Vol. 31
No. 6
November - December 2020
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Featuring The Curious Career of T.W. Dyott, M.D. Included in this issue... Chasing a Good Bitters
The “Hail Mary Holtzermann’s Bitters”
Toothpick holders catch bottle collector’s fancy
“The Rise and Fall of the Rattlesnake King”
Dorlon & Shaffer Pickled Oysters
... and so much more
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Auctioning Antique Bottles for over 28 Years!
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November - December 2020
Bottles and Extras 1
Don’t miss an issue of BOTTLES and EXTRAS ! Please check your labels for expiration information. Who do I contact at BOTTLES and EXTRAS, or for my Change of Address, Missing Issues, etc.?
Vol. 31 No. 6
November - December 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
No. 252
On the Cover: T. W. Dyott's store as advertised in 1820 and scanned page from American Glass, T.W. Dyott Flask
To Advertise, Subscribe or Renew a subscription, see pages 66 and 72 for details.
FOHBC Officers | 2020 - 2021 ............................................................................................2 FOHBC President’s Message .................................................................................................3 Shards of Wisdom ...............................................................................................................4
images or archive them until the 3-D spinner example is placed in the museum.
History’s Corner ..................................................................................................................5 Alan is setting up for a trip to Texas in the first quarter of 2021 to
do a few different collections including bitters, early American glass, lightning rod balls, and barber bottles. This October he will be imaging tableware. Milk bottles are on the to-do list too.
FOHBC News - From & For Our Members ..............................................................................6
Ferdinand Meyer V has done a fantastic job with research and
focused on Target Balls, Jars, and Spring & Mineral Chasing a Good Bitters by Jeff Mihalik........................................................................lately 10has 10 Water history and has been busy with Miguel Ruiz Page working on the site mechanics. They upgraded and enlarged capacity for our museum server recently but not without a lot of effort.
A brief commentary on the somewhat new Bottle Digging Video craze There is no charge for viewing the museum during construction By Richard Siri and during the pandemic. Who knows when we will be out of this by Jeff Mihalik .......................................................................................................... 16crisis? So, for right now, no day pass or construction pass global The FOHBC Virtual Museum has been established to display, Virtual Museum Ne ws
inform, educate, and enhance the enjoyment of historical bottle
is needed. That said we won’t refuse a donation as this monumental effort does cost money to build. And thank the Lord for the
glass collecting by providing an online virtual museum work Toothpick holders catch bottle collector's fancy byand John DeGraff .............................. 18that Alan and Ferdinand do pro-bono. experience for significant historical..bottles and other items related to early glass.
Alan is working on an updated annual budget going forward. With the number of bottles and other glass categories, we are
**************** Virtual Museum News by Richard Siri ........................................................................ 22at years of effort and growth. There may be ways to get With horrific and record-breaking fires here in the west and north- looking west, named hurricanes one after the other in the Gulf and Atlantic, epic flooding, tornado’s, heat waves, and a COVID-19 Pandemic makes us wonder if we are nearing the end of the world. With just about every bottle show and club meeting canceled, we are fortunate to have the Internet to satisfy our bottle needs.
some funding thru educational programs that we will be looking into. We are not looking to put commercial advertising in the museum but if a company or entity would want to fund our program, we could name a gallery after them such as the Smith Bitters Gallery or Jones Gold Rush Sodas Room.
Dorlon & Shaffer Pickled Oysters by Ferdinand Meyer V.......................................... 26
Stay safe and I hope to see you at the FOHBC 2022 Reno NationAntique bottle and glass collectors that have visited our Virtual The "Hail Mary" Holtzermann's by "Slim" Wilberger. ................................................ 30 al if not much sooner. Museum have been very pleased and excited about the experience. We see them looking forward as new items are added on Page 18 **************** an almost daily basis. This past period, we have concentrated on populating the Jar Gallery which is fantastic with so many superb The Rakes from Shooting Creek: Legit liquor dealers, moonshiners specimens, colors, and closures not seen by many. Some examples are even unique meaning no other recorded examples. by David Kyle Rakes ............................................................................................... 38 Alan DeMaison, our chief imaging specialist, is working with
imaging lead. This is a process that is above my pay grade so I don’t even know how to explain it all but Gina is progressing nicely. She has started imaging her father Lou’s outstanding antique food bottle collection and will be ready to take on other groups soon after. One of her first bottles to image was Shriver’s Oyster Ketchup - Baltimore which is pictured to the right.
"The Rise and Fall of the Rattlesnake King" by Courtney Llewellyn ......................... 44 The Curious Career of T. W. Dyott, M.D. Part 1 Gold Rush sodas would be a good group covering the 1860s and by Q. David Bowers ................................................................................................ 48 1870s applied top sodas. The one thing about the western bottle groups is that it would be possible to do a complete gallery room for bottles from west of the Rockies. Of course, sodas are very
popular and collected from the northeast, southeast, and mid-west Sample's Dairy and Ice Cream Shop by Cody Wayt ..................................................... 54 too.
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Looking at the various antique bottle auctions that are happening, with Alan or Gina and have them imaged for the virtual museum.
We already include most of these bottles I reference as support Lost & Found .................................................................................................................... 62
Shriver’s Oyster Ketchup - Baltimore
Classified Ads ................................................................................................................... 66 FOHBC Sho-Biz - Calendar of Shows .................................................................................. 68
Membership Benefits, Ad Rates, Donations to the FOHBC ................................................... 71
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Membership Application & Advertising ............................................................................. 72 Coming next issue or down the road: •Digging in Indiana•Phelan's Hair Tonic•Union Dairy, Indianapolis•The Curious Career of T. W. Dyott, M.D. Part 2•Abraham Klauber: An Early San Diego Merchant's Wooden Crate•Summer Digging with Mark Wiseman• Crystal Spring Water•C.R. Brown
Martin Van Zant BOTTLES and EXTRAS Editor 41 E. Washington Street Mooresville, Indiana 46158 812.841.9495 email: mdvanzant@yahoo.com Fair use notice: Some material in BOTTLES and EXTRAS 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 copyrighted owner(s).
Postmaster: Send address changes to Elizabeth Meyer, FOHBC Business Manager, 101 Crawford Street, Studio 1A, Houston, Texas 77002; 713.222.7979 x103, email: fohbcmembers@gmail.com Annual subscription rate is: $40 for standard mail or $55 for First Class, $60 Canada and other foreign, $85, Digital Membership $25 in U.S. funds. Life Membership: Level 1: $1,000, Level 2: $500, The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors, Inc. assumes no responsibility for products and services advertised in this publication. See page 72 for more details.
FOHBC Member Photo Gallery .......................................................................................... 64
FOHBC Membership Additions & Changes ......................................................................... 70
To Submit a Story, send a Letter to the Editor or have Comments and Concerns, contact:
BOTTLES and EXTRAS © (ISSN 1050-5598) is published bi-monthly (6 issues per year) by the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors, Inc. (a non-profit IRS C3 educational organization) at 101 Crawford Street, Studio 1A, Houston, TX 77002; phone: 713.222.7979 x103; Website: FOHBC.org, Non-profit periodicals postage paid at Raymore, Missouri 64083 and additional mailing office, Pub. #005062.
Gina Pellegrini bringing her up to speed with the imaging proLincoln Bottle Show 2020 by Jake Smith.............................................................42 cess. As most of you already know, Gina will be our west coast
rare, unique, one of a kind and odd colors of bottles for sale. Luke Kearney and "Keeping Christmas" by JackII see Sullivan .......................................... 58 hope the new owners of these bottles will at some point catch up
Elizabeth Meyer FOHBC Business Manger 101 Crawford Street, Studio 1A Houston, Texas 77002 phone: 713.504.0628 email: fohbcmembers@gmail.com
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The names Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors Inc., and BOTTLES and EXTRAS ©, are registered ® names of the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors Inc., and no use of either other than as references, may be used without expressed written consent from the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors Inc. Certain material contained in this publication is copyrighted by, and remains the sole property of, the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors Inc. while others remain property of the submitting authors. Detailed information concerning a particular article may be obtained from the Editor. Printed by ModernLitho, Jefferson City, Missouri 65101.
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Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors Business & News
The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors is a non-profit organization for collectors of historical bottles 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 2020 - 2021 President: John O’Neill, 1805 Ralston Ave. Belmont, California 94002; phone: 650.619.8209; email: Joneill@risk-strategies.com First Vice-President: Open Second Vice-President: Open Secretary: Val Berry, 200 Fort Plain Watershed Rd, St. Johnsville, NY 13452; phone: 518.568.5683; email: vgberry10@yahoo.com Treasurer: James Berry, 200 Fort Plain Watershed Rd, St. Johnsville, NY 13452; phone: 518.568.5683; email: jhberry10@yahoo.com Historian: Jim Bender, PO Box 162, Sprakers, NY 12166; phone: 518.673.8833; email: jim1@frontiernet.net Editor: Martin Van Zant, 41 E. Washington St., Mooresville, IN 46168; phone: 812.841.9495; email: mdvanzant@yahoo.com Membership Director: Linda Sheppard, P.O. Box 162, Sprakers, NY 12166; phone: 518.673.8833; email: jim1@frontiernet.net Merchandise Director: Val Berry, 200 Fort Plain Watershed Rd, St. Johnsville, NY 13452; phone: 518.568.5683; email: vgberry10@yahoo.com
Conventions Director: Open Business Manager: Elizabeth Meyer, 101 Crawford Street, Studio 1A, Houston, TX 77002; phone: 713.504.0628; email: fohbcmembers@gmail.com Director-at-Large: Ferdinand Meyer V, 101 Crawford, Studio 1A, Houston, TX 77002; phone: 713.222.7979 x115; email: fmeyer@fohbc.org Director-at-Large: Open Director-at-Large: Richard Siri, PO Box 3818, Santa Rosa, California 95402, phone: 707.542.6438; email: rtsiri@sbcglobal.net Midwest Region Director: Steve Lang, 13173 N. Paddock Rd., Camby, Indiana 46113, phone: 317.734.5113 email: slang14@yahoo.com Northeast Region Director: Jeff Ullman, P.O. Box 121, Warnerville, New York 12187, phone: 518.925.9787; email: jullman@nycap.rr.com Southern Region Director: Jake Smith, 29 Water Tank Drive, Talladega Alabama 35160, phone:256.267.0446 email: syl_bottleguy@yahoo.com Western Region Director: Eric McGuire, 1732 Inverness Drive, Petaluma, California 94954, phone: 707.778.2255; email: etmcguire@comcast.net Public Relations Director: Open
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FOHBC
President’s Message Ferdinand Meyer V
John O’Neill FMG Design, Inc. 101 Crawford Street Studio 1A Houston, Texas 77002 713.222.7979 x115 Avenue, 1805 Ralston fmeyer@fohbc.org Belmont, California 94002
650.619.8209 itting down at my desk, on this firstJoneill@risk-strategies.com back-to-work Monday after New Years, I conjure up a vision of a stove with lots of pots-a-cooking. n my inaugural issue ofbottle Bottles andhas Extras, promised a Statetoofthe The kettle labeled antique events us allI looking forward the Union the next2016 issue and so here is whatAntique I believe stretch leadingAddress up to theinFOHBC Sacramento National Botfaces us as a hobby andthis a group. tle Convention & Expo August. We have a coordination conference call later in the week and plan to step it up a notch or two. We are also pleased that wewith locked in Springfield, Massachusetts ourare 2017 In consulting Elizabeth and Ferdinand Meyer for who bothNational Antique Bottle Convention, and by theour timemembership you read this long time officers and board members, formessage, the pastthe FOHBC 2018 Antique Bottle & 876 Expomembers, will have in been three years is National as follows. In 2018 we Convention had a total of announced for899 Cleveland, Weofreally have our teams place 2019 we had membersOhio. (a gain 23 members), and inin2020 ourand our wheels inismotion. supposeofwe should start thinking thethe 2019 membership 795 (a Idecline 104 members) and thusabout erasing Convention in the Southern Region. Planning ahead has many benefits. gain of the prior year and looking at a percentage decline of 11.56%.
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The FOHBC is also proud to say that this March | April 2016 issue of Ferdinand believes that back in 2013 webemay have in hadfull a high BOTTLES and EXTRAS is the first to printed color,ofwhich around 1200 members, which if accurate reflects that we have now only costs us an additional $184, an issue. This change prompted a few lost a full third ofwhich our membership base. wesuch haveasreason to of design revisions, we hope you willI think notice, the Table be concerned trend headers. indicatesWe ourreceive numbers willabe in reContents and aabout few what of thethe section quite few futurenice years, unless we try to not onlylooks gain exposure ally compliments on new howways the magazine and havetocome thefar hobby the federation, butofkeep the Oh, current base so in a and relative short number years. and membership look for a new section in the and backfind of ways the magazine called “Member Gallery”. interested to expand to a whole newPhoto generation of This new section is must dedicated to there the fine of antique bottles and collectors that be out thatphotography we are just not connecting with. glass. Please feelabout free the to submit your images We Ferdinand wrote same problem in 2013for andconsideration. yet seven years have already started work on the May | June issue and hopethethat you later we are probably in a worsened condition. I don’t think hobby will authoring article forwe theare magazine. We we are need here to help! is onconsider life support, but I an don’t think doing what to be
doing to maintain a healthy sustainability of the hobby. We are not Within this issue of BOTTLES and EXTRAS, please read the proposed facing this problem alone: coin, stamp, dolls, advertising, and similar bylaw updates and revisions that have been marked in red. All revisions collectors are facing the same grim statistics. Even the Car Collector have been approved by the FOHBC Board of Directors. These bylaws market in 2019 cooled off. They are seeing an increasingly discerning have been amended and need to be reviewed by the FOHBC membership market, with a widening between good, at better and best.2016 OurNaprior to the annual generaldivide membership meeting the FOHBC hobbies are becoming a buyer’s market, rather than a seller’s market tional Antique Bottle Convention & Expo in Sacramento, California by with exceptions forof thea best of theofbest. The best always an affirmative vote majority all votes cast of bythe thebest eligible voters seems to hold value andthat in many cases increasing exponentially. in attendance, provided a copy of the proposed changes are made available to each member in advance, either directly by mail or by timely notice in the Federation’s official is periodical or onone theproblem Federation website. Let’s talk about what I believe the number facing
our hobby – Age. I have not done any in-depth study as to what
In news, moving ahead photography for thetake Virtual ageother bands that we our are membership base with falls into but it doesn’t Museum and hope to have regional photography labs set up in regions Einstein to walk through the bottle shows to look at all the white to bottles boththeinmajority a standard format and 3-dimenandstart grayphotographing hair and figure out that of our members and sionally. This effort is being spearheaded by Museum Director, Alan Deattendees are at least in the sixth inning of the ballgame. I think it Maison. You may have met Alan at the Virtual Museum table during the would be a shame to see these great collections inevitably come FOHBC 2015 Chattanooga National Antique Bottle Show last August.
onto market with little interest in them. How about the incredible knowledgemember base behind each and every collection sitting idleproFederation Alicia Booth, is heading up thejust nomination like the tombs of Egypt awaiting some explorer to unearth and cess for the election of all Federation officers including the them President, carryPresident(s), them forward for future generations. Fortunately, are not Vice Secretary, Treasurer, Business Manager,we Membership
at that point yet. We still see strong successful auction results from
Glass Works Auctions, American Bottle Auctions,Director, AmericanHistorian, Glass Director, Public Relations Director, Conventions Gallery and all Director, the other Directors-at-Large auction houses that(3), serve collector. Merchandising andthe Region Directors (4). These elections occur every two years. Any officer may run for successive terms. This has prepared a slateShows of nominations With Covid-19, the committee majority (90%) of the Bottle have beenfor each officewhich and isislisted below. It istoimportant to note any member cancelled a further blow our hobby. One that of the things we desiring to are run doing for anyis office in the Federation may file a nomination as a Board engaging in some additional assistance from form with the Election Committee (in accordance with procedures apoutside providers to promote the FOHBC on a six-month trial basis proved by the membership and instituted by the Election Committee) to get our Instagram page up and running, and enhance our Faceindicating the office they desire to run isfor. deadline for filing this book presence. The scope of services as The follows: is April 1st 2016. We have seen successful campaigns by our membership before so if you want to run for a position, please let Alicia know. Provide a recurring, month to month service to post frequently You and reach her at this email address, alicia@cis-houston.org. You on the FOHBC Facebook page. Develop a FOHBC Instagram will be receiving a ballot for voting so please take the time to vote. account and regularly add posts. The goal is to increase the visibility of the FOHBC, President: word about theVimportance Meyer FOHBC Candidates spread theFerdinand of membership, push ourHouston, magazine Bottles and Extras, push Texas is the slate Virtual of FOHBC Museum, National Conventions, and Shows the Here FOHBC First Vice President: Sheldon Baugh recommended candidates and other related news. The FOHBCKentucky will provide ideas and Russellville, put forth by the nominating visuals for content. committee (Alicia Booth, Second Vice President: Gene Bradberry
Chairperson) for 2014 - 2016. Bartlett, Tennessee I personally think the The slate is being put forth for electronic medium has been a huge asset your consideration and in anyone Secretary: during Covid-19 that it keeps us inJames touch Berry with fellow collectors to run for office may YorkGroups that anyone anddesiring enthusiasts through theJohnsville, FacebookNew Private be nominated by going to the canwebsite join.and I belong to a number of suchGary Groups and all of them have Treasurer: Beatty printing out a a following almost asormuch as the FOHBC North Port, Floridaand in many cases signomination form. Then, mail nificantly more. email to Alicia Booth, Here 11502 are some of the Groups I belong to. California Historian: Jim Bender BurgoyneBottles Drive, Houston, Texasmembers), Antique and Vintage Bottle CollecAntique (608 Sprakers, New York tors77077. (18Kalicia@cis-houston.org members), US Bottle Diggers & Collectors (8.3K memClosing date for nominations Martin Van Zant bers), Hardcore StonewareEditor: and Ceramics (2.4K members), Bottle is April 1, 2016 at midnight. Danville, Indiana Diggers & Collectors (17K members). I could go on but I think you Additional nominations will get be the point. The isMerchandising not dead, but we aren’t reaching Director: Val Berrywho we printed alongside the Hobby slate Johnsville, Newhas York needproposed to connect with and so if Covid-19 taught us anything, it is by the nominating committee and will be listed My fellow Collector and friend Max Bell said Pivot, Adapt, Survive. Membership Director: Linda Sheppard in the May-June 2016 issueis certain; it best,” if anything it’s that the future is uncertain” as he Sprakers, New York of BOTTLES and EXTRAS along toldwith toame in a phone call about the cancellation of the 49ers Bottle short bio of each Conventions Director: Louis Fifer Club Show. candidate.
Brunswick, Ohio
Until we are able to returnBusiness to our Shows and Sales across the Manager: Elizabeth Meyer country, perhaps it’s time to rethinkTexas how we stay connected. I would Houston, like to gauge the level of interest in undertaking visits in Seminars Director-at-Large: Bob Ferraro via Zoom or visits to collector’s homes (again via Zoom) and to Boulder City, Nevada electronically meet them and see their collections and learn some of Director-at-Large: Steve Ketcham These the fascinating history behind the collector and the collection. Edina, Minnesota could be done regionally or nationally and we would limit them to Director-at-Large: 30-45 minutes possibly over a weekend lunchJohn hour.Pastor I encourage you New or Hudson, Michiganmessenger page and to reach out to me at my email my Facebook let me know your thoughtsMidwest on this, but Covid-19 could beLacy as much Region Director: Matt an opportunity for us to evolve as an organization as anything that Austinburg, Ohio has ever confronted us.
Northeast Region Director: Andrew Vuono Stamford, Connecticut
So in summation, the state of the Union is Strong when you consider Southern Region Director: Ron Hands the numbers that have an interest in the hobby, but weak from our Wilson, North Carolina membership perspective. This requires us to evolve, it may be forced evolution, but it's evolutionWestern nonetheless. Every time some Region Director: Eric calamity McGuire Petaluma, California befalls us or a new technology uproots the standard, it forces us to change our thinking of the Public problemRelations and it’s an opportunity become Director: Rick to DeMarsh better for both ourselves, our hobbySpa, and New our organization. Ballston York
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Vintage Soda Collector By Tom Pettit
My favorite beverage bottle with beautiful artwork on the ACL
Tom Pettit and a few of his sodas
My Passion As a young teenager during those hot Florida summers in the 1980s, I can always remember gathering up glass soda bottles around the house only to be able to exchange them back to the store for that 10 cent deposit and to be able to purchase another ice cold bottle of soda.
Parrot's Soda Pop bottle with the ACL in many colors
Well, the times have changed and those glass soda bottles are now only a memory. More a baseball card collector as a kid, my passion later grew into collecting vintage soda bottles most particularly applied color labels. Fast forward to today,
Nectar "Drink of the Gods" ACL bottle
Beehive Beverages ACL's with different color bottles and printing
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this passion has evolved to the creation of this website and my blog. My main message is to share my knowledge and research on the forgotten sodas of the past.
HISTORY’S CORNER In Memory of Dick Watson longtime FOHBC Historian
By Jim Bender
In 1969 the Wheaton Glass Company in New Jersey produced a bottle with John F Kennedy on it as a tribute to a fallen President. Due to the great demand for the Kennedy bottle, Wheaton went on in 1971 to produce a series of presidents ending with Nixon.
McGirr's Blue Seal Beverages, with a beach scene on the ACL
Lack of interest in the bottles caused the end of them. Today, 50 years later, many of the President bottles can be bought for less than $5.00 I wonder what interest there would be today in bottles with our last few Presidents? Watch each issue for a new installment of History’s Corner.
Coca-Cola's Royal Palm Brand with ACL color variations
My website is divided into the many genres of applied color labels. Some of my favorite sections include the “Birds and Bees” with nearly 100 unique bottles featuring our flying friends. Being a Florida kid, “Royal Palm” is another great section dedicated to this unique brand. “Planes, Trains, Automobiles” dedicated to the transportation era and another great favorite is “The Ladies Club” Jay-Kola with a Blue jay in the ACL label
Big"4" Line ACL with a locomotive on the label
In 2019, I had the great opportunity of displaying my collection in two local museums. In summary and to my most enjoyment, I write a monthly blog “Let's Talk Soda” dedicated to small town soda bottlers of the past. Please come check out my site: VintageSodaCollector.com
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FOHBC News
From & For Our Members
Recently Stolen Recently stolen from “ The Factory Antique Mall” located in Verona Virginia. 1. Log Cabin Hops and Buchu in excellent condition dark amber color 2. Warner’s Safe Pressberg in excellent condition dark amber color 3. Warner’s three city “Animal bottle” amber color potstone on right shoulder Please contact 540.255.3143, 4649dean@comcast.net, or Augusta County Virginia Sheriffs Dept, (speak to Matthew Wilcher 540.487.7143) Thanks, Russell Dean
Ash Tonic Bitters - Hoochie Mama Ferdinand This is to let you know that I posted a piece on John Hortling of Lancaster, Pennsylvania today in which you are mentioned. I had been gathering info and images on Hortling but could not find a “hook” until I came across your piece on the $5,000 plus sale of the Ash Tonic Bitters and was taken with “Hoochie Mama” - echoing my surprise and dismay. Thinking about it, however, finding another such bottle with labels intact after a century has passed may prove impossible. Read: Ash Tonic Bitters – John C. Horting, Lancaster, Pennsylvania at Peachridge Glass. Trust you and Elizabeth are keeping safe. We are still firmly locked down. It may be a long haul. Jack Sullivan Arlington, Virginia
A large collection of ceramic beer bottles or ginger beer bottles Hello Martin, My name is Glen Ogle, I'm not sure if I am sending this to the right person from the FOHBC but I'm currently helping my parents sell some of their antique bottles. There is some glass, but it is primarily a large collection of 3,000 or so ceramic beer bottles
or ginger beer bottles. They used to run an antique store here in Santa Barbara out of our 1889 Victorian house. When they purchased the house many years ago the walkway up to the house was made of ceramic beer bottles that the original owner "Lord” Harry Harcroft had put in place. They removed them years ago, then just sat on the bottles till now. There's a lot of interesting history behind our house and the original owner "Lord" Harry, who was the local blacksmith, had set a world record for the longest bolt sometime around 1890s. It was 62' long. He made two for the bell towers of a local church. I could list more but to keep things relatively short I was wondering if FOHBC only did glass bottles or ceramic bottles too. If so knew of anyone who was in the Santa Barbara area that could help us figure out the value of the Ceramic bottles? If the FOHBC would want to do a story, that would be cool, too. As far as the glass bottles I have to round them all up and will send a picture of them when I do one. One in particular was a small cobalt blue bottle that I found while digging the foundation of our house in the '90s. So far we haven't been able to find out the value of it but only that it probably held something poisonous. I will send a picture of that too. Thanks for taking the time to read my email, I appreciate it and all the info on the FOHBC website. Hope to hear back from you soon. Glen Ogle Santa Barbara, California Response from: John O’Neill Glen, Thank you for providing photos of your parents bottles. I would advise you to start collecting bottles and keep your parents legacy moving forward on what can be a fun lifetime adventure in learning about glass and making new friendships in this hobby. You have a nice variety of bottles from the Avon Hoboken(case gin) as well as the hobble skirt Coke bottles. If we can’t convince you to start a collection, you can always sell these directly on eBay, under bottles and insulators. There are no great undiscovered treasures in the photos, and the Hoboken is probably the best among them and is very common. It might bring $50-$100 in an online auction such as eBay. Not sure what the others may bring, but eBay can provide you with a good idea of values by looking under the advanced tab for recently completed sales. The local Santa Bottle is probably an Olive Oil or Beer Bottle which may be of interest to local collectors. The others may have additional suggestions, but thanks for reaching out to us.
Bottles and Extras
November - December 2020
Midwest Region Steve Lang
Hello and welcome to the Midwest Region Report. Twenty-two clubs within 13 states and needless to say I was overwhelmed to begin with. I was listening to John Panek speak about the death of a local collector during his 1st Chicago Bottle Club Zoom meeting on August 21st and he mentioned that in addition to the items we collect we also “collect friends.” I wrote the phrase down at the time and thought how true that is. I am no longer overwhelmed with this task but welcome the challenge to collect friends from a larger area than just my local club. So if you are reading this and are a club in the Midwest Region, I will be reaching out to you in the very near future. I would like to update the club contact / club information listed on the website. If you would like to reach out to me for any reason my contact info is at the bottom of this article and in the listing of FOHBC officers. Below is a summary of what has been going on with some of the club's in the Midwest. • 1st Chicago Bottle Club (Hinsdale, IL) – I was lucky enough to be invited to this clubs Zoom meeting held August 21st. Happy Birthday John Panek who turned 80 on the day of the meeting. I was warmly welcomed by the 15 members who participated. A moment of silence was held for the passing of Bob Sobon, future club meeting programs were discussed and show and tell was held.
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• Kansas Territory Antique Bottle & Postcard Club (Hutchinson, KS) – I emailed with Mike McJunkin and they too had to cancel their 2020 club show. They are down to 7 or 8 club members but are hopeful to have their 2021 show. Thank you and can’t wait to collect more friends. I will continue reaching out.
Northeast Region Jeff Ullman
Even though everything except our birthdays have been cancelled this year, several of our Northeast shows found a way to get it done and work around all the restrictions placed on us. First up in July was Shupp’s Grove Bottle Show in PA. This has always been an outdoor show. But there still needed to be precautions in place. I did not personally attend this year, but from all indications, the show was successful and there were little to no issues. In fact, it went well enough that they decided to have a fall show as well. That show is going to be on the weekend of Sept. 19 – 20th. Glass Works Auctions is holding a Live auction in conjunction with this show. By the time this article is published, it will have already been held, so good luck to all involved!
• Circle City Bottle Club (Indianapolis, IN) – The club has lost its meeting location due to Covid-19 restrictions. Our June and July meetings were held at club members homes where we were able to see personal collections. A meeting was held in my place of work on August 26th to plan our club show to be held September 19th in Lebanon, IN. • Wabash Valley Antique Bottle & Pottery Club (Terre Haute, IN) – The Club held their annual Summer Picnic on Saturday August 22nd at Deming Park in Terre Haute. I was able to attend and take part in the good food and a nice Southern Indiana bottle display by Allen Mitchell. After the food a short meeting was held to talk about their 21st Annual Bottle & Pottery Show to be held on November 21st, 2020 at the Vigo County Fairgrounds in Terre Haute. • Findlay Bottle Club (Findlay, OH) – I emailed with Marianne Dow and they voted to cancel their October Club show during their last meeting. They did hold their August meeting on the 9th. • Kalamazoo Antique Bottle Club (Kalamazoo, MI) – I emailed with Allan Holden and it was sad to hear long time club President Chuck Parker had passed away after their May meeting. Allan is hopeful the club will be able to move forward after this loss.
Hudson Valley and Albany Club Show, everyone keeping their distance
The Hudson Valley Club and the Albany Club also held their shows this year. Hudson Valley kept their same venue and date but had very strict guidelines regarding distancing and kept the number of people and dealers lower and more controlled. Even so, I heard from a few dealers and Hudson Valley Club members who had a great show and a good time! The Albany (Capital Region) Club changed things up a bit from normal. I am an active member of this club and our usual inside venue was not going to accommodate us. After some discussion
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among the members, we decided to try an informal “tailgate” show. We were able to secure the fields of the Mabee Farm in Rotterdam Junction, NY. This farm is a part of the Schenectady County Historical Society and is just a great place! Plenty of field space, easy access off State Route 5S and even access to
Bottles and Extras
individuals from virtually all parts of California tried to catch up on things while enjoying a pot-luck barbecue under the roof of hosts, Rick and Tammy Correa. In order to get my ‘bottle fix’ I have joined the social media crowd on Facebook. A rather lively bunch is located at “California Antique Bottles” which has provided some much needed entertainment, with collectors from all over the country showing their bottles of the day.
Another view of a beautiful day at the Hudson Valley and Albany Club Show
their huge, open air Dutch Barn! We had a somewhat small group compared to our normal show with around 15 dealers and probably 40 or 50 buyers throughout the day, but we had a great time and will likely promote this venue and have our show there next year! I have attached a few photos of the “crowd”. Hopefully, next year things will get back to normal. It’s still nice to see the hobby doing what it can to carry on! Send me photos or info on what your club is doing so we can keep everyone in the loop! Be well! Contact me with additional news
Western Region Eric McGuire
This entire year has been somewhat of a bust for the socializing of bottle collectors in the West. Much like the rest of the country, even club meetings have been severely diminished or cancelled. One of the last notable events has been a default meeting of the 49er club hosted at Rick Pisano’s house in Grass Valley, California. Those attendees brave enough to expose themselves to
Another group of wonderful looking bottles on display at Rick Pisano's house during the pot-luck dinner
Southern Region Jake Smith
When I took over the Southern Director job, I didn’t know where to start. So I started at the root of any group, the people. I called collectors, chairmen and clubs. I wanted their input to get a base line. My calls and emails didn’t get a warm welcome from everyone but the ones that did welcome the call gave me a lot of information. Some issues are a long term fix, while some we can start to change now. So my first force is shows, therefore I have been talking to some chairmen as often as I can talking about coming shows. Trying to network the shows and get word out about them. I have started mailing letters that list southern shows that I am aware of. Then I asked to be put on the information table and if a chairmen would send me a flyer. I will also include other show flyers in the packet I send to all other chairmens.
A group of wonderful looking bottles on display at Rick Pisano's house who hosted a pot-luck dinner
I invite all chairmen to send me flyers to send out to the other chairmans. The idea has been successful so far, I hope to get
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November - December 2020
WANTED!
Articles for BOTTLES and EXTRAS Our editor, staff and designers eagerly await to help you in any possible way.
Tell us about your collection or someone else’s. Tell us your digging and picking story. Write a fictional bottle story. Tell us about an area of antique bottle and glass collecting. Every bottle has a story. Tell us about the medicine men, merchants, or proprietors who are related to our bottles or about a glass house. Write an auction or show report. Tell us about a club outing. Really, the sky is the limit. Don’t be shy. Young or old, new to the hobby or a veteran, please step forward. Thank You!
To submit a Story, Send a Letter to the Editor, or have Comments and Concerns about BOTTLES and EXTRAS, please contact the Editor, Martin Van Zant. mdvanzant@yahoo.com
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Chasing a Good Bitters by Jeff Mihalik
Mountain Herb Bitters in the Hole
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haddeus and I have been digging many privies over the last couple of months. We have found several privies that have dated from the 1840s through the 1860s—however, it's been very slim pickings with only a few embossed pontil bottles from this time period. Therefore, I have had little to write about. Recently, I focused on a new street where I was reasonably sure had not been dug. I was told by a property owner that they had not permitted a recent request to dig. Luckily, I was able to seal the deal on two lots and the dig was on.
JUNE DIGGING I was able to probe out four probable privy sites. One of the sites was sinking and was in a location that would make it easy for a digger with less than full permission to dig, so I figured I would let that one go last. I opened one of the other pits on the first lot by myself since it seemed to be under 6 feet in depth. Long story short, I only found a couple of slick flasks (historical age without embossing) along the sidewalls, so I moved on. The other two pits on the next lot I knew had a lot of glass, so I opened one of them. The first bottles out were barely ‘turn of the century’ maybe even 1910ish, but bottles were coming out in the first couple feet, so the dig was on. After about 45 minutes, I was down about 3-4 feet and found a bright green bottle in a shape I was not familiar with. It turned out to be an Auguaer Bitters from Chicago. It was on the border between machine-made and blown-
Thad getting ready for the dig. I will say this, Thad is not a guy you want placing you in a headlock
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Two different circa 1900s bitters bottles, a Toneco Bitters and a Augauer Bitters in 7up Green
in mold but a nice color, size, and hey it's a bitters! About 20 minutes later, I dug out a Toneco Bitters. It’s a nice size bottle and completely intact, so all good. I dug what I could that day. The next day, Thaddeus came with me to help finish the hole. After it was all said and done, we had about 100 bottles, including two nice bitters, various medicines, four small gun whiskey nips and about eight local beers (taper blob tops) that are extremely rare, maybe one previously known. So all is good and we're digging bitters! The next pit, which was just behind the last one, turned out to be 7 feet long but only 5 feet deep. Other than several broken blue-gray stenciled jugs, we only retrieved four whole bottles, all of which were hutch sodas. However, two of the four hutches were very rare, but overall, this pit was a bust. I did, however, probe out another pit on the next property. It took some time for me to run down the property owners and several more attempts to get permission,
Here are several rare blob beers from Wheeling, West Virginia. A nice surprise and find!
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A really neat and local hard to find hutchinson bottle
but we were finally able to get the go-ahead! Over the last several weeks of digging, the weather has been averaging about 60-70 degrees and has been no problem. We never really thought much about digging the next day; just show up and bring all the equipment. I got to the site about an hour earlier than Thaddeus and opened up the pit on one side of a large cement stairway sitting over much of the hole. Thaddeus arrived and we started to get to work. The first bottle out was a large Cod Liver Oil from Philly with the large cartouche panel on the front (nice big bottle from about the late 1870s), so that was a good sign of age. The bottles started to come out 4 to 5 at a time: many slicks (smooth based) and many hinge mold medicines. As we dug deeper and time went on, the sun began to show overhead and it got a bit hotter. Okay, rookie mistake - we didn't bring the sunshade, didn't have our cooler with ice and water and were not prepared for a massive dig in the heat. Nevertheless, Thaddeus kept pulling up buckets and I kept digging down. We hit the water at the 7-foot level and I know we bailed out at least 50 buckets of water making little headway. I had that feeling that this was a much bigger pit than we realized (usually, you will bail out maybe ten buckets of water and get down a couple of feet, but not here). I saw an amber square bottle and could see it had roof panels (man I was hoping for a local bitters). Once I had it uncov-
Several that came out of the massive 10 x 10 x 5 ft privy. Pikes Peak, couple stoneware crocks and a creen master ink just to name a few
ered, I could see it was a Doyles Hop Bitters. It was a large bottle, completely intact and a bitters! So game on! We keep digging and bailing and digging and bailing. I noticed that Thaddeus had his shirt off and could see how red his back looked as he was in the open sun. It was about 87 degrees and muggy. I was feeling sluggish and knew Thad was struggling. We then found another square bottle but didn't recognize it. It turned out to be a Mountain Herb Bitters from York, Pa. Never dug one of those before! The next item was a freehand decorated snuff crock complete and undamaged. So far, all the bottles came out of an ash layer (about 6 feet thick) above a 1-foot clay cap covering the bottom trash layer. By this time (8 hours of digging), both Thad and I were getting wasted. We were about 9 feet down with maybe a foot of trash left (although we only had found one intact bottle in that lower layer to that point). We already had about 70+ bottles (mostly all from the 1870s) including 25 various medicines, two
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A really neat looking with double neck rings, Tomato and Beefsteak bottle and several household bottles
bitters, two complete stoneware pieces (1 decorated) and multiple household bottles like a cool Beefsteak Tomato Sauce (Anderson and Campbell) highly decorated and with two big tomatoes and other design elements. I had three walls exposed, so I asked Thad for the probe to see how far the 4th wall was (which would be how long the privy was). I pushed the 5-foot probe into the wall and it took the whole probe!! Thad, looking down, said, "what just happened?" lol- I said “it took the entire probe dude!” Having already dug 4 or 5 feet in lateral width would make this privy about 10-foot-long by 10 feet deep by 5 feet wide. We decided to fill it in and come back another time to finish it up (I could not tunnel over as a 500 lb concrete stairway piece was over the pit!). We filled it in, cleaned up and talked about what to do next. As we talked, I could see that Thaddeus was struggling. He only drank two small bottles of water and was in the direct sun the entire day. The humidity just got to him on this dig so we decided
he would sit out digging the rest of the privy (it's fun digging but a lot more fun living a healthy life). I called Luke and he was more than ready to help dig (our last dig together was in early March before all the pandemic craziness). All I could think about before the dig was finding a good bitters, maybe something rare we haven’t seen before in some crazy color, or a good local bitters. It's been a couple of years since anything like that has come out of a pit for us. I again knew it was going to be a hot one on Saturday (when Luke was coming to help dig), so I went down to the site on Friday and got a head start. I was able to open up the other 5-foot-wide side of the privy and get down to the 6-foot layer when I started to get wet. Along the sidewall, a nice ½ pint Pikes Peak Old Rye Pittsburgh flask fell out. Other than that, only a couple of other medicines, including a local druggist, were dug that day. Probing the bottom, I could feel a good trash layer. Luke showed up on Saturday and this time we had the sunshade up and a cooler full of ice and drinks. We quickly got to it and went
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Total finds on the tarp from the first pit in a new town, always fun finding bottles
Privy two in our new town yields many bottles and even a battery jar, enjoyed every last bottle.
down into the water. After bailing the water for what seemed like a long time, we finally got to the trash layer (although most of the bottles on the other side of the privy came out in the ash layer, we were still confident we would get some good finds in the lower layer). Long story short, other than a couple of nice local druggist, three large stoneware snuff jars - unembossed, a few smooth base slicks and another Doyles Hop Bitters (with a hole), we didn't get anything close to what the other side produced.
JULY DIGGING I finally got together with Rick Ronczka, my original digging partner, after a gap of about ten years. Rick is back in good shape after some issues and has the bottle bug again! He had been researching a small town in Western PA and got hooked on the local history. We decided to go together and see if we could get permission to dig. The trip was successful and the dig was set for the following weekend. You never know in these small towns
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Here is a really cool picture of the large battery jar coming out the pit.
when they had sewer lines available and if they used outhouses into the 1930s, 40s, or even later, so it's pretty exciting (trying not to be too skeptical) opening up the first privy in town. Once we got down about 3 feet, we hit bottles. They were maybe turn of the century or thereabouts, with a mixture of blown-in-mold and machine-made items, which is not too bad age-wise. In addition, the bottles were stacked like firewood. I couldn't use a regular shovel to dig - I had to use the small shovel I typically use for unearthing individual bottles. Bottles just kept coming one atop the other. We found six complete canning jars, several beers (one was a blob top), and many different hair bottles, two of which were somewhat scarce. Also found were other household items such as mugs and stoneware, cures and medicines (mostly common but several better ones). The pit ended up being about 6 feet deep by 5 feet wide. When we got back to Rick’s place, we laid everything out on a tarp. It was a pretty impressive haul (picture doesn't include about 100 slicks that were old enough to purple).
The lady next door to the first dig asked us when we would dig her yard!! We went back the next week and found two pits in her yard. Both were similar in size to the first one we dug in this town and they both had a lot of good bottles (the late 1870s to 1890s - 1900), but not quite the quantity as the first pit. Maybe one of the stranger items was what we think was a gallon battery jar in perfect condition that had an old metallic cover on it peeling off. Of the five beers we dug, two were blob tops, 1 was a T-top and 2 were crown tops. We also dug a couple of amber druggists from Cincinnati, a pressed glass creamer and another couple better canning jars. We did find one bitters: a Burdock Blood Root Bitters. Once again, we laid everything out on the tarp. No, we didn’t find a great bitters YET. I’ll keep chasing it as I still have that feeling that one is coming along soon!!
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Sidebar: Commentary of the Bottle Digging Video Craze
A brief commentary on the somewhat new Bottle Digging Video Craze.
by Jeff Mihalik
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here are so many bottle digging and other adventure crews that are now posting weekly stories on several of the more popular social media sites that it looks like bottle digging stories are losing their significance. The new primary means of providing folks a vicariously digging experience and a good bottle dig. It may be just a matter of time before the bottle magazines will only be available in digital format. You'll have access to multiple links to online digging stories, videos and research all close to real-time. Guess I am old school, but given how much work using a computer, hours spent watching the news, sports, etc., on TV, I'm a huge fan of reading print (be it a good book or more often, a scientific or hobby journal/magazine). One of the great things I’ve noticed is that there seems to be a reliable and renewed interest in bottle digging as social media has reached out to new and, in many cases, younger enthusiasts. I'm thrilled and excited to see both the long-time diggers and new, more inexperienced crews posting digging adventures. Yes, this is fueled by self-promotion with folks hoping to "cash in" on having enough followers. People can get backed by some media giant like the History Channel or some other entity who will provide advertisements during these videos so the selfpromoters can make a good buck. Some of the crews seem to be just interested in sharing their excitement of discovery, especially now with many people staying at home. Whatever their motivation is, it looks like most of these diggers are currently conducting live auctions, behind the scenes (private posts) wheeling and dealing, etc., of the items dug. Whatever is working for both the digger and buyer, then more power to you. However, a word of caution; I see some very precarious digging situations being "televised." A couple of guys are digging solo and trying to video what they are doing simultaneously. Not safe! There are also a couple of 2-person crews digging.
The person who needs to be paying attention to all the safety factors is more concerned with how the video is looking while their partner is undercutting a wall of bricks, 5-10 feet of fill, or other such risky situations. It's just not worth it. I would suggest having a third person onsite who is just taking care of the video. Safety first! Although it may seem like a good idea at the time, I really can’t understand why someone would promote the value of a particular bottle dug. I know at least two diggers who have done this recently and I am pretty sure they didn't have permission to be digging at these locations. Even if they did, I suspect that the property owner would be very interested in hearing about this (same for the IRS, LOL). I can also think of many reasons why promoting dug bottle values can be a deterrent to the bottle digging hobby. Have fun digging, do some research, post your videos, write a bottle digging the story and all is good. I just feel that at some point, bragging about how expensive a bottle "may" be, will only come back to bite you (and probably other diggers) in the end. Yeah, almost all diggers sell bottles, but in nearly all cases, the selling is separate from the digging. In a similar way of thought, I don't want to see any bottle digging series on TV. They only show episodes where good and/or a large number of bottles are dug! Promoting the value of dug bottles, going on TV to selfpromote and showing dangerous digging situations online could quickly make it impossible to get digging permission. Landowners will all think that every privy will be the honey hole or worry about safety. Okay, that just my 2 cents, enough said. Have fun digging and be safe!
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Toothpick holders catch By John DeGraff
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ntique bottles, pottery, postcards, you name it, I have collected it.
I also collect toothpick holders, especially the horizontal types known in the hobby as “sanitary” holders because their design allows one to pluck out the toothpicks from the center of the holder. The containers sport advertisements of hotels, restaurants, airports and mineral waters, among other topics. I have some pretty unusual examples from different parts of the world, but before I get started, the history behind the holders and some of the photos used with this article come from the book,
“China Toothpick Holders,” written by Judy Knauer. I have her permission to use excerpts from the book and the other material with this story. Ms. Knauer also founded the National Toothpick Holder Collectors’ Society which boasts more than 400 members, including myself, from the United States and Canada. More on the society later. I think what got me started collecting the holders was finding one with a hotel name, city and country in an antiques mall in Santiago, Chile. Once I spotted it, I had to have it! Instead of it
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bottle collector’s fancy just becoming yet another souvenir, it has become yet another “addiction.” What separates me from the average toothpick holder collector is the fact few collectors involved in the hobby have little interest in the sanitary type. It lays flat and one picks up the picks from the middle, leaving the ends untouched, hence the term “sanitary.” Of course, there is always interest in holders made in majolica and by Heisey. But most collectors’ interests fall on china holders sporting the names of hotels, restaurants, resorts and different
beverages such as mineral waters and wines. Many are manufactured in the United States, but others come from Germany, Italy, France, Cuba, Israel, Venezuela, Mexico and other countries. These are my favorites. During my early collecting days, I came across an amazing example of a holder on eBay. It was designed to resemble the Hindenburg Zeppelin. I bid what I considered was an over-the-top bid, but finished as runner-up behind the winner. Just hope it ended up in a museum because that’s where it needed to be.
Image above: A mixture of china “Sanitary” holders on the third row and (on the bottom shelf) nine triangular-shaped holders from Portugal.
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Early Box of toothpicks imported from Germany.
Toothpick holders became popular in the U.S. about 1885 and although their popularity waned about 1910, many continued to be manufactured or imported through the 1930s-40s. Many glass holders were produced in the U.S., but the vast majority of china holders were imported. Germany and Japan produced them in vast quantities, often specifically for the export trade. A visit to homes of elderly relatives today and you are likely to find a toothpick holder carefully preserved in the backs of the china closets, They were once that popular and each home had at least one. Toothpick holders were often made as a component of a complete table service. Many were manufactured by factories in Limoges, France. The holders were usually passed around at the end of meals. Back then, a
A variety of “Sanitary� types of toothpick holders
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November - December 2020 well-set table would have included spoon holders, salt dips, knife rests, butter pats and celery vases. Just think how that compares to the way we set a table today! Many toothpick holders were made as a part of a condiment set which typically includes salt and pepper shakers and a toothpick holder, all seated on a small tray. Sometimes a mustard jar was included. It was quite proper in those days gone by to pass the toothpick holder around the table so guests could use the toothpicks to clean their teeth. Later, it was determined it was proper etiquette to shield the operation from public view with the discreet cover of a linen napkin.
Closeups showing attractive sanitary hotel holders
In today’s world, it is likely to make toothpicks available to guests in need, once they move away from the dinner table. In some Asian countries, picking one’s teeth after eating is quite expected, but both hands must be used – one to operate the “pick.” The other to politely cover the mouth. Historically, the actual toothpicks used as tooth cleaners ranged from pieces of bone or quills from feathers, Wealthy people used picks made out of gold, silver or ivory, many inlaid with precious gems.
More closeups of sanitary holders.
It is said that the Prophet Muhammad had a servant whose title was “Master of the Toothpick” and whose job was to maintain that valuable instrument. A visit to the National Toothpick Holders Collectors’ Society website will be a real eye-opener to Bottles and Extras readers who may find themselves interested in joining. Suffice to say that while many of the more elaborate holders bring top dollars, many more are reasonably priced. Just Google toothpick holders and enjoy what appears on your PC screens. Of course, I am always interested in purchasing additions for my collection so if there are any sellers out there, text or call 1 (508) 643-1111 or e-mail me at tonto521@gmail.com
More closeups of sanitary holders, so many fancy designs it keeps it interesting
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images or archive them until the 3-D spinner example is placed in the museum. Alan is setting up for a trip to Texas in the first quarter of 2021 to do a few different collections including bitters, early American glass, lightning rod balls, and barber bottles. This October he will be imaging tableware. Milk bottles are on the to-do list too.
Virtual Museum Ne ws By Richard Siri The FOHBC Virtual Museum has been 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. **************** With horrific and record-breaking fires here in the west and northwest, named hurricanes one after the other in the Gulf and Atlantic, epic flooding, tornado’s, heat waves, and a COVID-19 Pandemic makes us wonder if we are nearing the end of the world. With just about every bottle show and club meeting canceled, we are fortunate to have the Internet to satisfy our bottle needs. Antique bottle and glass collectors that have visited our Virtual Museum have been very pleased and excited about the experience. We see them looking forward as new items are added on an almost daily basis. This past period, we have concentrated on populating the Jar Gallery which is fantastic with so many superb specimens, colors, and closures not seen by many. Some examples are even unique meaning no other recorded examples.
Ferdinand Meyer V has done a fantastic job with research and lately has focused on Target Balls, Jars, and Spring & Mineral Water history and has been busy with Miguel Ruiz working on the site mechanics. They upgraded and enlarged capacity for our museum server recently but not without a lot of effort. There is no charge for viewing the museum during construction and during the pandemic. Who knows when we will be out of this global crisis? So, for right now, no day pass or construction pass is needed. That said we won’t refuse a donation as this monumental effort does cost money to build. And thank the Lord for the work that Alan and Ferdinand do pro-bono. Alan is working on an updated annual budget going forward. With the number of bottles and other glass categories, we are looking at years of effort and growth. There may be ways to get some funding thru educational programs that we will be looking into. We are not looking to put commercial advertising in the museum but if a company or entity would want to fund our program, we could name a gallery after them such as the Smith Bitters Gallery or Jones Gold Rush Sodas Room. Stay safe and I hope to see you at the FOHBC 2022 Reno National if not much sooner. ****************
Alan DeMaison, our chief imaging specialist, is working with Gina Pellegrini bringing her up to speed with the imaging process. As most of you already know, Gina will be our west coast imaging lead. This is a process that is above my pay grade so I don’t even know how to explain it all but Gina is progressing nicely. She has started imaging her father Lou’s outstanding antique food bottle collection and will be ready to take on other groups soon after. One of her first bottles to image was Shriver’s Oyster Ketchup - Baltimore which is pictured to the right. Gold Rush sodas would be a good group covering the 1860s and 1870s applied top sodas. The one thing about the western bottle groups is that it would be possible to do a complete gallery room for bottles from west of the Rockies. Of course, sodas are very popular and collected from the northeast, southeast, and mid-west too. Looking at the various antique bottle auctions that are happening, I see rare, unique, one of a kind and odd colors of bottles for sale. I hope the new owners of these bottles will at some point catch up with Alan or Gina and have them imaged for the virtual museum. We already include most of these bottles I reference as support
Shriver’s Oyster Ketchup - Baltimore
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VIRTUAL MUSEUM OF HISTORICAL BOTTLES AND GLASS Phase 1 Goal: $30,000
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Please help us in our new Phase 2 fundraising campaign to continue development of the FOHBC Virtual Museum.
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We have opened the museum as we build and are doing so with free access due to the Coronavirus that is keeping so many of us away from our hobby. Come visit us and support us if you can. Thank you!
Phase 2 Goal: $30,000
ACHIEVED
$30k
$25k
$20k
$15k
$10k
$5k
PLEASE HELP US FILL OUR JAR! Current Operational Account: $11,276.83 - Development Gifts to date: $35,261.98
We Need Your Donation to Stay Open! The FOHBC and the Virtual Museum team thank our many donors who have helped us raise a little over $35,000 to date. We have close to $11,300 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.
FOHBCVirtualMuseum.org
For gift information contact: Alan DeMaison, FOHBC Virtual Museum Treasurer, 1605 Clipper Cove, Painesville, Ohio 44077, a.demaison@sbcglobal.net
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With one salaried web technician averaging $1,000 a month, we need help. Plus, we will be planning new trips soon where costs will be 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.
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Thos. J. Myer Baltimore JAR GALLERY
SE E T H E S E J A R E X A MPLE S
Pomona Patent Jar JAR GALLERY
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W (Script) Wightman & Co. JAR GALLERY
AND MANY MORE
Millville Improved WTCo Monogram Jar (Whitall-Tatum) JAR GALLERY
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The Hero Fruit Jar JAR GALLERY
I N T H E J A R GA LLE RY
W. W. Lyman Patent Jar JAR GALLERY
Dodge Sweeney & Co’s California Butter Jar JAR GALLERY
IN T HE VIRT UAL MUSEUM
The ‘Christmas’ Mason JAR GALLERY
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Dorlon & Shaffer Pickled Oysters By Ferdinand Meyer V
Pickled oysters were very popular in the United States from the mid to late 1800s to the early 1900s, especially during the Christmas season. New York City and the waters surrounding it were once the richest oyster beds in the world. Recently, when I was processing a new batch of jars that were imaged by Alan DeMaison for our Jar Gallery in the FOHBC Virtual Museum, I could not help but be intrigued by this little Dorlon & Shaffer Pickled Oysters Fulton Market jar from New York. I grew up in Baltimore going to crab feasts, bull & oyster roasts, and enjoying as much seafood I could come across as the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic were not far away. You throw in McCormick’s Old Bay Seasoning and I was all set. Seafood is a meal tradition now as it was back then. I have to admit, I have never had pickled oysters, have you? Also, I remember my father collected old oyster cans but I never saw an old oyster jar in his collection.
This is the first in a series highlighting select specimens in the Virtual Museum. See and read the gallery version online at fohbcvirtualmuseum.org
Oyster Stands at Fulton Market, circa 1870 – From Harper’s Weekly, October 29, 1870. Picture Collection, The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations.
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The jar I am speaking about is from the Jerry McCann collection and is aquamarine in glass color. The jar is embossed DORLON & SHAFFER PICKLED OYSTERS which was a product of one of the most famous oyster stands in America. Dorlon & Shaffer were located at Fulton Market in New York, which is also embossed on the face of the jar. The jar was made by the Cohansey Glass Manufacturing Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This information and patent date is embossed on the glass lid and bottom of the jar. The jar is larger than a pint but smaller than a quart. Fulton Market was located in lower Manhattan, near the Brooklyn Bridge which opened in 1883, just a few blocks from Wall Street. The market first opened at that site in 1807 on land donated to New York City, and at first, was a general market for both fish and goods other than fish. In 1822, the fish merchants occupied a new Fulton Fish Market building, located on South Street between Fulton and Beekman Streets. Before 1850, housekeepers from Brooklyn and nearby areas would purchase fish directly from the market. Since that time, wholesale customers were the primary buyers. At one point, 25 percent of all seafood sold in the United States came from the market. Prior to Dorlon & Shaffer, the firm of A. & P. Dorlon was formed in 1836, with Alfred and Philetus Dorlon as partners. Alfred actually conceived the idea of such an establishment and was a well-known resident of the city. The brothers were practically the originators of the business of being oyster dealers. This trade subsequently made them famous not only in New York and Brooklyn but in all the adjacent cities and among most of the regular visitors to New York City in those early years. An 1843 newspaper advertisement stated that the finest pickled oysters for New Year’s could be found at Dorlon & Foot’s, No. 136 Beekman Street, opposite Fulton Market. Sold in any quantities, by the dozen, quart, or gallon. This was Sidney Dorlon who was a brother of Alfred and Philetus. He would later partner with George H. Shaffer when they started their own oyster stand. George Shaffer and his brother Jacob, who worked with George, were born in the 1830s in what was popularly known as the swamp, or the leather district of Manhattan, at Spruce Street. His brother-in-law was Sidney Dorlon. Dorlon & Shaffer was established in 1859 by the above-noted Sidney Dorlon and George H. Shaffer as an oyster saloon in a little room at the South Street entrance to Fulton Market. At first, nothing was served but oysters which they said were finer, more luscious, and better cooked than anywhere else.
William James Bennett: Fulton Street & Market, New York, circa 1834, aquatint, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Bequest of Charles Allen Munn, 1924
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Bottles and Extras
Therewere wereonly onlya afew fewsmall smallmahogany mahoganytables tablesatatwhich whichfour four There could sit in a room that was not more than thirty feet one way could sit in a room that was not more than thirty feet one way and fifteen the other. There were rows of shiny pewter mugs and fifteen the other. There were rows of shiny pewter mugs hangingininrows rowsabout aboutthe theroom roomininwhich whichthe thenuttiest nuttiestale alewas was hanging served. There was a grill outside on the stone floor of the market, served. There was a grill outside on the stone floor of the market, glimpses of which were caught through the swinging doors the glimpses of which were caught through the swinging doors asasthe waiters passed in and out. Sawdust was on the floor, and everywaiters passed in and out. Sawdust was on the floor, and everythingwas wasasasclean cleanand andspick spickand andspan spanasasone onecould couldwish. wish. thing
New York - The New - Opening Recently New York CityCity - The OldOld andand thethe New - Opening of of thethe Recently Completed Fulton Market - Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, April 1883 Completed Fulton Market - Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, April 7, 7, 1883
“Opening Oyster Season.” “Opening of of thethe Oyster Season.” From Harper’s Weekly, September 1882. From Harper’s Weekly, September 16,16, 1882.
Wehad hadmany manynotable notable We menamong amongour ourcuscusmen tomers.Will WillMakepeace Makepeace tomers. Thackeray,the thefamous famous Thackeray, Englishnovelist, novelist,came came English theother otherday dayand and ininthe askedor oraaplate plateofofsadsadasked dlerock’s.We Wegave gavehim him dlerock’s. someextra-large extra-largeones. ones. some Whenhe hegot gotthrough throughhis his When companionasked askedhim him companion howhe heliked likedthem. them.ThacThachow kerayreplied, replied,‘I‘Ifelt feltas as keray thoughIIwas wasswallowing swallowing though baby.’Amongst Amongstthe thefafaaababy.’ mousBrooklyn Brooklynman manwho who mous visitedour ourplace placewere werethe the visited Rev,Henry HenryWard WardBeecher, Beecher, Rev, regularvisitor, visitor,General General aaregular HenryW. W.Slocum, Slocum,Mayor Mayor Henry FrederickSchroeder Schroederand and Frederick TheodoreTilton.” Tilton.” Theodore JacobShaffer Shaffer Jacob
Bottles and Extras
November - December 2020
Later in December 16, 1917, in a Brooklyn Daily Eagle newspaper article, Jacob Shaffer, recounted past times to a reporter. “Years ago, we used to get our finest oysters from the Upper Bay, toward Communipaw. The effluent from the chemical works and sludge acid from the Bayonne oil refineries have affected the waters of Communipaw, Princess Bay, and Raritan Bay to such an extent as to seriously injure oyster growing in all those sections. Our sweetest and best oysters now come from Great South Bay, Cold Spring Harbor, Oyster Bay, Huntington, and Northport harbors. Within the last fifteen- or twenty-years fine oysters have been coming in large quantities from Peconic Bay. The seed is got from Long Island Sound, off Bridgeport and New Haven and Eaton’s Neck. The oysters are grown in Peconic Bay. We used to spread about fifty bushels of spawning oysters to an acre on jungle shells and escallop shells because the young growing oysters would break apart more readily from them and not grow in clusters, as they would if the spawn fastened to a hard surface. We had a big oyster opening and packing house at South Norwalk where we built a dock and runway 500 to 600 feet in length. We also had one at Port Jefferson Harbor on Long Island, one at Stamford, Conn. And another at Perth Amboy. We started our European business in a small way in 1889 and exported between fifty and sixty thousand barrels to England every year. A few went to Germany. We found that by laying down our American oysters in English waters in April we could supply them to the English markets all summer. We could not ship from America before October.”
theater trade late at night from Brooklynites returning from New York City entertainments so they always maintained a night crew of cooks and waiters as well as a day crew. When the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge on May 24, 1883, the Dorlon & Shaffer business increased greatly. This was also the year of the construction of the new Fulton Market. An 1884 advertisement stated, “Dorlon & Shaffer, of Fulton Market, N.Y. have made special preparations for serving pickled oysters for New Year tables. Having greatly enlarged and improved their facilities as compared with old market times… Orders by mail promptly attended to.” Unfortunately business would drop off for Dorlon & Shaffer. It turned out that the Brooklyn Bridge was more of a curse than a benefit as it disrupted patterns and habits. This prompted A. & P. Dorlon to buy out Dorlon & Shaffer. By this time both of the Dorlon brothers were dead and the business was run by Adelaide Dorlon, wife of Alfred, her son Harry and George Wood. By 1891, Sidney Dorlon had also died, and his widow had retained his interest in the business with George Shaffer as her partner. On August 11, 1891, the buyout announcement was made in local and regional newspapers, “Dorlon & Shaffer is going out of business. Their space would be occupied by A. & P. Dorlon while the A. & P. stand was relinquished to Wallace E. Blackford, son of Fish Commissioner Eugene G. Blackford, who established a wholesale and retail fish trade.” After Dorlon & Shaffer ceased to exist, George H. Shaffer went into the general wholesale oyster business, dealing with local, domestic and exporting overseas. He died on November 13, 1910. Dorlon and Shaffer were pioneer oyster and seafood merchants in America and this museum jar is another example that every bottle has a story. Oh, I prefer my oysters raw, not pickled.
After a while, in response to demand, Dorlon & Shaffer were offering other kinds of seafood and other foods to guests. The business grew so rapidly the restaurant enlarged. The place became so popular patrons would stand about in considerable numbers and wait for seats. It was written that Sidney Dorlon himself should never be forgotten, who in his old age never changed the fashion of his coats and his hats from the time that he was twenty, neat and brisk, with a red flower always in his buttonhole. It was reported in 1880, a few years before the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge, that the Dorlon & Shaffer oyster business typically opened up early in the morning, by 6 a.m., and continued until long after midnight. A large number of customers came in early from the Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport boats. During the noon hour, there was a big trade from the commercial houses. They had a large patronage from Brooklyn, who came over Fulton and Roosevelt street ferries, all through the day. The market was a sort of stopping place for them. They also had a big
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Cohansey Glass Manufacturing Company of Philadelphia, Pa. embossed on the jar lid along with patent date.
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ovember- -DD ecember2020 2020 NNovember ecember
ottlesand andEE xtras BBottles xtras
The "Hail Mary" Holtzermann's By "Slim" Wilberger
November - December 2020
Bottles and Extras
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o, there I was sitting at my table having completed the final cleaning of the bottle and thinking to myself as I turned it over in my hands. How it traveled about 1,093 miles before arriving at my house without me ever leaving my home, from a person I have never met. Against all odds, this cabin bitters bottle which was sitting on a kitchen counter four weeks ago and 747 miles away from me in an estate sale, came to be in my hands tonight? An amazing story of luck? Karma? An alien abduction game of "catch and release?" A wormhole? I am pretty sure the last two had nothing to do with it. However, I'm getting a little ahead of myself so let me tell you the story of how it came to travel so many miles. Maybe you can decide.
It started It started last year when I had finished up with some glass research on the Internet for the night that I had been working on. Being burned out and not making much progress, I decided to check in with some of the social media groups I frequent to see if anything interesting was being posted. A member of one group had posted several pictures of glass for an upcoming living estate sale. The pictures that were posted showed tables loaded with glassware and china, a wall unit with at least 500+ eye wash cups, another held The image that started it all at least 100 shot glasses and some of the kitchen counters were covered with jars, china and pottery. The member was inviting everyone in the group to be sure and stop by for the upcoming living estate sale. Without a doubt, I knew this was a sale I wish I could attend. As I am looking over the pictures of the kitchen area, one made my heart skip a beat. They're sitting beside the sink behind some water tumblers. It was a figural cabin bottle with a white hang tag, not just a cabin shaped bottle but a true cabin. Immediately I knew it would either be a Kelly's Old Cabin or Holtzermann's bitters, I felt a thrill of discovery. That moment was like when Tom Hanks made a fire for the first time in the movie Castaway, except I found a cabin bitters bottle. Unlike a deserted island, it was in an estate sale in another state, it might as well be on an uninhabited island!
Without a doubt, I knew this was a sale I wish I could attend. As I am looking over the pictures of the kitchen area, one made my heart skip a beat. They're sitting beside the sink behind some water tumblers. It was a figural cabin bottle
The bottle as it looked in the wild
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So many thoughts raced through my mind as I enlarged the picture to make out details of the bottle. While I could not make out the exact price on the hangtag, I had an idea. I do not remember exactly how I found the website advertising the sale, but I did. It turns out it was 747.7 miles one way from my driveway to theirs, only an 11 ½ hour drive. Well, that sure as the dickens put a damper on the old thrill of discovery. Returning to my screen I daydreamed of walking up to the counter and picking up that rascal. What a thrill Patent Stomach Bitters under the paint that would be! I spent the next hour or so living my fantasy of walking in there snatching it up and buying it. Then I got to thinking about how some lucky person would have the find of the year even if they did not know it. Or how some local bottle collector who happened in and found it. I have to admit I was getting jealous, dumb yes, and for several reasons. But I had this inner kid voice in my mind that kept saying, "I found it first!" So, my daydreaming fantasy went on as I stared at the picture on my computer screen.
The Hail Mary Now, if you didn't think I was a little crazy when I mentioned that little kid's voice inside my head, you would not doubt it, if you could have heard the conversation I had with him. He was refusing to give up even though I knew it was a lost cause: "He wouldn't listen" to reason. Finally, after about an hour, "we" came up with a "Hail Mary" that Roger Staubach would be proud of. All because of my late father-in-law's advice piped in from somewhere. He told me once that "the only thing that beats a try is a failure." So, I posted to the group that if anyone planned to attend this sale, I was very interested in the bottle I had circled in red. I was willing to pay them for their trouble if they would purchase it and ship it to me. Now it was not lost on me that even if no one else noticed the bottle before I had just placed a huge red target on it. With that, I closed the page and moved on to other pressing work I needed to complete before the day was done. I told my wife and grown boys about this incredible living estate sale I saw and talked about the bottle. We even fantasized about flying out there to attend the sale and how much fun it would be loading up on treasures. All our talk and plans were naturally just wishful thinking. That's just the way our family is. We share dreams and laughs and we stand together when times are rough.
Bottles and Extras
The reply After about three hours or so I settle back down to the computer not thinking about the bottle. I checked out my auctions to see what new sales had been listed and how my bids were doing. Then I pulled up the social media page to check out clubs to see what interesting news they were sharing. Always a great way to see who found what and learn something new. I guess I was there for about 45 minutes before I thought to check on my messages. I was very surprised to see a reply and after reading it I think I saw my dead grandpa for a moment! The reply consisted of three or four clear close-up pictures of a Holtzermann's Bitters. I wish I could tell you what the message was with it, but all I remember was the sender was replying to my request. I did not stop and think for even a second about how the person had gotten the pictures. All I could think of was these have been up for everyone to see for at least two hours (most likely two and a half). Did I miss my chance? Why didn't I just stay online after I made my post? Then that "kid's" voice sounding more like Fred Sanford this time, said; "You big dummy!" I saw that there were a few comments from others about the bottle but as quickly as I could hunt and peck my keyboard I responded. I suggested we move our conversation to a less public venue and the sender agreed. I immediately removed the existing conversation so we could talk without interruption. My mind was so all over the place just to have received a reply, my heart was racing. I remember thinking how super lucky I was to have found someone I have never met to be so nice although I did recognize the sender's name. I had sold this person a piece of glass a few years earlier they had taken a shining to for their collection of similar pieces.
He was refusing to give up even though I knew it was a lost cause: "He wouldn't listen" to reason. Finally, after about an hour, "we" came up with a "Hail Mary" that Roger Staubach would be proud of. The offer
I was asked how much I would offer for the "bitters." Having not the faintest expectation of receiving a reply, I was not prepared to make an offer. A decision that would either make or break a possible deal, I was so concentrating on what offer I should make I never thought to ask about the condition. Then again with the excellent pictures, I doubt they could tell me anything I couldn't see for myself. It was painted so there could be a crack hidden or several cracks and interior stains for all I knew. This would be a good time to tell you I thought about this fact later. I came up with what I would offer for it and typed it out in my
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November - December 2020
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Views from all sides of the folk art painted peice.
message and pressed the "enter" key on my keyboard. Off it went into the electronic galaxy, I did not hear back that night or the next. I must have checked my computer every few hours for the next several days for a response. Nothing. I did not want to push the envelope by reaching out so decided the best action was to wait. By the fourth day, that little "kid's" voice was back and boy was he scolding the bark off my tree. "What were you thinking? Did you believe it would work out? Are you freaking kidding me?" were some of the nicest things the voice had to say. Naturally, Fred Sanford had to get his opinion in, "I told you he was a big dummy." Alright, I told them, "Y'all are right. What was I thinking that this would work out?" I had let down my guard to believe I would get to hold the bottle. I resigned myself to the fact that that daydream was dead and started deleting our conversation. Still what a thrill it had been finding a two roof Holtzermanns at an estate sale. Not attic mint but it had been in the family as long as the 90 years old owner could remember. I would still have the story of finding it with the pictures I saved of it. Anybody who saves bottle shards will understand.
Medical alert The next day I received a reply asking if my offer included postage. I'm telling you now my heart is not a medical issue because if it was, the strain would have been too much by now. Without a second thought, I replied "NO", that offer is for the bottle only. For being kind enough to help me. I will gladly pay postage separately once I know how much it will be. Shortly after that message I received the following, "The bottle has been pulled from the sale for you. I will not be able to pick it up until a week from Monday. By that Wednesday, I should have a shipping total for you." Did I just read that right?! Now, remember I mentioned, "it would travel 1,093 miles before arriving at my house". That is because the owner of the bitters had moved upstate to a different address that was maybe 2 ½ hours' drive one way. The bottle would be mailed from the new address to my address. I jumped from my desk to find my wife and tell her what I just read. Then I kept re-reading the text and as much as I tried
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Bottles and Extras to remain calm that was not going to happen. I might be buying a bottle from an estate sale some 747 miles away from my room. I had decided not to let myself believe it would happen until it was at my house. However, it was a full-blown party going on inside my head. The thread where the sale was originally posted was still active with conversations from others where I read the following. "I was just notified by the estate sale agent that the bitters bottle in this picture has been pulled from the sale." OMG!! Off through the house, I went flying again to find someone to share this with. My wife and boys were really good listeners and supportive of my "inner child." I went back to the original conversation advertising the sale several times looking at the massive amount of glass, collectibles, china, and furniture that was being shown in new pictures. Reading comments from fellow collectors and following the post for the sale. One person posted they would be interested in some glass plates if "you ship." The response stated everything was in the hands of the estate folks. The interested person was very polite and wrote back "Oh well, worth a try."
Payment sent! I do not remember how long it was before I received my next message quoting what the shipping cost would be. When I did receive the quote, I did not hesitate to agree to it even though it was slightly higher than I was expecting. The seller even refunded the extra shipping cost when it came in under the quote. I do not remember now how long it took for the package to arrive at my house, realistically I think it took about two weeks maybe two and a half. I would say it felt like when I was seven years old waiting for Christmas to come. I knew it would arrive. All I had to do was wait, then that's when the questions I maybe should have thought to ask started popping up. Would there be a crack or hairlines? What about
Bottles and Extras stains? No, insurance ? The day I had been waiting for. It's here! If ever there was a gold medal for packaging this seller certainly would receive my vote. I also give credit to the USPS this time as they did not play, "I've had a bad day and this box is about to have a worse day." It was a nice oversize box and I knew I wanted to savor the moment I would hold my estate sale prize in my hands. Like a skilled surgeon, I slowly cut the tape sealing the box, pulled back the box flaps, and carefully searched the huge amount of packaging peanuts for my treasure. I found it wrapped in packing foam about halfway down. Just as solid a feeling as I knew it would be, not broken in shipment, breathing with relief and excitement at the same. I cleared it from the box and slowly unwrapped it, freeing it from its protective outer covering. Here was the moment of truth, the muchanticipated inspection to answer a few questions. As best as I could tell, there were no obvious cracks, chips, or hairlines. Next, I took my time stripping the paint off, enjoying the emerging golden beauty that had been hidden for probably 80 or 90 years.
Ready to display Finally, free of its paint job finding no cracks, no chips, no hairlines. There was some interior residue on the inside walls, I spent about three days on the interior using nothing but Dawn dish detergent, soft cloths, Q-tips and bottle brushes to loosen and remove the residue. Now it's ready to display, showing off all the bells and whistles that make this a stunning example. An amazing story of luck? Karma? An alien abduction game of "catch and release?" A wormhole? I simply believe that there are still nice finds to be found and there are still amazing people in the world. "So, there I was sitting at my table having completed the cleaning of my bottle and thinking to myself‌‌..
November - December 2020
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Bottles and Extras
Select Antique Bottles & Early Glass at Auction
Bidding Begins: November 9th
Closes: November 18th
Select Auction 195 Including: Early Glass, Bottles, Flasks, Bitters, Inks, Utilities, Soda and Mineral Waters, Freeblown and Pressed Glass, Whiskeys, Medicines & More
Heckler
www.hecklerauction.com | 860-974-1634 79 Bradford Corner Road, Woodstock Valley, CT 06282
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November - December 2020
Bottles and Extras
WANTED: Anything to do with Dr. E. R. Clarke from Sharon, Mass.
The National
Bottle Museum Where history is the bottle!
All bottle sizes and variants, labeled or unlabeled, pontiled or unpontiled plus any related ephemera such as advertising, billheads and historical information. Charlie Martin Jr.
781.248.8620
cemartinjr@comcast.net
Situated in the heart of Ballston Spa, New York is a museum whose mission is to preserve the history of our nation’s first major industry: Bottle making. Exhibits inside of the National Bottle Museum allow visitors to view thousands of glass bottles.
National Bottle Museum 76 Milton Avenue Ballston Spa, NY 12020
NationalBottleMuseum.org
518.885.7589
• Educational Resources • Scholarship Opportunities • Membership Benefits
www.nia.org Request your free brochure: Email: information@nia.org Call: (949) 338-1404 Or write to: Christian Willis NIA Information Director P.O. Box 2797 • Parker, CO 80104
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November - December 2020
Bottles and Extras
The Rakes from Shooting Creek: Legit liquor dealers, moonshiners By David K. Rakes
Rare A.B. Rakes whiskey bottle with self portrait
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outhwest Virginia has a colorful history of liquor dealers and moonshiners among whom members of the Rakes Clan of Floyd, Patrick and Franklin Counties were prominent figures. A pair of brothers, R.F. Rakes and A.B. Rakes were legitimate liquor dealers in the years before national prohibition. Artifacts from that alcoholic era are few and most exist as onegallon clear glass jugs embossed "Send Order to R.F. Rakes Rocky Mount, Va. 100 Proof Sweet Mash Corn Whiskey $2.00 Per Gallon." Also embossed on the jugs' heels are the marks of manufacturers Charles Boldt Glass Company (C.B. Co. Pat. with a serif B) and Nivision-Weiskopf Co. Both firms were in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Boldt jugs were made between 1910-13 and the embossing contains an unneeded apostrophe in the Rakes name, making it Rake's. It's more than likely the company was more expert at manufacturing glass jugs than spelling.
less for each jug about ten years ago and may have done well since others have sold for $600 to $900 in recent auctions. How R.F. Rakes became a lucrative whiskey dealer starts on Shooting Creek, a clear and pristine stream originating in the Blue Ridge Mountains. He was a farmer and constructed a pipeline from the creek to a patch of level land on which he built a still. He became a moonshiner that was caught by revenue agents. One told Rakes to get a license and make his whiskey legally. He did so and soon started advertising in the Rocky Mount newspaper. A 1910 ad: "Try R.F. Rakes Corn Whiskey and be pleased. Rocky Mount Corn Whiskey, 100 proof, full-strength – White Corn Whiskey – is very popular and deservedly so for it is the triumph of the distiller's art – the best produced. Every customer who orders this brand is sure to order again. No water in this whiskey at the low price of $2 a gallon – customer pays express."
The Nivision-Weiskopf factory was headed by Henry P. Nivision until 1904 when Weiskopf left the factory. Nivision chartered his own bottle manufacturing business in Baltimore, Maryland, The Nivision Glass Company, which was located on Fort Avenue and Laurence Street. I think the R.F. Rake's jugs were first made by Nivision-Weiskopf and later by Charles Boldt.
R.F. Rakes was born on July 25, 1874, in Patrick County, the son of Alexander and Violet Turner Rakes. Before 1900, he moved to Rocky Mount, where he resided in a boarding house and worked as a storekeeper. In 1903, he purchased the Opera House Saloon from B.B. Dillard, who operated as a liquor dealer in nearby Roanoke. Rakes sold whiskey from his Rocky Mount saloon and became quite successful.
The jugs are considered relatively rare, although I have five and gave two away to my brothers Larry and Shawn. I paid $200 or
His wide range of products included White Rose Corn, Spring Hill, Royal Arch, J.W. Kelly's Corn, Old Kentucky Corn, 5-year-
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Lee Goodie Rakes at his copper still
old corn, 3-year-old corn, 2-year-old sweet mash corn, White Rye, Gibson Rye, Level Best Rye, Burwood Rye and Penfield Rye, along with Applejack Brandy and Franklin Apple Brandy. Long before R.F. Rakes was in business, his older brother, Turner Francis Rakes, was already an established liquor dealer. His Rocky Mount saloon was known as the T.F. Rakes Bar Room that he had purchased the building for $1 from his parents in 1883. The building had frontage measuring 25 feet and measured 100 feet across the back and adjoined the W.L. Garrett Hardware Store. In November 1905, Turner and his wife, Ellen, deeded the building to his brother, George Lee Rakes. A year later, the business was known as the G.L. Rakes Distilling Company from Shooting Creek, Va. It advertised itself as a manufacturer of copper distilled corn whiskey and retail liquor dealers. But George died of natural causes in November 1906, and his father, Alexander Rakes, took over and deeded the building to R.F. Rakes. The latter now had two liquor establishments. In the first decade of the 20th century, Virginia was still officially
“wet.� But many county governments passed laws making it illegal to make liquor, even if one had purchased a license. By 1911, many liquor dealers in southwest Virginia were forced out of business . In 1916, the Virginia Legislature passed a statewide ban on the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages, forcing R.F. Rakes to close his Shooting Creek Distillery and Opera House Saloon. His businesses were reportedly one of the last to dry up. Out of the whiskey business, R.F. Rakes was one of the wealthiest men in Franklin County. He purchased large amounts of farmland and started farming again; he also bought land along the Pigg River and built the Rakes Picnic Pavilion, a recreational area. Also purchased was a Chevrolet dealership in Rocky Mount. In November 1935, he campaigned for the Franklin County Sheriff's Office but it is not known whether he was elected. He died at age 67 on March 13, 1941, and buried in the Alexander Ingram Cemetery in Ferrum, Va. Enter Alexander Bird Rakes, the brother of R.F. He was yet another Rocky Mount liquor dealer. We know that was his occupation because David D. Rakes of Georgia owns a flask
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Letterhead from the R.F. Rakes Fine Whiskey, Liquers and Cigars store
R.F. Rakes, Rocky Mount, VA. Sweet Mash Corn Whiskey 1 gallon jug
Bottles and Extras
November - December 2020
with an intact label. Its collared and applied top dates it to just before the turn of the 20th century. The label shows an oval frame containing a photo of an early 20-year-old, clean-shaven man with a clear complexion, dark hair parted in the middle, and wearing a white shirt, dark jacket and small bow tie. The bottom of the label is inscribed "Bottled by A.B. Rakes, Rocky Mount, Va." But there are no records that A.B. Rakes was in the liquor business in Rocky Mount, so perhaps he sold his products in one of his brothers' saloons. Moonshining had long been a way of life for the Rakes families and others in Franklin County. Despite the prohibition, many people in the county started taking advantage of the demand for illegal liquor. Moonshining suddenly turned into an organized business made up of producers (moonshiners), wholesalers (runners), and retailers (bootleggers). It was one way for impoverished farm families to get cash during hard times in rural America. I must tell you about the most infamous Rakes moonshiner of them all: Hugh Namon Rakes. Born August 4, 1899, in Franklin County, the son of Samuel P. and Minerva Lemon Rakes, Hugh reportedly quit school at age 8, and when 15, he was selling moonshine throughout Southwest Virginia. He was a bad boy, once forging his mother's name on a $1,000 note and buying 250 gallons of moonshine, loaded the whiskey onto a wagon, guarded it with a Winchester rifle and sold it in Christiansburg for $1,500. History does not record whether his mother was ever reimbursed. Another time, he sold his brother's rifle for $40, bought three gallons of apple brandy, and then sold it for $40 a gallon in Kimball, West Virginia. Over the years, Hugh and cousin Amos Rakes were getting rich in the moonshine business and almost everyone in Floyd County knew it. When Virginia went dry in 1916, Hugh and Amos continued delivering moonshine up and down the state's east coast in violation of federal law. They were able to accomplish transporting by paying off deputy sheriffs at their still or along the highways. The illegal transporting of liquor went on for years until 1935 when many moonshiners were caught, and the Franklin County Moonshining Conspiracy Trial took place. Thirty-four people were indicted, resulting in nine prison terms, 13 probationary sentences and hefty fines. Hugh somehow avoided indictment but was caught trying to bribe jurors who were deliberating on his business partner’s fate. He was sentenced to two years in jail and fined $1,000. After he got out of prison, Hugh continued his wheeling and dealing, some of it legal, some of it not so much. He tried to buy the Natural Bridge, a 215-foot-high natural arch made in a limestone gorge carved out by Cedar Creek. The bridge was once owned by Thomas Jefferson and today is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. He played a role in setting up a land investment scheme that involved selling off much of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Federal investigators moved in and stopped the deal just before a North Carolina company was about to put up a $1 million mortgage loan for the land. In 1947, Hugh was sent to prison again, this time for four years in federal prison for his part in a multi-million-dollar embezzlement
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scheme that failed the Farmers and Merchants State Bank Fredericksburg. After his discharge from prison, the one-time moonshiner and con man never went back. He lived in a stunning Georgian Revival Mansion on Main Street in Floyd, Va. and died on October 16, 1995. Other moonshiners of the turbulent past are portrayed at the Blue Ridge Heritage Archives in Ferrum, Va., where Walter Lee "Goodie" Rakes is pictured sitting next to his copper still. He made moonshine from rye and cornmeal and guarded it with the Winchester rifle sitting in plain view. Sparrell Rakes is dressed in coveralls and posing with other moonshiners at the Hosea Thomas still on Shooting Creek in 1915. Harbour Rakes and his son Darius were moonshiners of a later era in Franklin County. Revenue agents habitually caught them. In 1969, they were found by revenuers in Rocky Mount and charged with manufacturing whiskey without a license . It was a felony punishable by a sentence of up to three years in the state prison. Their still was a wood-fired submarine type with a capacity of 400 gallons that could turn out 300 gallons per week. The pair's potential profit came to about $750 a week. While the revenuers destroyed the still, the moonshiners were allowed to walk home and clean up before driving themselves to the jail or courthouse. I find it amusing that there was this kind of trust between law enforcement and moonshiner. The legal whiskey businesses of R.F. and A.B. Rakes live on in the rare examples of embossed whiskey jugs and the labeled whiskey flask. Their stories will live on because of the records left to history. One case still alive is the large mansion once owned by moonshiner Amos Rakes, a son of Turner Francis Rakes. The home is on Road 40 in Patrick County, almost at the Franklin County line. After Amos and wife, Winnie, died in the 1980s, the home was sold and turned into a bed-and-breakfast. It is still called "the house that whiskey built." SOURCES: • Amos Rakes B & B letter dated July 31, 2000, from Barry A. Rakes, Roanoke, Va. • Those Pre-Pro Whiskey Men! R.F. Rakes: "Legit in the Moonshine Capital of the World." Blog by Jack Sullivan, Alexandria, Va., Sunday, December 10, 2017. • Rakes Pedigrees, The Rakes Family History in America, Seven Rakes Pedigrees of Buckingham County, Va., compiled by David Kyle Rakes, published by Jeffrey Scott Rakes, 2004. • Charles Boldt Glass Co., online PDF, by Pete Schulz, Bill Lockhart, Carol Serr, Bill Lindsey and Beau Schreiver, May 3, 2014. Originally published by Bill Lockhart and titled The Dating Game: The Distinctive Marks of the Charles Boldt Glass Co., in Bottles and Extras 18(2):50-53. • Deed made on the T.F. Rakes Bar Rom in Rocky Mount, Va., November 20, 1905, from Ellen M. Rakes to George L. Rakes, Patrick County Deed Book 54, Page 192. • April 5, 1906 letter with letterhead marked G.L. Rakes Retail Dealer in Fine Wines, Liquors and Cigars, Opera House, Rocky Mount, Va., letter to Mr. S.A. Thompson from R.F. Rakes. • Business Card: R.F. Rakes, Candidate for Election to the Office of Sheriff of Franklin County, Va., November 5, 1935. • Photo of the A.B. Rakes whiskey flask from David D. Rakes, Norcross, Ga., dated December 1999. • “Nobody Ever Done What I Done Before,” Hugh Rakes, The last of the OldTime Con Men Talks About Life and Money, by Joan V. Schroeder, Pages 16-19 and 49, August-September 1993. • The Making of Moonshine in Franklin County, Va., by J.Y. Smith, The Washington Post, April 24, 1969.
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Lincoln Bottle Show 2020 By Jake Smith
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hairmen work and think about their show before anyone else does. They have boots on the ground getting venues, tables, dates, work at cost, advertising the show, and getting vendors and spectators. Often the latter two are the hardest. Because a chairman has to try to balance what all the folks want, and don’t want and folks will refuse to support a show if they don’t get what they want. This attitude is very toxic to the show and to the hobby. In turn, the folks that support the show and the ones that come mean so much more to the chairmen, at least to me it does. Even with all those tasks, this year has added more to show chairmen. Some chairmen felt like they needed to cancel, some moved show dates, and some, like myself, went on like business as usual. By no means am I cutting down a chairman’s decision about his show, the chairman acted on whatever he thought was to be safest and best for the show. I know that all chairmen hope for the best for their show in the following year. So before I start discussing the Lincoln Show, I want to ask that all collectors support your local shows, help them rebound from this rough year. Lincoln, Alabama is a smaller town on Interstate 20 that sits 45 minutes east of Birmingham, Alabama, and an hour and 45 minutes from Atlanta, Georgia. A lot of people know the town for a NASCAR track named Talladega Speedway. The City of Lincoln has been very good to the show in the 5 years we have been in the town. The show is in a well naturally lighted gym in the city civic center in historic downtown. It is air-conditioned, which is really nice in the South in August. It is ground level so bringing items into the gym is easy to do.
Some say I am hard-headed and stubborn, and those facts are true. That may be the main reason I did not want to move or cancel the show, but personally
Joe and Jan talk while Bob Jenkins looks over the great deals
Joe and Jan Justice from Jasper Alabama set up ready to sell, Boy in back is Bradlee Smith age 11 (chairman's son) running his dad’s table
A snap shot of some of the different types of bottles being sold
Bottles and Extras I felt the show must go on, to give hope to people. I watched and studied CDC guidelines adjusted and hoped, with social distancing and downsizing tables from 50 to 43 the show would continue. We filled 41 of the 43 tables. I made signs to remind folks of masks and social distancing. I even offered these signs to the vendors. Still unsure if the show was going to happen I did not advertise much, but when I knew about two weeks before the show date that the show would be allowed, I began to push and advertise anywhere I could as fast as I could. This even got me banned on Facebook for 4 days. With all of that, we still had vendors from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Florida and by the spectators, I talked to I met folks from Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. We had 2 active show chairmen, Bill Johnson from the Atlanta Bottle Show and Ralph Dean from an Insulator Show in Georgia, and 3 retired show chairmen, Tom Lines, Bill Peek, and Bob Jenkins, as vendors at the show that I knew of. It’s always a treat that other chairmen past and present support your show either by being a vendor or spectator.
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Joyce Johnson from Snellville Georgia, mans table while Bill is away
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Bill and Toni Garland of Anniston Alabama stop for a photo in front of one of their jugs they had for sale.
The show vendors were about 50 percent returning vendors from years past and the rest of the vendors bring new vendors to the show. The vendors had an array of items from bottles, jugs, jars, advertising items, postcards, relics, artifacts, coins, money, insula- Sydney Smith, age 14, (chairman's daughter) Jan checking over their bottles to make sure they stay neat tors to name a few items that were runs the front table taking money for early buythere. The vendors were there to ers and helping folks with information. sell and willing to listen to offers fully the word is getting out that we do these. and make deals. Which is great for the spectators. There were bottles for $1.00 each to CocaNow on the other end, the kids attending the show were way down. Cola hutches in the $3,500 range, so no matter your spending We have done a free kids table for at least 4 years in hopes to budget there were bottles waiting to be sold. help kids get into the hobby, also this allows them not to go home empty-handed even if the folks who brought them do not want We had folks bring items from off the street to have looked at, to spend money on a bottle that the child may break. Vendors are the information given and some were bought and traded. To me, allowed to bring bottles for the table so you never know what will this is always a great thing to see at any show. From about 8 am, be on the table. I was saddened by the lack of kids at the show bewhen early buyers started, the foot traffic stayed busy until about cause I do not want the hobby to die out. This is something I hope noon. I hope that it was because of the COVID that the lack of to improve on in the following year. Overall it was a great show spectators decreased around noon and not for the lack of folks and like always I hope that next year's show is better than the last. wanting to come to shows. The informational table was full of Next year it will be in June on the 12th so I hope that y’all make flyers and business cards from vendors, shows, and local busiplans to come and, I can’t want to see y’all there. nesses. Which was better than it has been in the past, so hope-
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“The Rise and Fall of the Rattlesnake King” By Courtney Llewellyn (The following information comes from the blog of Dr. Romeo Vitelli, found at drvitelli.typepad.com and reprinted with permission of Country Editor)
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lark Stanley, “the Rattlesnake King,” always knew how to put on a good show.
According to one news account describing his appearance in Hartford, CT’s city hall square on July 1, 1902, members of the audience watched as Stanley beheaded and skinned one of the rattlesnakes he had on display. Dressed in a “combination cowboy and Indian suit with a novelty in the shape of a four-in-hand tie made of snake skins,” the Rattlesnake King showed off his skill in dealing with snakes, as well as how he used the freshly skinned snake to extract the oil that he sold to customers. Stanley was the original “snake oil” salesman. His rattlesnake oil billed as a sure-fire remedy for chronic pain and inflammation resulting from lumbago, arthritis, animal bites and scratches – quite a bargain for 50 cents a bottle. The process of extracting rattlesnake oil, which Stanley claimed to have learned from Hopi medicine men, was straightforward enough. After decapitating the snake, Stanley cut it open and plunged the body into a pot of boiling water that supposedly released snake fat that rose to the surface of the water. He then scooped it up and poured it into bottles and offered it up for sale as “Clark Stanley’s Snake Oil Liniment.” The selling of snake oil was what he did during his frequent “medicine shows” on his travel circuit across the United States. Not only did countless potential customers line up when he came to town, but his graphic killing and dismembering of a rattlesnake was one of the highlights of the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. Stanley played his cowboy role to perfection and the snakes were real. Whenever he did his show, he brought a few rattlers to act as props to entice audiences to buy his miracle liniment. He told reporters his Texas snake farm boasted hundreds of rattlers, although, thanks to the demand for his product, he often had to buy more from animal farms across the country. Stanley also sold a variety of other rattlesnake-based products and boasted of his fondness for rattlesnake stew (presumably with the
Clark Stanley's Snake Oil Liniment bottle. (Rattle from snake and bottle above Photos are by Courtney Llewellyn)
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Clark Stanley's Snake Oil Liniment bottle in a plain brown box, Photo 2 Stanley's graphics change in later bottle. (Photos are by M. Van Zant)
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Rare book published by Clark Stanley (Photos are by M. Van Zant)
venom sacs removed). Business was so good that he had other showmen go on the road to sell his products too.
his miracle product – which led him to tinker with his original formula.
By 1906, the Pure Food and Drug Act passed and strict new Though far from the first huckster to sell snake oil remedies, Stanley was the most well-known. There was some basis to the standards were put in place to prevent the sale of adulterated food belief in his liniment’s effectiveness thanks to Chinese traditional and medication. It wasn’t until 1917 that government inspecmedicine. Chinese laborers working the railroads often purtors finally seized a shipment of Stanley’s snake liniment and chased oil made from Chinese water snakes to relieve pain from conducted a thorough analysis of its contents. They discovered arthritis and bursitis. While the medical Stanley’s snake oil liniment didn’t conStanley played his cowboy role to perfection and the value of this kind of snake oil seems tain any snake products whatsoever. legitimate, Stanley and his competitors snakes were real. Whenever he did his show, he brought According to the official report, the seemed disinclined to buy snakes from contained a mix of mineral oil, a few rattlers to act as props to entice audiences to buy bottles China to sell in the United States. They camphor, cayenne pepper, animal fat found a local substitute in the form of and turpentine. Stanley was charged his miracle liniment. rattlesnakes, which, due to their lethal for “misbranding” his product and reputation, had a mystique he used to entice buyers. fined $20. However, Stanley soon found himself out of business. Even though his scam had likely made him a wealthy man, he But rattlesnakes aren’t Chinese water snakes. Their bodies don’t never really recovered and quickly faded into obscurity. contain as much of the valuable oil that their Eastern counterparts Though there have been other medical hucksters since Clark Stanley, his snake oil is still famous enough to lend its name to a do and they’re much more venomous. And Stanley discovered myriad of other products of dubious medical validity sold today. his supply didn’t even come close to meeting the demand for
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FOHBC.org
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Part I of a four part mini-series
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The Curious Career of T.W. Dyott, M.D. by Q. David Bowers
Introduction Among my numismatic interests, paper money is in the front rank. Over a long period of years I have studied different banks, their officers, and methods of distribution. I have also collected various series, especially obsolete notes. As the years have slipped by, I have deaccessioned most of the notes, but have kept all of my research information and have added to it. In 2006 I completed the manuscript for Obsolete Paper Money Issued by Banks in the United States 1782 to 1866, which was issued by Whitman Publishing and had become a best seller and standard reference. In it is a section devoted to Dr. Thomas W. Dyott and his Manual Labor Bank, from research I had started years earlier. Located in the Kensington district of Philadelphia it and its founder have in parallel two of the most fascinating— sometimes almost unbelievable—histories. In the meantime I have researched and collecting glass bottles, flasks, and related items from the 19th century. As an example, in 1984 Antique Bottle News published my study of bottles used by Drake’s Plantation Bitters. In the present study I share what I have learned about Dr. Thomas
W. Dyott and his long career in glass manufacturing and his short career in banking. Much has been written about Dyott in past, most notably and magisterially by Helen McKearin in Bottles, Flasks and Dr. Dyott, 1970, which emphasized glass and was my main source for flask varieties. McKearin included a sketch of the Manual Labor Bank but was not aware of why it was formed and felt that contemporary as well as later historians’ negative comments about Dyott had no real foundation, probably based on her studies of the glass business and not of the Manual Labor Bank. Today in the Internet era with vast sources available to search, I have had access to much information of which she was not aware. There are many stories and essays about Dyott and his glassworks in the Kensington district of Philadelphia, but nearly all have incorrect information about his factory, which was newly constrcuted in the second decade of the 19th century and was not set up in an an earlier and now defunct factory called the Kensington Glass Works. In the past the bills of the Manual Labor Bank have been studied by various scholars as well, the most important being two pages
Pro Bono Publico Patent Water proof Brunswick Blacking. Prepared with oil, which softens and preserves the leather—words cannot set forth its just praise, nor can its transcendent qualities be truly known, but by experience—it is particularly recommended to sportsmen and gentlemen who are much exposed to the wet, as it will prevent the water from penetrating, preserve the leather from cracking, and render it supple and pleasant to the last. Prepared and sold, wholesale and for exportation, with full directions for using it, by T.W. Dyott, at his medical warehouse, No. 57 S. Second Street, Philadelphia, second door from Chestnut Street; also by appointment at J.B. Dumontet’s, No. 120 Broad Street, Charleston, South Carolina, where may be had the Imperial Wash for taking out stains, and preserving the quality and colour of saddles, and the tops of boots, prepared only by T.W. Dyott, who has for sale an assortment of brushes of superior quality for using the patent blacking. N.B. Captains of ships and storekeepers throughout the United State will be supplied on the most reasonable terms, and their orders punctually attended to and executed at the shortest notice. T.W.D. has also for ale, patent wine, bitters of a superior quality, together with a variety of patent family medicines, essences, perfumery, &c. suitable for the West Indian and other markets.
Thomas W. Dyott, M.D. as seen on a bank note of the 1830s.
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devoted to varieties by Richard T. Hoober in Pennsylvania Obsolete Notes and Scrip, 1985. Again, these and other studies were mostly conducted before the Internet era of access to newspapers, books, and other publications. Research in modern times has greatly added to what I compiled years ago, resulting in the present text including much information not hitherto available in any single printed source. My only regret is that I never met Helen McKearin (1898-1988), the leading scholar on Dyott’s life. Although there are some elusive varieties, both the Dyott flasks and the bills of the Mutual Labor Bank are easily collected today, with most of the currency being moderately priced. Many enthusiasts belong to the Society of Paper Money Collectors or the Federation of Old Historical Bottle Clubs, but not many have joined both. Enjoy the following pages—the story of a unique American entrepreneur (if that is the right word).
T.W. Dyott, the Early Years Thomas W. Dyott Thomas W. Dyott was born in England in 1777. As a young man he sailed to America and arrived in Philadelphia by early 1805. In 1807 the city directory listed him for the first time as owner of a “Patent medicine warehouse, No. 57 South Second Street.” The Philadelphia Gazette, January 24, 1807, carried this advertisement:
T.W. Dyott’s store as advertised in 1820.
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It is obvious that by this time Dyott had his fingers in many business pies, early evidence of his entrepreneurship. His narrative, written in a convincing manner, would be essential in his future enterprises. In April 1807 he ran large advertisements for Dr. Robertson’s Celebrated Stomachic Elixir of Health and Dr. Robertson’s Patented Stomachic Wine Bitters. These were “Prepared only by T.W. Dyott, sole proprietor and grandson of the late celebrated Dr. Robertson, physician in Edinburgh, and sold wholesale and retail at the proprietor’s medicine warehouse, No. 57, South Second Street.” Sans Pareille Oleaginous Paste to improve the beauty of the mahogany and other hardwood furniture was another product, not to overlook his agency for Bug-Destroying Water. A list of his items sold for health and beauty would be lengthy. By 1808 he was a heavy advertiser, including for his own preparations, stating, “Take Notice: As a security against counterfeits, that none are genuine without a small label on the outside wrapper, the signature of T.W. Dyott.” A strong possibility is that at least some were made by the Kensington Glass Works conducted by James Butland and James Rowland. By 1809 some of his medicines were put up in rectangular clear flint glass bottles embossed “Dr. ROBERTSON’S / FAMILY MEDICINE / PREPARED / ONLY BY / T.W. DYOTT.” There were many makers of bottles at the time, and it is not known which one produced these from Dyott’s private mold. A strong possibility is that at least bottles some were made by the Kensington Glass Works conducted by James Butland and James Rowland.
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In that year his business was listed as “Medical dispensary and proprietor of Robertson’s family medicines, No 116 North Second Street,” apparently an expanded facility. In that he is listed for the first time with “M.D.” after his name and as Dr. Dyott. By that time it seems that his brother John had joined him in the trade. Dyott continued to make liquid blacking. It is not known if he had actual medical training. In that era there were no licensing requirements, and the patent medicine field was rife with “doctors.” In that year in many advertisements he claimed to have 41 agents in 36 towns and cities in 12 states, including 14 in New York State. In 1810 his brother, Dr. John Dyott, was dispensing medicines in Atlanta, Georgia. By 1817 John was in Charleston, South Carolina where he managed a wholesale warehouse at East Bay, a depot for shipments to Southern agencies. Goods were sent by coastwise ships from Philadelphia to Charleston. On September 3, 1811, Dr. T.W. Dyott moved to 137 Second Street in Philadelphia, the address where he maintained a store for years afterward. This was also his residence, where he could be consulted for free advice from early in the morning until 10 o’clock in the evening, a claim that was advertised until at least 1819. Various leaflets and pamphlets were published in English and also in French, German, and Spanish, the foreign texts to aid immigrants. Dyott soon acquired premises next door at No. 139 and built a large warehouse there at a cost of $9,000. This address was most often advertised as the northeast corner of Second and Race streets. His agencies expanded, and by 1814 in New York State he had 14 agents in Upstate New York. In the Philadelphia General Advertiser, July 1, 1815, he advertised to have had “long experience and extensive practice in the City of London, the West Indies, and for the last nine years in the City of Philadelphia.” This would place his arrival in Philadelphia in 1804. Nothing has been learned of his alleged lengthy experience in London or the West Indies. In 1815 he married Elizabeth, and in October 1816 the couple had a son, John Dyott, named for his uncle. In 1822, Thomas W. Dyott, Jr. was born. In 1815, John G. O’Brien became a partner in O’Brien & Dyott, and a store was opened in the downtown business district at the junction of the Ohio and Monongahela rivers. This advertisement was placed in the Pittsburgh Daily Gazette to run for one year: O’Brien & Dyott: Wholesale and retail druggists, west side of the Diamond, Pittsburgh, have received from their connections in New York and Philadelphia additional supplies of fresh drugs, oil, chemicals, dye stuffs, medicines, camel’s hair pencils, perfumery, Reeves and Welles water colors, vials, paints, &c., with an extensive variety of other articles in their line, all of which are warranted to be of the most approved and genuine qualities. Physicians, country merchants and others who deal in drugs and medicines, or any of the above articles can be supplied at the lowest Philadelphia wholesale prices. Families in town and in the country can be furnished with superior medicines of very description, on the cheapest terms. All orders thankfully received, and attended to with care and promptitude.
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Pittsburgh, July 22, 1815. As O’Brien’s name appeared first, it is presumed that he conducted the affairs of the Pittsburgh facility. The partnership serviced agencies in western Pennsylvania and beyond, including Brownsville, Greensburgh (later named Greensboro), and Washington in Pennsylvania; Chillicothe, Hamilton, Marietta, Zanesville, Dayton, Clinton, Canton, Urbana, Cincinnati, and Columbus in Kentucky; Vincennes, Indiana; St. Louis, Missouri; and Lexington, Russellville, Maysville, Shelbyville, and Louisville in Kentucky. These agencies also sold goods from other suppliers, often including groceries, housewares, and other items. In Philadelphia in 1816, in addition to his main store, he had an outlet at 341 High Street. In a May 9, 1817 advertisement in the Western Herald & Steubenville Gazette, there was a large advertisement that began with “Approved Family Medicines which are celebrated for the cure of most diseases to which the human body is liable, prepared only by the sole proprietor, T.W. Dyott, M.D.” It was signed, “M. Johnston & Co., Agents for Steubenville.” There was no mention of O’Brien, nor has any other listing for him been found after this date. In Philadelphia on November 9, 1822 Dyott advertised this in the United States Gazette and True American: To Those Wishing to Commence the Drug Business For Sale the stock and fixtures of a handsome and long established wholesale and retail drug store situation in one of the most flourishing towns in the western part of the State of Pennsylvania. The stock can be lessened to suit the convenience of the purchaser, payment for which if more convenient than cash will be received in articles of produce such as whiskey, flour, flaxseed, oil, pot and pearl ashes, pork, bacon, &c. No back land need be offered. For information apply to T.W. Dyott, Wholesale Druggist, &c., Second and Race streets.
The Kensington Glass Works Early American Glass The first glass factory in what became the United States of America was established in Jamestown, Virginia Colony, after its settlement in 1607. This was a separate facility about a mile from the main community. Bottles were made there and, possibly, other products. In 1622 a factory for making glass beads was set up, such beads being used for trade with Indians. In Salem, Massachusetts there was a bottle factory by 1639. In Philadelphia in 1683 a factory was established to make various glass products. As settlements expanded, glass was needed for many purposes, including windows, bottles, flasks, jugs, and other items. Dozens of factories prospered in the various colonies and, later, the states.
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The Whitney Glass Works in Glassboro, New Jersey, was especially large and operated from the late 18th century onward. Relative to the present narrative, New Jersey and Pennsylvania were both very important in the industry in the early days. Pocket flasks for whiskey and other ardent beverages became widely popular in the early 18th century, giving rise to countless designs depicting national figures, patriotic emblems, and other motifs. These were produced by blowing a heated glass blob into molds professionally engraved. Most flasks were clear or aqua, but various colors were used as well. Flasks and bottles of the period under study, required skill and craftsmanship to make, involving a learning or apprentice period. The heated glass blob was fixed at the end of a metal blow pipe, Inserted in the mold, it was blown to expand and fill the mold. At this point a metal pontil or punty rod was attached to the base of the bottle or flask, and the blow pipe was removed. By means of metal shears the mouth was formed by cutting, resulting in many variables and irregularities. The flask or bottle was then carried to an oven and the pontil removed. The product was they slowly cooled and, in time, removed. Most Kensington flasks were oval in shape and flattened or shallow. All of these flasks as well as bottles are avidly sought by collectors today. The First Kensington Glass Works The history of the first Kensington Glass Works dates back to 1771 when Robert Towars, a leather-dresser, and Joseph Leacock, a watchmaker, decided to erect a glass works in Kensington. They purchased frontage on the east side of Bank Street (later called Richmond Street), extending back to the shore of the Delaware River, which was navigable at that point. The business was up and running in short order, as evidenced by this notice in the Pennsylvania Gazette, January 1772: “The glass-factory, Northern Liberties, next door to the sign of the Marquis of Granby, in Market Street, where the highest price is given for broken flint-glass and alkaline salts.” This area was generally known as Fishtown. Not long afterward in November of the same year the business was sold to druggists John and Samuel Gray, who added Isaac Gray as a partner. The works were expanded. In May 1780 the business was sold to tobacconist Thomas Leiper, who is thought to have found it to be a convenient source for bottles in which to store and sell snuff. On March 6, 1800, the factory was sold to Joseph Roberts, Jr., James Butland, and James Rowland for $2,333, after which it was known as James Butland & Co., with an outlet at 80 North Fourth Street. In 1801 Roberts sold his interest to his partners, who continued the business until 1804, after which Rowland became sole proprietor. He published this notice for three months in the Philadelphia Gazette, starting on August 8, 1808: Kensington Glass Works: Being now in complete order will go into operation about the 20th of this month when orders for bottles, &c. will be executed as usual, on application at the Glass-
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house or to the subscriber, No. 93, N. Second Str. James Rowland The Kensington Glass Works closed during the War of 1812, after which the facilities were idle. Likely, T.W. Dyott was purchasing glass there, and had to turn to other suppliers, such as those listed in the narrative below. According to his own account, he was doing this by 1815. The Second Kensington Glass Works Hewson, Connell & Co. advertised in Relfs Philadelphia Gazette and Daily Advertiser, August 2, 1816, that they had erected a glass house at considerable “on the lot adjoining the Old Glass Works in Kensington.” This was on land of over five acres and was bounded by Point-no-point Road, Gunner’s Run, the Delaware River, and the property of the discontinued old Kensington Glass Works, with which it had no connection. This related advertisement appeared in Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser, Philadelphia, June 30, 1818: Kensington Glass Works: The subscribers beg leave to inform their friends and the public that their Works are now in blast, and that they have constantly on hand a supply of gallon, half gallon, quart and pint jars; gallon, half gallon and quart bottles; also pint and half pint flasks, all of the first quality, which they will sell on the most reasonable terms. Orders left at the store of Messrs. Harris and Wright, No. 27 North Third Street, will be attended to with punctuality and dispatch. Hewson & Connell On the same piece of land Hewson & Connell had a furnace for converting iron into cast steel. John Hewson, Jr. had a plant pro calico-printing on cloth nearby. The calico-printing operation had been in operation there for many years and had been opened by John’s father in 1780. Probably as a result of needing glass bottles and flasks for his products, Dyott became involved in wholesale distribution of various related items. By 1817 he was the sole agent for the Olive Glass Works in Glassboro, New Jersey, the New Jersey Union Glass Works in Port Elizabeth in the same state, and for the Gloucester Glass Works in Clementon, also in New Jersey. It is likely he had an ownership interest in some or all. The Democratic Press, Philadelphia, September 17, 1817, published this notice: Olive Glass Works: The proprietors of this Glass works beg leave to acquaint publishers and the public that as a new blast is commenced they will feel obliged by having early orders for bottles, vials, or any hollow-ware of any form in the making of which their attention will be given to please their friends, both in quality and figure, and every exertion made as to punctuality in time for execution. All orders for this factory are received at the drug store of T.W. Dyott, north-east Corner of Second and Race streets In the meantime Dyott’s depot at the northeast corner of Sec-
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November - December 2020
ond and Race streets was more of a general store than an outlet for medicines. While lotions and potions were advertised, the advertised stock also included whiskey, fish, buckwheat and rye meal, beeswax, castor oil, turpentine, rosin, feathers, rags, paper, brushes, lead, window glass, soap, furs, bristles and brushes, saddlery, hats, shoes, candles, firewood, logs, potash, glue, and nails. Many goods were accepted in trade in addition to money as were deeds to real state and stock shares in the newly-formed second Bank of the United States. A more diverse operation cannot be imagined!
Bottles and Extras
It seems that times were good, and Dr. T.W. Dyott was enjoying wealth and the perquisites it made possible. A later account told that his dress and manner were unique. His dress included a broad-brimmed hat, brown surtout, and red cravat and shoes. “He kept the most elegant English coast with three or four outriders in livery.” The Kensington Glass Works was expanding, and by 1821 either a second furnace and glasshouse was built or the old adjacent
Dr. T.W. Dyott’s humanitarian side, of which more will be said, is evidenced by this advertisement dated December 7, 1820, in The Union, Philadelphia: Old Linen: Persons having old linen such as sheets, table linen, &c., that are not worn in holes may receive a price that will half pay for new linen, on application to an industrious widow, in manufacturing Patent Lint for the hospitals, &c., by means of which she will be enabled to support herself and a large family children that are left entirely destitute. Apply to Dr. T.W. Dyott, corner of Second and Race streets, where specimens of her lint may be seen and orders left for any quantity. In the spring of 1820 Hewson & Connell were still operating their Kensington Glass Works, and T.W. Dyott added it to the Olive Glass Works and Gloucester Glass Works as sole agent, with no mention of the New Jersey Union Glass Works. An advertisement in the local Democratic Press, March 11 of that year, had this at the bottom: “Wanted: Two apprentices to the drug business. Boys from the country will be preferred, they will be required to be of good moral habits, of respectable connections, have a good English education and knowledge of the German language.” The Democratic Press, July 17, 1820, carried an advertisement stating that the Olive, Gloucester, and Kensington Glass Manufactories, in blast, informed readers that “they have appointed Dr. T.W. Dyott, druggist, their sole agent, with whom all the glass as it is manufactured will be deposited for sale, by which means, from the extensive stock generally on hand, almost every order can be executed at an hour’s notice.” Signed by “David Wolf & Co., Olive Glass Works; Jona. Haines, Gloucester Glass Works; Hewson & Connell, Kensington Glass Works.” The outlet was at the old stand at the corner of North Second and Race streets. In 1820 Dyott advertised his Cheap Drug, Glass, and Family Medicine Warehouse at 137 & 139 North Second Street, corner of Race Street. He offered dozens of patent medicines, dye stuffs, sundries, and other products, including many items of glass ware. It seems that the future of the Kensington Glass Works was uncertain and was available to be leased, as reflected by this advertisement in the Democratic Press, Philadelphia, July 11 and later: “Kensington Glass Works to let for one or more years. For terms apply to Joseph Ball, Point-no-point Road.” In March 1821 John Hewson advertised the property for sale, mentioning a large mansion and other facilities, the Delaware River frontage, but no word about the glass works.
T.W. Dyott’s store as advertised in 1821
factory was leased. No details have been found. March 24, 1822 advertisement in the Philadelphia Aurora General Advertiser, a notice that was continued in various periodicals for the ensuing year. This is the earliest seen that mentioned commemorative flasks: “American Eagle, ship Franklin, Agricultural and Masonic Pocket Bottles.”
Financial Stress By 1822, Dyott was in extreme financial difficulty. The number of his advertisements decreased. This may have been caused by his luxurious living style, or there may have been other elements. He owned varying amounts to 17 creditors, and his business was managed by a trusteeship formed by these men. The largest debt was to Captain Daniel Man, who was owned $17,400—equal to well over a million dollars in terms of later twenty-first century funds. An agreement stated that Dyott could “carry on the glass works,” arrange personal affairs, and continue his retail business. The Commercial Directory, 1823, reflects his business activities at the time. Kensington Cylinder Glass Works. T.W. Dyott, proprietor. Kensington Hollow Ware Glass Works. T.W. Dyott, proprietor. Olive Glass Works, in Gloucester County, New Jersey. Manufacture bottles and vials. T.W. Dyott, agent.
Bottles and Extras
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November - December 2020
Lafayette-Eagle flask by Dyott
Dyott, T.W. Druggist & colourman; manufacturer of window glass, &c., 137 & 139 North Second Street [Philadelphia] In 1822 Dyott added an acre of land to the property, no doubt with the permission of his trustees. In time, rental houses were built there, producing income to reduce his debt. Not known outside of the inner circle was that he was being charged interest of 1% to 1½ % per month, equal to 12% to 18% per year—illegal and far about the 6% legal rate. Accordingly this was secret, criminal activity. Dyott’s actual ownership interest in the Kensington Glass Works at this time has not been determined. In any event, it would have been under trusteeship. March 24, 1824 advertisement in the United States Gazette, Philadelphia, with an expanded list of commemorative glass including “Washington, LaFayette, Franklin, Ship Franklin, Agricultural and Masonic, Cornucopia, American Eagle, and common ribbed Pocket Flasks.” Among the Kensington Glass Works products were whiskey flasks with patriotic themes, including eagles and General Washington, not to overlook those with his own image. These are widely collected today. March 22, 1825 advertisement in the United States Gazette, with added flasks. See the notice to nationwide editors. In the Gazette he advertised on March 14, 1825, that he had 3,000 dozen flasks available for purchase. After the deaths of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, they were commemorated on flasks as well. It is thought the glass molds made during the Dyott era were by Stacy Wilson and later by George H. Myers. (pictured above) Lafayette-Eagle flask by Dyott. (pictured above) Franklin-Dyott flask with T.W. Dyott’s portrait on one side. On May 17, 1826, in the Cayuga Republican issued in distant Auburn, New York, T.W. Dyott advertised his Philadelphia store, also indicating that he was involved in glass manufacture: “3
Franklin-Dyott flask with T.W. Dyott’s portrait on one side
or 4 first rate vial blowers will meet with constant employment and good wages by applying as above.” Not long afterward his advertisements told of his ownership, such as this notice in the Commercial Advertiser, New York City, June 18, 1828:
Glass Ware Philadelphia and Kensington Factories. Apothecaries’ vials, patent medicine and perfumery do, mustards, cayennes, shop furniture, confectioner’s show bottles, druggists packing bottles, carboys, acids, castor oil, cordial and wine bottles, demijohns, flasks, quarts, half gallon, and gallon common bottles, preserving and fruit jars, with a complete and general assortment of every other article in the glass line. The above establishment is on the most extensive scale, embracing three distinct factories located in the immediate vicinity of Philadelphia—affording every facility for executing orders with promptness. The quality of the glass is decidedly superior to any other of the same description made in this country. Orders punctually attended to, addressed to the proprietor, T.W. Dyott, Philadelphia, or to H.W. Field, agent, New York. Although Dyott’s financial arrangements were still a great problem, loans provided for increased production and sales. By June 1828 there were three glass factories under his control in Kensington, and by a year later, four. Additional acreage had been purchased, including some previously rented. Dyott also conducted a wholesale business. This advertisement from a customer was published in the American & Commercial Daily Advertiser, Baltimore, September 11, 1828:
Demijohns A constant supply of superior quality of demijohns of all sizes, from one quart to five gallons, manufactured at the Philadelphia and Kensington Glass Factories, and in point of strength, neatness of workmanship, and regularity of size and superior to foreign manufacture, for sale in any quantity. Harrison & Sterrett Continued in the January - February 2021 issue
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Sample's Dairy and Ice Cream Shop November - December 2020
Bottles and Extras
By Cody Wayt
T
he Sample Dairy was started in the late 1910’s or early 1920’s by Virgil Miles Sample in Carrollton, Kentucky. The Dairy was original called the Sample Dairy but was later changed to Belle-Day Dairy. Virgil left Carrollton, and went to help his cousin Earl Sample run his dairy in Connersville, Indiana. In about 1938 Virgil left
Belle-Day Dairy bottle from Carrollton
Sample’s bottle from Connersville
Bottles and Extras
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November - December 2020
Sample’s Ice Cream shop at the corner of Main and Poplar Streets in Madison. Picture taken 11-25-1945
Connersville and moved to Columbus, Indiana and took over the Hill’s Sanitary Dairy, which was owned by Harry G. Hill, at 1044 4th. St. His son Curtis Sample was the salesman while in Columbus. Some of their products were Milk, Buttermilk, Chocolate drink, and Creamed Cottage Cheese. In 1940 Thompson Dairy, based in Seymour, Indiana, bought out the Sample Dairy. Virgil then moved to Madison, Indiana where he purchased the Schnaitter Confectionery and Ice Cream shop, owned by his uncle Frank Schnaitter, the mayor of Madison, at the corner of Main and Poplar Streets. The Sample Ice Cream Company was run by Virgil and his two sons Curtis and Jack Sample for several years. In 1950 Jack Sample died of
(left image) Sanitary Dairy Products Co. bottle from 1932, which is when the dairy first opened. It was owned by the Hill Bros. for a very short time. Hill’s Dairy bottle from Columbus, which is who Sample purchased.
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Sample’s bottle from Carrollton
November - December 2020
Bottles and Extras
Sample’s Chocolate Drink bottle from Columbus, front and back images
Add for the Hill Bros. Sanitary Dairy Aug. 1932. This is when the dairy first began making deliveries in Columbus
a heart attack at the age of 32 and in 1953 Curtis Sample died at the age of 37. Virgil Sample continued to run the Ice Cream business until his death in 1958. His wife Bernetta Sample continued to operate the business until 1960, at which time the building was demolished to make a parking lot. She died at age 48 in a car accident near Carrollton, Kentucky in 1962.
(left image) Sample’s bottle from Columbus
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Bottles and Extras
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NNovember ovember--D December ecember2020 2020
BBottles ottlesand andE Extras xtras
Luke Kearney and
“Keeping Christmas” By Jack Sullivan
(Fig. 1). The earliest seems to have been issued in 1900. It’s underglaze label read: “You are not left...Not by a Jug Full"...Compliments of...Luke J. Kearney... Christmas 1900.”
A
s the presence of the coronavirus pandemic seems likely to continue into 2021, the approach of the Holiday Season seems problematic. In countering any pessimism, the example of Luke Kearney, a Washington, D.C. saloonkeeper, should be kept in mind. Despite the personal tragedies that beset him, he was notable for giving away at the holiday’s small jugs of whiskey with upbeat mottos. In the words of Charles Dickens, Kearney “knew how to keep Christmas.”
(Fig. 2) A couple years later the Washingtonian employed a personal motto: “Well I’ll be Jugged...Here’s Another Jug with Compliments of Luke J. Kearney.”
Kearney’s giveaways were distinctive. Virtually all were twotoned stoneware mini-jugs about 5 and 1/2 inches high. More important, each year had a new slogan -- something for the drinking public to ponder while draining the modest contents of the jug. The earliest seems to have been issued in 1900. Its underglaze label read: “You are not left...Not by a Jug Full"...Compliments of...Luke J. Kearney... Christmas 1900.” (Fig. 1). It was followed in 1901 by “Another Jug Full...Compliments Of....” In 1902, Kearney used the slogan: “While We Live - Let’s Live.” Later
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BBottles ottlesand andE Extras xtras
(Fig. 3) The 1904 version was “If You Try Me Once, You Will Try Me Again.”
(Fig. 4) A squared jug with the simple question: “Is Everybody Happy?... Christmas 1906...Luke J. Kearney”
ceramics would add the address of his saloon at 1811 L Street in the District of Columbia. The next year the Washingtonian employed a personal motto: “Well I’ll be Jugged...Here’s Another Jug with Compliments of Luke J. Kearney.” (Fig. 2) The 1904 version was “If You Try Me Once, You Will Try Me Again.” He also issued a second version in 1904 (Fig. 3). It contained a verse that says:
“To Be Healthy? That’s the Question; Drink Arlington Club It Aids Digestion.”
(Fig. 5) “Another Jug Added to What You Have Makes Another Jug More”
Although I have yet to identify a giveaway for 1905, Kearney issued two items in 1906. One bore the enigmatic motto, “As I Go Up the Hill of Prosperity, May I Never Meet a Friend.” The second 1906 stoneware is a squared jug with the simple question: “Is Everybody Happy?... Christmas 1906...Luke J. Kearney” (Fig. 4). The 1907 issue reads “Another Jug Added to What You Have Makes Another Jug More” (Fig. 5). After 1907 the Christmas jugs ceased. What must be understood are the multiple personal tragedies Kearney was undergoing during this same period. In October 1894, Luke at the age of 26 had married Catherine Croghan of similar age in the District of Columbia. Their first child, a girl they
(Fig. 6) Kearney not only poured whiskey over the bar, but he also sold package goods in bottles elaborately embossed with his name and address.
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(Fig. 8) The saloonkeeper brushed with a celebrity in 1903 when he accepted a check written by Harry K. Thaw
(Fig. 7) Shot glasses advertising Arlington Club Whiskey, a brand registered to the Hellman Distilling Co. of St. Louis.
named Mary Helen, died in infancy in 1896. Their next three children, Nellie, Mary, and Luke Jr. were born healthy. Then tragedy struck again in 1905 when a second son, Joseph, died in infancy. Then came the final blow. Catherine, Luke’s wife of ten years, died in 1906, age 37, leaving her husband to raise three small children. Luke never remarried.
Kearney was the product of Irish parents who had immigrated to America before his birth. His father found a job as a government watchman, working for 50 years in Washington, D.C. He and his wife, Mary, had a family of six children. Among them was Luke, born in 1868. The family lived at 3331 O Street in Georgetown. The source and length of Kearney’s education and early business career are shrouded in time, A 1900 city directory found Luke and his family living above his L Steet saloon. Sanborn fire maps of the time show the building as a two-story brick structure 25 feet wide and extending rearward almost one-half block to an alley. Today it is the site of a large office building.
(Fig. 9) Thaw was the young socialite who shot famous architect Stanford White over the showgirl, Evelyn Nesbit, known widely as “The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing.” The trio is shown here, Thaw at right
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Kearney not only poured whiskey over the bar, but he also sold package goods in bottles elaborately embossed with his name and address (Fig. 6). He gave out shot glasses advertising Arlington Club Whiskey, a brand registered to the Hellman Distilling Co. of St. Louis (Fig. 7). The saloonkeeper brushed with a celebrity in 1903 when he accepted a check written by Harry K. Thaw (Fig. 8), possibly a customer. Thaw was the young socialite who shot famous architect Stanford White over the showgirl, Evelyn Nesbit, known widely as “The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing.” The trio is shown here, Thaw at right (Fig. 9). A sensation of its time, the murder has spawned a number of books and more than one motion picture. I assume Kearney framed the check over the bar. Kearney suffered a financial blow in 1917 when the United States Congress, in a hypocritical vote, legislated prohibition of alcohol sales in the District of Columbia. He was one of the local whiskey men who testified against the bill before a Congressional committee. It did no good and he was forced to shut the doors on his saloon. The 1920 federal census found Kearney at the age of 56 living in a four-story townhouse at 1809 North Capitol Street (Fig. 10). He was recorded having no occupation and living with his three surviving children, now grown.
(Fig. 10) The 1920 federal census found Kearney at the age of 56 living in a four-story townhouse at 1809 North Capitol Street
Luke died in 1933 at the age of 65. He was buried with his wife Catherine, his parents and other family members in Holy Rood Cemetery situated just above Georgetown. It is a predominantly Irish Catholic graveyard associated with the Jesuit parish of Holy Trinity Church. Most of the burials took place from the mid-19th century into the early years of the 20th. As can be seen from the damage done to the Kearneys' marker (Fig. 11), today the cemetery is in very sad repair. Numerous gravestones have been damaged or overturned. In the grip of Covid-19, as we contemplate a possibly bleak Holiday Season, we can take an example from Luke Kearney, who could face heartbreaking personal losses and still demonstrate generosity and optimism in the mini-jugs he created and gave away. I for one will be saluting him at the holidays as an individual who “could keep Christmas” by taking a nip from a jug of my own.
(Fig. 11) Kearneys' marker, today the cemetery is in very sad repair. Numerous gravestones have been damaged or overturned.
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November - December 2020
Bottles and Extras
YAVNE, Israel — A group of teens in Israel made an amazing discovery.
A treasure chest hidden in the Rocky Mountains for a decade has finally been found The adventure has finally come to an end. The treasure has been found. Forrest Fenn, the 89-year-old art and antiquities collector who created the treasure hunt, made the announcement Sunday on his website. "It was under a canopy of stars in the lush, forested vegetation of the Rocky Mountains and had not moved from the spot where I hid it more than 10 years ago," Fenn wrote in his announcement. "I do not know the person who found it, but the poem in my book led him to the precise spot." the treasure was found a few days ago by a man who did not want to be named, Fenn told the Santa Fe New Mexican. He noted, however, that the man was from "back East" and that he confirmed his discovery by sending Fenn a photograph of his newfound riches. The treasure, estimated to be worth over $1 million, was a way for Fenn to inspire people to explore nature and give hope to people affected by the Great Recession, he said. A sheriff warns searchers to respect the land as 2 people have died hunting for treasure in the Rocky Mountains. Clues leading to the treasure's location were included in a 24line poem published in Fenn's 2010 autobiography "The Thrill of the Chase." Fenn estimated that as many as 350,000 people from all over the world went hunting for the treasure, according to the New Mexican. Some quit their jobs to fully dedicate their lives to the hunt and some even died. "I congratulate the thousands of people who participated in the search and hope they will continue to be drawn by the promise of other discoveries," Fenn said on his website.
The teens were volunteering at an excavation in central Israel that is going to be developed for a new neighborhood. “I dug in the ground. And when I excavated the soil, saw what looked like very thin leaves. When I looked again I saw these were gold coins. It was really exciting to find such a special and ancient treasure,” Oz Cohen, one of the teens who found the treasure Israeli archaeologist Shahar Krispin displays a gold coin that was discovered at an archeological site in central Israel, Tuesday, Aug 18, 2020. Israeli archaeologists have announced the discovery of a trove of early Islamic gold coins during recent salvage excavations near the central city of Yavn Tel Aviv. The collection of 425 complete gold coins, most dating to the Abbasid period around 1,100 years ago, is a "extremely rare" find. (Heidi Levine/AP) They weighed about 30 ounces and were worth a large sum when they were buried in a jar. “The person who buried this treasure 1,100 years ago must have expected to retrieve it, and even secured the vessel with a nail so that it would not move,”
Bottles and Extras
November - December 2020
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The medieval gold coin hidden in a secret drawer Courtesy Hansons Auctioneers A woman from Derbyshire, England had an incredible surprise in February, when she took this George II-style writing bureau she'd inherited from a distant cousin into Hansons Auctioneers for valuation. While checking the piece of furniture, valuer Edward Rycroft found a tiny secret drawer the woman had no idea existed. The medieval gold coin hidden in a secret drawer. Phil Barnett/PA Wire/ PA On closer inspection, the drawer was found to contain a beautiful Raymond IV Prince of Orange Franc, a "pied" (very thick) 22-carat gold coin dating from 1365. The coin went on to sell for $1,025 (£850), fetching almost four times more than the bureau in which it was found.
A rare 1794 silver dollar believed to be one of the first — if not the first — to be struck by the US Mint is going up for sale. Dubbed the "Flowing Hair" dollar, the coin features a portrait of Lady Liberty on one side and an eagle on the other. The last time it was up for auction, in 2013, it sold for $10 million -- surpassing the world record for the most ever paid for a rare coin. "This is a dream coin -- a priceless artifact that I have been proud to own, and I'm very sorry to see it go," Bruce Morelan, who owns the rare 1794 silver dollar, told CNN. Morelan, a collector who is putting an assortment of historic coins valued at about $20 million up for auction alongside the silver dollar, added that, "It's time to move on to other challenges and I hope that the new owner of the coin treasures it just as much as I have."
(Left) A gardener at the Ricci Oddi modern art gallery was stunned when he opened a metal panel on the back of the museum building, obscured by ivy vines, to discover a Gustav Klimt painting hidden inside. The work, Portrait of a Lady, was stolen back in 1997, its mysterious disappearance giving rise to all manner of conspiracy theories. Currently valued at €60 million ($66 million), the canvas may or may not have been on the premises the whole time.
Over 200 years ago when the United States was a fledgling nation eager to cement its independence, Congress passed the Coinage Act of 1792, which established the country's first national mint. The US Mint, a bureau of the Department of the Treasury responsible for producing coinage for the United States, was established in Philadelphia. It was housed in the first federal building erected under the Constitution. "The Constitution had specified that the dollar was going to be the cornerstone of the US monetary system," Douglas Mudd, the curator and director of the American Numismatic Association's Money Museum, told CNN. After assembling the equipment and preparing the coin dies, the Philadelphia Mint started production of the silver dollar in October 1794, when 1,758 coins sporting the Flowing Hair design were struck in one day, according to the National Museum of American History. The coins were not meant for the general public, but were taken to Mint Director David Rittenhouse for distribution to dignitaries as souvenirs.
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November - December 2020
Member Photo Gallery
Bottles and Extras
A collection of spectacular and inspiring photographs from around the world and around the web. Please feel free to submit your images for consideration.
Lou Hollis and his Barrell Collection
Gary Beatty
Tim Pemrick Early Lynch & Clarke
Andrew Bevis
Steve Lang Monument Bottling Company. Indianapolis. Bottle that was given to me by my Dad to start my collection.
Joe Brenckman
Charlie Livingston My fav... 1840's black glass mallet with 1890 info sterling silver wraparound handle Steve Hicks Knoxville brewing Company blob beers Knoxville Tennessee
Jim Eifler
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November - December 2020
Bottles and Extras David Porter J. DOWDALL AVONDALE, PA. 18451852 One of my Sweetest Bottles (Rare)
Steve Kehrer P. Bermingham St Louis
A recent Bottle show addition, green double eagle. Indianapolis bottle show - unanimous
Rick Ciralli Globular bottle with pour-spout and neck threading. Attributed to the Coventry Glass works 1812-1848 an extreme rarity and Unique at this time
Steve Ketchum Silver Pitcher
Jesse Blair - Ramon's Nerve & Bone
Michael Benoit Cone inks
Christopher Bellizzi How about some Clyde pickle jars..
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November - December 2020
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FOHBC
Send your advertisement to FOHBC Business Manager, 101 Crawford, Studio 1A, Houston, TX 77002 or better yet, email: emeyer@ fmgdesign.com
ofWANTED: Shows Green Top Kimberry, SouthBottle Tree Antiques, 1962Calendar Mt Lebanon Road, Donalds, SC 29638 or our web- Events Africa, Ginger Beer Browing & Co. & visit Related site at: bottletreeantiques.com Contact: Dennis Fox (530)295-0124, Email: mummysisters@aol.com FOR SALE: New Mexico Hutchinson, Jugs and Mineral Water Bottles. 2nd Edition, 130 WANTED: Redondo Beach/Redondo Calipages. Pictures not drawings, much new fornia bottles. Labeled or embossed. Elk bar information on bottles, much history. Signed Redondo flask most wanted. Also tokens and by authors. $30 includes mailing. Check or souvenir china. Contact: Dave Deto at P.O. Box Money Order to: Zang Wood, 1612 Camino 118, Yosemite, CA 95389 or (209) 626-9846 Rio,Individual Farmington, NM 87401 & Affiliated WANTED: Early Wisconsin Bottles, EarthenClub Information FOR SALE: Crown Top Sodas, Pottery, ware P. Stoneware. Pontiled bottles from MilAdvertising signs, Dispensary bottles. Conwaukee. Photos and other ephemera for game. tact John Bray at Bottletree Antiques Farm; Contact Henry Hecker, Email: Phantom(864) 379-3479 or bottletreeantiques.com hah@gmail.com, Telephone: (262)-844-5751
SHO-BIZ
President’s Message More show-biz
dom DEALERS: Sell your bottles in the Bottles
and Extras classified for free. Change the bottles and your ad is free month after month. Include your website in your ad to increase traffic to your site. Send your advertisement to FOHBC Business Manager, 101 Crawford, Studio 1A, Houston, TX 77002 or better yet, email: emeyer@fmgdesign.com
Membership Benefits Membership News dom Individual & Affiliated
For Sale
Calendar of Shows & Related Events
FOR SALE: 80 Figural Items. Glass Candy Containers. All very good condition. Contact: Margaret Elmer (215) 692-4781 Evenings 7PM
SHO-BIZ
Shards of WisdomWANTED: New members to join the St
FOR SALE: The 2018 updated POISON Club Information BOTTLE WORKBOOK by Rudy Kuhn. Price $50 plus $5 media mail USA. Contact Joan for postage out of USA. Email: jjcab@ b2xonline.com. Phone: (540) 297-4498. Make check or money order out to Joan Cabaniss, 312 Summer Lane, Huddleston, VA 24104
FOR SALE: Nevada Bottles: Many drugstores from Virginia City, Carson City and Reno. Some crown top sodas. Contact: James Campiglia, Phone: (805) 689-0125, Email: chipsbottles@bresnan.net
Shards of Wisdom
More show-biz
FOR SALE: Apothecary Cabinet “Replica” Full page ad in December 2015 Bottles and Extras, also displayed at the 2016 National Show in Sacramento. $2,500 Bargin Basement Price. 8’Long, 2’Deep and 57” Tall. Delivery possible for extra fee. Contact: Bob Hirsch, Phone: (562) 941-6979, Email: Bob.Hirsch@verizon.net
Wanted
WANTED: American ACL, painted sodas. Hard to find with pictures and multi colors from small town bottlers. Collections are of interest as well. Will travel to deal. Contact by Text or Messenger: James Campiglia (805) 689-0125 or Email: chipsbottles@bresnan.net
WANTED: H. & J. F. Meyer / Belfast Individual & Affiliated Ginger Ale / 139 S. 5th Ave. / NY. Contact: Membership Benefits David Rakes Call/Text: (352) 817-5136 or Club Information Email: Barakes123@gmail.com FOR SALE: Several hundred bottles in mint condition, most with labels and contents, circa 1910 plus advertising and pharmacy equipment from that era. Contact: Neil Sandow at Telephone: (707) 373-8887 or Email: nsandow@gmail.com
WANTED: INSULATORS. Long time collector. Interested in mixed color. If you have any insulators that have been dug, please give me a call. Contact: James E. Meyer (386) 679-6439 or Email: jemmy194268@gmail.com
Individual & Affiliated Shards of Wisdom WANTED: Ladies Leg Bitters. Contact: Club Information Bill Taylor - Phone: (503) 857-0292
FOR SALE: Books “A History of the Des Moines Potteries,” with additional information on Boonesboro, Carlisle, Herford and Palmyra. 214 pages, 65 color. Cost $23 plus shipping, Media Mail add $4.50, Priority add $6.00. Mail to Mark C. Wiseman, 3505 Sheridan Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50310 or call (515) 344-8333
or Email: wtaylor178@aol.com
WANTED: Bottles or any items from E. Milde Bottling Works, Milde’s Soda, Milde’s Cola. Also, any bottles from Jackson, Missouri. Contact Steve Ford by text at (615) 714-6254 or e-mail at sford@garney.com
Shards of Wisdom
FOR SALE: Labelled Bitters Bottles, South Carolina Dispensary Bottles, Advertising Signs and Paper. Contact: John Bray at
WANTED: New Bottles Monthly. Contact: Carlasboy on Ebay
Louis Antique Bottle Collectors Association. We meet every 1st Tuesday at 7pm (except July), First Baptist Church of Arnold, MO Family Life Center. Basement Rm 2. Always a lively discussion. Patsy Jett Show Chair (314) 570-6917 WANTED: Jar lid for Cohansey 2-1/2-gallon R.B. #628.For Contact: Ed DeHaven Sale (609) 390-1898. 23 W. Golden Oak Lane, Marmora, NJ 08223 WANTED: NC and GA advertising jugs (any size & condition) and flasks – also want anything Saloon marked and error fruit jars and old 78 records (blues & country). Contact Bill Wrenn at ncjugs@gmail.com (706) 372-3793. Facebook group: Advertising Jugs & Pre-Pro collectibles + group: Saloon Jugs & Flasks + group: NC Jugs & Flasks WANTED: THEO.BLAUTH/WHOLESALE WINE/&/LIQUOR DEALERS/SACRAMENTO CAL. (whiskey fifth Barnett 55); C&K/WHISKEY/Casey & Kavanaugh/SACRAMENTO, CAL. (shot glass); SHADOW BROOK (block letters on slant on side, label under glass on bottom) CALIFORNIA WINERY/monogram/TRADEMARK/SACRAMENTO, CAL. (shot glass). Contact: STEVE ABBOTT (916) 631-8019 or Email: foabbott@comcast.net WANTED: Paducah Kentucky items especially Pre-pro Paper Label Whiskey and Medicine Bottles, Crocks, paper goods. Contact: BJ SIMMONS (270) 994-7762 or Email: bjsummers65@gmail.com or by mail at: 233 Darnell Road, Benton, KY 42025 WANTED: Pint Clear Phoenix Pumpkin-
Bottles and Extras seed Flask. Also, any coffin or pumpkinseed flasks from Los Angeles. Contact: Brian (805) 448-7516 or Email: taps60@cox.net WANTED: Whiskey and Saloon related glass paperweights. Contact: Jack Sullivan (703-3703039) or Email: jack.sullivan9@verizon.net WANTED: ARKANSAS BOTTLES: Sodas, Hutches, Mineral Waters, Whiskey Flasks, Drug Stores, Patent Medicines. ARKANSAS WHISKEY JUGS: Marked Stoneware, Shot Glasses, Cork Pulls and any Arkansas Advertising. Contact: James Larry Childers, 801 N 18th Street, Ozark, AR 72949. (479) 264-4601 or Email: jamesl.childers@yahoo.com WANTED: Clarke's Vegetable Sherry Wine Bitters, Sharon, Mass & Rockland, ME. All bottle sizes & variants. Contact: CHARLIE MARTIN (781)248-8620 or Email: cemartinjr@comcast.net WANTED: Bottles, Pottery, ephemera from Oak Park, Illinois. Email: Ray at komo8@att.net WANTED: Kimberley Green Top Ginger Beer, Browning & Co. Contact: Dennis Fox Email: mummysisters@aol.com WANTED: TEA KETTLE OLD BOURBON SAN FRANCISCO, Contact: Russell Dean, 228 Labelle Drive, Stuarts Draft, VA Phone: (540) 255-3143; Email: 4649dean@ comcast.net WANTED: Always looking for rare and unique Applied Color Label Soda bottles, Chero colas, Straight-sided Cokes and Pepsi, Royal Palm, Florida soda bottles, Tampa bottles, Buying collections, Vintage soda artifacts. Contact: Tom Pettit, Email: VintageSodaCollector@yahoo.com, Website: http://www.vintagesodacollector.com
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November - December 2020 WANTED: Bottle Tree Antiques, Donalds, South Carolina. Bitters, SC Dispensaries, CrownTop Soda, Folk Pottery, Primitives. Website: bottletreeantiques.com or Contact: John Bray at (864) 379-3479 WANTED: Peoria and Pekin Illinois blob top sodas. Contact Jim Searle at 309-3467804 or Email: skyjames962@gmail.com WANTED: Lacour's Sarsapariphere Bitters bottles in colors. All conditions considered. Contact: 530-265-5204 or Email: warrenls6@sbcglobal.net WANTED: Rare Dr. Kilmer examples (such as sample bottles of Cough Cure or Female Remedy) or any examples w/ contents/boxes/circulars. Also, rare cobalt "Extract of Witch Hazel, 8" (see Adams' "Bottle Collecting in New England", page 30). Contact: MIKE, maleect@aol. com (preferred) or (623) 825-2791 WANTED: Old OWL DRUG Co. bottles, tins, boxes, paper, anything/everything from the Owl Drug Company. Paying TOP DOLLAR. Contact: MARC LUTSKO, PO BOX 97, LIBBY, MT 59923 – Email: letsgo@montanasky.net WANTED: Vintage Crock or Jug with name: Morton. Contact: Darlene Furda 6677 Oak Forest Drive, Oak Park, CA 91377 or Call: (818) 889-5451 WANTED: Cabin Bottles, E.G. Booz Bottles. GU11-4, All Colors, with Diagonal Base Seam. Any Ruby Red or Black, by Clevenger Taiwan Booz Bottle, Amber, GU11-16 Clevenger Commemorative 16A, 16-C, 16-E GU11-25 Clevenger Commemorative, 25-A, 25 I, Jacob’s Tonic Bitters GU11-7 any number. Contact: Steve Gray (440) 2798381 or Write to address: Steve Gray, 7533 Clay Street, Thomson, Ohio 44086
WANTED: New Members to join the Antique Bottle Club of Northern Illinois. Meet 1st Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm, Antioch Senior Center, Antioch, Illinois WANTED: North American Log Cabin Commemorative: GVII- 25-I-Cool X-C; GVII-25-E-AllenTown; GVII-25-F-Christmas 1976; E.G. Booze Log Cabin Bottles; GVII-37; sGVII-40; GVII-9 Cobalt Blue; GVII-7-Jacob’s Cabin Tonic Bitters. Contact: STEVE GRAY (440)-279-8381 or by mail at 7533 Clay Street, Thompson, OH 44086 WANTED: Clarke's Vegetable Sherry Wine Bitters, Sharon, MA & Rockland, ME All sizes, variants, smooth/pontil base. Especially need labeled Clarke's any size. Also, any Clarke's ephemera...trade cards, Almanacs, news ads, etc. Contact: CHARLIE MARTIN (781) 248-8620 or Email: cemartinjr@comcast.net WANTED: Just love Bitters! Especially Ohio Bitters. Here are a few I am looking for. Star Anchor Bitters, Portsmouth, Ohio. Henry C. Weaver Mexican Bitters, Lancaster, Ohio. H.I. Weis Dayton, Ohio. Stewart Bros. Swamp Root Bitters, Columbus, Ohio. Greenhut’s Bitters, Cleve. Ohio, Cliff’s Aromatic Bitters, Clev. Ohio. Catawba Wine Bitters, Cleve. Ohio. American Plant Bitters, Wooster, Ohio. Hofstettler Bitters, Galion, Ohio. B&L Invigorator Bitters, Cincinnati, OH. Dear Wahre Jacob Bitters Toledo, OH. Frazier’s Root Bitters. For The Blood, Clev. Ohio. Hartley’s Peruvian Bark Bitters, Cincinnati, Ohio. Night Cap Bitters Cincinnati, Ohio. Pale Orange Bitters, Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. M. Pinton’s Pure Stomach Bitters, Cincinnati, Ohio. Holtzernann’s Patent Stomach Bitters Piqua, O. this is an amber square. Any other Ohio Bitters you might have; also, Blue Jacket Bitters. Thank you for your consideration and Best Regards, Contact: Gary Beatty (941) 276-1546 or Email: tropicalbreezes@verizon.net
Remember! You can submit show calendar information and renew membership online at FOHBC.org ALSO, DON’T FORGET TO USE YOUR MEMBERS PORTAL
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SHO-BIZ
Bottles and Extras
Calendar of Shows & Related Events
FOHBC Sho - Biz is published in the interest of the hobby. Federation affiliated clubs are connotated with FOHBC logo. Information on up-coming 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, 101 Crawford, Studio 1A, Houston, TX 77002; phone: (713) 504-0628; e-mail: 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 website: FOHBC.org
CANCELED November 1 Elton, Maryland The Tri-State Bottle Collectors and Diggers Club 48th Annual Show & Sale, Regretfully, we must announce that the Tri-state Bottle Collectors & Diggers Club, Inc has canceled the annual show Sunday, November 1st. This is because the Singerly Fire Company has canceled all events for the remainder of 2020. We hope to be back again on Sunday, November 7th, 2021. Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. Very truly yours, Carol N Brown, President, Tri-state Bottle Collectors & Diggers Club, Inc., Singerly Fire Hall, 300 Newark Avenue, Route 279 (I-95 exit 109A), Elkton, Maryland 21922, Sunday, November 7, 2020 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, No Early Admissions, Dealers only entry at 6:30 am, Set-up begins at 7:00 am, Admission: $3 per person, Children under age 12 free, Tri-State Bottle Collectors and Diggers Club, Inc, Contact: Dave Brown, Show Chair, 6 Martine Court, Newark, Delaware 19711, 302.388.9311, dbrown3942@comcast.net
City Road, Fayette City, Pennsylvania 15438, 724.326.8741 or Jay Hawkins, 1280 Mt. Pleasant Road, West Newton, Pennsylvania 15089, 724.872.6013
School, 2133 Madison Avenue, (corner of Madison and Dewberry Avenues), Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Contact: Bill Hegedus, 20 Cambridge Place, Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, 610.264.3130
More show-biz
November 8 Oakland, New Jersey North Jersey Antique Bottle Collectors Assn. 51st Annual Show & Sale, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, early buyers 8:00 am, Pompton Lakes Elks Lodge No. 1895, 1 Perrin Ave, Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, Contact: Ken, 973.248.6406, froggy8@ optonline.net
2021
Individual & Affiliated Membership Benefits Club Information
November 14 Jacksonville, Florida Antique Bottle Collectors of North Florida 52nd Annual Show & Sale, 8:00 am to 2:00 pm; early buyers, Friday 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm, $50, 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, $40, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm $20, Free admission Saturday, Fraternal Order of Police Bldg., 5530 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, Florida, Contact Info: Mike Skie, 3047 Julington Creek Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32223, 904.710.0422 or Corey Stock, 904.607.3133, jaxbottleshow@yahoo.com
Individual & Affiliated Shards of Wisdom Club Information
Shards of Wisdom CANCELED November 1 Topsham, Maine The Mid-Maine Antique Bottle Club Proudly Presents Our 1st Annual Bottle Show & Sale, Topsham Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall, Topsham, Maine, Sunday, November 1, 2020,$2 General Admission 9:00 am, $15 Early Admission 8:00 am. Contact Paul McClure 207.832.1503, oldbottles@outlook.com, maineantiquebottleclub.com
Wanted
CANCELED November 8 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania The Pittsburgh Antique Bottle Club’s 51st Annual Show & Sale, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, early buyers 7:00 am, $25. Admission $3. www.PittsburghAntiqueBottleClub.org, Elizabeth VFD Station 139, 107 Market Street, Elizabeth, Pennsylvania 15037, Contact Info: Bob DeCroo, 694 Fayette
CANCELED November 22 Greensboro, North Carolina 18th Greensboro Antique Bottle & Collectibles Show at the Farmer’s Curb Market, 501 Yanceyville Street, Greensboro, North Carolina 27405, Sunday 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, No Early admission, Set up: Sunday 7:30 am – 9:00 am. Cost of admission $1, Southeast Bottle Club, www.antiquebottles.com/greensboro, Contact: Reggie Lynch, Show Chairman, PO Box 2286, Forest, Virginia 24551, 704.221.6489, rlynch@antiquebottles.com
January 10 Taunton, Massachusetts Little Rhody Bottle Club Show, Holiday Inn, Taunton, Massachusetts, Early Admission, $15, 8:00 am, General Admission $3, 9:30 am, Contact Bill or Linda Rose, sierramadre@comcast.net, 508.880.4929 CANCELED January 16 Muncie, Indiana The Midwest Antique Fruit Jar & Bottle Club has canceled the Muncie, Indiana show for 01/16/2021 and all associated activities for this show. Due to the ongoing pandemic, as well as state restrictions imposed at this time by the State of Indiana, the MAFJBC will not be hosting the show originally scheduled for Jan. 16, 2021. MAFJBC regrets this action but wants to assure dealers and buyers alike that we feel this is the best option considering all information available. We will be looking forward to the show in January 2022 for ourselves and all other participants
For Sale
November 29 Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Forks of the Delaware Bottle Collectors Association 47th Annual Show & Sale, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, $2 Admission, Early Shopper Admission at 7:30 am ($20 entrance fee), Bethlehem Catholic High
January 23 Jackson, Mississippi Mississippi Antique Bottle Club presents their 35th Annual Show & Sale, Saturday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Free admission. Dealer Set-up and Early Buyers Friday, January 22nd, noon to 7:00 pm, $20 and Saturday, 7:00 am to 9:00 am, Mississippi Fairgrounds, 1207 Mississippi Street, Jackson, Mississippi in the East Bay of the Trade Mart Building, Contact: Cheryl Comans, 601.218.3505 February 6 DeFuniak Springs, Florida The Emerald Coast Bottle Collector’s Inc, 20th Annual Show & Sale, 8:00 am to
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Bottles and Extras
(More) Sho-Biz More show-biz 2:00 pm. Free Admission. Free Appraisals, DeFuniak Springs Community Center, 361 N. 10th Street, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32433, Contact: Richard Kramerich, PO Box 241, Pensacola, Florida 32591, 850.435.5425, shards@bellsouth.net
Rossville Blvd. (I-695, Exit 34), Contact: Rick Lease, 410.458.9405, finksburg21@ comcast.net or Andy Agnew (contracts), 410.527.1707, medbotls@comcast.net
February 7 Manville, New Jersey New Jersey Antique Bottle Club (NJABC) 25th Annual Show & Sale, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Admission $3, no early buyers.V.F.W. of Manville, New Jersey, 600 Washington Avenue, Manville, New Jersey 08835, Contact: Kevin Kyle, 230 Cedarville Road, East Windsor, New Jersey 08520, 609.209.4034, bottlediggerkev@aol.com, John Lawrey, 908.813.2334
NEW, Larger and Better Location!! The South Carolina Antique Bottle Club’s 48th Annual Show, ONE DAY SHOW WITH NEW DATE! Details soon to follow. Show Address: Jamil Shrine Temple, 206 Jamil Road, Columbia, South Carolina, Contact: Marty Vollmer, 803.629.8553, martyvollmer@aol.com or Eric Warren, 803.960.7814, scbottles@aol.com
Individual & Affiliated April 17 Membership Benefits Club Information Columbia, South Carolina Individual & Affiliated Shards of Wisdom Club Information
March 14 Baltimore, Maryland The Baltimore Antique Bottle Club’s 41st Annual Show & Sale, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, baltimorebottleclub.org, Physical Education Center, CCBC-Essex, 7201
Shards of Wisdom
THE
BIGGEST
FO R
LIT TL E
August 6 – 7 Syracuse, New York 2021 FOHBC National Antique Bottle Show, OnCenter Civic Center, See and Download Info Packet & Contract. Information: Jim & Val Berry (jhberry10@ yahoo.com) or Jim Bender (jbender@ millservicesinc.com) FOHBC National Show – Eastern Region
2022 July 28 – August 1 Reno, Nevada 2022 FOHBC National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo, Grand Sierra Resort & Casino, Information: Richard Siri (rtsiri@sbcglobal.net) or Ferdinand Meyer V (fmeyer@fmgdesign.com), FOHBC National Convention – Western Region
June 19 Johnston, Iowa The Iowa Antique Bottleers 51stAnnual Antique Bottle & Collectibles Show and Sale at the Johnston Lions Club, 64th Place and Merle Hay Road, Johnston, Iowa, Admission $2, Children Free, For info contact Mark Wiseman, 3505
S EWanted T YOUR SIGH TS
Sheridan Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50301, 515.344.8333 or Joyce Jessen, 515.979.5216, See Contract
T H EFor B I GSale O NE
CI TY
I N
THE
AT
W O R L D
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Bottles and Extras
Individual & Affiliated Shards of Wisdom Club Information 5 Members gained this period. The names below represent persons agreeing to be listed in the printed membership directory. Some of those listed agreed to be listed in the membership directory but not the online directory.
Bruce E. Jones 5227 Pumphrey Drive Fairfax, VA 22032 (703) 307-7792 cwaddic@yahoo.com Pre 1866 embossed food bottles, Virginia and Maryland Stuff, W VA, Civil War and USA Hosp. Dept.
Lindsey Wheeler P.O. Box 21151 Juneau, AK 99802 (941) 720-5713 lindsey2020@gmail.com I am looking to connect with collectors in Alaska. I am having trouble finding any in my current City of Juneau.
Shards of Wisdom
Wanted Stephan A. Gray 7533 Clay Street Thompson, OH 44086 (440) 279-8381 Cabin Bitters
Mary Doyle 313 Yellow Poplar Avenue Wake Forest, NC 27687 (919) 426-8344 Piney40@aol.com New to collecting. Inherited a small bottle collection and sparked an interest.
Charles Steele 11 Prospect Street Saugerties, NY 12472 (845) 246-0369 cndsteele@twc.com Local/Village Bottles, County Milks, State 1/2pt Milks
Where there’s a will there’s a way to leave Donations to the FOHBC
New Club Tennessee Bottle Club 150 Long Road Kingston, TN 37763 (865) 548-3176 bottletrader1@att.net
For Sale
Good Luck Bottle Collecting!
Did you know the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors is a 501C(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) I give and bequeath to the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors, Elizabeth Meyer, 101 Crawford, Studio 1A, Houston, TX 77002, the sum of $____________ to be used as its Board of Directors determines. 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 us in your donation plans. John O’Neill, President Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors
Please keep your membership up to date.
Bottles and Extras
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November - December 2020
Individual & Affiliated Membership Benefits Club Information The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors cordially invites you to join a dedicated group of individuals and clubs who collect, study and display the treasured glass and ceramic gems of yesteryear.
Individual & Affiliated Shards of Wisdom Club Information
The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors (FOHBC) is a non-profit organization supporting collectors of historical bottles, flasks, jars, and related items. 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.
Federation membership is open to any individual or club interested in the enjoyment and study of antique bottles. The Federation publication, Bottles and Extras is well known throughout the hobby world as the leading publication for those interested in bottles and “go-withs”. The magazine includes articles of historical interest, stories chronicling the hobby and the history of bottle collecting, digging stories, regional news, show reports, advertisements, show listings, and an auction directory. Bottles and Extras is truly the place to go when information is needed about this popular and growing hobby.
Shards of Wisdom
In addition to providing strength to a national/international organization devoted to the welfare of the hobby, your FOHBC Individual Membership benefits include:
Wanted
• A full year subscription to the bi-monthly (6 issues a year) 72-page publication Bottles and Extras. Various options are available including Digital Membership.
For Sale
• Free advertising of “For Sale” items in Bottles and Extras (restrictions apply ads may be up to 100 words, items must be of $25 or greater value, and free advertisements are limited to the first 100 received, based upon date mailed). One free ad of 60 words each year for use for items “Wanted”, trade offers, etc. • Follow the development of the FOHBC Virtual Museum. FOHBC members will be museum members. • The opportunity to obtain discounts to be used on “Early Admission” or table rental at the annual Federation National Shows and Conventions. • Access to the private FOHBC web site Member Portal and a wealth of historical information.
713.504.0628 fohbcmembers@gmail.com
• FOHBC digital newsletter and so much more. We encourage Affiliated Bottle Club memberships by offering these additional benefits to your group: • Display advertising in Bottles and Extras at an increased discount of 50%. • Insertion of your bottle club show ad on the Federation website to increase your show’s exposure. Links to your club website free of charge. Social Media (Facebook) exposure. • Free Federation ribbon for Most Educational display at your show. • Participation in the Federation sponsored insurance program for your club show and any other club sponsored activities. We need your support! Our continued existence is dependent upon your participation as well as expanding our membership. If you haven’t yet joined our organization, please do so and begin reaping the benefits. If you are already a member, please encourage your friends and fellow collectors to JOIN US!! For more information, questions, or to join the FOHBC, please contact: Linda Sheppard, PO Box 162, Sprakers, New York 12166; phone: 518.673.8833; email: jim1@frontiernet.net or visit our home page at FOHBC.org
Where there’s a will there’s a way to leave Donations to the FOHBC. Did you know the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors is a 501C(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.
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Individual & Affiliated Shards of Wisdom Club Information FOHBC Individual Membership Application For Membership, complete the following application or sign up at www.fohbc.org (Please Print) Do you wish to be listed in the printed membership directory? (name, address, phone number, email address and what you collect) { } Yes { } No
Shards of Wisdom
Name_______________________________ Address_____________________________ City________________________State____ Zip _ ____________Country____________ Do you wish to be listed in the Telephone_ __________________________ online membership directory? E-mail Address_______________________ (name, address, phone number,
Wanted
email address and what you collect) { } Yes { } No
BOTTLES and EXTRAS FREE ADS
Category: “WANTED” Maximum - 60 words Limit - One free ad per current membership year. Category: “FOR SALE” Maximum - 100 words Limit - 1 ad per issue. (Use extra paper if necessary.)
For Sale
Collecting Interests_ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Would you be interested in ___________________________________ serving as an officer? { } Yes { } No
Additional Comments___________________ Would you be interested ___________________________________ in contributing your bottle ___________________________________ knowledge by writing articles
for the BOTTLES and EXTRAS? { } 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/1 Associate* - Standard Mail 3 years - Standard Mail 3 years w/1 Associate* - Digital Membership (electronic files only)
$40.00 $45.00 $110.00 $125.00 $25.00
1st Class 1st Class w/1 Associate 1st Class 3 years 1st Class 3 years
$55.00 $60.00 $125.00 $145.00
Canada - First Class $60.00 Other countries - First Class $80.00
- 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 $5.00 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 of ages 21 or older must have their own individual membership. Associate(s) Members enjoy all of the right and privileges of an Individual Membership
Signature ______________________________Date ______________
Please make checks or money orders payable to FOHBC and mail to: FOHBC Membership, Elizabeth Meyer, 101 Crawford, Studio 1A, Houston, TX 77002
Affiliated Club Membership for only $75.00 with liability insurance for all club sponsored events, 50% discount on advertising in the BOTTLES and EXTRAS, plus much more, Contact: Business Manager: Elizabeth Meyer, 101 Crawford, Studio 1A, Houston, TX 77002; phone: 713.504.0628; email: fohbcmembers@gmail.com
Clearly Print or Type Your Ad Send to: Business Manager: Elizabeth Meyer, 101 Crawford, Studio 1A, Houston, TX 77002; ph: 713.504.0628; or better yet, email Elizabeth at: fohbcmembers@gmail.com
Article Submission Requirements: All BOTTLES and EXTRAS articles or material need to be submitted on CD (preferable) or an email using a compressed (zipped) file. The file must be created by Microsoft Word, Publisher or Adobe N-Design so the editor does not have to retype the work. High-resolution digital images are our preferred format. Please submit digital images on a CD according to the instructions below. We will accept e-mail submissions only if the image resolution is acceptable. The e-mail or CDs must have only ONE subject per transmission to minimize confusion. Each image must be accompanied by a caption list or other identifying information. Professional-grade equipment is a must to achieve the size and quality image we require. The highest setting on the camera should be used for maximum resolution and file size. Only high quality images will be considered. Please do not send photographic prints or scans of images—the color and quality are generally not up to par compared with digital images or slides scanned by our imaging department. We will consider exceptions for photos that can’t be easily found, such as older historical images. We rarely use slides anymore and prefer not to receive submissions of slides due to the time and liability involved in handling them.
Don’t miss our Auction #27 – Coming November, 2020
American Glass Gallery
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Auction #27 will include a diverse selection of more than 250 lots including Historical Flasks, Midwestern Pattern Molded, Bitters, Pontiled Medicines, Sodas and Mineral Water Bottles, Whiskeys and Spirits, Blown Glass, and much more! Full-color catalogs for this sale are only $15.00 (post-paid). Call, or visit our website to reserve your copy!
These items and many more, will be included in our upcoming Auction #27.
American Glass Gallery • John R. Pastor • P.O. Box 227, New Hudson, Michigan 48165 phone: 248.486.0530 • www.americanglassgallery.com • email: jpastor@americanglassgallery.com
FOHBC C/O Elizabeth Meyer, 101 Crawford, Studio 1A, Houston, TX 77002
Please Check your information and notify us of errors.
FOHBC.org
Heckler We’re holding on to Items Pictured From Our Select Auction 195, November 9-18, 2020
these just for you
www.hecklerauction.com | info@hecklerauction.com | 860-974-1634 79 Bradford Corner Road, Woodstock Valley, CT 06282