Shards of Wisdom

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. 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

novemBer - decemBer 2020 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. McGirr's Blue Seal Beverages, with a beach scene on the ACL 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”

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.

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?

Coca-Cola's Royal Palm Brand with ACL color variations

Watch each issue for a new installment of History’s Corner.

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

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.

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. • 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. • 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!

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

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

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

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 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.

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

Chasing a Good Bitters

by Jeff Mihalik

Mountain Herb Bitters in the Hole

Thaddeus 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-

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,

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

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

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

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!!

A brief commentary on the somewhat new Bottle Digging Video Craze.

by Jeff Mihalik

There 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.

Toothpick holders catch bottle collector’s fancy

By John DeGraff

Antique 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

Toothpick holders catch 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.

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

Closeups showing attractive sanitary hotel holders

More closeups of sanitary holders.

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.

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.

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

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 News

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.

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. 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.

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

THE FE D E R ATION OF HISTORICAL BOTTLE CO L L E CTORS VIRTUAL MUSEUM

VIRTUAL MUSEUM OF HISTORICAL BOTTLES AND GLASS Please help us in our new Phase 2 fundraising campaign to continue development of the FOHBC Virtual Museum.

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 1 Goal: $30,000 ACHIEVED Phase 2 Goal: $30,000

$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

FOHBCVirtualMuseum.org

For gift information contact: Alan DeMaison, FOHBC Virtual Museum Treasurer, 1605 Clipper Cove, Painesville, Ohio 44077, a.demaison@sbcglobal.net

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.

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.

Thos. J. Myer Baltimore JAR GALLERY

SEE THESE JAR EXAMPLES

W (Script) Wightman & Co. JAR GALLERY

AND MANY MORE

Millville Improved WTCo Monogram Jar (Whitall-Tatum) JAR GALLERY

The Hero Fruit Jar JAR GALLERY

IN THE JAR GALLERY

Dodge Sweeney & Co’s California Butter Jar JAR GALLERY

IN THE VIRTUAL MUSEUM

26 26 novemBer - decemBer 2020novemBer - decemBer 2020 BottlesBottles and and extrasextras 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.

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.

This is the first in a series highlighting select specimens in the Virtual Museum. See and read the gallery version online at fohbcvirtualmuseum.org

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

There were only a few small mahogany tables at which four There were only a few small mahogany tables at which four 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 hanging in rows about the room in which the nuttiest ale was hanging in rows about the room in which the nuttiest ale was 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 as the glimpses of which were caught through the swinging doors as the waiters passed in and out. Sawdust was on the floor, and every-waiters passed in and out. Sawdust was on the floor, and everything was as clean and spick and span as one could wish. thing was as clean and spick and span as one could wish.

New York City - The Old and the New - Opening of the Recently New York City - The Old and the New - Opening of the Recently Completed Fulton Market - Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, April 7, 1883Completed Fulton Market - Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, April 7, 1883

“Opening of the Oyster Season.” “Opening of the Oyster Season.” From Harper’s Weekly, September 16, 1882.From Harper’s Weekly, September 16, 1882. We had many notable We had many notable men among our cus-men among our customers. Will Makepeace tomers. Will Makepeace Thackeray, the famous Thackeray, the famous English novelist, came English novelist, came in the other day and in the other day and asked or a plate of sad-asked or a plate of saddlerock’s. We gave him dlerock’s. We gave him some extra-large ones. some extra-large ones. When he got through his When he got through his companion asked him companion asked him how he liked them. Thac-how he liked them. Thackeray replied, ‘I felt as keray replied, ‘I felt as though I was swallowing though I was swallowing a baby.’ Amongst the fa-a baby.’ Amongst the famous Brooklyn man who mous Brooklyn man who visited our place were the visited our place were the Rev, Henry Ward Beecher, Rev, Henry Ward Beecher, a regular visitor, General a regular visitor, General Henry W. Slocum, Mayor Henry W. Slocum, Mayor Frederick Schroeder and Frederick Schroeder and Theodore Tilton.” Theodore Tilton.”

“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

Cohansey Glass Manufacturing Company of Philadelphia, Pa. embossed on the jar lid along with patent date.

The "Hail Mary" Holtzermann's

By "Slim" Wilberger

So, 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 at least 100 shot glasses and some of The image that started it all 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 Without a doubt, I knew this was a sale I wish I a white hang tag, not just a cabin shaped bottle but could attend. As I am looking over the pictures of a true cabin. Immediately the kitchen area, one made my heart skip a beat. I knew it would either be a Kelly's Old Cabin or They're sitting beside the sink behind some water Holtzermann's bitters, I felt a thrill of discovery. That tumblers. It was a figural cabin bottle 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!

So many thoughts raced The replythrough my mind as I enonce that "the only thing that beats a try is a failure." So, I posted That's just the way our family is. We share dreams and laughs and larged the picture to make After about three hours or out details of the bottle. so I settle back down to While I could not make the computer not thinking out the exact price on the about the bottle. I checked hangtag, I had an idea. I do out my auctions to see not remember exactly how what new sales had been I found the website adver- listed and how my bids tising the sale, but I did. It were doing. Then I pulled turns out it was 747.7 miles up the social media page to one way from my driveway check out clubs to see what to theirs, only an 11 ½ hour interesting news they were drive. Well, that sure as the sharing. Always a great dickens put a damper on way to see who found what the old thrill of discovery. and learn something new. I Returning to my screen I guess I was there for about daydreamed of walking up 45 minutes before I thought to the counter and picking to check on my messages. up that rascal. What a thrill that would be! I spent the Patent Stomach Bitters under the paint I was very surprised to see a reply and after reading next hour or so living my it I think I saw my dead fantasy of walking in there snatching it up and buying it. Then I grandpa for a moment! The reply consisted of three or four clear got to thinking about how some lucky person would have the find close-up pictures of a Holtzermann's Bitters. I wish I could tell of the year even if they did not know it. 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 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. 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 The Hail Mary 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 Now, if you didn't think I was a little crazy when I mentioned the existing conversation so we could talk without interruption. that little kid's voice inside my head, you would not doubt it, if you could He was refusing to give up even though I knew it was My mind was so all over the place just to have received a reply, my have heard the conversation I had with him. He was refusing to give up even a lost cause: "He wouldn't listen" to reason. Finally, heart was racing. I remember thinking how super lucky I was to have though I knew it was a lost cause: "He wouldn't listen" to reason. Finally, af- after about an hour, "we" came up with a "Hail Mary" found someone I have never met to be so nice although I did recognize ter about an hour, "we" came up with a "Hail Mary" that Roger Staubach that Roger Staubach would be proud of. the sender's name. I had sold this person a piece of glass a few years would be proud of. All because of my earlier they had taken a shining to late father-in-law's advice piped in from somewhere. He told me for their collection of similar pieces. 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 The offer them for their trouble if they would purchase it and ship it to me. I was asked how much I would offer for the "bitters." Having not Now it was not lost on me that even if no one else noticed the the faintest expectation of receiving a reply, I was not prepared bottle before I had just placed a huge red target on it. With that, to make an offer. A decision that would either make or break a I closed the page and moved on to other pressing work I needed possible deal, I was so concentrating on what offer I should make to complete before the day was done. I told my wife and grown I never thought to ask about the condition. Then again with the boys about this incredible living estate sale I saw and talked excellent pictures, I doubt they could tell me anything I couldn't about the bottle. We even fantasized about flying out there to see for myself. It was painted so there could be a crack hidden or attend the sale and how much fun it would be loading up on trea- several cracks and interior stains for all I knew. This would be a sures. All our talk and plans were naturally just wishful thinking. good time to tell you I thought about this fact later. less public venue and the sender agreed. I immediately removed we stand together when times are rough. I came up with what I would offer for it and typed it out in my

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

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

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……..

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.

NationalBottleMuseum.org

National Bottle Museum 76 Milton Avenue Ballston Spa, NY 12020

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