 501(c)(3) educational club, so your donation is tax deductible.
[Mike Dickman]
[Fig. 1]
Purity Beverages from Middleport, Pennsylvania, 1949
[Fig. 2]
Alma Quality Beverages (front and back) from Alma, Wisconsin, 1940
SMALL TOWN U S A
One interesting aspect of early applied color label (ACL) soda bottles is their local nature. The post-Depression rise of the American economy led to more people being able to spend a nickel on soda, and the end of WW II triggered an economic boom, which accelerated the trend. Also, veterans returning home had GI loans available and a preference for purchasing sugar, an essential ingredient of soda pop, which was rationed until the late 1940s. Some ex-military folks, trying to figure out what to do in their post-war lives, decided to start a softdrink bottling operation in their home town. The result was that hundreds of mom-and-pop bottlers sprang into existence in every corner of the United States, although a lot of them didn’t last long.
Plenty of bottlers were located in big cities, of course, but it’s remarkable to see how many bottlers operated in tiny and often isolated places. Let’s look at a few of their ACL bottles.
Purity Beverages was put up by the Purity Bottling Company of Middleport, Pennsylvania, in 1949. The town was founded in 1821 and is located in the Appalachian coal region. The U.S. Census recorded a population of 942 people in Middleport in 1950 (and just 363 people in 2020). But even with its limited market, the company went to the expense of creating a unique and artistic label depicting a young lady offering a glass of soda in her right hand while she balances a tray with her left hand containing another glass and the bottle. The product was made in two sizes: 12 fluid ounces [Fig.1] and 32 ounces, both using the same ACL in red and white. With competition from several bottlers in the nearby city of Pottsville (population 23,000+ in 1950), the Purity Bottling Company quickly disappeared. Not surprisingly, the bottles are extremely rare, with perhaps two dozen known of both sizes combined. Two examples of 12-ounce bottles were sold in the past few years in the $600$700 range.
Alma, Wisconsin, is located on the far western edge of the state, along the Mississippi River. It’s the county seat of Buffalo County and had 1,139 residents in 1940 when the Alma Beverage Company put up its soda in a 12-ounce bottle with an all-white ACL. [Fig.2] An earlier version of the bottle from 1937 is unusual because it sports a yellow ACL on the front but embossed lettering on the back. [Fig.3] Alma’s claim to fame is Lock and Dam No. 4 on the Mississippi River, which was completed in 1935. The back of the bottle depicts Lock and Dam No. 4. Although there is nothing on the bottle to describe the structure, I had no clue what it was when I bought it. It must have been instantly recognizable to everybody in Alma. A contemporary photograph of the dedication ceremony captures the importance of the Lock and Dam to the community. Both versions of the soda bottles are very rare. I’ve substantiated only one example of the yellow ACL and two white ACLs, although others probably exist. Rarity, of course, does not necessarily equate with value, as I paid $90 for the pictured bottle.
Nevada City, California, is a pretty little city that the author has visited several times while attending the Auburn Bottle Show.
[Fig. 4]
Mountain Maid Beverages from Nevada City, California, 1950
[Fig. 3]
Alma Soda Water from Alma, Wisconsin, 1937. Photos courtesy of Chris Weide from his collection
[Above] On December 21, 1937, Walt Disney premiered his first full-length animated feature at Carthay Circle Theatre in Los Angeles.
[Below] Generic crown cap (right) and cap for Snow White Beverages (left). Despite the additional expense, many small-town bottlers opted to create a unique, proprietary cap for their product.
[Fig. 5] Snow White Beverages from Saxton, Pennsylvania, 1950 (front and back). Is the lady on the back of the bottle supposed to be Walt Disney’s Snow White? If so, the bottler was lucky not to have been sued for copyright infringement by the litigious Walt Disney Company.
Nevada City was founded in 1849 at the start of the Gold Rush and sits nestled in the Sierra Nevada range along the South Yuba River. Nevada City had 2,505 residents in 1950 when the Nevada City Bottling Works put up Mountain Maid Beverages, a 10-ounce soda with an all-white ACL showing a cartoon-like drawing of a young girl in the mountains. [Fig.4] The soda pop also came in a quart-size bottle.
Nevada City Bottling Works was started in the 1880s by a miner turned brewer and soda water manufacturer named Louis Seibert, who had emigrated there with his parents from Cincinnati, Ohio. Blob-top bottles from the company are known along with Hutchinson-type bottles. Marcos F. Smart bought the company in the late 1940s and expanded its operations to include the distribution of Coca-Cola and Budweiser products in a four-county region, in addition to his soda pop. Smart became quite successful and employed three full-time delivery drivers. When he sold the business twenty years later, his inventory listed an astonishing 92,000 glass bottles in the warehouse and another 58,000 bottles in stores, waiting to be sold and returned for reuse. For this reason, Mountain Maid ACL bottles are not rare today despite Nevada City’s small population and isolated, mountainous location. Mint examples typically sell for $40-50.
Snow White Beverages was bottled by the Saxton Bottling Company in the small town of Saxton, Pennsylvania, with a population of 1,093 people in 1950, the year the pictured 12-ounce bottle was made. [Fig.5] The company also made a 7-ounce version of its soda. Saxton was a thriving hamlet with a station for the Huntingdon & Broad Top Railroad as well as a toy factory, candy factory, and shops, but it started to decline when the local coal mines played out after WW II. The railroad went out of business in 1955, and the population shrank to just 726 people in the 2020 U.S. Census. Surprisingly, I’ve seen Snow White ACL soda bottles dated as late as 1972, so the company must have lasted for two decades. The bottles are not common but not rare, either.
Fontinalis Beverages was bottled by Carl W. Peterson in Grayling, Michigan. Grayling is the county seat of Crawford County in rural north central Michigan and, in fact, is the only incorporated city in the entire county. Its population was 2,066 in the 1950 census. Grayling is named for a species of fish that once thrived in the Au Sable River that runs through the city but became extinct in Michigan in the 1930s due to the destruction of its breeding grounds.
Two versions of the bottle exist, one with a long-haired mermaid looking at herself in a mirror [Fig.6], the other showing a fish (possibly a grayling) [Fig.7]. Both bottles have redand-while ACLs, hold eight ounces, and are rare, with the fish label being extremely rare. Fontinalis is a type of aquatic moss, and the brand may have been named after the moss, although the word seems a bit obscure and “unsexy” for a commercial product. The fish bottle is dated 1942, and the mer-
maid bottle is undated but probably made after WW II. It seems an unwise business decision to have created two different ACLs for use in such a limited market, but there must have been a reason.
Lastly, let’s look at Noxen, Pennsylvania, a town so small that the Census Bureau did not even count it as a “designated place” until 2020, at which time it boasted a population of 643. But it always was an identifiable town with a railroad depot, tannery and sawmill. And at least for a while, Noxen also had its own soda bottling plant, owned by the Schappert Brothers with a brand named Country Maide. The 7-ounce bottle was made in 1947 with a red and white ACL depicting a wholesome, smiling young lady. [Fig.8] The back of the bottle states, “Made in the Country, of Pure Mountain Water Pumped From Our Deep Wells” and noted that the soda was “Highly Favored and Rich in Ceretose.” (I was unable to determine what, exactly, ceretose is.) The bottle was considered extremely rare until somebody discovered a group of them a few years ago, and they are now scarce but available from time to time for as little as $100.
In today’s economy, it is hard to imagine any product being developed, manufactured, pack aged in its own uniquely designed and made container and sold into a local market of just a thousand or so consumers. However, the 1940s and 50s were different times in America, and these ACL soda bottles are a legacy of that bygone “local” era.
The author welcomes comments, questions and suggestions at mikedickman@yahoo.com
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Markota, Peck and Audie, Western Blob Top Soda and Mineral Water Bottles, (1993).
Sweeney, Rick, Collecting Applied Color Label Soda Bottles (3d ed. 2002, PSBCA).
VintageSodaCollector.com by FOHBC member Tom Petitt, a great resource containing hundreds of color photographs as well as interesting, useful articles about all things ACL.
Weide’s Soda Page (ca-yd.com), by Chris and Catherine Weide, another great resource.
Wikipedia entries for Alma, Wisconsin; Grayling, Michigan; Middleport, Pennsylvania; Noxen, Pennsylvania; Nevada City, California; Saxton, Pennsylvania.
Wyckoff, Bob, The Nevada City Bottling Works: a victim of progress, newspaper article published June 18, 2007 in The Union, Nevada City, California.
[Above] Noxen House, circa 1890, in Noxen, Pennsylvania, home of Country Maide Beverages. Note the sign on the building advertising Bartels Beer, which was brewed in nearby Edwardsville. Like soda, beer was once primarily a local product in the United States that was sold in small markets.
[Above] Grayling (Thymallus arcticus), the namesake fish of Grayling, Michigan, home to Fontinalis Beverages. Related to salmon, grayling once teemed throughout the icy rivers and lakes of Michigan but went extinct in the state by the mid 1930s.
[Fig. 7] Earliest version of Fontinalis Beverages from Grayling, Michigan, 1942.
Photo courtesy of Chris Weide from his collection.
[Fig. 8] Schappert’s County Maide from Noxen, Pennsylvania, 1947
The FOHBC is conducting monthly 1-hour online Zoom webinars with presentations and imagery on a broad range of topics relating to antique bottle and glass collecting. Join us for an exciting series by leading authorities in their fields discussing antique bottle and glass collecting, history, digging and finding, ephemera, photography and displaying, and so much more.
Webinars occur on Tuesday evenings during the first, second or third week of each month at 7:00 pm Central. Time will be left for questions and answers. FOHBC president Michael Seeliger moderates all webinars, which are recorded and available in the FOHBC Members Portal within a week after the event. Webinars are FREE for FOHBC Members and *$15 for non-members. *For a short time only, all webinars are free to all!
When you RSVP at FOHBCseminars@gmail.com you will receive a Zoom email invitation with a link for each event. Simply join us at the noted time, sit back, relax, and enjoy. Attend via desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone if you prefer. Attend them all or a la carte.
Webinar #7: Classic & Zany Trade Cards
Webinar #8: H. H. Warner Advertising Webinar #5: Collecting
Webinar #2: Foreign Bottles in America
Webinar #6: Three State Digging
Webinar #4: Show & Tell
Webinar #3: Warner’s Patent Medicine Empire
$1,000 June 2021 Glass Works Auctions #167
Lot 141: June 2021 · Glass Works Auctions “ST / DRAKE’S / 1860 / PLANTATION / X / BITTERS - PATENTED / 1862”, (Ring/Ham, D-108), New York, ca. 1862 - 1875, black olive amber color 6-log cabin, 10”h, smooth base, applied tapered collar mouth. Perfect condition, extremely bold impression, no wear or scratches. A very rare color and as dark as any we’ve sold! Also four heavy ‘beads’ are embossed on the base, something we have not seen in any other Drake’s! Dan Catherino Collection.
$2,400 November 2020 American Glass Gallery #121
$180 May 2012 American Glass Gallery #8 “ST / DRAKE’S / 1860 / PLANTATION / X / BITTERS - PATENTED / 1862”, (Ring/ Ham, D-105), New York, ca. 1862 - 1875, medium salmon pinkish puce 6-log cabin, 10”h, smooth base, applied tapered collar mouth. A 1/2” in diameter in-making chip extends from beneath the applied collar down into the neck. Pure puce color that looks great in any lightning.
$14,000 September 2020 Glass Works Auctions
Lot 185: ““S T / DRAKE’S / 1860 / PLANTATION / X / BITTERS - PATENTED / 1862”, 1862 - 1880. Medium-to-deep pinkish raspberry, cabin form with 6 logs above the label panel, applied sloping collar - smooth base, ht. 9 7/8”, near mint; (just the slightest trace of minor wear, and the embossing is a little weak in the upper shoulders as is not uncommon with this mold, otherwise perfect). R/H #D106. A gorgeous, rare, eye-appealing color that passes plenty of light, and having plenty of pink!
$15,690 September 2020 Glass Works Auctions #121 251: “General Washington” And Bust – “E Pluribus Unum / T.W.D.” And Eagle Portrait Flask Kensington Glass Works, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, 1820-1830. “Firecracker” Medium amber with a strong olive tone, sheared mouth – pontil scar, pint; (light exterior high point wear). GI-14. Tremont Labeth collection.
Lot 172: “ST / DRAKE’S / 1860 / PLANTATION / X / BITTERS - PATENTED / 1862”, (Ring/Ham, D-105), New York, ca. 1862 - 1875, medium moss green cabin, 9 7/8”h, smooth base, applied tapered collar mouth. Recently ‘picked’ at the ‘Elephant Trunk’ flea market in Connecticut (a favored venue of the ‘Flea Market Flip’ reality television show), and possibly only the second known example in this very unusual moss green color. In 1993 we auctioned the collection of Elmer Smith of Shelton, Washington. Lot 20 in that collection was at that time the only moss green Drake’s Plantation Bitters known to exist, it sold for $10,000!
Drake’s Plantation Bitters
Available to FOHBC Members Only!
Online Auction Price Report. Search on your smartphone, tablet or desktop computer. Includes 10 years of results from American Bottle Auctions, American Glass Gallery, Glass Works Auctions and Heckler in Phase 1. The Auction Price Report will only be available to FOHBC members. Joining the FOHBC will give the new member 24/7/365 access. What a great tool this will be for the collectors, diggers, pickers, researchers and the generally curious! Phase 2 will include images!
Visit the FOHBC.org Members Portal for instructions.
Devils, Demons & Disease
Long,long ago, when I was just a little tyke, my mom put a big weight on my shoulders: she told me I had a good angel sitting on my right shoulder and a bad angel on my left shoulder. It was important that I listen to the good angel and not the bad angel, she counseled. I struggled with tinnitus in both ears even in those early years and I think that’s why I had a hard time knowing which voice I was listening to; at least that’s my excuse for my youth. And at 69, my tinnitus is worse than ever, so forgive me for everything.
Figuring out how to deal with Heaven and stay out of Hell has been a struggle throughout human history, mainly because it’s just so darned hard to walk the straight and narrow path that it would seem leads back to Heaven.
The earliest European colonists in North America were certain that they were actors on a great stage controlled by its writer, director, and producer: God. And as certain as they were that their lives were blessed and buffeted by Him, they also knew that Satan was real, with an army of demons that he unleashed to destroy the weakest among mankind. If the wary Christian didn’t faithfully and rigidly follow God’s commandments, they would be attacked, consumed, and controlled by the Devil and his
“Job Tormented
minions, doomed to eternal pain and torment in the underworld of fire and brimstone, as an angry and vengeful God looked the other way.
The Bible, the great word of God, told them it was so. It contained spine-tingling stories of devils that had taken possession of the bodies of people and beasts. “Be sober, be vigilant” the Bible read, “because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 8, told of seven evil spirits who had been in the body of Mary Magdalene. Mark, Chapter 9, recited how the disciples had been unable to heal a boy who was possessed by a spirit that made him deaf and mute. It often hurled the boy “into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him.” Whenever it seized him, “he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away.” And in the fifth chapter of Mark there was the man who lived in a tomb, the very symbol of death, whom no chains could subdue; when Jesus asked the impure spirit his name, the chilling reply was “My name is Legion: for we are many.”
As colonists read these accounts, their skin crawled with the thought that they might have their own demons inside themselves, proven by the wicked thoughts that inevitably seeped into
by Demons and Abused by His Wife” Lucas Emil Vorsterman after Sir Peter Paul Rubens, 17th century. Public Domain; courtesy of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., Detail and full image.
ANDY RAPOZA
[Below] Parker’s Ginger Tonic advertisement showing a group of devils attacking a mother and daughter, who clung to father who stood heroically tall, holding up a bottle of Parker’s Ginger Tonic with stoic resolve.
up
their minds and the sins they secretly and frequently committed. The good part of them didn’t want to, but the Devil made them do it.
During 1692-93 over 200 people in Salem, Massachusetts, were accused of witchcraft and conspiring with their demonic animal familiars to do the bidding of the Devil. Eventually, these dark, terrifying charges proved to be a combination of malicious falsehoods and tragic delusions by the accusers, clergy, lawmen, and judges who had prosecuted innocent people, executing twenty of them.
The Salem trials tragically occurred at the tail end of centuries of mankind viewing itself as merely dust being kicked up in the battle between an all-powerful, vengeful God and his nemesis, the Devil, the evil incarnate. As history moved forward through the end of the 17th and all of the 18th century, American life focused on material gain and to a lesser degree on attaining an eternal reward.
In the 19th century, newspaper accounts of Jack the Ripper and Lizzy Borden were eagerly followed by a public luridly curious about the evil extremes to which people would go, whether crazed or criminal masterminds, but the Devil got little credit for causing or directing their mayhem. The pursuit of reason, enlightenment, technology, and scientific advancement didn’t kill belief in the Devil, however; it only made him more bearable by defusing his power and danger. A refined empirical process of more scientific and rational investigation had made witchcraft accusations wither away; witches faded into folklore characters who scared little children at Halloween, and demons became the
metaphors for the evils and illnesses that caused suffering and even death.
Devils became an advertising trope. Armies of horned, leathery-winged, pointy-tailed devils were now graphic Victorian metaphors emblazoned with the names of diseases and bodily evils on their wings and torsos, always defenseless, scared, and running or flying away from their all-powerful vanquisher – not God, but the advertised 19th century medicine.
Parker’s Ginger Tonic made such exorcisms look easy. The seated gentleman was very relaxed as he confidently held up a box of the product to put the threatened attack of child-sized demons into total disarray. Their childish, even cartoonish depiction suggested they were easy targets that never had a chance against such a grown-up, sophisticated medicine.
In another image for Parker’s, a larger army of devils attacked a small family, causing some fear among the mother and daughter, who clung to Father. Good choice: he stood heroically tall, holding up a bottle of Parker’s Ginger Tonic with stoic resolve. Like a masculine Statue of Liberty, the bottle scared away the demons of cramps, dyspepsia coughs, and diarrhoea (and unspecified ills surely carried by the other devils, subliminally implying that the tonic cured even more illness than its label and testimonials promised).
A box of Mason & Pollard’s Anti-Malaria Pills was even more aggressive, anthropomorphically sprouting legs and muscular arms and wearing boxing gloves, punching the lights out of malaria and the rest of the devilish lot who can be seen had a long
[Right] Parker’s Ginger Tonic advertisement made such exorcisms look easy. The seated gentleman was very relaxed as he confidently held
a box of the product to put the threatened attack of child-sized demons into total disarray.
[Right] Advertisement showing a box of Mason & Pollard’s Anti-Malaria Pills was even more aggressive, anthropomorphically sprouting legs and muscular arms and wearing boxing gloves, punching the lights out of malaria and the rest of the devilish lot.
[Bottom Left] Advertisement showing James Meyer, Jr’s, Girondin “Extra Strength” Deodorizer & Disinfectant being poured to the great alarm and destruction of the many misshapen demons of diphtheria, scarlet, typhoid fevers, and all other zymotic diseases.
history of accomplishing their hellish deeds. A long table behind the main event is littered with human bones and empty bottles of other products that had failed to stop their diseased evils. This battle royale is apparently occurring in Hades itself, which has bats (creatures from the underworld) and an owl (creature of the night) flying above, and fire (and perhaps a bit of brimstone below), the heat of which may have hinted at the cause of all the devils being shown in their traditional, red-skinned hues.
The confident hand of a professional in control of the situation (implied by the suit jacket and cuff linked shirt sleeve) emerges from the top right of the image pointing with his index finger (think Michaelangelo’s Sistine Chapel masterpiece), to the name on the bottle of Girondin Deodorizer & Disinfectant that he is pouring, to the great alarm and destruction of the many misshapen demons of “diphtheria, scarlet, typhoid fevers, and all other zymotic diseases ….” A winged angel and little cherubs hover on the heavenward side of the bottle, peacefully watching the
destruction of Hell below. Good and Evil are on opposite sides of the main character, each appropriately affected by the right choice being made with Girondin: early roots of my mother’s counsel, perhaps?
In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, a long-running advertising campaign for Raid insecticide showed all types of bugs being sent into a panic because they knew the product was their unavoidable destroyer in the same way that Parker’s Ginger Tonic, Mason & Pollard’s Anti-Malaria Pills, and Girondin Deodorizer & Disinfectant had stampeded the disease-carrying devils. Today, devils and demons are seldom mentioned in advertisements, no longer even deserving credit for causing sickness and pain; at best, they’ve been reduced from devils of disease to disgusting bugs. Polls about theology claim most Americans are moving on with their lives, increasingly dismissive of the Devil, like he doesn’t even exist. If they’re wrong, the future might start heating up.
The
Special Note from the Editor: Andy
won “Most Educational” and “Best in Show” awards for his Promising Cures display at the Houston 24 Expo. The next issue will cover the many displays extensively.
“
Devil Offering Poison to a Knight” by Hans Schäufelein, 1517. Public Domain; courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Rapoza
Sitting Down with Jim Hagenbuch
By Bill Taylor
I want to ask if you know Jim Hagenbuch. If you don’t, and you’re a bottle collector, where have you been? Jim truly represents bottle collecting from some of its earliest days and personifies what the hobby is all about. Jim had the foresight to seize the opportunity to take control of the antique bottle magazines when they were struggling. He kept the hobby going, leading to his very successful auction business. He kept people actively interested in collecting antique bottles. Jim has been, and continues to be, one of the major players in our hobby.
Mike Seeliger tells how, a few years ago, he and Bill Mitchell went to dinner with Jim and found themselves totally absorbed in the opportunity to listen to Jim’s recollections of past histories, the glass house story, geographical identities, and so much more about our hobby history. Their wives, Alice and Kathy, got quite a kick out of Mike’s and Bill’s total adoration with every word Jim uttered.
In fact, we bottle collectors can learn so much from Jim’s knowledge about great bottles and great collections. His hands have touched many historical pieces and his recollections have become famous. His auctions host many historical pieces and delight us with the chance to acquire ones that seldom come to light. Jim’s collections are something to see, including the “Pig Pen,” which consists of over 70 different pottery pigs—surely the greatest collection of its kind in existence.
With all that Jim has accomplished, it became apparent that we needed to put something in our magazine as a retrospective into all Jim has contributed to our hobby, the Federation and Antique Bottles & Glass Collector magazine. I sat down and asked Jim a few questions about his history and how it all started. His answers follow
What got you started collecting antique bottles?
I started in 1971 while working at the Firestone Tire & Rubber plant in Pottstown, Pennsylvania [Fig.1]. I had just begun collecting antique marbles and was unfamiliar with bottles. A fellow worker, Fred Hoffman, wanted to show me a few marbles he had for sale that he had found at a flea market. I went to Fred’s home after work to look at them. Fred collected local Pottstown bottles but had something else that day— a bottle from the Perkiomen Valley Brewery in Green Lane. Green Lane was only a few miles from where I lived, and I had never heard of this brewery. I was fascinated by this bottle and asked if it was for sale. Fred said no because he had committed to selling it to Paul Dykie, who also worked at Firestone. He said I should contact Paul (who lived near me), a well-known “local” digger in the 1960s. Fred said that Paul had a collection of bottles from my area, including a number from the Green Lane Brewery. I visited Paul at his home and bought several duplicate Green Lane Brewery bottles from him, which started my first bottle collection. My meeting with Paul was very instrumental in my starting to collect bottles. Paul subscribed to Old BottleMagazine. He gave me a copy, and after reading it, I immediately subscribed! This opened the door for me to the larger world of antique bottles!
A little later, I ran an ad in my local newspaper, “Wanting to Buy Old Bottles.” I received numerous calls, mostly from diggers like Paul, who, in the 1960s, cleaned out many of the local farmhouses and town dumps but had since lost interest in them. Several had hundreds of them, and if they had a few “locals” that I wanted, I bought them all! Since I only wanted the locals, I started setting up at several flea markets, Perkiomenville Sales and Shupp’s Grove, and I sold the rest. It was the beginning of my bottle dealing career.
What were the first bottles you collected?
Local bottles to my area, but I advanced to others quickly. After getting my first issue of the OldBottleMagazine, I bought a book by Phillis Shimko called TheSarsaparillaEncyclopedia. It influenced me considerably, and I started collecting them. In the beginning, all kinds, but eventually only the earlier pontiled bottles. By 1975, I had well over twenty, including several in good colors. In the fall of that year, the Skinner’s Auction Company in Bolton, Massachusetts, sold the Charles Gardner collection. The auction was held on three days in September and three days in November. The collection contained a number of pontiled sarsaparilla bottles that I needed, so I attended all six days.
Unfortunately for me, Dr. Sam Greer did, too. At that time, Dr. Greer was well on his way to amassing the finest collection of pontiled medicines ever assembled, eventually having over 1,800, including quite a few I sold him. Throughout the six days, whatever Sam needed, Sam bought. Luckily, he already had several bottles I needed, but they were very few. I remember giving up on them the last two days of the auction and buying Sunburst flasks instead. Bob Skinner threw a big champagne party in the gallery at the end of the auction. Someone took a picture of me standing alongside Sam, which I still have today. [Fig.2]
[Fig.1] Originally the site of Jacobs Aircraft Engine Co., the Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. plant was an impressive facility in the early 1950s. Jim Hagenbuch started working at the Pottstown, Pa. plant in 1971.
In 1980, at the stroke of a pen, the new CEO of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company closed five of its older plants, including the one at Pottstown. On June 6 of that year, I punched my last time card. I celebrate that day every year. However, it was not a good time for many of my fellow workers. Interest rates were 15% to 17%, and many companies were either closing or laying off, so almost no work was available. Luckily, I had been dealing in antique bottles for nearly ten years and had put together a nice collection. Later that year, at the FOHBC 1980 National Antique Bottle & Jar Exposition in Chicago, I started selling part of the collection to raise money for what I knew was coming, becoming a full-time bottle dealer. Now, not restricted by a work schedule, I branched out, attending shows I could not attend while working. In 1983, I attended 30 shows, the most I’ve ever done! For the next few years, I averaged around 25 shows, flying to a number of them. [Fig.3] My best bottle show was the 1988 FOHBC National Antique Bottle & Jar Expo in Las Vegas. [Fig.4] About a year before the show, I started buying up several bottles from old-time collectors whom I had known for years. Many no longer had an interest in collecting but still retained their bottles. About two months before the show, I went to Ohio and bought Elvin Moody’s advertising collection, which was mainly bottle-related.
One month before the show, I ran a two-page center spread in my magazine showing some of the better bottles, letting everyone know what they could expect in Las Vegas. I contracted for six tables at the Expo. My wife Janice and I stayed in California for a few days with our good friends Frank and Judy Brockman. The four of us traveled to the show together, and they would help out at my sales tables. I also flew in from Pennsylvania, Will Fluman (who started in bottle collecting with me in the early 1970s) and his girlfriend Shelly Zink (both experienced antique dealers) to help handle the expected sales. In the two days of the show, I sold around $130,000! It’s a show record that probably remains today.
When did you start Antique Bottle & Glass Collector magazine?
The idea of starting a bottle magazine came to me in 1983. Every month, I would submit a listing of bottles for sale to the Old Bottle Magazine. I thought that if I had my own magazine, I could expand my business by utilizing it. At that time, I heard that both the existing magazines AntiqueBottleWorld and OldBottleMagazine could be bought. I contacted Jerry McCann (then the publisher of AntiqueBottle World) to discuss a possible purchase, but the price was more than I wanted to commit to. I had heard that Ken Asher, publisher of Old Bot-
[Fig.3] Jim Hagenbuch and his sales table at the 1984 Columbus, Ohio Antique Bottle Show.
[Fig.2] Dr. Sam Greer and Jim Hagenbuch at the Skinner Auction Co. champagne party.
[Fig.5] Four covers from Antique Bottle & Glass Collector from 2006 to 2008 when Jim Hagenbuch was publishing the magazine.
[Fig.4] Jim Hagenbuch sales tables at the 1988 FOHBC Expo in Las Vegas.
tleMagazine, wanted considerably more. My accountant suggested that since I had a good size following of bottle collectors that I sell to, they could form the basis of possible subscribers for a new magazine.
Not knowing anything about computers but realizing I should buy one, I walked into a ComputerLand store in Allentown. This was in November of 1983. The salesman gave me three options: Texas Instruments, IBM, or Apple. He asked me what I planned on doing, and I told him to publish a magazine. He suggested Apple. I remember buying an Apple II and a Brother letter-grade printer for around $3,800! Today, you can easily buy two top-of-the-line Apples and a good laser printer for the same price!
The first issue of AntiqueBottle&GlassCollector was published in April 1984, reaching around 400 subscribers. [Fig.5] One of my first columnists was Vivian Kath, who had done a column on fruit jars for the now-defunct Bottle News out of Texas. Jerry McCann approached me in August at the FOHBC 1984 Antique Bottle, Jar & Insulator Exposition in Montgomery, Alabama. Jerry wanted to sell Antique BottleWorld and had lowered his price considerably—so I bought it. That increased my membership to around 800. Several years later, I received a registered envelope from Ken Asher. The envelope included two contracts offering me the OldBottleMagazine for one dollar. Both were signed by Ken. After talking with Ken on the phone, I signed one and sent it back with a check for $1. This purchase added a number of new subscribers. In the next few years, as I enlarged the size of the magazine and brought in more columnists, my number of subscribers increased considerably. I don’t remember what year it was, but my high mark for the number of subscribers was around 4,900. I published Antique Bottle & Glass Collector for 26 years before selling it to John Pastor.
offered around 100 to 150 quality bottles covering all of the bottle collection categories. This worked great, and I sold many off the list. I would mail all the lists on Friday hoping that most would have them by Monday. A lot did, but some (who lived near where they were mailed) would get them on Saturday, those in the middle of the country or the West Coast not until Tuesday or later. By the time they received the list and called, many of the bottles were sold. Many of my customers were unhappy with this arrangement, and some told me about it! In an attempt to alleviate this problem I would still mail the lists on Friday, but with instructions. No bottles would be sold on Wednesday before 10 pm (eastern time). By then, most everyone would have the list. At that time, I was still selling
How did you get involved with bottle auctions?
By 1984, through AntiqueBottle & Glass Collector and doing many shows, I had built up a sizable following of buyers. I was now buying a number of collections, so I always had a good inventory. Three or four times a year, I’d mail lists of bottles I had for sale to around 300 buyers. These lists usually
out of my home and had only one phone line. As you know, bottle collectors can be aggressive, and a number would call as soon as they got the list, not paying attention to the calling instructions. All of these buying requests were denied. On Wednesday early evening I would take the phone (remember I only had one phone) off the hook so no calls would be taken. At exactly 10 pm, the phone went back on. Immediately, it would ring, sales would be made, hang up, rings again, more sales, hang up, rings again. This would continue for at least 30 to 40 minutes before it slowed down. By 11 pm, it was pretty much
[Fig.6] The staff of Antique Bottle & Glass Collector magazine at the FOHBC 1988 Antique Bottle & Jar Exposition in Las Vegas, Nevada.
[Fig.9] Bob Simmons presenting a club T-shirt at an Atlanta, Georgia antique bottle show.
[Fig.10] Photograph taken in the Skinner’s parking lot during the 1983 Blaske auction. Bob Hausman (blue shirt). Jim Hagenbuch sitting with Hunter Cox. Mike Roberts and Gale Ross to Hunter’s left.
[Fig.7] Janice and Jesse helping Jim with recording bids during the last day of an auction.
[Fig.8] Goofing around with Steve Fluman at a 1980s York Fairgrounds antique bottle show.
over. I usually sold 60% to 70% of what was on the list.
On two occasions at major bottle shows (Louisville, Kentucky and Richfield, Ohio), I rented a suite at the club’s host hotel. I had tables brought in and the bottles to be sold laid out. I moved the phone from my connecting bedroom to the main living area. Lists were mailed out like always, but with different calling hours. Also, no one was allowed in the room prior to the time when calls were taken. This was somewhat complicated and a bit confusing, with people on the phone asking to buy bottles that were in the process of being looked at by someone in the room. After these two, I did no more. I hired Jesse Sailer sometime in early 1985 (he’s still with me today). The idea of a
phone and mail bid auction came to me in the summer of that year. Glass Works Auctions was established, and its first auction was held in January 1986. The major difference would be instead of sending out lists, I would make an auction catalog available. Calls would be taken just like before but would end at 11 pm.
Since the internet did not exist then, the bids were recorded on ledgers. We had three sets with a page for each bottle. Earlier that year, I moved the business into a converted two-story garage and brought in two additional phone lines: one for Jesse, one for Janice, and one for me. [Fig.7] I created an even playing field with a “Call Back” system. This allowed anyone who wanted it to have a last bid. The callbacks were time-consuming, often taking three or more days to complete. In 1998, I hired Josh Reinhart (also still with me today). He and Jesse were very prolific at handling callbacks. They were on the phones from 9 am to 10 pm and usually finished them in one day.
At its peak in the early years of the auction, I would print 1,000 copies of the catalog and sell over 600 copies. With the advent of an online bidding service, the auction system became much easier to handle. I eventually eliminated the callbacks and began using a “timed closing” system instead. Today, I print 500 catalogs. I sell less than 20, giving most of the rest to my customers for free. My last auction to date was my 174th.
What was your most successful bottle auction?
It was probably the Bob and Beka Mebane collection. It was a two-part auction with closing dates of October 21, 2002, and February 17, 2003. It contained 949 lots, but not all were bottles and flasks. Bob passed away a few years earlier, and I heard the collection might
[Fig.12] Jim Hagenbuch describing an aquamarine “Airtight” barrel made into a decanter at a January, Indianapolis Fruit Jar show. Norm Barnett looks interested.
be in play. I called Beka to see if I could visit her and see the collection. She agreed, and on a trip out to Las Vegas to attend that show, I scheduled a stopover in San Antonio. After spending a while with her, I expressed interest in auctioning the collection. I knew that Norm Heckler had been there prior and had given her an appraisal and possible proposal to auction it. I asked if I could do the same. Beka was very gracious, a classy Texas lady, and agreed. She even gave me Bob’s detailed collection listing to help with my appraisal. After returning home from the Las Vegas show, I reviewed Bob’s printout and came up with a possible selling value. I sent her a detailed proposal to sell the collection and waited. Some time passed, and one afternoon, Beka called, thanking me for all I did and saying that my appraisal pretty much matched Norm’s, but because of their long relationship with Norm when he worked for Skinner’s, she decided to have him handle the auctioning of the collection. I had expected this, so I was not disappointed.
Several days later (very late in the evening), I received a call from Betty, Beka’s daughter. She told me that they had not decided who would auction her dad’s collection and asked if I could speak with the family’s lawyer about it. After an agreement was made (and the lawyers satisfied), we traveled to San Antonio, packed up the collection, and returned it to our gallery. As part of my agreement with Beka, I produced a hard-bound, full-color catalog. The collection sold for a little over $1,800,000. It’s probably a record today. [Fig.13]
What is the best bottle collection you’ve auctioned off?
The Bob and Beka Mebane Collection.
What is the most expensive bottle you have auctioned off, and for how much?
In 2016, I auctioned a cobalt blue “Eagle-Bust of Columbia” pint flask (GI-119 in the McKearin flask charts). [Fig.7] It was in the old Virginia collection that I had been auctioning parts of for several years. It sold for $152,900, the second-highest price ever for a historical flask and one of only two to break the $100,000 mark. It was initially owned by Roger Lance, who was then president of the Historical Bottle Diggers of Virginia Club. He would bring the flask to the Club’s show every year but not sell it. I heard later that the Virginia collector had bought it.
[Fig.11] Jim Hagenbuch talking with Norm Heckler at the 1984 St. Petersburg, Florida antique bottle show.
[Fig.13] The Beka & late Bob Mebane collection was a two-part auction with closing dates of October 21, 2002 and February 17, 2003. The auction contained 949 lots, but not all were bottles and flasks. Considered the best and most successful Glass Works Auctions sale.
What do you see as the keys to your auction business success?
A tough question. One is being at the right place at the right time. For years, Skinner’s dominated the bottle auction scene. However, in 1986, Bob Skinner (a marginal bottle collector himself) suddenly passed away, and the bottle part of the business started to receive less favoritism. Collectors saw this, and I soon found more collectors contacting me to auction their collections. Also, I’ve always been fairly innovative, and besides my early mail and phone bid system, I was one of the first auction companies to use an Internet bidding platform.
Does any one bottle collecting time period seem most memorable to you, and why?
Probably from 1975 to 1990. The hobby was still relatively new and considerably more exciting. Bottle shows were events that you looked forward to attending. Collectors would often travel great distances to not only attend a favorite show but sometimes, more importantly, meet old friends. I remember in 1972 seeing Charles Gardner at the Pennsylvania antique bottle collectors show in Lancaster. Get-togethers at collectors’ homes and evening hospitality rooms at shows occurred often and were great meeting places. At the shows, “new finds” would still walk in the door, and private collections would be sold. I attended all the FOHBC Expos before they went yearly, including the first one in St. Louis in 1976.
Many who participated in that show still believe it to be the best ever! It was also one of my favorites, but for me, the 1988 FOHBC Expo in Las Vegas still tops them all!
You did something called the “Bug Bottle Shootout.” What was that?
It started almost as a joke between Lou Pellegrini and myself at the 1983 Las Vegas Antique Bottle Show. We both collected “Lyon’s Powder” bottles (which contained a powder to kill insects). They were found in a wide array of colors; some were pontiled, and others had smooth bases. [Fig.17] None were very expensive, and they were fun to collect (I still have most of mine). Since most of the West Coast ones were found in the San Francisco Bay Area and on the East Coast, in Brooklyn, we tried to decide which area had the most. This led to a discussion as to who had the best collection! Sometime later that year, I called Lou and suggested that at the next Las Vegas show (and since the bottles looked similar to a bullet), we would have a “shootout” to see who had the best collection. Lou agreed, and I established the rules after giving it some thought. Anyone who wanted to compete could, but only ten bottles were allowed to be entered by each contestant. The contest consisted of ten rounds, with each person laying down one bottle for each round. After being played, these bottles could no longer be entered in any following round. Points were awarded to only three players on a three, two, and one basis. Two judges would be selected at the show to award the points.
The 1984 show was held at the long-gone Hacienda Hotel and Casino at the end of the strip. The shootout was held outdoors in front of the main convention center. A table and chairs were brought out and set up. Three combatants, Lou Pellegrini, Mike Dolcini, and myself, participated in the shootout. Mike Hoffman (a big digger of Brooklyn privies and familiar with the bottles) and Frank Brockman were the judges. [Fig.15] I had a trophy made from an old bowling trophy, and I brought it with me. Ultimately, I won over Lou by three points; Mike came in third. It was decided that a rematch would take place the following year. Several months before the show, I heard Lou bought Rick Pisano’s “bug bottles” collection and would be “gunning” for a win.
Since I was the first shootout champion, I had Bob Villamagna make a special shirt announcing this and wore it to the event. [Fig.16] This time, the combatants were Lou, myself, and Chuck Moore. Just before the first play, a fellow across the parking lot yelled, “Hold it,” and sat down at the table. He was wearing one of those tee shirts that looked like a suit and tie and a pullover knit hat hiding his face (try doing that today in Las Vegas!) After the shootout, we found out it was Rudy Kuhn, playing with bottles Lou had given him. With the help of Pisano’s bottles, Lou was the winner. I came in second; the masked man was third, and Chuck was fourth. We decided that two events were enough, and that ended the bug bottle shootouts.
How did you and Bill Ham secure the Carlyn Ring collection?
Of all the collections I’ve handled in the past 50 years, the private selling of Joe Wood’s collection and buying the Carlyn Ring collection by Bill Ham [Fig.18] and me are by far the most interesting and complicated. I first met Carlyn Ring in the early 1970s at a Skinner’s auction [Fig.18]. I had heard her name before and was told she had one of the best collections of bitters bottles ever assembled. She started collecting bottles in the early 1950s as a Georgetown University student. I heard she came from a wealthy family and could afford
[Fig.14] Cobalt blue GI-119 pint “Eagle-Bust of Columbia” historical flask.
[Fig.17] “Lyon’s Powder” contained a powder to kill insects. The bottles can be found in a wide array of colors; some were pontiled, and others had smooth bases.
whatever she wanted. She bought heavily in the 1960s and 1970s before publishing her book “ForBittersOnly.” which came out in 1980. She remained actively buying through the 80s, buying from time to time from my early auctions. In 1988, at the Las Vegas show, she bought several of the most expensive bitters I had for sale. I don’t recall when she stopped buying (or why), but I believe it was in the early 1990s. It was in 1994 when I heard that her collection was for sale and that the price was $500,000. She owned several homes, one in Washington, D.C., the other in Sun Valley, Idaho, which is where the collection was.
I don’t recall when Bill and I started talking about buying the collection, but I believe it was Bill who called me about it first. One of Bill’s sons lived in Idaho, and he made several trips to visit him every year. After we spoke, he called Carlyn to see if he could stop by to see the collection and said that he could be interested in buying it. Bill went with Tony Gray (who he sometimes traveled with), but It turned out not to be a good time as she was having a gathering of people at the house for some social event, so they were only allowed to stay for a short time, but luckily Bill was allowed to take pictures. Carlyn was a very forceful woman; everything had to be her way, and there was no other. She was very intelligent and would always let you know that she was in charge. Bill sent me a set of the pictures he took so I could work up a value. The collection was displayed on shelves with no backlighting. They were in alphabetical order from Abbott’s to Zulu. Some (mostly the squares) were stacked four or five deep. After looking over the pictures, I selected around 130 bottles and made a list. I sent this list to Bill with instructions that he had to look these over closely for damage as they were the heart of the collection and would determine if it was buyable.
On Bill’s second trip, Carlyn was much more receptive, and he was allowed to handle each bottle on the list. In her book, she marked the bottles in her collection in a way that they could identify. Knowing this mark and what she had bought from me, I started working on the value before receiving Bill’s list of results. When it arrived, I was surprised to find that the collection was better than I had hoped and that it had very little damage—something not expected from a collection started in the 1950s! After working up a number, I called Bill, letting him know we would buy the collection. Bill went back to Sun Valley and stayed that night in a motel. We spoke on the phone that evening. I told him to see if he could negotiate a lower price, but if not (which is what I expected), to buy it anyway. The following day, he met with Carlyn and told her he would pay her price of $500,000. It took Bill two trips with his van to move the entire collection from Sun Valley to Downieville, California. Over the course of the next few months Bill packed up and shipped me the collection.
I started selling the Ring collection in 1995. I took pictures of several of the better bottles and mailed them to several of my better customers, along with an asking price. A number were sold quickly, so a second offering followed. After that, we started selling the rest through Glass Works Auctions. In November of that year, I auctioned 130 examples from the collection, the largest offering at any one time. Bill had started to collect colored pontiled medicines and kept most of the ones in the collection he didn’t have. I kept only four, two of which I still have today.
[Fig.15] Holding the trophy for winning the first “shootout.” Lou Pellegrini is on Jim’s right, Mike Dolcini to his left.
[Fig.16] Arriving at the second “Bug Bottle Shootout” wearing the “Champion” shirt made by Bob Villamagna.
[Fig.18] Carlyn Ring and Bill Ham, authors of the Bitters Bottles books.
When did you start taking group trips to England?
I met Alan Blakeman in 1984 at the FOHBC Expo in Montgomery, Alabama. Alan published the BBR (British Bottle Review) magazine and was attending the show to promote it. I was introduced to him by Jerry McCann, who had just sold me his AntiqueBottleWorld magazine. Alan gave me a subscription form. I filled it in and took a one-year subscription. He was so impressed by our Expo that upon returning to England started plans for what was to become the British National. His first show was in early July of 1985. It was held at the Wath-uponDearne school, where Alan was a teacher. After seeing the information about the show in his magazine, I decided to attend. It would be my first of what would eventually be over 50 trips to England. Unlike our Expo (at that time held every four years), Alan had the British National every two years. The British National quickly became England’s largest and most prestigious show, prompting him to start doing one every year.
Before Alan’s show, Mike Smith’s Winter National (held in January) was considered England’s number-one show. After talking with Mike at the 1st British National, I also started traveling to England to attend the Winter National. After a number of trips, my travel agent asked me if I would consider organizing a group trip to England to do some sightseeing and antiquing. At first, I was reluctant, but after giving it some thought, I agreed. Since I owned the magazine, I could use it to promote the trip. I called the trip “England in January” and it included the Winter National bottle show and both the Ardingley and Kempton Park antique collector fairs. I don’t recall what year it was, but seven-
teen people went on that first trip. At its peak I had as many as thirty! I did the “England in January” trip for twelve years before moving it to attend Alan’s British National in July. In all, I believe I did at least fifteen group trips to England. I also organized five trips to France to attend three big antique and collectors fairs in the “Provence District” of Southern France and two trips to Holland for the big 1,200 dealer antique fair in Utrecht. In all, well over 125 different people were on my trips, and many were on a number of them.
What segments of bottle collecting seem most popular today?
The two categories of bottles that have the most collectors are bitters and flasks. Early soda and mineral waters would be third primarily because of their strong local collector interests. Currently flasks have become rejuvenated at most price levels, and there has been considerable interest in pontiled medicines. On the downside are poisons and Saratoga-type bottles. Barber bottles have suffered the worst.
Are you concerned about how hard it is to discern bottle repairs today?
The quality of bottle repairs has advanced considerably since the early days of Don Spangler (one of the pioneers of bottle cleaning and repair). Quite a few people are able to clean bottles, but only a few take the required time to do what I call a professional repair. Having looked at literally tens of thousands of bottles, I can usually spot a repair, but sometimes (especially on darker bottles), I still use a blacklight. Most collectors, if they take their time, look closely, and use a blacklight if suspicion arises, can spot them. It’s the novice that get fooled.
[Fig.19] Travelers on the first “England in January” trip who attended the Winter National bottle show and the Ardingley and Kempton Park antique collector fairs.
[Fig.20] Working on a black glass deal with Neil Willcox at Alan Blakeman’s British National show at Wath-on-Dearne, U.K.
[Fig.22] Jim Hagenbuch talking with Don Bryant (center) and Bill Buttstead at the 2001 Clearwater, Florida show.
[Fig.21] Janice and Jim Hagenbuch with Frank and Judy Brockman at Bob Ferraro’s “open house” in Boulder City, Nevada, Saturday evening, February 22, 1997.
What do you see for the future of bottle collecting? Do you see any particular trends?
Problems! The obvious lack of younger collectors coming into the hobby is most evident. Look around at the shows. It’s mostly the same old dealers and collectors. This lack of new collectors has also led to the reduction in club membership, and in clubs. This in turn reflects on the number and quality of bottle shows, both of which are in decline. Also, travel costs have increased dramatically and directly affect people traveling some distance to attend a show. And then there is bottle digging. Remember, the basis of the entire hobby was mainly founded around bottle digging, starting as early as the 1950s. Diggers got together, dug together, formed clubs, and helped organize shows. Today, with minimal exceptions, digging is done. The “old-time” diggers have either passed away, lost interest, or are too old! Many farmhouse and town dumps have been dug, and getting onto a fenced-in construction site is difficult.
[Fig.22] Jim Hagenbuch (left) and Jesse Sailer show off the auction’s top-selling lot, an “Eagle Masonic” flask in a pale, almost clear olive amber color, Keene (N.H.) Glass Works, that sold for $9,360 to a floor bidder.
[Fig.22] Sitting with Mike Caraker before the “Best Pig Contest” at the 1987 Mansfield, Ohio show, won by Tony Shank.
Are there any particular bottles or pottery you collect, and why?
I’m best known for my collection of pottery pig bottles. When I owned the magazine, I would run a sizable advertisement wanting to buy them. I’d bring them to a show a few times and set up a “pig pen.”One year at the Mansfield show, I held a competition for “best pig of the show,” which Tony Shank of South Carolina won for his George Ohr pig. What I’m not well known for (possibly because very few people have seen it) is my collection of other bottles. I have about 300 with examples in most all of the bottle collection categories. But back to the pigs. I find the pottery pigs very interesting. Unlike bottles (which were mass-produced by various glass houses), the pigs were made at only a few potteries, with Anna (Illinois) being the most prolific. Many were specially made for wholesale liquor companies and political events; some were “one-of-a-kind” presentation pieces. Many have many historical interests, and no two are exactly alike.
Do you ever plan to
retire?
Bottle collecting today is highly specialized. The days of the big general collections with 100s of bottles covering all categories are gone. Some of today’s collectors with 30 years (or more) of collecting only collect one or two types of bottles and have little or no knowledge about the others. Let’s take flasks as an example. A number of flask collectors exist; some collect all of the flask types, while others (a considerably smaller number) focus on only collecting scroll flasks or Washington/Taylor flasks—a few just like the calabashes. You can multiply this by the rest of the categories of bottles. This specialization can put a lot of pressure on collectors as it limits the amount of material available to collect. And it only takes a few aggressive collectors to drive up prices especially on the better pieces, which can also eliminate collectors who can no longer afford to compete and refuse to collect lesser-valued items.
Probably the most disturbing thing to me is this continuing obsession for perfection. As an auction house today, we catalog minor insignificant flaws that only five years ago wouldn’t have even considered mentioning. The problem here is with us having to mention these tiny flaws it makes the bottle look (even if it isn’t) bad more than it really is, but suggests to the buyer to stay away from bidding on it. If we don’t mention these tiny flaws a certain number of collectors (currently small but growing) will return it.
I always tell people who ask that question that I retired on June 6, 1980, the day I left Firestone. One final thought: I haven’t seen Fred Hoffman in probably over thirty years, and I don’t know if he is still alive. But if he is and I ran across him, I’d shake his hand and say THANK YOU!
[Fig.23] A clever advertisement from Glass Works Auctions “Meet Glass Works ‘J’ Team,” Josh, Janice, Jim and Jesse posing at the Glass Works Saloon in East Greenville, Pa.
Note from the Editor: We were honored to see you at the FOHBC Houston 24 Expo!
NEW FOHBC MUSEUM EXHIBITION BOOKS
On Sale at FOHBC.org!
AMERICAN ANTIQUE GLASS MASTERPIECES
The depth and breadth of the Fuss Collection place it among the greatest groupings of Early American glass ever assembled. Many of the objects are unique and of those with multiple examples known, Sandor has chosen the finest available. The Fuss Collection is a monumental achievement made possible by his great eye, unwavering focus, and determination. It is a joy to share this fabulous glass with the World! [Jeff Noordsy]
WILBER & GUGLIOTTI BARBER BOTTLE COLLECTIONS
Being avid barber bottle collectors, we were excited when Joel Bartsch, president of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, asked us to help produce this book. We knew we would get to handle some of the greatest barber bottles and related glass items in existence. The group of items Joel has assembled includes the Dave Wilber collection, the Anthony Gugliotti collection and still others Joel purchased separately.
The Wilber collection is massive, more than 1,000 pieces, and we knew it contained some great pieces that were sold at auction 15 to 30 years ago. The Gugliotti collection contained hundreds of items, and included a lot of rare shaving paper vases. We were familiar with numerous pieces in the Gugliotti collection because they are pictured in earlier books about barber bottles. [Ed & Kathy Gray]
The American Antique Glass Masterpieces (Brown Gallery) and Wilber & Gugliotti Barber Bottle Collections (Hamill Gallery) exhibitions premiered at the Houston Museum of Natural Science and was the anchor component of the FOHBC Houston 2024 National Antique Bottle & Glass Exposition.
Each book is 300+ pages, full-color, hard bound with dust jacket, museum quality and will be sold at Houston 24 and afterward by the FOHBC for $95 each. (Discount for FOHBC members)
Da Bear
In 1990-91, Saturday Night Live comedian Bill Swerski created a recurring sketch about large Chicago sports fans with walrus mustaches and aviator sunglasses (similar in style to the Bears head coach Mike Ditka). The routine is memorable to this day as a tribute to the Inland North dialect prevalent in Chicago, most famously in this case for their distinctive and amusing pronunciation of the phrase “Da Bears.” Little was I ever to imagine that this comedic expression would spill into my bottle-digging and collecting world.
By John Savastio
Da Bear and Other Cool Bottles Dug in 2023
Iamfortunate that at age 62 and in my 53rd year of digging, I still have a few good spots I can depend on to burrow in the earth in search of antique bottles. My 1895-1908 permission ash dump, abutting a private property in upstate New York, has been very kind to me in recent years, as evidenced by the nice examples I have on display. [Figure 1] The landowner lets me dig on his land because I respect his property and faithfully fill all my holes. I even go as far as to transplant small trees and shrubs from the areas I’m about to dig into these filled-in areas, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how well they’ve fared. The landowner has commented on how these extra steps have added to the quick restoration of what had been a massive pit just a few weeks earlier.
The 2023 digging season started in late April, and a successful day was had with a green “Piso’s,” a cobalt blue quart “Stafford’s” master ink, and a local Hutch coming out of the ground. After two weeks of what seemed like almost constant rain, I could finally return to this promising excavation on May 6, a sunny and mild Saturday. I was off to an early (by my standards) 8:45 am start. I had left the hole in a productive layer six feet down and was happy to see that the rain had caused very little fill to wash into the pit. Despite my high expectations, nothing consequential was found as I dug straight down in my large sixfoot by four-foot shaft. This section is shallower, while the dump goes down nine to ten feet in some areas. At about 10:45 am, I hit the bottom at around seven and a half feet.
Assessing my options, I saw that the west side of my pit, the one facing the landowner’s yard, looked the most promising. I made this determination based on the loose ash layer that started at about three feet deep and went all the way to the bottom, and that was blended with rusted metal, making for a crumbly, easyto-dig mix that looked to contain at least some Victorian-era household trash. I chipped away at the other three sides of the hole and confirmed that they were all of a more sterile, industrial-type ash.
Once I focused on the west side, it was not long before my digger chinked into a large bottle about four feet down. It looked like a “Buffalo Lithia Water,” which is pretty common in this dump, but I like them due to their size, heavy embossing, and the great variety of molds they come in. It seems that you can’t find two with the same profile of the woman holding the pitcher. However, this dump has also produced a few of the highly coveted and far more rare “Bear Lithia Water” bottles, which I have never been fortunate enough to dig. Thus, as I carefully and slowly unearthed this large, aqua, cylindrical bottle from the loose, crumbly ash, I repeated out loud to myself, “Be a Bear, be a Bear, please be a Bear.” Because the digging in this area was so easy, it was quickly out of the ground and in my hands. I promptly wiped off the ash and, in a heartbeat, was ecstatically pumping my right arm and quietly shouting “YES, YES, YES” when I saw the large, exquisitely detailed bear logo embossed on the lower third of the bottle. The condition looked great. I
[Figure 1] A colorful array of bottles I’ve dug from my permission spot in recent years.
[Figure 2] Freshly out of the ground, an aquamarine “Bear Lithia Water” (motif of a bear) with “Bear Lithia Water” overlaying the bear “Trade Mark Near Elkton, Va.” and the same bottle gleaming in the sunlight after cleaning.
took a picture [Figure 2] and texted it to my nephew, friend, and fellow digger/collector Michael with the simple message, “Da Bear.” The bottle is slightly over ten inches tall and four and a half inches in diameter, and, like the Buffalo Lithia Water, holds a half gallon of water.
As related in my story “Collecting a Potpourri of Dug Bottles,” from the April and May 2019 issues of Antique Bottle & Glass Collector, our bottle-digging gang became familiar with Bear Lithia bottles in the summer of 2016 when my son Noah, digging next to me in the same hole, excavated what I assumed to be a Buffalo Lithia Water. Quoting from that article, “Ah, a Buffalo Lithia Water,” I exclaimed. I then took hold of the bottle to examine it for the boldness of the strike, depth of color, and, of course, the relative attractiveness of the lady. However, when I saw the embossing, I was gobsmacked. Instead of a lady holding a pitcher of water, there was a big bear. To my astonishment, the embossing read, in a big, bold arch “Bear Lithia Water” (motif of a bear) with “Bear Lithia Water” overlaying the bear and “Trade Mark Near Elkton, Va.”
Elkton is in the Shenandoah Valley of northern Virginia, just above the Shenandoah National Park. [Figure 2a] Geocache. com provides the following history of this spring: “Adam Miller was living on this tract in 1764 when he sold 280 acres thereof to his son-in-law, Jacob Bear. By the late 1860s, the spring had come into the possession of Jacob Bear’s grandson, Adam
[Figure 2a] Rare, highly detailed town plan of Elkton, Virginia, drawn by A.T. Amiss for the Elkton Improvement Company (A.G. Walker, Civil and Topographical Engineer of Luray, Virginia). The map is almost certainly the first printed map of the town, which was part of a development plan charted in 1891.
[Figure 2b] Bear Lithia Water advertising components.
[Figure 3] Seeing the light of day for the first time in 120 years, “Congress Hall Fleischmann Co’s Maryland Rye” and beautifully backlit after a professional cleaning from Leo Goudreau.
[Figure 3a] “Congress Hall Maryland Rye” ground screw mouth.
[Figure 3b] Advertisement for Congress Hall Maryland Rye “The Nation’s Favorite,” Fleischmann Cos. Cincinnati, Baltimore, Pittsburg, New Orleans, San Francisco
Clark Bear (1820-1906), who owned it as part of a tract of just over 289 acres. In 1887 Adam and his wife, Susan (Long) Bear, leased Bear Lithia Spring to Harrisonburg attorney William B. Compton and an associate, John R. Jones. The arrangement with Compton and Jones was one of several the Bears made to market the spring water, which was sold in vessels labeled with a bear insignia. In 1899, Adam Bear granted a thirty-year license to the Bear Lithia Water Company to sell the water. The company, headed by A. G. Dickenson of New York, erected a bottling plant beside the spring and began shipping water out in 1906.”
I found a picture of an early (circa 1886) first-generation Bear Lithia Water bottle on the Facebook page Historical Bottle Diggers of Virginia and started a chat with the site’s administrator, Casey Billhimer, who provided the following details, “My hometown is Elkton, Virginia, so I’m especially interested in anything from Elkton or Harrisonburg. There are at least eight variations of embossed Bear Lithia half gallons, one five-gallon, one Bear Spring Water half gallon, two quart seltzers, two Virginia Bear Spring Water five gallons, two five-pint Virginia Bear Spring Waters, one 12 oz. olive tinted version with paper labels, as well as a five-gallon “BLISCO” (Bear Lithia Springs Company) bottle and a variety of BLISCO soft drink bottles. There are also a few half-gallon Bear Lithias with paper labels.”
When I told Casey we were digging these in the Albany region of upstate New York, he responded, “That makes sense. Bear Lithia Water was bottled and shipped directly from Elkton, Virginia, until the water rights were sold to a New York City company during the 1890s. At that point, the water was shipped in bulk glass-lined railroad tanker cars from Elkton to New York, where it was bottled for distribution.” My further research revealed this arrangement lasted through around 1914, when the Great Bear Spring Water Company of Fulton, New York, sued the Bear Lithia Spring Water Company over a copyright infringement and won, forcing Bear Lithia Water out of business. In 1918, Mr. A. B. Cover of Elkton, Virginia, purchased the spring and a few years later began bottling the water again as “Virginia Bear Spring Water” and continued through the early 1930s. This later
company embossed their bottles from “The Shenandoah Valley, Virginia” (and not “Near Elkton, Va.”) Bear Lithia Spring is open to the public today, with a continuous flow of crystal-clear water that the locals use to fill their bottles and jugs. They are located just off Route 340, directly behind Bear Lithia Springs Baptist Church.
Act of Congress
Just 15 minutes later, I was sitting comfortably on my upside-down five-gallon bucket, chipping away at this lovely, soft, organic 120-year-old ash layer of household trash. This was a very welcome contrast to the hard white industrial ash layers more typical of this dump. I was focused on an area about two feet directly below where the Bear was discovered. A local Hutch and a green “Piso’s” further boosted my optimism, and an exciting local bottle I’ll save for a future story. With prospects looking good, I was extra cautious and deliberate with my single-pronged three-foot-long digger. At this point, the little curl at the tip of the prong pulled a bottle out of the ash wall and sent it tumbling to a soft landing on top of my boots. It was a small half-pint amber, oval whiskey flask, looking at first glance just like the hundreds of other slicks of this form, size, and color I’ve dug over the years. With the lowest of expectations, I picked the bottle up and was stunned and thrilled when I saw it was adorned with a heavy lead pewter cap. This meant it had a ground screw top, which in turn meant it was not a typical unembossed oval amber flask. My highest hopes were met, nay exceeded, when I wiped away the ash and gaped at the five rows of splendid horizontal embossing: “Congress Hall Fleischmann Co’s Maryland Rye.” [Figure 3] I went home a happy man that day.
Shortly thereafter, my lady Winnie and I were on vacation in Cape May, New Jersey, and a short walk from our hotel was the very large and historic Congress Hall Hotel, built in 1816 and named “Congress Hall” after owner Thomas H. Hughes, who was elected to Congress. I asked the hotel’s concierge about the possibility that their hotel had at one time bottled and sold whiskey. I showed her a picture of the bottle, and she was very
intrigued. When I followed up the next day, she informed me her research had, much to her disappointment, shown no connection to my recently dug bottle. A simple Google search upon our return showed that the key word in the bottle’s embossing was “Fleischmann.” Yes, the very same Fleischmann company famous for their yeast.
Fleischmann’s website tells us their story, which begins in 1868 when Charles and Maximilian Fleischmann left Austria-Hungary to make a better life in America. For them, that meant making better bread. In an effort to make a better-rising bread like the kind they had known in their homeland, the Fleischmann brothers partnered with American businessman James Gaff to build a yeast plant in Cincinnati, Ohio. There, the brothers produced and patented a compressed yeast cake that revolutionized home and commercial baking in the United States. The new yeast had excellent leavening power, delivered consistent quality, and made great-tasting bread. The Fleischmanns had created America’s first commercially produced yeast, which soon became the country’s best-selling yeast.
Coincidentally, as I began to write this article, Antique Bottle & Glass Collector published an article by Michael Seeliger in the January–February 2024 issue titled “The Fleischmann Co. Orange Bitters.” Per Michael’s research, by 1870, the brothers were making gin and bourbon. Their success led them to open an office in New York City in 1892. Maximillian died in 1890, and Charles in 1897. Despite this, the company continued to grow, and in 1900, they introduced Congress Hall Rye. The following year, a distillery was built in Peekskill, New York, to make the rye whiskey. Besides my lovely half-pint amber flask, the product was also bottled in an amber lady’s leg. Like just about everything this company made, the Congress Hall Rye was successful. So, while the bottles may not be rare, they’re still a lot of fun to dig, and they’re certainly very attractive and collectible.
the January–February 2024 issue
The canteen pottery jugs that contained the Orange Bitters, as described in Michael’s article, are unusual and appealing and speak to the Fleischmann Company’s success and remarkable diversity of products. In fact, even to this day, the Fleischmann brand can still be found on their vodka, whiskey, brandy, and gin bottles, and of course, on their yeast!
Here Come the Jugs
About a month after the Bear and the Fleischmann’s were found, I was back in my permission spot on a warm Wednesday, taking a respite from my stressful job. I was way over my head, about nine feet deep, just hitting the clay bottom on the northern side of my eight-foot-wide pit. Despite all the hard work I’d put in to reach this depth, I was not finding anything worthy of keeping and felt a bit perturbed at my lack of good fortune. It was at this point, as I was cursing the bottle gods, that I shoveled another load out of the hole, which is a challenge when you’re at this depth and have high piles of ash all around the hole on a hot, humid day. Upon turning my attention back to the bottom of the hole, I noticed the last shovelful of ash had revealed the bottom of a stoneware jug or crock I’d removed. [Figure 4] The bitterness simmering inside me was instantly transformed into hope and excitement.
5] Heartbreaking—the missing handle broken off many years ago.
I grabbed my single-pronged digger and got down on my knees to carefully chip away around the object. In my mind, the best-case scenario was, “It’s a jug” (I prefer jugs over crocks)
[Figure 3c] Antique Bottle & Glass Collector published an article by Michael Seeliger in
titled “The Fleischmann Co. Orange Bitters.”
[Figure 4] Oh my, the bottom of a jug is revealed at eight feet deep in my pit.
[Figure
and “It has a blue slip design or lettering” and “It’s fully intact with top and handle.” Within a few minutes of scooping out the ash around the artifact, I saw the shoulders sloping towards the top, so my number one wish, that it was a jug, was confirmed. Moments later, I had it largely uncovered and was able to wedge a finger behind the top and gently lift it from the ground. Sadly, my third hope had been immediately dashed as the handle was missing. With the breakpoints stained with rust, I knew at least that it had been broken off long ago and had not been caused by any carelessness on my part. [Figure 5] The rest of the jug looked to be in excellent condition. However, as I spun the jug around, I was not seeing any blue. There was, though, one last hand-sized glob of ash on the side of the jug. With my last gasp of remaining hope, I anxiously wiped the residue away, and to my great relief and delight, it revealed an exquisite pattern of thick, stacked, squiggly blue lines. I was further pleased when I saw that above the design, “N. A. White & Son” (in an arch over) “Utica N.Y.” was boldly imprinted into the top of the shoulder. [Figure 6] I was ecstatic.
While I’d seen this curvy line design on jugs before, I didn’t know anything about it, so I posted pictures of the jug on the Facebook forum “Salt-Glazed Stoneware (and Albany Slip).” Peter Jablonski responded first, calling it a “tornado design” and informing us he had a jug with a similar decoration but marked “Lyons” (Lyons, New York Pottery established 1822). I thought the “tornado” was a very cool name and accurately described the subject. Malcolm Chamberlain soon responded and corrected Peter, clarifying that these curvy line designs on these jugs are, in fact, called “Utica Pines,” and even posted a picture from a stoneware catalog he had to verify this. Thank you, Malcolm. I Googled “Utica Pine” and found several exquisite examples, each one unique, reflecting the individual creativity of the artist painting the jugs at the Utica Pottery, or perhaps the Lyons Pottery, on that day, 130 + years ago. I’d love to go back in time to that moment when the artist who painted my Utica Pine worked on my jug, to tap them on the shoulder, and let them know that I’d unearthed this jug far in the future in 2023, and would treasure it for the rest of my life, so they would know that something they created would live on for a long, long time.
Sometimes, I can let the damage on a jug go, but this jug was so extraordinary I had to make it whole again. And so it was that a few weeks later, I traveled to the home of Jim Healy, the “Stoneware Doctor” (see the September 2020 issue of Antique Bottle & Glass Collector for the story), to drop off the Utica Pine. Jim was backed up with several patients needing holes repaired, cracks filled, and handles restored, but he said he could squeeze in my recently unearthed jug. It took a few months to complete the operation, but once I got the call, I anxiously returned to Jim’s abode to pick up my coveted piece. Even with my high expectations, I was stunned by the quality of the seamless repair of the jug’s handle. [Figure 7] Thank you, Jim Healy, for your high standards, craftsmanship, and meticulous attention to detail.
It was a good summer for jugs as I unearthed four more, all with transfer. I’ll save that experience for a future article, but I want to briefly mention two others made by the Sherwood Brothers Pottery. The first, found intact with handle in June, is two-tone, with the top third a brown glaze and the bottom two-thirds cream colored. In the middle of the jug, directly below the handle, is the following transfer in black cursive script, “Sherwoods Bros New Brighton, Pa Manufacturers.” The glaze was overloaded on the jug, creating very appealing drips and mottling, with the surface crackle glaze accentuating the jug’s age. There is a shallow old flake with radiating cracks to the left of the “Sherwood Bros” stenciling, adding to its “I’m an old jug used by real people long ago” charm. [Figure 8]
The second of these jugs, also two-tone, was dug in September. It is stenciled near the base, “Lehn & Fink New York,” and is in about perfect condition, with the lower cream-colored portion also crackle glazed. Opposite the stenciled side, underneath the handle, and near the base, the jug is stamped “Sherwood Bros. Pottery New Brighton, Pa.” [Figures 9 & 9a]
While my two recently dug Sherwood Brothers jugs are not examples of elaborate transfer, this pottery is known among collectors as the premier transfer pottery in our country, even rivaling the potteries of Staffordshire, England. The following
[Figure 6] “N. A. White & Son Utica N.Y.” Utica Pine jug.
[Figure 7] Utica Pine jug with handle masterfully restored by Jim Healy.
[Figure 8] Two-tone jug marked in script “Sherwood Bros. New Brighton, Pa Manufacturers.”
[Figure 9a] Detail “Sherwood Bros Pottery New Brighton, Pa” stamped on back near base.
quote is an outtake from a 2009 blog by Jack Sullivan about the Sherwood Brother’s Pottery, “Alan Blakeman, the leading guru on British bottles, argued that the United States must have had pottery firms with the capability of designing and executing intricate transfer designs.” Alan was right.
I saw the proof for myself in 1998. It was a small stoneware crock, a salesman’s sample for the Sherwood Brothers Pottery of New Brighton, Pennsylvania. Shown here in detail [Figure 10], the crock is drawn with an elegance and precision equal to anything the “Old World” could produce. The ad copy on the item offers to provide underglaze transfer printed items of equal perfection to Sherwood Brothers clients.
With a population of 7,000, New Brighton is nestled in the western Appalachian Mountains, not far from Pittsburgh. Founded in 1815, the town is situated on a bluff on the west bank of the Beaver River. Good clay sources in the region led to the establishment of several ceramic manufacturers in the nineteenth century, including the Sherwood Brothers (G. W. & W. D. Sherwood) in 1879. By 1895, they were employing 140 workers and had the capacity to produce two railroad carloads of pottery per day. Their success extended into the 20th century.
[Figure 10] Example of an elaborately stenciled Sherwood Bros. jug sample.
[Figure 9] Twotone jug stenciled “Lehn & Fink. New York.”
For most of its existence, Sherwood Brothers had a highly skilled force of pottery workers and artisans. Unlike other American potteries of the time, this firm had mastered the art of the underglaze transfer. This process requires great skill and precision. Sherwood Brothers boasted of its “Sherwood Ware” as a “decidedly superior line, made up in a decidedly superior way.” Its transfer work, the company said, was accomplished “from fine designs cut in copper, bringing out patterns that a rubber stamp cannot possibly reproduce.” Stamping was a more commonly used and cruder method of inking a design or label on pottery. The firm bragged about its workforce, “Sherwood artists, experts who devote all their time to this work, are constantly producing some strikingly beautiful results.”
A catalog from early in that period shows Sherwood Bros. Company offering a wide range of stoneware items, including whiskey jugs, stoneware bottles, inks, canning jars, jelly crocks, mugs and steins, pitchers, teapots, stacking bowls, cuspidors, match scratchers, and water coolers, chicken watering fonts, ice tubs, butter and preserve jars and—not to be overlooked—chamber pots. Shown here are examples of their jugs.
Prohibition and the Great Depression led to the company’s demise, and by 1939, Sherwood Bros. had gone out of business.
Tri-Color Lid
Wednesday, August 16, 2023: I took the day off from my busy and stressful job as an Information Technology (IT) director for New York State. Bottle digging in the woods in the beautiful summer weather is hard physical labor but such a relief from the toil and drudgery of a day in the office. I was starting a new hole not far from the landowner’s 1920s-era old steel fence. The day began with great promise, as two local Hutchinson were found in the first foot of ash. At 18 inches deep, another Hutch popped up, and then at two feet deep, I found a small green “Brookfield
New York” insulator with a “6” embossed on top. Insulators rarely turn up in these ash dumps; that’s been my experience, so I took this as another positive omen. “Oh man, this is going well,” I thought to myself, especially as I typically don’t hit the productive layers until four feet down. Shortly after wiping off the insulator and confirming the condition was good, an unusually large pot lid base showed up in a shovel load of ash I had just thrown out of the hole. I excitedly leaned over the edge of the hole to grab it with my outstretched fingertips. Other than some rust stain, it looked perfect, and indeed, it was significantly above average in size for a pot lid (I measured it at 3-¾ inches later that night at home). It certainly was larger than an “Oriental Toothpaste” or “Bazin’s Shaving Cream,” two of the more common (but still scarce to dig) lids I’ve found in the past. I immediately embarked on a fervent mission to find the top, digging deeply underneath where I’d found the base and carefully chipping in the sides of the hole, but to no avail. Nevertheless, I carefully surveyed the contents of each shovelful of ash I threw out of the hole for the rest of the day, hoping the lid would softly tumble out.
Soon afterward, I felt my shovel prying up what felt like a large bottle, so I immediately stopped, got down on my knees with my chipping tool, and carefully exposed and pulled the bottle out of the ground. I was immediately impressed with the size of the bottle, its lady’s leg whiskey shape, and its deep olive color. I spun it around and was disappointed that there was no embossing, but after wiping off the ash, I was astounded to see that it was acid-etched! This was particularly exciting because I had just been communicating about acid-etched bottles with Gene H. Dambach on Facebook. Gene customizes blank old bottles with very cool acid-etched designs. I told him that I’d been digging for 53 years and had NEVER found any acid-etched bottles. So, it was quite an amazing coincidence that just two days later, I dug my first. [Figure 11] This was the last good find of the day, but I was scheduled to return on Saturday and felt very good about what lay underneath me as I climbed out of the hole, now six feet deep.
[Figure 11] Acid-etched lady’s leg reading “Antediluvian Luyties Brothers New York.” Antediluvian meaning “of or belonging to the time before the biblical flood.”
Due to an unexpected morning commitment, I got off to a late 1:00 pm start the following Saturday, August 19. It was another warm day at the permission dig site, and jumping into the six-foot-deep hole I’d left three days earlier, I was optimistic about my prospects. My confidence was validated when, just five minutes into the dig, I gently pried up an aquamarine “Ruscher & Co. Registered Troy N.Y.” (all in round slug plate) blob-top beer. And right next to that, a gorgeous citron strap-sided flask
[Figure 12] Day two in the hole and four good bottles dug right off the bat. Left to right, “Ruscher & Co Registered Troy N.Y.” blob top beer, a nice deep aqua “Buffalo Lithia Water,” a pint citron strap-sided flask and an emerald green, sheered lip, three-sided, capers bottle embossed “Charles Gulden Importer New York Patented March 29, 1898.”
tumbled out. About a foot deeper, another keeper popped up, an emerald green, sheered lip, three-sided capers bottle embossed “Charles Gulden Importer New York Patented March 29, 1898.” About eight feet down, nearing the bottom, a large half gallon water bottle was revealed. Naturally, I was praying it’d be my second “Bear Lithia Water” of the season, but my lower expectations were met when it turned out to be yet another “Buffalo Lithia Water,” albeit in a nicer than average deeper blueish aquamarine. [Figure 12]
Having hit the clay base of the dump site, I used my chipping tool to work my way from bottom to top. Nothing of particular interest revealed itself until, just 18 inches from the top, with my back to the landowner’s yard, my chipper exposed a round pottery piece, vertical to me, like the wheel on a car. My first thought was, “Damn, it looks like another pot lid base.” After a few careful chips to the side of the artifact, I was easily able to pull it out. Good lord, it’s the missing lid I exclaimed! Anxiously wiping off the ash, I was staggered to see the gorgeous, elaborate, multicolored stenciling: “Williams’ Swiss Violet Shaving Cream Prepared By The J. B. Williams Co. Manufacturing Chemists Glastonbury. Conn. Proprietors of Genuine Yankee Shaving Soap.” A bouquet of pink flowers with green stems appears to the upper left of the wording and similarly adorns the
[Figure 13] Truly sublime—a freshly unearthed “Williams’ Swiss Violet Shaving Cream” pot lid in beautiful condition, and, later that evening, the same lid reunited with its base later (after being separated for 120 years or so).
outer rim of the lid. It looked to be in perfect condition, and I was quite certain it would match the base waiting to be reunited with it at home. [Figure 13]
Being such an exceptional lid popular with collectors, it was one I’d seen before and always wanted to find. This was truly a dream come true. [Figure 14] Some details on the lid are found on page 74 of American Pot Lids by Barbara and Sonny Jackson: Lid number BJ 176. Color: Multicolored transfer. Brown wording, violet flowers, and green leaves. Size: 3 ¾ diameter. Rarity: More than 20 known.
James Baker Williams was born in 1818 and attended East Hartford Academy from 1833 to 1843. When he was sixteen years old, in 1834, he left school to work as a clerk in the drugstore of F. & H.C. Woodbridge in Manchester Green, Connecticut. Four years later, he became the owner of the drugstore, and its name was changed to “Kenney & Williams.”
In 1840, he sold his share of the drugstore but kept the drug department. He formed a partnership with his brother George W. Williams and called the new business “Williams Brothers.” They manufactured a variety of compounds sold by apothecaries. Convinced of a great and increasing demand for shaving soap of better quality than those imported from Europe, the brothers began experimenting with soaps. In the early 1840s, “Williams’ Genuine Yankee Soap” became a success. In 1847, the business was divided, with George W. Williams taking over the drug department and James B. Williams taking over the Shaving Soap business. James Baker Williams remained head of the business until his retirement a few years before his death at age 89 in 1907. The J. B. Williams Company remained in business and manufactured toiletries, pharmaceuticals, and appliances.
The above history does not indicate the years the pot lid was manufactured for J. B. Williams. However, the book does say
this in the introduction: “Pot lids first appeared in England around 1840. The first lids bore the name of the merchant and sometimes an address. These lids were decorated with single color printing, mainly blue but sometimes black or green. Druggists, dentists and packers of bear’s grease typically used the lids. In the late 1840s, Staffordshire Potteries made great strides in perfecting multicolored transfer-printed wares. American manufacturers would order their wares from English potteries, the only companies with craftsmen and techniques to produce underglaze transfer-printed wares, whether in one color or multiple colors. Only a few American firms used multicolored transfer-printed lids.” So, we can conclude the lid was made in Staffordshire sometime after the late 1840s, but for how many years the product was sold is not clear.
A Little Teal Barrel
Fall digging brings a welcome respite from the heat with cooler temperatures, but the shorter daylight hours limit the amount of time I can excavate. Thus, it was on Monday, October 9, Columbus Day, I was taking advantage of the holiday to dig in my favorite permission spot. I was six feet down in hard ash, which is both difficult to dig and tends to be less productive with household trash, such as the Victorian-era bottles we collectors prize so highly. Though finding little, I was dutifully plugging away, shovelful by shovelful. In this “I’m-not-expecting-to-findanything” state of mind, a small but lovely teal green barrel ink revealed itself in the middle of a shovelful of ash. Oh cool, that’s a “Stafford’s,” I exclaimed out loud to myself. Wiping off the ash and holding it up to the sunlight, I was very disappointed to see that the little barrel was unembossed. [Figure 15] With its nice color, I would keep it anyway. An Electric Bitters with the label, a three-sided cobalt blue “Laxol,” and cobalt blue medium-sized “S.S Stafford’s Ink Made in the USA” master helped to make this a fun and worthy day.
[Figure 15] Barrel ink with its teal color accentuated by the sunlight. I could not see the faint embossing at the time, but it’s there!
[Figure 14] The “Williams’ Swiss Violet Shaving Cream” pot lid, sparkling after a light acid bath (but that’s another story).
I cleaned the day’s finds later that evening in the garage. When scrubbing the little teal barrel, and with the setting sunlight shining on the bottle at just the proper angle, I was very happily surprised to see that this lovely little barrel was indeed embossed “Stafford’s Ink”! I instantly loved the bottle, especially as it was a perfect match in color to the quart teal Stafford’s master ink I’d dug in the same dump in September of 2020 (and featured in “The Covid Bottles of 2020” published in the September 2021 issue of Antique Bottle & Glass Collector). [Figure 16]
To find out more about this bottle, I reached out to Facebook friend and premier ink bottle collector, Michael Bienvenue. Per Michael, “This is a good bottle in this teal color, and yours looks to be very clean. Indeed, many of these small teal Stafford’s barrels were blown in this mold with weak embossing, which does, unfortunately, reduce the value to collectors. They can be purchased in the $30 to $40 range. These teal Stafford’s barrels also can be found with a strong mold impression and sell for more.” Sure, I’d rather have the variant with the strong lettering, but I dug the bottle, and it’s beautiful and will be proudly displayed in my collection.
Cool Bottles of 2023
As 2023 wound down and my digging ended with the snowfall and holiday season, I was very pleased and thankful for my remarkable success in my 54th year of digging antique bottles. It was an eclectic mix with the discovery of a scarce “Bear Lithia Water,” an unknown (to me) “Congress Hall Maryland Rye,” a large, impressive, and totally unexpected Utica Pine jug, a gorgeous three-color “Williams’ Swiss Violet Shaving Cream” pot lid and a lovely teal “Stafford Ink” with the meek embossing. These fabulous and exciting finds from this past digging season add wonderful diversity to my bottle shelves, and the immense satisfaction that comes from unearthing these discoveries will ensure I’ll be digging in old dumps for many years to come.
[Figure 16] The little teal “Stafford’s Ink” barrel next to the similarly colored master “Stafford’s Ink” cylinder, dug in the same dump a few years earlier.
[Figure 16a] “The COVID Bottles of 2020” published in AB&GC in 2021.
[Figure 17] Recent exciting digging articles in Antique Bottle & Glass Collector by John Savastio.
Dan Lakatos photo credit
Beer Stein Bling ...
By Steve Abbott
While oceans of suds were guzzled down the gullets of pre-Prohibition hops lovers from pre-Prohibition beer advertising glasses, perhaps only a pond of brew was sipped from heavy porcelain-lidded beer steins. The rarity of these steins is what sets them apart. Just before Prohibition, an advertising beer glass sold for about a nickel and was intended for saloon use and giveaways, while a heavy-lidded beer stein sold for around a dollar, say $18-20 today. The former was designed for common taverns, but the latter for more exclusive hotels, breweries, dining clubs, and as commemorative banquet pieces in major cities like Chicago, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Detroit, Cleveland, Seattle, St. Louis, and not the least Brookville, Indiana (current population 2,500) whose W. A. Fries may have had metropolitan aspirations. (Figure 1)
Not a lot is known about these steins, so consider this an introduction to American beer steins with the liberal use of probably, possibly, perhaps, likely, maybe, and so forth. This is an invitation to local collectors to do more research and spread their knowledge here in America’s best antique bottle and glass magazine.
My interest was aroused by an ad on eBay from a Northern California dealer for a beer stein for Capitol Hotel Grill. (Figures 2-4) After forty years of collecting local saloon memorabilia, I had never seen anything from the Capitol Hotel in Sacramento—not a knife, fork, coffee cup, dish, letterhead, or postcard. Although I abandoned my hobby of collecting Sacra-
A beer stein (/’stain/ STYNE), or simply stein, is either a traditional beer mug made out of stoneware or specifically an ornamental beer mug sold as a souvenir or collectible. An 1894 article on beer mugs in the American Vogue magazine that describes various types of steins stated: “And it is to this [i.e. German] nation that we owe Wagner’s music and the apotheosis of the beer mug.”
[Fig.2 & 2a] Capitol Hotel Grill porcelain-lidded stein.
a primer.
mento saloon objects and resisted the hoarder’s compulsion to buy everything related, the beer stein for Capitol Hotel Grill finally dragged me back into its clutches. A little research revealed that a Capital Hotel, sometimes spelled Capitol Hotel, had been started in the 1860s, been remodeled several times, and burned to the ground in 1929, one month after the Black Friday stock market crash.
Interestingly, the hotel had been owned since 1901 by Frank Ruhstaller or his estate, the most prominent name for Sacramento beer. According to Sacramento’s fire chief, the fire was the hottest on record, had started in the basement, and Ruhstaller’s son was the manager on duty at the time of the fire. By the next day, the Sacramento Union reported that Ruhstaller said the property was too valuable to sit vacant and that somebody would build something on the lot. The owner’s estimate of the loss, not the insurance company’s, was $200,000 (about $6,000,000 today). No cause/effect conspiracies, inviting as they may be, should be drawn from these facts.
proclaiming to be the largest purveyor of bar goods in the United States. (Figure 5) In that catalog was an advertisement for the Huber Beer Stein, about $12 per dozen with a lid decorated to the buyer’s choice. (Figure 6)
An internet search, a few phone calls, and a request published in this magazine uncovered more—still, not a lot. Apparently, twenty to forty years ago, several had come to market, but not many recently. Paul Van Vactor, Louisville saloon advertising garu, reported that years ago, he had seen a few, even one from Louisville, which he regrets not buying. But why so few?
I contacted several of the experienced Northern California saloon and advertising collectors. This was the first time anyone had ever seen a similar piece from California. Still, a quick internet scan found a 1918 catalog for Albert Pick and Company,
Probably few were ever made. The steins were expensive compared to beer glasses. They mainly advertised the location of their use, like a hotel, a brewery tap room, a dining club, or a commemoration of an event
[Figs.1 & 1a] Beer stein and advertising card for “W. A. Fries Buffet” in Brookville, Indiana.
[Fig.3] Post card for the Capitol Hotel, 7th and K Street, Sacramento, California.
[Fig.4] Post card for the Grill, Capital Hotel, Sacramento, California.
[Fig.5] Albert Pick & Co.
or person, but not necessarily the beer itself. Because they were large and heavy, they did not walk out the door in someone’s clutch purse but may have been available for sale. Some, perhaps all, may have been manufactured in Germany. A few are marked “Made in Germany” underlid, though some are marked Albert Pick – Chicago, Burley – Chicago, or possibly other markings. Most were unmarked. Since World War I raged from 1914 to 1918, international trade from Germany to the United States may have been difficult (that is, “Made in Germany” might not have been good advertising). At least one is marked “Not Made in Germany” (McAvoy’s in small print). And there is a lingering question— could some have been made in the United States, especially Chicago, where there were major glass manufacturers? Maybe.
In the Sacramento case, the survival of one stein from a burned-out building leads to much speculation. Had one been stolen more than one hundred years ago? Did the owner of the building take one home? Did Albert Pick or Burley make a salesman sample which the owners rejected because they perceived a misspelling? Did one of the first firemen in the building swipe one? (The Sacramento Bee newspaper, November 23, 1929, reported that a fireman had been arrested for stealing an alarm clock and souvenir ashtray. Alas, no beer stein.) Did the business owners sell a few steins? Or to me the most puzzling of all: did the stein even come from Sacramento? I believe it did…probably
But how about the other similar steins found around the country, mostly from the Midwest, but some as far west as Seattle? Local beer stein collectors can settle this matter better than one who can do little more than raise questions. Beer stein collectors do our hobby a favor and report what only locals can do, primary source research. I pass the beer stein baton from the first leg of the relay to those who follow and know more.
To this end, I am going to offer a few examples from each category and their locations. These are not all of the examples or necessarily the best examples, but a few to which I have image access such as “Buffet W. A. Fries” (Brookville, Indiana) (Fig.1), “Hotel Tacoma” (Fig.7), “Judge Jos. H. Woeste Cincinnati, Ohio” (Fig.8), “ZP” monogram (Fig.9), “Jung Bräu Milwaukee’s Finest” (Fig.10), “Hotel Blatz (monogram) Milwaukee” (Fig.11), “The 19th Hole” (golf clubs) (Fig.12), “GB” monogram for Griesedick Brothers (Fig.13), “Albany Hotel” (Fig.14), “The Business Mens Club Co. Cincinnati” (Fig.15) and the “Pilsen Brewing Co. Olympia (Olympia Girl) (Fig.16). I’ve seen other images for “Phil’s Place” (Sheldon, Illinois), “Klouster Brau McAvoys/Alma Mater/ Klouster Brau,” “Old German Brew,” “Special Brew/Bavarian Brew/White Eagle Brewing Co.,” “The Chicago,” “College Inn,” “Independant Brewing Assn. Prima,” “HP Planters,” “Here’s to the P.O.C. The Beer That Builds,” “Saint Louis Club,” “Hotel Metropole,” “Hotel Stinton,” “Judge Stanley Struble,” “Judge Jos. H. Woester,” “Hotel Savoy,” “Ye Old Silver Grill,” “Prima Co.,” and many more!
Thanks to the following collectors for sharing stein information: Tony Vincent, Harry Hecker, Vinny Berg, Gary Flynn, Paul Van Vactor, Robert Hess (Drinkboy), Helen Marshall, and others. Also, thanks to Lyn Livingston and Monika Busby for proofreading and suggestions.
[Fig.11] “Hotel Blatz Milwaukee” beer stein.
[Fig.13] “GB” monogram beer stein lid.
]
]
[Fig.9] “ZP” monogram beer
[Fig.10] “Jung Bräu Milwaukee’s Finest” beer
]
]
[Fig.7
“The Tacoma” beer stein.
[Fig.8
“Judge Jos. H. Woeste Cincinnati, Ohio” beer stein lid.
[Fig.15] “The Business Mens Club Co. Cincinnati” beer stein lid.
Unrolling what’s new in toilet paper!
Photos by Janet Finch
SWith no shame, Ralph Finch comes clean.
ure, the hobby’s magazine needs regular columns on historic glass, such as early flasks, unique inks, rare fruit jars, or poisons, but...sorry, I’m no help. There’s only so much I can do while spending the whole day in my bathrobe. (Janet will tell you—he’s little help.)
Butt (sic), since people are always* asking me about what’s hot in the exciting world of toilet paper, I’ve decided to write a regular column revealing the latest news. And, no, you don’t have to thank me. (If you want to express your gratitude and shake my hand, wash yours first.) So, to satisfy your hunger for information on historic and esoteric collectible toilet paper and other ephemera, here we go! (I know you are moved by the idea, but hold your applause.)
Every morning, I search the Internet, perusing auction houses (and outhouses?), eBay, and—in general—the whole world. (But I found little today, not even in Flushing, New York). Still, here are a few tidbits:
Butt...(sic) *perhaps I exaggerate about how many people ask me to pass on toilet news, yet since I am the “King of Toilet Paper,” I think it only fair to it at my, um, throne and share my... wizzdom. Hold on to your seat; here we go.
Wait: Perhaps I should unroll my credentials. Eighty-four years ago, I started with diapers, and—shortly ahead, I may end with—well, it depends.
No. 1: I have collected toilet material for decades. I discovered in England that a few Brits had acquired some amazing and beautiful early ceramic toilets, many painted with flowers, birds, etc.—and they were not cheap. Some were made by the better early makers. (I later acquired two salesmen’s samples.)
While I was impressed by early examples, bringing a full-size toilet bowl back from England in my suitcase seemed a bit excessive. “Excessive” is a word the Finches often ignore. I admit that, once, in the middle of an outdoor English antique show with a few thousand dealers spread across a large pasture, the Finches fell in love with a late-1800s cast-iron fireplace mantel It was chrome-plated and adorned with a beautiful Victorian
woman’s face, entwined with flowers, her hair spread out on both sides of her head, crossing the fireplace and cascading down. About five and a half feet tall and four feet across, we couldn’t even lift it. But the problem was not how we were getting it back to Michigan, but—where in the heck we were going to put it if we do?
We remained entranced by its elaborate Art Nouveau style, and it was about as tall as the Finches. We looked at it and looked at it and talked with the seller. We even liked the selling price, but...we passed. Ah, the temptation. I kept the seller’s name and, back in the States, continued to communicate with him. The seller had even figured out that shipping it across the pond would be only $900, which sounded like a bargain...but—in our house— you can’t buy space. It’s been almost 15 years, and I still yearn for the fireplace mantel, and the memories of it warm me.
No. 2: Back to the exciting world of toilet stuff—lifting the lid on related ephemera. As boasted, the Finches have a bathroom bursting with toilet stuff, especially antique rolls of toilet paper. And you will be surprised at how hard it is to find 100—even only 50-year-old toilet paper!
Right now, I have about 52 different rolls, and still regret when, on eBay 15 years ago, I was the under-bidder for an incredible example with the wrapper printed with a bright-red head of a buffalo! The winner got it for $450, plus shipping. I learned the hard way, and I am still learning. (By the way: What do you call a slutty buffalo? A buffa-ho! (is that joke rated PG or R?)
You can find new “gag” toilet paper, often with the image of the politician you don’t like. Somewhat older versions displayed the face of Hitler or Hirohito, or other WWII bad guys. But, I deal with vintage rolls and, should I say, “tasteful t-p.”
For example, I recently came across this ad: “Introducing O Green Tea toilet paper, an innovative and sustainable toilet paper solution that combines the benefits of organic tea leaves. It’s made of certified organic green tea from the tea fields of South Korea, packed with Vitamin A and carotene to feed and nourish your skin. It is Free of natural forests...with no dust or flyaways.”
[Above] A wooden box holds regular and small sample rolls of toilet paper.
[Left & Far Right] A great salesman’s sample marked “The Puritas Washdown Closet Darrah’s Patent.” The money indicates to some critics that collecting toilet stuff is like throwing money down the tube (and, fyi, this is fake movie money).
The Kinkade Family Foundation released prints based on never-before-seen artwork by American painter Thomas Kinkade. Known worldwide as the “Painter of Light,” Kinkade is one of America’s most recognized artists whose artwork was at one time found in 1 out of 20 households in the United States. The rediscovered piece, Untitled (Toilet Paper), was locked away from public view for decades and stored in Kinkade’s hidden vault. The original, which was painted circa 1978, represents one of the most valuable and sought-after items during the 2020 COVID pandemic.
OK, I have re-read the ad several times...it beats me, and I am the King of Toilet Paper! If I want more Vitamin A, I can think of a better way to get it.
And what is this “no dust or flyaway”?
And where does the tea part come in? I pass.
My old grandmother, who, appropriately, came from “the old country,” said that she could “read tea leaves” left in a used tea cup. When we were children, we believed her. I think that if I had asked her to “read” the tea leaves in the toilet, she would have found her switch.
The Finches—wait, Janet says it is not the Finches, just one Finch.
What got me into the toilet world (so to speak) was, many decades ago in England, buying an ornate, two-handled chamber pot. It was well decorated with poetry on both sides of what was intended as a wedding gift.
Inside the pot, on the base, was more writing, a frog attached to the side, and a face looking up and promising not to reveal what it could see.
Years later, in May 1989, I found a similar one (with a chip restored) complete with the frog for a mere $675. Then, in March 2000, I found still another, described as a “pink luster Sunderland chamber pot, circa 1830,” and priced at $3,800! (And I have no idea what the frog’s purpose is. There has to be a bad joke
here, but, fortunately for you, I can’t find it.)
OK, most of the toilet ephemera we’ve gathered is much cheaper. I really like salesmen’s samples, and we have several great ones.
Back to paper:
There are more brands of toilet paper than you know who had little yellow liver *pills. (*Carter’s Little Liver Pills were formulated as a patent medicine by Samuel J. Carter of Erie, Penn., in 1868.)
Here are just a few brands categorized by theme.
Fancy names: American Beauty, Uncle Sam, Dr. Warren
Flowers: Daisy (two), Magnolia, Wild Flower
Boasting: Big Hit, Victor, Favorite, Premier, Majestic, Defiance, Regal, Marvel, Fine Elite (and just plain Elite), The Elite, Excelsior, Equinox, Best Ever, Supreme, Our Finest, Very Best, Peerless, Foremost, Giant, Adora, Champion, Avalon
History (with a Brit theme): Victoria, Queen, Regal, Palace, Royal, Autocrat, Crown, Empire, Empress, Windsor
Dubious: Victor
Rough: Tiger, Electric (ouch), Bronc
Soft: Velvet, Velvetone, Silk-Lite, Silk, Angora (with a cat),
A partial view of our bathroom, with one of the four shelves of toilet goodies. The painting (framed, in the center) is an image of toilet paper by popular artist Thomas Kinkade. The toilet paper holder device on the wall was for children back in the 1940s. When used, a music box played Whistle While You Work
Feather,
Chamois, Edelweiss
Geographic places: Rochester, Detroit, Montreal—and a generic, Home City, Metropolitan, Manhattan, Atlantic, Acadia, Panama, Fort Howard, Grand Hotel, London, Mecca (do you have to face east to use this?), Six Flags, Santa Fe, Delta
For constipation?: Victory, Surprise, Good Luck, Climax, Express, Eureka, Marvel, Welcome, Stonewall (showing a wishing well), Typhoon, and Wizard (one hopes), Stop (more hoping?)
Cute: Bunny Tisu, Chic
Odd: Downy White (“As soft as the Eider of the Northern Eiderduck”), Cloud Wave (with a child riding an eagle), Bromo (and a wood shipping box for the Bromo brand)
Just, OK: Okay, A.P.W. (in sample size, plus Junior and Satin examples)
Colors: White Mountain, Green Mountain, Orange Blossom, Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf, White Crystal (which also came in purple), True Blue, Blue Seal, Blue Ray, Blue Bell, Bluecrest (a cherub on an eagle), Blue Diamond, Blue Cross (and Red Cross and White Cross) and White Swan, Red Mill (with a windmill), Bob White, Golden (and Golden Rule), Pink Roll
Foreign sounding: Sphinx, Osaka, Chinatex, Nippon, Kyoto, Mecca (with a camel), Japanese (several, with different images: a lantern, a man, Mt. Fugi, a geisha, a bridge, Buddha, a rickshaw, a butterfly, a fan.), Japanese Tisu, Orient, Ceylon (with three elephants), Amazon, Nubian (with a camel), Oten
And some I’m not sure of: La Sanitas, Szima Hygienish Crepe, Uinta, Lyonsdal, Right Fest
With a view: Scenic, Zenith (with naked women), Red Mill (showing a mill,) Cascade (showing the Niagara Falls)
Native: Iroquois, Pocahontas (and another showing a tee-pee). Seminole (showing three Indians)...but how much did one roll of Indian toilet paper cost? Maybe...one buck? (And here’s a question: How did American Indians, out on the plains, have a connection with toilet paper? I have several rolls featuring Indian-related images. So far, the answer is that it beats the you-know-what out of me.) (I know, if I were wearing an Arrow shirt, it should have real arrows.)
The above list is far from complete. I found an example I don’t have, but it was at the hotel related to the Mansfield, Ohio, bottle show. I’m tempted, but …
But let’s get serious.
People often (really?) ask me about what our grand-grand-grandgrand parents used before Charman?
Google (edited) explains: “Leaves, sticks, moss, sand and water were common choices, depending on humans’ environment. Once we developed agriculture, we had options like hay and
corn husks. People who lived on a coast used shells and a scraping technique.”
Ouch! While walking a beach I will never again pick up a shell and hold it to my ear, fearing I won’t hear the ocean, but...
The latest addition to the bathroom is a really unique item offered by Morford’s Auctions of *Cazenovia, New York). Lot 84 was described (edited) as an “Unusual, vintage ca. 1920s? White-Washburn Co. of Hinsdale, N.H., a sample catalog that is chock full of the firm’s various full-size wrap around toilet paper roll outer product labels.” It included many good-looking labels that the King of Toilet Paper has never seen before, and the cost? I’m too embarrassed to admit. I want to be the King of Toilet Paper, not just the Court Jester of Toilet Paper.
OK, wait. I collect toilet stuff so what else should embarrass me? It was **$1,062 plus shipping!!! I know, right now, several of you are—impolitely—saying: HOLY CRAP, that man is bat-crap crazy! (**And Janet is a saint.)
So, toilet paper is a necessity, but for some, it’s art. In the Finch bathroom is a gift by Cleveland friend Terry Kovel, a famed copy of a painting by an artist famous for his scenic landscapes. It’s Thomas Kinkade’s 1978 masterpiece of art featuring a roll of toilet paper. He said it represents a key symbol of the COVID-19 crisis and its shortages on household supplies, like toilet paper.
*More than you want to know? Cazenovia is famous for being the home of the “Pat D May 7 78” M. E. Card target ball thrower, from 1878-79. It’s on a heavy cast-iron tripod base.
Breaking news:
Before I could finish the above article, I found this on eBay: “TOILET PAPER VINTAGE EROTIC ADULT MAGAZINE. Estimate $200-$300” I was aroused...I mean, curious, butt, I’ll pass.
Lifting the lid on related ephemera:
Poop! Recently I missed this great item, listed as:“Salesman’s sample oak toilet seat ‘Never Split Seat Co., Evansville, IN’ on label with patents in several countries that are listed, 6.5 inches.” (Auction houses are NOT the same. Some are sooooo easy to use that it makes it a breeze to go into debt, but the house offering the toilet seat was so complicated that I couldn’t get a bid in.)
Historical note: The Never Split firm once boasted that during World War II, 6,000 of its product were sent to Kentucky’s Camp Breckinridge.
And, if readers really ask me pretty-please—or potty please—I can also write a monthly column on what’s new in the spicy world of ketchup (at the risk of having old tomatoes thrown at me). And, did I mention this? A saucy publication I just discovered to add to my collection is a book titled Sex & Ketchup, about “life in all its absurdity and complexity.” (Sadly, that was going to be the title of my autobiography.)
Write: rfinch@twmi.rr.com
Please consider telling us about your collection or someone else’s. Tell us about your latest digging or picking adventure. Write a fictional bottle story. Tell us about an area or component of antique bottle and glass collecting that you find interesting. Every bottle has a story. Tell us about your favorite medicine man, merchant, or proprietor who is related to our bottles or about a glasshouse. Write an auction or show report. Tell us about a club outing, or maybe a visit to a glass museum. Maybe it is something you have learned in the hobby or have concerns with. Really, the sky is the limit. Don’t be shy. Young or old, new to the hobby or a veteran, please unmask that author that is hiding inside! FOHBC club and individual awards presented each year!
Thank You!
[Below] This fine example of a GII-62 “Liberty Eagle” (Willington Glass Works, West Willington, Connecticut) was recently unearthed in a privy in central New York. Privy digger Fred DeCarlo explains that you need to learn patience in this hobby. After over 500 privies and countless trash pits this was his first unbroken historical flask. “I have dug well over 100 broken historical flasks of all varieties” he explains, “This is my first pristine one and I can’t believe its beauty.” – Fred DeCarlo
[Left] Construction workers recently unearthed eight catapult stones from a 13th-century siege at an English castle by Amber Morgan. In 1266, Kenilworth Castle was the site of what’s believed to be the longest siege in the history of medieval England, and these catapult shots were fired during the violent event. – Smithsonian Magazine
[Above] Hundreds of historic English coins from the extensive and unprecedented Tyrant Collection (TheTyrantCollection.com) were displayed at the American Numismatic Association’s 2023 Pittsburgh World’s Fair of Money. The 300-coin exhibit included a rare surviving example of England’s first gold coin, a Henry III 1257 gold penny (above) as well as one of the few known 1656 Cromwell 50 Shillings pattern gold coins, and the only privately-owned complete King Edward VIII pattern proof set produced in 1937 by the Royal Mint (below left).
[Right] The Penny Black, the world’s first postage stamp, covered the cost of letters up to half an ounce (just over 14 grams) in weight. For letters between that weight and 1 ounce the cost was twopence. A two penny stamp was produced, called the Twopenny Blue, which was in use from 6 May 1840 along with the penny Black. The Twopenny Blue stamp is extremely similar to the Penny Black except ‘TWO PENCE’ appears at the bottom instead of ‘ONE PENNY’.– U.S. Postal Museum
[Below Left] “J. & T. FARWELLHARTFORD, CT” (around the shoulder), English for the American market, ca. 1850-1860, deep olive green, 10 3/4”h, smooth base, applied double collar mouth, blown in a three-part mould. Perfect condition, numerous air bubbles. Records show that John and Thomas Farwell were prominent landowners in Mansfield, Connecticut. Both died in 1823. Eventually their land became part of the site of the University of Connecticut, where the original barn and remains of the Farwell House still exist. This bottle was made for Asa Farwell a younger brother who was a prosperous merchant and importer of rum (probably from England and in this bottle). He owned a sizable warehouse in Hartford, Connecticut on Commerce and Ferry Streets. This is a new find, fresh to the market and with an interesting history. – Glass Works Auctions
Antique Bottle & Glass Collector
Lost & Found
Read and see more in the
[Above] Since last issue, more bottles of cherries have been found at George Washington’s Mount Vernon home in a “spectacular” discovery. Buried in the cellar, a treasure trove was waiting to be discovered—an enormous amount of preserved cherries. Archaeologists discovered 35 glass bottles with cherries, Mount Vernon officials announced, just a few weeks after two bottles were found in April. “Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine this spectacular archaeological discovery,” said Mount Vernon President Doug Bradburn. – Wine Spectator
[Above] I found your name on a Peachridge Glass post, and I wonder if you might be able to help me identify the bottle fragment in the photos attached here. I found this piece of glass yesterday in the ocean off of Long Beach Island, New Jersey. Looks similar to the Gordon’s Gin boar in your post—but not quite the same. Very curious to know more. Any ideas? All best, Whitney. Answer: Yes. Gordons London Dry Gin and its boars head motif. A member of the Gordon clan saved the King of Scotland from a wild boar on a hunting trip. After this the symbol was added to the Gordon coat of arms.
[Right] Ferdinand, I made it out for a dig yesterday with my son, Grayson, (pictured on AB&GC cover) and we made an awesome discovery…a blob “American Brewing Association” beer bottle from Houston, Texas. Although split-sized crown top bottles from this brewery are fairly common, this very cool blob top example is (so far as I can ascertain) the first example known to collectors. Just goes to show that there are still bottles out there to be discovered!
– Brandon DeWolfe
[Left] The jersey that legendary New York Yankees player Babe Ruth wore when he hit one of baseball’s most famous home runs sold for $24.12 million recently— making it the world’s most valuable sports collectible. Dallas-based Heritage Auctions said the jersey achieved the record—previously held by a 1952 Mickey Mantle baseball card (pictured above) that fetched $12.6 million in August 2022—after a “thrilling bidding war” that lasted over six hours. Ruth was wearing the road gray No. 3 jersey when he played against the Chicago Cubs in the 1932 World Series. He appeared to gesture toward something in center field just before hitting a fifth-inning home run into the bleachers. Over the last 92 years, the “Called Shot” has become infamous in baseball lore, being “endlessly celebrated, imitated and replicated,” the auction house said in a press release. However, where Ruth was actually pointing— at something deep in the field, like the flagpole, or at the Cubs pitcher—has been contested over the years –ESPN
NEW LOCATION
Sunday October 20, 2024
9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Owens Community College
Education & Wellness Center
3200 Bright Rd., Findlay, Ohio
Free Parking, Admission $5, Under 12 Free Hot Food & Beverages Available Bottles, Stoneware, Fruit Jars, Collectibles, Insulators, Advertising, Small Antiques, Free Appraisals, w/paid adm. Info: finbotclub@gmail.com
A collection of spectacular and inspiring photographs from around the world and around the web. Please feel free to submit your images for consideration.
Read and see more in the FOHBC Virtual Museum.
Houston 24 Expo
Wilber–Gugliotti collection shaving paper vase and barber bottles – Joel Bartsch
Ink Bottles – Debra Ann Nemschick
Dr. Pepper Collection –Karl Kuenning
Stars and Stripes
Opalescent Pitcher –Jeffrey Evans
Colorful Druggist Bottles – Brian Bingham
Member Photos
Pineapple Figural Bitters – Jeff “Froggy” Burkhardt
Skull Windowpane – Richard Carney
Glass Conch Shell – Treg Silkwood
Sandor P. Fuss collection – photo Dan Lakatos
Blues & Green Drakes – Ferdinand Meyer V
My new demijohns – David Kyle Rakes
Colored Texas Druggist– Brad Dalton
Anti Witch Bottle –Andy Rapoza
Classified Ads
ADVERTISE FOR FREE
Free advertising in each issue of Antique Bottle & Glass Collector (AB&GC). One free “WANTED” or “FOR SALE” ad in AB&GC per year each renewal. See page 72 for more info. DEALERS: Sell your bottles in the Antique Bottle & Glass Collector. Change the bottles each issue. Include your website in your ad to increase traffic to your site. Send all advertisement info to FOHBC Business Manager, Elizabeth Meyer, P.O. Box 1825, Brookshire, Texas 77423 or best, email to: fohbcmembers@gmail.com
FOR SALE
FOR SALE: 1) 14-inch-tall Cathedral pickle, medium forest green, six sided. Cathedral window design with four petals above. Rare color for this mold. $575. 2) Drake’s Plantation Bitters. Very light topaz ginger ale. $725. 3) U.S. Mail embossed eagle mail-box-shaped whiskey. Fluted neck whiskey. Large size. $85. 4) “Leon’s Sarsaparilla Belfast Me.” Unusual neck and lip. You’ll see 100 Dana Sarsaparilla’s before you see a Leon’s. $75. 5) Amber straight-sided coke. Giering Bottling Co. in slug plate. Youngstown, Ohio. Two lip chips. $200. 6) “J. Gahm” mug-base beer. Honey amber. $85. No buyers premium or taxes. Postage $15. Don, 978.994.2629. 01/01/25
FOR SALE: Quality bottles largely from the US, meticulously described and well-priced. Listings with images available on my High Desert Historic Bottle website at historicbottles.com. My email for contact noted on the website. Bill Lindsey, Chiloquin, Oregon. 11/26
FOR SALE: 1) Old Sachems barrel, light champagne color – $850 2) “R&F Atmore” cathedral pickle, open pontil, small in the making 1/2 inch crack in a bubble – $275 3) “Warners Safe Tonic” slug plate – $650 4) “Dr. Keyser’s Blood Searcher, Pittsburgh,” copy cat of Lindseys – $185 5) Coca-Cola store display bottle, 19 inches tall, clear, Dec. 25 1923 – $225 6) “WM Hennessy Lynn Mass.” mug base beer. Olive ladies leg beer and Wagner Maltese Cross, Manchester, light yellow green, pair $150 7) Mail Box Whiskey embossed eagles, fluted neck, nice large size – $95. Satisfaction or return. Don – 978.994.2629 (09/10_24)
FOR SALE: 1) OP Dr. Woods Sarsaparilla Wild Cherry Bitters – $235 2) Warners Safe slug-plated Tonic – $550 3) Old Sachems Wigwam Tonic barrel, super nice, light pink champagne color, $575 4) Old Sachems barrel, golden yellow, matching lip replacement, $175, great shelf bottle 5) J. Gahm mug-base, amber,
complete closure, $55 6) Helena Ark amber script coke, embossed arrows with original label, $125. No buyers premium or taxes. Postage $15. Don, 978.994.2629. 09/10/24
WANTED
WANTED: Harley bottles of West Chester, Pa. and Philadelphia, Pa. The West Chester bottles (4) display either J. Harley, James Harley, Jas. Harley or E.M. Harley. The Phila. Bottles (4) display Edwd. Harley, Schul (Schuylkill) 4th & Market St., Philada. or E. Harley, 802 Market St. or E. Harley, West Market St. or Edw. Harley, 1838 Market St., Phila. Bob Harley, Phone 215.721.1107. Email: rwh220@Yahoo.com 11/24
WANTED: Colored Figural Bitters. Also other bitters that are unusually shaped or unusually colored, for their grouping! Mint specimens only please! Randolph Haumann, 10410 Gold Arrow Drive, Reno, Nevada 89521-5190 or cell 415.518.4124 (leave message) or email: hawkeye751@ outlook.com, Call Now! So you are not sorry...Later! 11/24
WANTED: Rare fruit jars. Like unusual colors, closures and pints. Jerry Ikeda, 916.424.7204, akeda.jerry@gmail.com (07/08_24)
WANTED: California five-gallon water bottles, all water companies, all makers, certain dates. Water companies include Aztec, Bimini, Cascade, Cuyamaca, Crystal Springs, Duplex, Electrified, Elysian, Frespuro, Hollywood, Liquid Steam, Magnetic, Magnolia, Matilija, Perfection, Topango, and many more. Makers include McLaughlin, Latchford, Illinois, IPGCo, Federal, Monarch, BGMC, CGMC, Brock, McDonald, Davis, GPD, WP, SGCo. May trade. Peter Utas: peterutas@aol.com, 310.893.9181. (07/08_24)
WANTED: Amber, aqua or clear bottles or jars with the logo “N” inside a Keystone symbol on the base. Contact Barry Bernas at phone 717.338.9539 or email barryb6110@aol.com (05/06_24 to 07/08_25)
WANTED: Looking for Rio Grande College milk bottle. Also Butler Dairy, Spregal Dairy in Gallia County, Ohio. 740.441.1236, Erin, peroe53@gmail.com (09/10_24)
WANTED: G.A. Kohl, soda/mineral water. Lambertville, New Jersey. ca. 1835-1850. Contact Bob Jaques at 518.648.0260, rmtlr@ verizon.net (09/10_24)
WELCOME
We welcome the following new members to the FOHBC: Tommy Ashker, Nichole Barksdale, Richard Beamer, Mark Berger, Kenneth Blaine, Tim Boyd, John Brezko, David Buck, Bradley Cusick, Nan Davis, Detra Cleghorn, William Easterday, Leon Ray Hampton Jr., Edward Hertel, Scott Hughes, Carisa Kimmon, Tom Knapik, Tim Knapp, Larry Kovalick, Travis Layman, Jana Maler, Carl B. McCain, Greg Markovic, David Meinz, Brian Moore, Socrates Necklas, Lawrence Page, Merle Rector, Bob Renzi, Henry Rice, Bruce Schank, Scott Schubert, Craig Solomonson, Paul Spencer, Alexander Taylor, David Terry, Chris Vecchione, Nathan Weimer, Patrick Whitson and Jesse Wolk
VOLUNTEERS
The FOHBC is always looking for help and volunteer work for the many projects and initiatives of the organization.
Annual Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation
1. Publication: Antique Bottle & Glass Collector
2. Publication No: 1050-5598
3. Filing Date: September 01, 2024
4. Issue Frequency: Bi-monthly
5. Number of Issues Published Annually: 6
6. Annual Subscription Price: $40
7. Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: FOHBC, 2131 Peach Ridge Road, P.O. Box 1825, Brookshire, Texas 77423-8834
8. Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: FOHBC, 2131 Peach Ridge Road, P.O. Box 1825, Brookshire, Texas 77423-8834
9. Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor and Managing Editor: FOHBC, Ferdinand Meyer V, Publisher, Editor & Managing Editor, 2131 Peach Ridge Road, P.O. Box 1825, Brookshire, Texas 77423-8834
10. Name and Complete Mailing Addresses of Owner: Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors, 2131 Peach Ridge Road, P.O. Box 1825, Brookshire, Texas 77423-8834
11. Known Bondholders, Mortgages, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding one Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages or Other Securities: None
12. Tax Status: Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months
14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: August 19, 2024
15. Extent and Nature of Circulation, Average No. of Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months; & No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date:
Total Average Qualified Print Circulation (Net Press Run): 2,000
Total Distribution: 2,500
Copies Not Distributed: 0
Total: 2,500
16. This Statement of Ownership will be printed in the: September–October 2024 Issue of this Publication.
17. I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines, and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including multiple damages and civil penalties).
Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors (FOHBC), Elizabeth Meyer, Business Manager, 2131 Peach Ridge Road, P.O. Box 1825, Brookshire, Texas 77423-8834, 713.504.0628, fohbcmembers@gmail.com, FOHBC.org
Sho-Biz Calendar of Shows
FOHBC Sho - Biz is published in the interest of the hobby. Federation-affiliated clubs are indicated in red. Information on upcoming collecting events is welcome, but space is limited. Please send at least three months in advance, including telephone number to: FOHBC Sho-Biz, c/o Business Manager: Elizabeth Meyer, P.O. Box 1825, Brookshire, Texas 77423; phone: 713.504.0628; email: fohbcmembers@gmail.com Show schedules are subject to change. Please call before traveling long distances. All listings published here will also be published on the FOHBC.org website.
FOHBC Member Clubs: Please request event insurance coverage at least two months before your event. Email fohbcmembers@gmail.com. Put “Show Insurance” in subject line.
07 September 2024 – Seekonk, Massachusetts
The Little Rhody Bottle Club Tailgate Swap Meet, starts at 8:00 am and ends at 2:00 pm. There is no set up fee and no admission fee. Bring as many tables as you want. Buy, sell, trade and keep what you make. Show Address: Leonard’s Antiques, 600 Taunton Ave. (Rte #44) Seekonk, Mass., Contact Info: William Rose 508.880.4929, sierramadre@comcast.net, FOHBC Member Club
08 September 2024 – Pekin, Illinois
Pekin Bottle Collectors Assoc. 54th Antique Bottle Collectors Annual Show & Sale, 8:30 am to 3:00 pm, Admission $2, Free Appraisals, Moose Lodge, 2605 Broadway Street, Pekin, Illinois, Contact Info: Daryl Weseloh, 309.264.9268, darylweseloh@gmail. com, FOHBC Member Club
14 September 2024 – Castle Rock, Colorado
The 58th Anniversary Antique Bottle Collectors of Colorado Show, Douglas County Fairgrounds at Kirk Hall, 500 Fairgrounds Dr., Castle Rock, Colorado 80104. Early Bird Admission Sept. 13th at 8:00 am $10. General Admission: Saturday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Free. More information: Fred Bjork, 719.310.8388, manfredbjork@ yahoo.com, antiquebottlecollectorsofcolorado.com, FOHBC Member Club
14 September 2024 – Lebanon, Indiana
Indianapolis Circle City Antique Bottle, Advertising and Antiques Show, Boone County Fairgrounds, 1300 E. 100 S, Lebanon, Indiana 46052, Set-up: 7:30 to 9:00 am, Show hours: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Admission – Free, (Early Admission–$20), Free appraisals on antique bottles and glass. For show Information contact: Martin Van Zant, 812.841.9495, 41 East Washington Street, Mooresville, Indiana 46158, mdvanzant@yahoo.com or “Balsam” Bill Granger 317.517.5895, 6915 S. 280 E., Lebanon, Indiana 46052, bgranger@iquest.net FOHBC Member Club
15 September 2024 – Depew, New York
The Greater Buffalo Bottle Collectors Association’s 25th Annual Show & Sale, Polish Falcons Hall, 445 Columbia Avenue, Depew, New York 14043, General Admission $4: Sunday 9 am to 2 pm. Contact chairman Tom Karapantso, 716.487.9645, tomar@stny. rr.com or Peter Jablonski, 716.440.7985, peterjablonski@roadrunner. com or Joe Guerra, 716.207.9948, jguerra3@roadrunner.com, gbbca. org, FOHBC Member Club
15 September 2024 – Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Merrimack Valley Antique Bottle Club’s 49th Annual Bottle Show & Sale, Chelmsford Elks Lodge, 300 Littleton Road, Chelmsford, Massachusetts 01824, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, $4 admission, $20 early admission (8:00 am), Visit mvabc.org or contact: Kevin Cantrell, 978.551.6397, kmcantrell86@gmail.com, FOHBC Member Club
15 September 2024 – Ellendale, Delaware
DELMARVA Antique Bottle Club Show and Sale, Ellendale Fire Hall, 302 Main Street, Ellendale, Delaware, 9:00 am to 2:00
pm, Info: Keith Fleming, 302.684.8138, moonderby327@gmail.com, FOHBC Member Club
20-21 September 2024 – Aurora, Oregon
Oregon Bottle Collectors Association Bottle, Antiques, Collectibles Show & Sale, Friday 12 noon to 5:00 pm. Dealer set-up and early bird admission $5. Saturday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm regular public admission by donation. American Legion Hall, 21510 Main Street N.E., Aurora, Oregon. Contact: Wayne Herring, show chairman, 503.864.2009 or Bill Bogynska, 503.657.1726, billbogy7@ gmail.com, FOHBC Member Club
20-22 September 2024 – Reinholds, Pennsylvania
24th Annual Shupp’s Grove Fall Bottle Festival, 607 Willow Street, Reinholds, Pennsylvania. Friday, early buyers only from 11 am to 5 pm at a ticket price of $20 per person and running through Sunday. Saturday and Sunday hours are from 6 am to dusk; admission is free to all on these two days. Contact Steve Guion at william03301956@gmail.com or call him at 717.371.1259. He has information and dealer contracts for those wishing to set up at the festival.
21 September 2024 – Santa Ana, California
The Los Angeles Historical Bottle Club’s Annual Antique Bottles, Fruit Jars, Insulators, Antiques & Collectibles Show & Sale, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Free, Early Bird $15 at 8:00 am, Club Members All Day Entry, at the Santa Ana California Elks Lodge, 1751 South Lyon St., Santa Ana, California 92705. Free Admission, Info: Don Wippert, Tele: 818.610.9332; Email: donwippert1@ gmail.com or Chuck Gildea, tele: 949.351.7620. FOHBC Member Club
21 September 2024 – Santa Rosa, California
Northwestern Bottle Collectors’ Association’s 57th Annual Antique, Bottle & Collectible Show at the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building, 1351 Maple Avenue, Santa Rosa, California 95404. General Admission: Saturday Noon to 4:00 pm, FREE, Saturday early admission 10:00 am to Noon, $10. For dealer and show information contact Jon Mathieu, 707.327.7286, ohfrenchy@att. net or John Burton, 707.523.1611, johncburton@msn.com, FOHBC Member Club
22 September 2024 – Topsham, Maine
The Mid-Maine Antique Bottle Club 4th Annual Show and Sale, Topsham Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall, Topsham, Maine, $2 General Admission, 9:00 am, $15 Early Buyers 8:00 am to 9:00 am. Contact Paul McClure, 207.832.1503, oldbottles@outlook.com, midmaineantiquebottleclub.com, FOHBC Member Club
22 September 2024 – Hammonton, New Jersey
2024 Fall Bottle Show at Batsto Village by the Batsto Citizens Committee, Inc., 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, rain or shine! Free admission! Historic Batsto Village, Wharton State Forest, Rt. 542 Pleasant Mills Road, Hammonton, New Jersey. Contact Info: Jim Hammell, 856.217.4945, hammelljm@gmail.com
28 September 2024 – Cleveland, Mississippi
3rd Annual Mississippi Delta Antique Bottle, Advertising and Collectable Show & Sale, Bolivar County Expo Building,
601 1st Street, Cleveland, Mississippi 38732, Saturday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Free Admission. Early admission, Saturday, 7:00 am to 9:00 am, $15, Mississippi Antique Bottle, Advertising and Collectable Club, For details contact, Cheryl Comans, 1211 S. 5th Ave., Cleveland, Mississippi 38732, 601.218.3505, cherylcomans@gmail.com, John Yarbrough, 4139 Hwy 8, Cleveland, Mississippi, 662.721.7446, john@johnsigns.com, FOHBC Member Club
28 September 2024 (Saturday) Albuquerque, New Mexico
The Enchantment Insulator Club/New Mexico Historical Bottle Society 2024 Tailgater, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, North Domingo Baca Park, 7521 Carmel NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113. There are tables but you should probably bring your own with chairs plus an EZ-up if you have one. There are three large pavilions and six small ones west of the fire/police building at the northeast corner of the park. Nearby are plenty of restaurants and takeout options. No fees! No electricity either. Questions? Mike Gay cdn102@swcp.com, 505.480.0085. We can email a map by request.
04 Oct. & 05 October 2024 – Williams, California
Sacramento Valley Museum Antique Bottle Show, Bottles, Collectibles, Antiques, 1492 E St., Williams California, Friday, Oct 4th, Early admission $20, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Saturday Admission Free 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, Show chairs Cristy and Slim Edwards, closethegatefenceco@yahoo.com, 530.586.0717
05 October 2024 –Chesterfield, Virginia
The Richmond Area Bottle Collectors Assoc. presents the 52nd Richmond Antique Bottle and Collectibles Show and Sale; General Admission is $3, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm; Early Admission is $10 from 7:30 am, at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, 10300 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield, Virginia 23832. Info: Tony Townsend, 804.379-0902; RichBottleClub@comcast.net, FOHBC Member Club
12 October 2024 – Fayette, Alabama
11th Annual Fayette, Alabama Bottle Collectible Bottles & Antiques Show & Sell, Free admission to the public, Boy Scouts of America Scout Building, 100 3rd Avenue, Fayette Alabama 35555, Saturday 8:00 am till 3:00 pm, Set-up: Friday, October 11th from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm and Saturday, October 12th from 6:00 am till 7:30 am, $15 per table. All table rental goes to local Boy Scouts. Limit 50 tables. Contact: Jeff Pendley, Chairman, 205.275.2650, JfPendley@aol.com
13 October 2024 – Keene, New Hampshire
The Yankee Bottle Club’s 55th Annual Keene Show & Sale, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, early buyers 8 am, at Keene High School, 43 Arch Street, Keene, New Hampshire. Contact: Alan Rumrill, PO Box 803, Keene, NH 03431, 603.352.1895, Email: arumrill@ hsccnh.org, Website: yankeebottleclub.org. FOHBC Member Club
19 October 2024 – Macungie, Pennsylvania
Forks of the Delaware Bottle Collectors Association 49th Annual Bottle and Antique Show & Sale, Saturday, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, $3 Admission, Macungie Memorial Park Hall, 50 Poplar St., Macungie, Pennsylvania 18062. Early Shopper Admission at 7:30 am ($20 admission fee for early shoppers) For info: Bill Hegedus 610.264.3130, forksofthedelawarebottles@hotmail.com or contact
Sho-Biz Calendar of Shows
James Etheredge 570.710.3602. For updates see our Facebook Page – Forks of the Delaware Bottle Collectors, FOHBC Member Club
20 October 2024 – Findlay, Ohio
47th Annual Findlay Antique Bottle Club Antique Bottle & Collectibles Show & Sale, Owens Community College, Education and Wellness Center, 3200 Bright Road, Findlay, Ohio 45840, 9 am to 2 pm $5, Early Bird Sunday 7 am to 9 am $20 (Dealer-only set up Saturday) Contact: Fred Curtis 419.424.0486, finbotclub@gmail. com, Website: finbotclub.blogspot.com, FOHBC Member Club
25 & 26 October 2024 – Nashville, Tennessee Area
Tennessee Bottle Collectors Presents their Nashville Area
Antique Bottle & Advertising Show, Wilson County Fairgrounds, 945 E. Baddour Pkwy, Lebanon, Tennessee 37087, Behind Expo Center, I-40 Exit 239B, Friday 1:30 to 6:00 pm Early Buyer $15 Admission, Saturday 8:00 am to 2:00 pm Free Admission. Dealer Set-up: Friday: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, Saturday: 7:00 am. For Show Info or Vendor Contract, Contact Show Chairmen Greg Eaton: at 865.548.3176 or Stanley Word at 615.708.6634, FOHBC Member Club
27 October 2024 – Countryside, Illinois
55th Annual 1st Chicago Bottle Club Show & Sale, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, $5 admission at a new location: Holiday Inn Chicago SW-Countryside, 6201 Joliet Road, Countryside, Illinois 60525, Show Chairperson: Tom Majewski, tnsmski@comcast.net, 630.778.1932, FOHBC Member Club
03 November 2024 – Elton, Maryland
The Tri-State Bottle Collectors and Diggers Club 51st Annual Show & Sale, Singerly Fire Hall, Routes 279 & 213 (I-95 exit 109A), 300 Newark Avenue, Elkton, Maryland 21922, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, No Early Admission, Dealers only entry at 7:30 am for Set-up, Admission: $3 per person, Children under age 12 free, Contact: Dave Porter, President, 100 Jarmon Road, Elton, Maryland, 21921, 717.779-8324, daveelle@msn.com, FOHBC Member Club
08 & 09 November 2024 – Auburn, California
’49er Historical Bottle Association Best in the West Antique Bottle & Collectibles Shown 2024, Gold Country Fairgrounds & Event Center, 1273 High Street, Auburn, California 95603, Friday Early Admission Noon to 5:00 pm $15, Public Saturday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Set-up Friday Noon to 5:00 pm. For show info contact: Dan Bell, 530.8794 or Max Bell 530.368.9495, FOHBC Member Club
09 November 2024 – Royal Oak, Michigan
The Metropolitan Detroit Antique Bottle Club’s 41st Annual Antique Bottle Show & Sale, 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Admission $3, Early Admission 8:00 to 9:30 am $25. Free Appraisals! Royal Oak Elks Lodge #1523, 2401 E. Fourth Street, Royal Oak, Michigan 48067, Contact: Mike Brodzik, Club President and Show Chairman, 586.219.9980, bottlemike@outlook.com, FOHBC Member Club
10 November 2024 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Pittsburgh Antique Bottle Club’s 54th Annual Show & Sale, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, early buyers 7:00 am, $25. Admission is
$3. PittsburghAntiqueBottleClub.org, Elizabeth VFD Event Center, 107 Market Street, Elizabeth, Pennsylvania 15037, Directions Here, Contact Info: Bob DeCroo, 724.326.8741 or Jay Hawkins, 724.872.6013, FOHBC Member Club
15 & 16 November 2024 – Biloxi, Mississippi Presented by the Olde Guys Digging Club of Biloxi, MS, the 7th Annual Mississippi Gulf Coast Antique Bottle Show will be held from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturday, November 16, 2024 at the Joppa Shrine Temple, 13280 Shriners Blvd., Biloxi, MS 39532 (Exit 41- I-10). Dealer Set Up on Friday, November 15, 2024 from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm and Saturday, November 16, 2024 from 8:00 to 9:00 am. Free Admission on Saturday, November 16, 2024. Early Buyers $20 per person during dealer set up on Friday. For more information or table contracts contact: Peter Taggard, 645 Village Lane South, Mandeville, Louisiana 70471. Phone 985.373.6487 Email: petertaggard@yahoo.com
23 November 2024 – Clemmons, North Carolina Clemmons Antique Bottle Show (formerly Greensboro Bottle Show) at the Village Inn Hotel & Event Center, 6205 Ramada Dr. Clemmons, North Carolina 27012, Saturday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, No Early admission, Set up: Saturday 7:00 am to 9:00 am. Free to the Public! Contact: David Erickson, 336.247.1928, dave.erickson111@ gmail.com
01 February 2025 – DeFuniak Springs, Florida
The Emerald Coast Bottle Collectors Inc., 22nd Annual Antique Bottle & Collectibles Show & Sale, will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025 from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm at the DeFuniak Springs Community Center, 361 N. 10th Street, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32433. Free Admission. Tables are $35 each, eight feet long and there are 40 available for the show. All tables must be paid for in advance. For more information and/or table contracts please contact Richard. Email: shards@bellsouth.net, text or call 850.435.5425.
21 & 22 February 2025 – Phoenix, Arizona
The Phoenix Antiques, Bottles and Collectibles Club 42nd Annual Show and Sale held at the North Phoenix Baptist Church, 5757 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85012. Friday 2:00 to 6:00 pm ($10 admission) and Saturday and 8:30 am to 3:30 pm ($3 admission). For more information contact Betty Hartnett, Show Chair, 602.317.4438, bettchem@cox.net. Visit the club website at phoenixantiquesclub.org, FOHBC Member Club
08 March 2025 – Richfield, North Carolina
Uwharrie Bottle Club Presents the 17th Annual Bottle, Advertising & Collectibles Show and Sale at the Baptist Fellowship Hall, 24639 NC Highway 49, Richfield, North Carolina 28137. Free Admission. Open to the public 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. For info contact Todd McSwain, 704.438.0305 or email mcswain8649@ windstream.net FOHBC Member Club
14 & 15 March 2025 – Dalton, Georgia
4th Annual Chattanooga | North Georgia Antique Bottles & Advertising Show, Dalton Convention Center, 2211 Tony Ingle Pkwy, Dalton, Georgia 30720 (Exit 333 off I-75). Concessions available. Early Buyers Saturday: 8:00 to 9:00 am ($20). Admission Free Saturday: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Show Chairmen: Jason Herron
205.913.9748 and Buddy Lasater 423.718.3521, FOHBC Member Club
26 April 2025 – Columbia, South Carolina
The South Carolina Bottle Club’s 52nd Annual Show & Sale, 206 Jamil Road, Columbia, South Carolina 29210, 2024 sellout at 190 tables! A new record! Saturday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Donation at the door suggested, Dealer Only Set-Up 7:00 am to 9:00 am, Jamil Shrine Temple, Contact: Marty Vollmer 803.629.8553, martyvollmer@aol.com or Art Gose 803.840.1539, scbottlehunters@gmail.com, FOHBC Member Club
10 May 2025 – Gardendale, Alabama
5th Annual Alabama Bottle & Advertising Show, Saturday, May 10, 9:00 am to 3:30 pm; Free Admission and Appraisals. Gardendale Civic Center, 857 Main Street, Gardendale, Alabama 35071 (10 minutes north of Birmingham). Info: Keith Quinn: 205.365.1983, klq1812@gmail.com or Steve Holland, 205.492.6864. Visit our Facebook page Alabama Bottle Collectors’ Society FOHBC Member Club
31 July–03 August 2025 – Reno, Nevada
FOHBC Reno 2025 National Antique Bottle and Glass Convention at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino. For information contact Craig Cassetta, ccassettafohbc@gmail. com or Richard Siri, rtsiri@sbcglobal.net, Direct Link to Hotel Reservations at FOHBC.org, FOHBC National Event
FOHBC members: We have the last and final group of Houston 24 cobalt blue Drake’s Plantation Bitters commemorative bottles for sale for $280 which includes shipping within the United States. Contact Ferdinand at fmeyer@fmgdesign.com. The teal and sapphire examples are one-off and made soley for the H24 Sunset Auction and Hotel ZaZa Antique Bottle and Glass Show raffle.
Membership Benefits & Display Advertising Rates
The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors (FOHBC) is a non-profit organization supporting antique bottle and glass collecting. The goal of the FOHBC is to promote the collection, study, preservation and display of historical bottles and related artifacts and to share this information with other collectors and individuals. Membership is open to any individual, club or institution interested in the enjoyment and study of antique bottles and glass. Membership benefits include:
–Antique Bottle & Glass Collector (AB&GC), the official publication of FOHBC and the leading publication for those interested in antique bottle and glass collecting and all associated ephemera. Annual subscription includes 6 issues (bi-monthly) of this all-color, 72-page plus covers publication. (Digital memberships also available.)
–Free classified advertising in AB&GC. Ads may be up to 100 words for items of $25 or greater value; and one free ad of 60 words each year For Sale, Wanted, or For Trade. (Restrictions apply and free ads are limited to the first received for available space.) Ads appear on the FOHBC website also. See page 72.
–FOHBC.org, a comprehensive website dedicated to the organization and hobby, providing access through the Members Portal to the latest news in the collecting world, Membership Directory, archived magazine issues, indexed articles, Federation meeting minutes and announcements, and a vast assortment of research material.
–Virtual Museum of Historical Bottles and Glass, the most comprehensive antique bottle and glass experience on the Internet. Spinning images of museum-quality examples of antique bottles and glass, including well-researched history of the manufacture, distribution, and use of each item.
–Auction Price Report, an online resource which includes the sale price and description of anything auctioned by the top antique bottle and glass auction houses in the past decade. Easy to use. Updated annually. (Password protected.)
–National Shows and Conventions, featuring displays, educational seminars, membership meetings, social events, and banquet with interesting speakers, all centered around a first-class sale event. Members are eligible for discounts on “Early Admission” or table rental.
–Newsletter, digital presentation of periodic postings to keep FOHBC members up to date on current issues affecting the hobby.
Affiliated Bottle Club Membership brings these additional benefits to your group:
–Federation-sponsored Insurance Program for your show and any other club-sponsored activities. (Application required for each event.) Value of this is many times more than the cost of club membership.
–Club Display Ad in AB&GC at discount of 50%.
–Free Club Show Ad on the Federation website to increase your show’s exposure. –Free Links to Club Website; Social Media (Facebook) exposure.
–Free Federation Ribbons for Best in Show and Most Educational display at your show.
For more information, questions, or to join the FOHBC, please contact: Elizabeth Meyer, FOHBC Business Manager, P.O. Box 1825, Brookshire, Texas 77423; phone: 713.504.0628 or email: fohbcmembers@gmail.com
Visit us at FOHBC.org
Where there’s a will there’s a way to leave Donations to the FOHBC Did you know the FOHBC is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization?
How does that affect you? It allows tax deductions for any and all donations to the FOHBC. You might also consider a bequest in your will to the FOHBC. This could be a certain amount of money or part or all of your bottle collection. The appraised value of your collection would be able to be deducted from your taxes. (This is not legal advice, please consult an attorney.) The same-type wording could be used for bequeathing your collection or part of it; however, before donating your collection (or part of it), you would need the collection appraised by a professional appraiser with knowledge of bottles and their market values. This is the amount that would be tax deductible. Thank you for considering the FOHBC in your donation plans.
For Membership, complete the following application or sign up at FOHBC.org (Please Print)
Name
Address
City __________ State___________________
Zip ___________ Country _________________
Telephone
Email Address
Collecting Interests ________________________
Additional Comments
Do you wish to be listed in the online membership directory?(name, address, phone number, email address and what you collect) { } Yes { } No
Would you be interested in serving as an officer? { } Yes { } No
Would you be interested in contributing your bottle knowledge by writing articles for our magazine? { } Yes { } No
Would you be interested in volunteering to help on any FOHBC projects? { } Yes { } No
Membership/Subscription rates for one year (6 issues) (Circle One) (All First Class sent in a protected mailer)
United States
- Standard Mail
- Standard Mail w/Associate*
-
-
Digital Membership (electronic files only)
$40 1st Class
$25
Canada – First Class $60 Other countries – First Class $80
- Life Membership: Level 1: $1,000, includes all benefits of a Standard 1st Class membership. No promise of a printed magazine for life.
- Level 2: $500, includes all benefits of a regular membership but you will not receive a printed magazine, but rather a digital subscription.
Add an Associate Membership* to any of the above at $5 for each Associate for each year.
Associate Member Name(s)
*Associate Membership is available to members of the immediate family of any adult holding an Individual Membership. Children age 21 or older must have their own individual membership. Associate Members enjoy all of the rights and privileges of an Individual Membership.
Signature
Please make checks or money orders payable to FOHBC and mail to:
Affiliated Club Membership for only $75 with liability insurance for all club-sponsored events, 50% discount on advertising in Antique Bottle & Glass Collector, plus so much more, Contact: FOHBC Business Manager: Elizabeth Meyer, PO Box 1825, Brookshire, Texas 77423, 713.504.0628, fohbcmembers@ gmail.com
Antique Bottle & Glass Collector Free Ads
Category: “WANTED”
Maximum - 60 words
Limit - One free ad per current membership year.
OR
Category: “FOR SALE”
Maximum - 100 words
Limit - 1 ad per issue.
(Use extra paper if necessary.)
Clearly Print or Type Your Ad
Send to: FOHBC Business Manager: Elizabeth Meyer, P.O. Box 1825, Brookshire, Texas 77423; phone: 713.504.0628; or better yet, email Elizabeth at: fohbcmembers@gmail.com
Magazine Submission Requirements:
We welcome the submission of articles and related pictures pertaining to antique bottle and early glass collecting, our hobby, digging, diving, and finding, as well as other interesting stories.
SUBMISSION POLICY—Articles:
All Antique Bottle & Glass Collector articles or material needs to be submitted via an FTP site, email or hard copy.
Electronic text files should be in Microsoft Word.
Electronic photo files should be in JPEG, TIFF or EPS format.
Resolution of 300 dpi at actual publication size is preferred but as low as 150 dpi (at double publication size) is acceptable.
SUBMISSION POLICY—Classified ads:
All ad copy should be typewritten, clearly & legibly printed, or sent via e-mail.
The FOHBC will not be responsible for errors in an ad due to poor quality, illegible copy.
The FOHBC reserves the right to refuse any advertising.
Please send articles/images to fmeyer@fmgdesign.com or mail to business manager noted on bottom of previous column.
