FOHBC HALL of FAME Nomination for
Richard T. Siri Santa Rosa, California
FOHBC Hall of Fame Nomination for
Richard T. Siri Santa Rosa, California FOHBC Life Member
07 January 2017 Submitted by William C. Ham
INDEX Letter of Introduction | William C. Ham.......................................................... 05 Hall of Fame Nomination | Richard T. Siri....................................................... 06 Biography........................................................................................................ 08 Milestones....................................................................................................... 09 Northwestern Bottle Collectors Association Siri Quote................................... 11 Collection and Research Contributions........................................................... 12 Northwestern Bottle Collectors Association & Western Bottle Shows............ 13 FOHBC 2012 National Antique Bottle Exposition - Reno, Nevada................ 14 FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo........ 16 Bottle Competitions......................................................................................... 20 Top 70 - Best of the West................................................................................. 21 Magazine Articles............................................................................................ 22 Serving the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors.................................... 23 FOHBC Virtual Museum................................................................................. 24 Bottle Collecting Interests............................................................................... 25 Bottle Displays................................................................................................ 26 Representative Magazine Articles................................................................... 31 Recommendations........................................................................................... 63
The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors 07 January 2017 Re: Richard T. Siri - 2017 FOHBC Hall of Fame Nomination FOHBC Life Member Santa Rosa, California
William C. Ham FOHBC 4237 Hendricks Road Lakeport, California 95453 Billham9@gmail.com
Dear FOHBC Board Members: I am pleased to nominate fellow antique bottle collector, historian and pioneer in our hobby, Richard T. Siri to the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors Hall of Fame. Richard has been an active bottle collector, dealer, bottle collecting promoter and contributor to the bottle collecting hobby for more than 60 years. Richard is also a Life Member of the FOHBC. Richard has been generous and tireless in actively promoting, participating in and serving the bottle collecting hobby. He is well-known not only in the Western area, but all over the United States for his collecting and knowledge of the hobby. He is also deeply respected with his vast knowledge of not only Western bottles, but is nationally recognized for his knowledge of U.S.A Hospital Dept. bottles, and Dr. J. Hostetter’s Bitters. He has made his collection available and shared his knowledge for the many bottle books written on antique bottles. He was a major contributor to myself as I prepared the Bitters Bottles and Bitters Bottles Supplement books and has been a major contributor to the upcoming Bitters Bottles Supplement 2 book which is now being drafted for publication. Richard has helped with many Western bottle shows and displayed at almost all western bottles show for many years. Richard is also the driving force behind the Northwestern Bottle Collectors Association antique bottle club. A particularly significant show Richard helped arrange, set up and orchestrate was the 1997 Western Whiskey Extravaganza at the Downieville Show. To many western collectors, this was one of the most significant bottle shows held in the West. He has served the FOHBC, taking a term as a Vice President and then as President and co-chaired the last two FOHBC national shows held in the West, the FOHBC 2012 Reno National Antique Bottle Exposition and the most recent, FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo. In 2009, Richard Siri first brought forth the concept of developing the FOHBC Virtual Museum. He now serves on the museum Board of Directors and he, along with his wife Beverley, is a major financial contributor to the museum. Richard is generous and has put the hobby first with constant providing collecting philosophy and guidance to the bottle collectors. The enclosed nomination packet includes among other things, a listing of many contributions to the hobby, selected articles he has written and letters of support. Sincerely,
Bill Ham
FOHBC Hall of Fame 2007, FOHBC Life Member
cc: FOHBC: Board Members
File: FOHBC_SiriHOF_HamIntroduction
January 15, 2017
The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors Hall of Fame Nomination Name of Candidate: Richard T. Siri P. O. Box 3818 Santa Rosa, CA 95402 707.542.6438 rtsiri@sbcglobal.net Presented by:
Bill Ham 4237 Hendricks Road Lakeport, California 95453 707.367.8178 billham9@gmail.com From his discovery of antique bottle collecting Richard’s enthusiasm for bottle collecting and his contributions to the bottle collecting hobby have been continuous. Richard first became aware of bottle collecting in the mid 1960s when his brother Ted was working on a road construction project in Willits, California and uncovered a group of early Western whiskey bottles. Richard’s enthusiasm for bottle collecting began immediately and has continued to the present. Since that time, he has been a continuous supporter and promoter of the bottle collecting hobby. Richard is known for his extensive Western bottle collections having amassed one of the most complete Western bitters bottle collections, as well as extensive collections of Western whiskey bottles and flasks, pumpkin seed flasks, general Western bottles, Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters, and USA Hospital Dept. bottles. He was no stranger to collecting hobby, for he has always been an avid collector and historian. His collections also include Nevada casino chips and casino silver strikes, matchbooks, 1957 Chevrolet vehicles, and a 1964 full size Peterbuilt dump truck he is restoring. For more than 50 years, he has participated in most Northern California, Oregon and Nevada bottle shows as a dealer and providing displays, sharing information and advising less experienced collectors. Richard has nurtured many novice collectors and helped them refine and develop their collections. Richard has always made his collections available for visitors as well as authors preparing collecting books. Examples of his bottles and ephemera have been included in numerous books including: Western Bitters by Bill and Betty (Zumwalt) Wilson; Whiskey Bottles of the Old West, John Thomas; Picnics, Coffins, Shoo-Flies, John L. Thomas; Western Whiskey Bottles, R. E. Barnett; 19th Century Medicine in Glass, Bill and Betty (Zumwalt) Wilson; For Bitters Only, Carlyn Ring, Bitters Bottles and Bitters Bottles Supplement by Carlyn Ring and Bill Ham; and Antique Western Bitters Bottles, Jeff Wichmann to name a few. He is a very experienced and avid bottle digger. Many of the bottles in his collection are from his bottle digging.
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Early in his collecting, Richard became very interested in DR. J. Hostetter Stomach Bitters bottles and ephemera. He has one of the most extensive collection of these bottles and has identified over 200 different variants of the bottle in applied mouth form. When the Bitters Bottles Supplement was published in 2004, he contributed an extensive article identifying many of the variants and also including extensive ephemera from the Hostetter brand. He also provided numerous bottles for the color plates. In 1997, Richard helped with the Mother Lode Antique Bottle Club and several other Western whiskey bottle collectors who orchestrated the “Western Whiskey Cylinder Bottle Extravaganza�. Richard helped organize the show. At this show there was a display comprised of outstanding examples of what Western collectors consider the top Western whiskey cylinder bottles. Collectors stood several deep in front of the display from the time it was setup, until it was taken down. This was the first time most collectors had seen examples of the all different top Western whiskey bottles. Many western collectors consider this to have been one of the most important bottle events ever held on the West coast. When John Thomas died and left a draft for the revision of Whiskey Bottles of the Old West, Richard, Ken Swartz, and Bill Ham partnered to completely edit, revise and update the book which they published in 2002. That book remains today as a primary reference for early Western whiskey bottles. In 2006 Richard was elected 2nd Vice President of the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors, Board of Directors and served one term in that office, then in 2008 he was elected President of the FOHBC board. Richard is also the driving force behind the Northwestern Bottle Collectors Association antique bottle club. Richard co-chaired the FOHBC 2012 Reno National Antique Bottle Exposition and the most recent, FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo. In 2009, Richard Siri first brought forth the concept of developing the FOHBC Virtual Museum. He now serves on the museum Board of Directors and he, along with his wife Beverley, is a major financial contributor to the museum.
Richard gives an event update to Federation board members at the FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo.
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The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors Hall of Fame Nomination | Richard T. Siri Biography I was born on January 17th, 1941 in San Francisco, California and lived in San Francisco until 1946. I then moved to Santa Rosa, California and attended Fremont Grammar School, St. Rose Catholic School, Herbert Slater Jr. High and Santa Rosa High School. I left school in my senior year to work in heavy construction and got married to Kathleen Owens. We were married for 20 years before divorcing and we brought seven children into the world that included two sets of paternal twins. At this time, I also joined the Operating Engineers Union Local #3 in 1959 and have been in it ever since, 57 years. In 1964, my brother Ted and I started a trucking company with two trucks. We hired drivers as both of us were still running heavy equipment and the trucking was a sideline business. Around 1968, Ted dropped out of the trucking company and I continued with it, adding another truck but still working as an operator and manager of gravel and asphalt plants. About the time of the 1976 National Antique Bottle & Jar Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri, which I attended, I started my own construction business which I still have with my oldest son as a partner. My youngest son and I still have the trucking business and a rock quarry in Lake County, California. The bottle hobby started when my brother Ted was working on a road realignment job in Willits, California and dug into an 18901900 dump that was in the middle of the project. He thought the whiskey bottles looked nice so he brought some back to the yard we worked out of in Ukiah, California. In a trailer park along the road where the yard was, lived a guy who had lots of old bottles in his windows which could be seen as you drove by and we had noticed then previously so we took the bottles up to find out about them. When the fellow saw the whiskies, his eyes lit up and he wanted to know if Ted wanted to sell them. Ted did not sell as we did not know what they were worth, but seeing the excitement in the guy’s eyes we figured there must be more to the bottles than we knew. We started asking around and found the bottle club in Santa Rosa and met lots of collectors. The fellow in the trailer also became friends with us and shared his knowledge with us. That got us started and both Ted and I have been collecting ever since. Some of my children collect some bottles and all of them like them. I remarried to Beverley in 1987 and we’re still going strong. Bev has been a great ally in my collecting hobby and has helped with our club show chairing them for several years and co-chairing the FOHBC national convention in Sacramento in 2016. I still get out on construction jobs and run heavy equipment. I also go to the quarry and run the dozer now and then. My grandfather said if you stop moving they start shoveling dirt on you so I keep moving.
Beverley & Richard Siri at the FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo banquet.
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The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors Hall of Fame Nomination | Richard T. Siri Milestones Feature Magazine Article:
The Richard Siri Western Collection, Bill Ham, Antique Bottle & Glass Collector, June 2000 Book Contributions:
Bitters Bottles, Carlyn Ring and W. C. Ham, 1998. Richard Siri provided ephemera and bottles for the color plates, and material for illustrations in the book. Bitters Bottles Supplement, Carlyn Ring and Bill Ham, 2004. Richard Siri contributed the article on Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters bottles with ephemera, and provided numerous bitters bottles examples for the color plates and ephemera for the illustrations. Whiskey Bottles of the Old West, John Thomas 2002, a collaborative effort by Richard Siri, Bill Ham, and Ken Schwartz who revised, edited, and published this book that was in draft format at the time of John Thomas’s death. Richard assisted with reviewing and editing text, and created listings on a number of previously unlisted brands, and provided ephemera for the illustrations and bottles for the color plates. Picnics, Coffins, Shoo-Flies, John L. Thomas 1974. Richard Siri provided ephemera, and numerous bottles for the illustrations Western Whiskey Bottles, R. E. Barnett 1991, and 1997. Richard Siri provided numerous bottles for the illustrations this and earlier editions of this book. Western Bitters Bottles, Bill and Betty (Zumwalt) Wilson 1969. Richard Siri provided ephemera, and numerous bottles for the illustrations. 19th Century Medicine in Glass, Bill and Betty (Zumwalt) Wilson 1971. Richard Siri provided ephemera, and numerous bottles for the illustrations. Antique Western Bitters Bottles, Jeff Wichmann 1999. Richard Siri provided bottles and ephemera for many of the illustrations. Ketchup, Pickles, & Sauces, Betty Zumwalt 1980. Richard Siri provided bottles for many of the illustrations. Early Medicines and Drug Store Bottles of the Old West, Tim Higgins, Richard Siri provided bottles for many of the illustrations. Magazine Articles:
Top 70 - Best of the West, Richard Siri, Eric McGuire & Warren Friedrich, FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Souvenir Program, August 2016, Bottles and Extras, September, October 2016 - Three veteran western bottle collectors endeavored to
produce a list of the most important twenty-five 19th century bottles with respect to collector’s interest. Knowing that this is no easy task, as everyone has their favorites, a set of criteria was established as guidelines to develop the list. They included such issues as age, history, aesthetics, rarity and at times, other more nebulous attributes. Use categories were also developed in order to include a broad perspective of use types.
Top 25 Western Whiskey Bottles, Richard Siri, Antique Bottle & Glass Collector, March 1997
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More on the Top Western Whiskeys, Richard Siri and Bill Ham, Antique Bottle & Glass Collector, July 1997 The Western Whiskey Bottle Event of the Century Downieville Show 1997, Antique Bottle & Glass Collector, November 1997. Article covering the Western Whiskey Bottle event that Richard helped organize and put on. Covered Bottles, Richard Siri, Bottles and Extras, January-February, 2010. Article describing covered Native American bottles. Quart Hosp. Dept. Molds, Richard Siri, Bottles and Extras May - June 2009. Article describing the various embossing patterns on the bottles. Paper Trail, Edited by Steve Ketcham, Bottles and Extras, Richard Siri regularly contributed to this magazine column including: January-February 2010 - A series of Peruvian Bitters political trade cards. May June 2010 - Oregon Grape Root Bitters information, July August 2010 - Spruce, Stanley & Co, African Bitters. Northwestern Bottle Collectors Association Newsletter:
Richard contributed numerous articles for this publication including: The Basket Bottle, Collecting for Fun and Profit, Off the Spindle, and Bitters Collecting ... Third Century. Federation Activities and Bottle Shows: Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors, Board of Directors: 2nd Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2010 FOHBC National Show 2006 Convention Guest Speaker at FOHBC Banquet FOHBC 2012 Reno National Bottle Exposition, Co-Charmian: Richard Siri and Marty Hall FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention and Expo 2016, Co-Chairman: Richard and Beverley Siri Northwestern Bottle Collectors Association, Santa Rosa, California, Richard has held offices in the Northwestern Bottle Collector’s Association, for more than 20 years has provided a room in his commercial facility for club meetings, and has assisted with their annual show. Western Bottle Shows
Western Whiskey Bottle Extravaganza, Downieville, California, September 1997. Richard Siri was on the committee that organized and orchestrated this monumental show where for the first time, examples of all the most desired and sought Western whiskey bottles were displayed. Most collectors at that time had never seen examples of all of these rare Western bottles. Bottle Shows:
Since the 1960s, for almost 50 years, Richard has setup as a dealer and provided displays for almost all bottle shows held in Northern California and Nevada. Reno Bottle Club Award for Decades of Fine Displays in 2005. Sacramento Shootout 2016 FOHBC Sacramento National: U.S.A. Hospital Dept. First Place: Richard Siri, Third Place: Richard Siri, Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters Richard Siri holding his award and bottle for 3rd Place. Richard Siri was the last person to display at the Las Vegas Bottle Show where there was only one display. FOHBC Virtual Museum:
In 2009, Richard Siri first brought forth the concept of developing the FOHBC Virtual Museum. He now serves on the museum Board of Directors and he, along with his wife Beverley, is a major financial contributor to the museum.
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When I first got interested in old bottles and glass, I collected everything I could find including bottles, canning jars and insulators. I had heard about a club in the area that was formed and I went to a meeting and joined up. This was the Northwestern Bottle Collectors Association. This club had as members some of the movers and shakers in the hobby here in the west. They included Richard Hansen, Bill and Betty Wilson (Zumwalt). Dr. Francis Ritz and Eric McGuire. These people were some of the major promoters of the hobby here in the west. Actually, Richard Hansen and Bill & Betty Wilson were involved in the writing of the bylaws for the FOHBC. After joining the club and gaining much knowledge about the hobby I decided to focus on certain categories of bottle collecting. The club first met in Petaluma and then moved to a school in Sebastopol, California. They then moved again to a room downtown in Santa Rosa that was provided by a bank or insurance company. I really can’t remember which but I remember we had some of our meetings at a pizza pallor. Our family-owned construction company purchased a piece of property and built an office and shop to work on equipment. We had a room that was going to be a parts supply room and decided to make in into an office for rent. We did have it rented out for a while to my cousin who was winding down his construction company and about that time the bottle club had lost their meeting place. I said well we could have the meeting at my office and I went and bought 25 navy surplus chairs still in the boxes that had been shipped to Guam and back and set them up for the meeting. That was 25 or so years ago and we still have the meeting at my place of business. Over the years the room also became a place to display what I could not display at my house. That includes Beverley’s Nevada casino ashtray collection, my Harold’s club decanter collection and the most complete Jesse Moore Whiskey collection there is. As with most clubs, trying to get and keep new members is a challenge. We now have Bingo at our meeting and we have also have had 50 annual bottle shows. With the people in the club that did research and wrote books we have had lots of original articles in our newsletters, many of them were featured in various bottle magazines. Richard 11
Collection and Research Contributions Richard T. Siri Richard Siri has always made his collections available for visitors as well as authors preparing collecting books. Examples of his bottles and ephemera have been included in numerous books including: Western Bitters by Bill and Betty (Zumwalt) Wilson; Whiskey Bottles of the Old West, John Thomas; Picnics, Coffins, Shoo-Flies, John L. Thomas; Western Whiskey Bottles, R. E. Barnett; 19th Century Medicine in Glass, Bill and Betty (Zumwalt) Wilson; For Bitters Only, Carlyn Ring, Bitters Bottles and Bitters Bottles Supplement by Carlyn Ring and Bill Ham; and Antique Western Bitters Bottles, Jeff Wichmann to name a few.
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Northwestern Bottle Collectors Association & Western Bottle Shows Richard T. Siri Richard Siri has held offices in the Northwestern Bottle Collector’s Association, for more than 20 years has provided a room in his commercial facility for club meetings, and has assisted with their annual show. Richard Siri was responsible for the Western Whiskey Bottle Extravaganza in Downieville, California in September 1997. Richard Siri was on the committee that organized and orchestrated this monumental show where for the first time, examples of all the most desired and sought Western whiskey bottles were displayed. Most collectors at that time had never seen examples of all of these rare Western bottles. Since the 1960s, for almost 50 years, Richard has setup as a dealer and provided displays for almost all bottle shows held in Northern California and Nevada. Richard Siri received the Reno Bottle Club Award for Decades of Fine Displays in 2005. Richard Siri was the last person to display at the Las Vegas Bottle Show where there was only one display.
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FOHBC 2012 National Antique Bottle Exposition – Reno, Nevada Richard T. Siri, Co-Chair Those who were there at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino included longtime collector and published author Mike Polak, of Long Beach, California. Let’s hear all about it from Mike: “Over the years, I’ve attended a large number of club bottle shows, national shows and Expos, and I need to say that the Reno 2012 Expo was absolutely fantastic and probably the best all around show I’ve ever attended!” If that comment didn’t make show co-chairmen Marty Hall and Richard Siri proud, who knows what will? This was a show of “firsts” in the hobby. Complementing the thousands of words written about the show were a series of great color photos from the lenses of the first professional show photographer, Scott Selenak. (“There was so much action, my camera couldn’t stop firing,” he said later). Norman C. Heckler & Co., conducted the first “Drake’s, Whiskey & Umbrella Ink Shootout” where more than 200 people showed up. Competing in back-to-back-to-back “duels” were Circle Cutter Whiskey cylinders, Drake’s Plantation Bitters and umbrella inks. After all was said and done, Judges Bruce Silva, Dennis Bray and Ralph Hollibaugh awarded Steve Hubbell, of Gig Harbor, Washington, top billing in the Cutter category for his olive green-amber specimen. Drake’s Judges Jeff Noordsy, Jeff Burkhardt and Rick Simi picked a blue-green example owned by Ferdinand Meyer V, of Houston, Texas, as No. 1. Umbrella inks Judges Holly Noordsy, Bryan Grapentine and Jamie Houdeshell chose a mint and pontiled puce ink owned by Jim Jacobitz, of San Francisco. “I learned how to have a shootout with killer glass bullets and still remain friends,” said veteran collector Lou Lambert. There were eight seminars on various subjects of interest to collectors held on the Friday before the show. Twenty-seven outstanding displays drew lots of attention. Nearly 200 dealers spread their offerings in the vast Grand Sierra Resort and Casino hall. Two longtime contributors to the hobby, Warren Friedrich, of Grass Valley, Calif., and Jack Sullivan, of Alexandria, Va., were inducted into the FOHBC Hall of Fame. Fourteen scintillating displays ranging from David Hall’s fantastic assortment of E.G. Booz bottles to Dennis Bray’s outstanding EC&M insulators to eye candy Swirls, Whirls, Twists & Twirls from Dwayne Anthony, featuring bottles, fruit jars and insulators.
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FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo Richard T. Siri, Co-Chair “A Celebration of People and Our Hobby:” That’s how FOHBC President Ferdinand Meyer V headed the lead story in the follow-up November-December issue of the Federation’s magazine, Bottles and Extras. The organization took root in 1969, some 10 years after John C. and Edith Tibbitts organized its predecessor, The Antique Bottle Collectors of California, in their Sacramento home. That club caught the imaginations of antique bottle collectors from “sea to shining sea,” including Charles Gardner, of New London, Connecticut, known as “The Father of Antique Bottle Collecting.” Federation officers and board members pulled out all the stops to make this venture into Gold Rush Country a memorable and memory-making, strike it rich experience. First stop was the privately owned McClellan Conference Center and Lions Gate Hotel at the decommissioned McClellan Air Force Base (1935-2001) seven miles northeast at Sacramento. Sacramento resident Jeff Wichmann held open house at his American Bottle Auctions where visitors “ooooed” and “ahhhed” at his collection of outstanding historical bottles and related “goodies.” The Lions Gate General’s House played host to a reception for dealers and their assistants, early buyers, displayers and seminar conductors on the Thursday evening (the first day of the event). The Sacramento Shootout followed that evening back at the hotel with whiskeys (Jesse Moore Sole Agent cylinders, U.S.A. Hospital Bottles and Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters) in the bottle battle. Richard Siri, who spearheaded the Shootout, found himself the hospital bottle winner. Dale Mlasko captured the top whiskey prize, while Mike Henness’s Hostetter’s topped that category. The inaugural FOHBC Membership Breakfast Meeting was held at the 2015 Chattanooga show and was a great success, so it was repeated on the Lions Gate Hotel patio. Nothing like free food to attract a crowd. A fine array of speakers presenting educational seminars on Warner’s Safe Cures and Products (Michael Seeliger,.Mike and Kathie Craig), the A.W. Cudworth Business Journal (Tom Jacobs), Early American Scent Bottles (Chris Hartz), Early California Stoneware (John O’Neill), Red Wing Advertising Stoneware (Steve Ketcham) and Gold Rush Artifacts (John Schroyer) followed. The mud flats at Benicia, California are unlovely to behold. Just when they revealed their hidden iridescent glass treasures is a matter of conjecture, but their unique colors were on a wonderful display called Benicia Glass – Nature’s Tiffany by Michael and Karen Peart. It was just one of 20 outstanding displays of bottles, jars, miniatures, Owl Drug bottles, Hostetter’s Bitters and an apothecary cabinet filled with gems. The Warner’s Safe Bottles and Posters display took both “Best in Show” and “Most Educational” ribbons. Collectors holding early admission badges joined the rush of dealers into the McClellan Conference Center show room at 1 p.m., Friday. There was a bit of confusion when the supply of early admission badges gave out, but a runner was sent to a local office supply company for name stickers. The crowd may have been a record number for a first day and most were in a buying mood.
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Vol. 27
No. 6
November - December 2016
Featuring
A Celebration of People and our Hobby 2016 SACRAMENTO NATIONAL
$7.00 17
That set the stage for the FOHBC Cocktail Party and Banquet Friday evening. There had been 115 reservations, but 150 showed up to feast. Highlight of the meeting was an emotional speech by Betty Zumwalt, the 2008 FOHBC Hall of Fame inductee and noted authority on antique glass, as well as an author. Jeff Wichmann, who had been named to the Federation Honor Roll in 2010, was “bumped up” to the Hall of Fame following his many contributions to the bottle hobby. The late Tommy Mitchiner, of Gordon, Georgia, was placed on the Honor Roll for his role as the Peach State’s most famous antique bottle collector and researcher, particularly relating to the Savannah, Ga., bottles of John Ryan (1852-1870s). John Joiner, of Newnan, Georgia, was presented the President’s Award for an outstanding job at the 2015 Chattanooga National Antique Bottle Show. Mike Bryant, of the Antique Bottle Club of San Diego, hauled off four awards to lead club honors. Show room doors opened at 9 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 6, and almost 700 folks piled through the door. General admission tags gave out. A tour bus arrived loaded with Reno Antique Bottle Club members. The future of any hobby is its ability to attract younger members and Richard and Bev Siri were ready. The show’s co-chairmen had prepared 44 children’s grab bags, each filled with two or three newspaper-wrapped bottles from the Siri collection. The day was capped by the 49er Bottle Jamboree Auction conducted by Fred Holabird, president of Holabird Western Americana based in Reno, Nevada. Star of that western bottle-themed auction was an early yellow-green Gold Dust Whiskey from San Francisco (1871-74), a flawless example of only eight known. It brought $34,500 including the auction house premium. Eyes of 200 in-house bidders plus hundreds more online (including a collector aboard an aircraft carrier) shattered previous FOHBC auction records, according to President Meyer. Also setting a record was the 134-page Souvenir Program, surely to become a favored collector’s item. Jim Bender and Bob Strickhart, co-chairmen of the 2017 National Show in Springfield, Massachusetts (Aug. 3-6), may find it a hard “act” to follow. We shall see.
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Bottle Competitions Richard T. Siri Though Richard has won many bottle competitions in the western shootout format, he won three (3) awards at the FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo, Sacramento Shootout. This included U.S.A. Hospital Dept. First Place: Richard Siri, Third Place: Richard Siri and Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters, Richard Siri holding his award and bottle for 3rd Place.
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Top 70 - Best of the Best Richard T. Siri, Co-Author Three veteran western bottle collectors endeavored to produce a list of the most important twenty-five 19th century bottles with respect to collector’s interest. Knowing that this is no easy task, as everyone has their favorites, a set of criteria was established as guidelines to develop the list. They included such issues as age, history, aesthetics, rarity and at times, other more nebulous attributes. Use categories were also developed in order to include a broad perspective of use types. With some concessions by all, a top 25 was quickly developed but it was apparent that many more candidates should also be on the list. The top 25 quickly became the top 50 and the numbers still climbed. Against the best judgment of all it was necessary to create a new absolute top number which was arbitrarily set at 70. Any higher and the list would become completely unmanageable for its intended purpose - that is to introduce a list of really interesting bottles to the collecting public in a souvenir program designed to be a giveaway at the FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo. Still realizing that there are many more highly collectible and interesting bottles not represented here, the title of this list might want to be re-named “Some of the Best of the West.� There will be no disagreement by most that many collectors will see qualified candidates missing to which there is no argument. Perhaps the next list will include some of your absent favorites. There are a couple more important criteria that were also considered. Color was played down as an overriding attribute. It is obvious that an unusual or unique color of an otherwise low ranking contender could trump nearly every other criteria, as it is not impossible for almost any bottle to be found in an exceptional and rare color. Another criterion of importance is that only whole examples were considered for the list. At least one whole example must be known. Richard Siri, Warren Friedrich, Eric McGuire
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Magazine Articles Richard T. Siri Richard Siri has written for the top antique bottle magazines. Articles include: Top 25 Western Whiskey Bottles, Richard Siri, Antique Bottle & Glass Collector, March 1997, More on the Top Western Whiskeys, Richard Siri and Bill Ham, Antique Bottle & Glass Collector, July 1997, The Western Whiskey Bottle Event of the Century Downieville Show 1997, Antique Bottle & Glass Collector, November 1997. Article covering the Western Whiskey Bottle event that Richard helped organize and put on. Covered Bottles, Richard Siri, Bottles and Extras, January-February, 2010. Article describing covered Native American bottles. Quart Hosp. Dept. Molds, Richard Siri, Bottles and Extras May - June 2009. Article describing the various embossing patterns on the bottles. Hostetter’s Variants, Richard Siri, Summer 2005, Bottles and Extras, Paper Trail, Edited by Steve Ketcham, Bottles and Extras. Richard Siri regularly contributed to this magazine column including: January-February 2010 - A series of Peruvian Bitters political trade cards. May June 2010 - Oregon Grape Root Bitters information, July August 2010 - Spruce, Stanley & Co, African Bitters.
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Serving the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors Richard T. Siri In 2006 Richard was elected 2nd Vice President of the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors, Board of Directors and served one term in that office, then in 2008 he was elected President of the FOHBC board. Richard Siri, 2008 – 2010, Santa Rosa, California Richard’s entrance into collecting antique bottles began one day in 1966 when his brother, Ted, was working on a road in Willits, Calif. Richard’s family was in the dirt road construction and paving business. The grading work uncovered an old dump and Ted noticed some old brown whiskey bottles with embossing on them. He remembered seeing similar bottles in the window of a trailer house in town, so he took the bottles to the trailer’s resident. He received $5 apiece. That stirred the Siri family’s interest. They went to the dump and dug out more. Later, Richard discovered an antique bottle club in his hometown of Santa Rosa and, after a few visits,.he was hooked on the hobby. He was fortunate to meet Bill and Betty Wilson, who were gathering material for their Western Bitters book. Many of Richard’s bottles are pictured in that book as are some of his ephemera and bottles in the Bill Ham-Carlyn Ring Bitters Bottles book. Richard also is an active collector of 1957 Chevrolets. No one understands Richard’s passion for collecting better than his wife, Bev. They had been dating for some time. While attending the Reno bottle show in 1987, he turned to her and asked, “What do you want to do tonight? Do you want to get married?” And, they were. Richard is a life member of the FOHBC, joining March 4, 1991, and served as its president from August 2008 through August 2010. He served as first vice president from 2006 to 2008.
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FOHBC Virtual Museum Richard T. Siri In 2009, Richard Siri first brought forth the concept of developing the FOHBC Virtual Museum. He now serves on the museum Board of Directors and he, along with his wife Beverley, is a major financial contributor to the museum. The FOHBC Virtual Museum will be 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. The Virtual Museum will be a digital expression of what one might find in a real ‘bricks and mortar’ museum. There will be galleries, exhibitions, research, resources and support functions to enhance the visitor experience. The museum will contain, but not be limited to, images of subject bottles and glass, a written description of those subjects with dimensions, videos, and if available, the history of the bottles along with an estimation of rarity. The museum will grow and be expandable.
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Bottle Collecting Interests Richard T. Siri Richard is known for his extensive Western bottle collections having amassed one of the most complete Western bitters bottle collections, as well as extensive collections of Western whiskey bottles and flasks, pumpkin seed flasks, general Western bottles, Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters, and USA Hospital Dept. bottles. He was no stranger to collecting hobby, for he has always been an avid collector and historian. His collections also include Nevada casino chips and casino silver strikes, matchbooks, 1957 Chevrolet vehicles, and a 1964 full size Peterbuilt dump truck he is restoring.
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Siri Bottle Displays - Gazebo Richard T. Siri Richard Siri sitting ‘watch’ over the spectacular multi-sided and internally illuminated Northwestern Bottle Club’s community gazebo display at the 2012 FOHBC Reno Expo. You can see Richard’s Bryant’s Stomach Bitters figural cone and Bryant’s ladies leg on the bottom shelf.
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Siri Bottle Displays - IXL Bitters Richard T. Siri Reno Bottle Show. There were a couple of very nice displays of some great Western bottles. Richard Siri showed some IXL Bitters in an array of drop dead gorgeous rare colors.
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Siri Bottle Displays - Native American Covered Bottles Richard T. Siri - Beverley Siri Alan DeMaison put together a series of videos of the displays from the 2009 FOHBC National Antique Bottle Show in Pomona, California. The first in the series is the outstanding Native American Covered Antique Bottles by Richard and Beverley Siri of Santa Rosa, California. There are two videos (Part I and Part II).
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Siri Bottle Displays - Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters Richard T. Siri Richard Siri’s Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters display at the FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo was a cross section of Hostetter’s that Richard has collected over the last 45 plus years. Featured were two different molds of iron pontiled examples, a sticky pontiled, black glass example, one embossed Hotsetter’s and a rarely seen labeled and embossed miniature. Richard tried to show a variety of molds and colors and the display was about one third of the variants that Richard has in his collection. The nice thing about collecting Hostetter’s is that they are endless and generally not that expensive and there are lots of go-with to add to the display .
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Continued: Richard Siri’s Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters display at the 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo
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FOHBC HALL of FAME Representative Magazine Articles for
Richard T. Siri Santa Rosa, California
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FOHBC HALL of FAME Recommendations for
Richard T. Siri Santa Rosa, California
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19 January 2017 FOHBC Board of Directors: I understand that Richard Siri has been nominated to the FOHBC Hall of Fame.
Steve Abbott FOHBC 2077 Promontory Point Lane Gold River, California 95670 foabbott@comcast.net
I cannot think of anyone more deserving. In my forty years of historic bottle collecting, researching, and writing, I know of no one who has consistently pursued his personal own historic collections nor supported the historic bottle collecting community more than Richard. The depth of his personal collections and the historical information he has accumulated in relation to those collections are as monumental as any with which I am familiar. Perhaps more important are his services to the bottle collecting community. Richard has been a dealer in every show, small or large, I have attended for forty years. He chaired his own club’s shows for many years. His support for the expositions in Reno and Sacramento were fundamental to their successes. His leadership on the national level are noteworthy. The use of his private resources to supplement the community’s resources is beyond selfless. And I should in no way neglect the contributions of his wife Beverley, really a partner in his contributions. Having researched and written the contributions of Peck Markota for the Hall of Fame and whole heartedly endorsed the nomination of Jeff Wichmann, it is a privilege to support Richard Siri’s nomination for the Hall of Fame. His nearly lifelong passion for historic bottle collecting has made our hobby what it is today. His inclusion in the Hall of Fame is long overdue. Sincerely, Steve Abbott FOHBC Member Former 49er HBA President and Show Chair Current contributor to Bottles and Extras File: FOHBC_SiriHOFReference_Abbot
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22 January 2017 Re: FOHBC Hall of Fame Nomination | Richard Siri To Whom it May Concern: We support the nomination of Richard Siri to the Federation’s Hall of Fame. Richard has assembled one of the best collections of Dr. Hostetter’s Bitters both in color and molds. Richard is always willing to display his collection whenever asked to do so. Richard has also put together other collections such as poker chips, Indian basket weaved bottles, western whiskeys, along with old cars. Richard has given great, informative talks and seminars at bottle shows and club meetings. He will always take time out of his busy schedule to talk to you about different bottles and life in general. Jim Berry FOHBC Secretary 200 Ft Plain Watershed Road St. Johnsville, NY 13452 Jhberry10@yahoo.com
The 2016 FOHBC National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo in Sacramento, California was a huge success thanks to Richard. Having taken over after some changes, he did a great job in putting on the show. He and Marty Hall also did a great job with the Reno National Show a few years ago. This is just a couple of shows that Richard has helped with. He also is an active member in his local club.
Val Berry FOHBC Merchandise Director 200 Ft Plain Watershed Road St. Johnsville, NY 13452 vgberry10@yahoo.com
In supporting the Federation of Historical Bottles Collectors, Richard is a Life Member. He has served as Vice President of the FOHBC in 2006-2008, then as President from 2008-2010 helping to lead the FOHBC in the right direction and in a positive way. We fully support his nomination and we wish him the best. Jim & Val Berry FOHBC Officers St. Johnsville, New York File: FOHBC_SiriHOFReference_Berry
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27 January 2017 Re: FOHBC Hall of Fame Nomination | Richard Siri
FOHBC Board of Directors: I am pleased to recommend Richard Siri for the most prestigious award, the FOHBC Hall of Fame. This award is reserved for specific individuals who have distinguished themselves as writers or collectors. A person who has helped others to also become the kind of collector that is recognized for outstanding service to the hobby. This fits Richard to a “T�. Richard is the type of collector that not only has a personal collection that is the envy of the hobby, but he us interested in assisting the beginner collector as well as the advanced. Sheldon Baugh FOHBC First Vice-President 252 W. Valley Drive Russellville, Kentucky 42276 270.726.2712 sbi-inc@bellsouth.net
Richard has made a significant contribution to the hobby as well as the FOHBC. He us well-deserving of this award and membership in the highest level of the hobby, the Federation Hall of Fame. Sincerely Sheldon Baugh FOHBC First Vice President File: FOHBC_SiriHOFReference_Baugh
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19 January 2017 Re: FOHBC Hall of Fame Nomination | Richard Siri FOHBC Board of Directors: While I feel many others are more qualified that I to nominate Richard Siri to the FOHBC Hall of Fame, I certainly so recommend him. Richard is a gentleman and when called on has always taken the time to offer advice, help and provie information to a fellow bottle collector. His dedication to the hobby and the Federation shows him to stand-out amongst Western collectors. Richard's willingness to take the reins of most recent Sacramento Summer-National bottle show and resounding success, in itself exemplifies the qualities that characterizes an FOHBC Hall of Fame inductee. Jeff J. Burkhardt Cedarsburg, Wisconsin File: FOHBC_SiriHOFReference_Burkhardt
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29 January 2017 Re: FOHBC Hall of Fame Nomination | Richard Siri FOHBC Board of Directors: I’ve known Richard Siri for years and am happy to write a Hall of Fame recommendation for him. Actually, we just talked for a while today on the telephone. At the Las Vegas antique bottle show in 1980 or so, my brother Robert and I were just getting into bottles. Richard was a guy who we would go talk to and buy a good bottle from now and then. He still tells the story how we were about as tall as the table when we first came around and he could see the entrepreneurial spirit I had. For years now we have dealt in bottles at many shows and he has shared his collection with me, teaching me more about bottles with each conversation. I remember taking a family trip to the 2000 National Antique Bottle Exposition and seeing his wonderful and large display of Dr. J. Hostetter's Stomach Bitters bottles of which I now specialize in collecting. I was hooked to collect even more of these thereafter as this was the first bottle my grandma gave me at the age of 10. My other hobby, collecting casino chips, has become a new hobby for Richard too and we have fun trading chips for bottles, and bottles for chips. This time around I was able to teach him something. I really enjoy the Whiskey Bottles of the Old West book as he co-authored the update in 2002. This is a big boost to our hobby having a great book like this with a lot of information and color pictures. From what I see, Richard also puts a lot of time into bottle shows. From his local club duties to co-chairing the 2012 National Antique Bottle Exposition in Reno, Nevada and then the 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo. His dedication to our hobby is exemplar. A true pioneer in our field! James Campiglia File: FOHBC_SiriHOFReference_Campiglia
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19 January 2017 Re: FOHBC Hall of Fame Nomination | Richard Siri FOHBC Board of Directors: I am writing this recommendation on behalf of Richard Siri, who served as President from summer 2008 until summer 2010. I had the honor to work with Richard as the FOHBC Treasurer. It was Richard who first put forth the idea of a Virtual Museum. To Richard’s credit, he contacted Ferdinand Meyer V to spearhead the project. It was under Richard’s administration that the framework for the Virtual Museum was established. Richard has since accepted a position as a Director of the Virtual Museum. It was during Richard’s administration that the FOHBC was faced with two very serious crises. Kathy Hopson-Sathe, Bottles and Extras editor, had become ill and because of her health it became necessary to replace her. The Board approved an individual that had been very involved in the magazine and felt capable of filling the job. Alan DeMaison FOHBC Virtual Museum Director 1605 Clipper Cove Painesville, Ohio 44077 ademaison@sbcglobal.net
For periods, everything with the magazine ran well and then in the spring of 2009, issues stopped coming to the membership. Excuses from the editor followed blaming the publisher for the delays. One issue went unpublished followed by a second issue, forcing Richard to do his homework. It became very obvious that the publisher was not the fault. As issue after issue went unpublished (three in all over a period of six months with no resolution in sight), Richard had to act to replace the editor to prevent a disaster with membership. With only two Board meetings where business was conducted, there was no time to waste. The FOHBC was faced with at least two more unpublished issues before the next Board meeting. Richard made an executive decision to replace the Editor. Time was at an essence and it was Richard’s quick action that prevented a membership nightmare. Richard was also faced with a second major crisis. The financial report as required by the FOHBC Board of Directors for the FOHBC National in York was delayed. The delay with excuses continued month after month. With the FOHBC National in Collinsville and with no sponsoring club, the Board was offered a promised full reporting of both shows upon conclusion of Collinsville. The Board was being held hostage to the report because of misplaced trust and no procedures to prevent the delay. An accounting on both were promised in a timely manner after Collinsville. One individual was in complete control of the financing and he alone was responsible for the accounting. As months passed, with no report, it was Richard that continually challenged for the accounting. Resolutions adopted by the Board were ignored. Deadlines passed without resolution. With Richard’s support, I was able to assume the Show Treasurer’s position for Pomona, California and Wilmington, Ohio national shows. A year after Collinsville, the reports were finally finished. As FOHBC Treasurer, I was not able to certify either show. Both reports were incomplete with unaccounted missing checks. With no official bank documentation and receipts, it was impossible to verify the reports. Richard supported my efforts to obtain a resolution of those finances. Blind trust by some Directors made the process even more difficult. These Directors supported the incomplete financial report while labeling my insistence of a full accounting and documentation as a “witch hunt” against this individual. In spite of the all the aggravation, Richard supported my efforts. A new Board in the summer of 2010 was unable to force an accurate accounting, but the experience formed the basis of today’s National Show accounting. Richard was faced with many difficult decisions and faced them directly. His support of the FOHBC and myself was unwavering. His action to replace the Editor prevented further damage to the Federation. Alan DeMaison Virtual Museum Director, Former FOHBC Treasurer , Former FOHBC Business Manager File: FOHBC_SiriHOFReference_DeMaison
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19 January 2017 Re: FOHBC Hall of Fame Nomination | Richard Siri FOHBC Board of Directors: I have known Richard Siri actively since 1976. When I consider who should be in a Hall of Fame, I look for several things: 1. Has this person contributed in a major way to the field? 2. Has this person helped educate young collectors? 3. Has this person fostered collectors in all categories of collecting? 4. Has this person volunteered to steer educational efforts? 5. Is the level of involvement at an exceptional level over decades? 6. Is this person available and open to discussions with anyone about any aspects of the subject matter? (education) These are some of the questions I would ask if I was considering a person for any "Hall of Fame." Richard Siri has all of these attributes, and more. He has openly fostered new and advanced collectors for decades, including me, and people I've sent to him (recommendations he may not even know about) He has openly communicated about educational issues: from rarity of items, to production techniques. Over the years, he kindly submitted to reading many drafts of my books, some drafts were years in advance of publication. Relentlessly traveled the West searching for collections and rarities, becoming more known to even more people. Richard regularly attends shows as a tradesman for five decades. He has helped organize major and minor events, including the national bottle show. At the last two such shows held in the West, he openly promoted educational lecture forums and spearheaded efforts of show management, contributing great energy, time and resources into making very successful events. He communicates well and brings a level of experienced business management necessary to any major event, such as a national bottle show. In summary, his involvement in all affairs related to antique bottle collecting has been exceptional over five decades. I am particularly biased in favor of Mr. Siri because of the attributes I have listed here. As a businessman, myself, and former Board member of FOHBC, I feel his experience and his pushes for modernization and education are and have been exceptional, warranting election to the "Hall of Fame." Most Sincerely, Fred N. Holabird Fred N. Holabird is a mining geologist. Mr. Holabird managed two open pit gold mines, four major mine cleanups and managed dozens of mining projects. Since about 1990, Mr. Holabird has published more than 165 professional papers, 12 books, taught in excess of fifty classes or lectures on gold and silver issues, artifacts, mining history, geology and the environment. He is also the owner of Holabird Western Americana, LLC auction company, the largest such enterprise in America. File: FOHBC_SiriHOFReference_Holabird
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19 January 2017 Re: FOHBC Hall of Fame Nomination | Richard Siri FOHBC Board of Directors: It is with great pleasure that I write this recommendation for the induction of Mr. Richard Siri into the FOHBC Hall of Fame. Richard has a long history of supporting the hobby through his donations of time and resources, and he is very deserving of this honor. Steve Ketcham FOHBC Director at Large PO Box 24114 Edina, Minnesota 55424 952.920.4205
steve@antiquebottledepot.com
One simple story illustrates Richard’s willingness to contribute to the hobby. For a short time, I wrote the column Paper Trail for Bottles and Extras. At the time, Richard was already busy serving as FOHBC President, but he still found time to share trade cards, information, and bottle images for inclusion in the column. Those efforts were very much appreciated and they added much to the column and the magazine. Last year, Richard chaired the very successful 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo and gave us another good reason to extend this recognition to him. The event was well run and brought hundreds of collectors together for a long weekend of fun and fellowship. With Bev at his side, Richard has also been a driving force for many years behind the Santa Rosa Bottle Show, and collectors throughout the state of California have benefited from his dedication. I agree with the nomination of Richard Siri to the FOHBC Hall of Fame, and I support his induction into its membership. Steve Ketcham Past President, FOHBC Director-At-Large, FOHBC Board File: FOHBC_SiriHOFReference_Ketcham
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19 January 2017 Re: FOHBC Hall of Fame Nomination | Richard Siri FOHBC Board of Directors: I have known Richard Siri for over 46 years, since I was 13 years old. Michael Mackintosh FOHBC P.O. Box 150870 San Rafael, California 94915
It is seldom we have an opportunity to illustrate our sincere appreciation of our friends. Richard merits that admiration. I have dug with Richard, I have traded with Richard, I have bought and sold with Richard, and I have learned from Richard. If I were to choose one of the many stories that best describe Richard, from stepping aside so I could afford to buy a bottle or giving me his first right to a bottle; it might be the lime colored H&G Bear. Around 1971, the Santa Rosa bottle club had its annual show and sale in Santa Rosa, California. As a little kid, I did not have the money or required to even rent a hotel room. I wanted all my dollars to go to buying old bottles. With Richard and others help, I was allowed to be the guard who slept on the floor to protect the dealer’s tables and displays at night. Until I went to sleep I kept walking around inside the locked building reading and staring at the displays. The display that captivated me contained examples recently dug at the California Seltzer Works, the H&G. The display had bubbles bubbling behind the bottles showing off their colors. The center pieces were cobalt and lime. The next morning, I spoke to the owner and asked if I could buy the lime H&G Bear. He asked how much did I have? I explained I had less than $20 and a few traders. After he was done laughing, he agreed if I could come up with $100 by the end of the day I could buy the bottle. Back then $100 was a lot of money. So I went to work that day leveraging my $20 and traders into buying and selling bottles on tables to net $100. Richard probably bought and sold me a few of those bottles that day to help me. As 5:00 pm came around, I had raised $99.85. The seller of the bottle refused to take less than the agreed upon $100.00. I was going to lose this prize for 15 cents. After a lot of pleading and holding back tears, the bottle was leaving. Richard had seen how much I wanted that bottle. Richard called my name and said to catch. He flipped me two bits. I bought the bottle, which I still have. But I remember Richard telling the seller not to be so cheap, to encourage youth to grow our hobby. Richard Siri has only been a true gentleman to me. Always gracious, always setting an example of how to conduct ourselves. It is because of Richard Siri and a few others that I have stayed in this great hobby. Richard Siri taught me the value of keeping my word. This is a worthy nomination of a person who I thought should have been inducted many, many years ago. Please vote to add Richard Siri to our Hall of Fame. Thank you Michael Mackintosh mack@classactionlocator.com File: FOHBC_SiriHOFReference_Mackintosh
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19 January 2017 Re: FOHBC Hall of Fame Nomination | Richard Siri FOHBC Board of Directors: January 9, 2017 To Whom it May Concern: Eric McGuire FOHBC Western Region Director 1732 Inverness Drive Petaluma, California 94954 etmcguire@comcast.net
I first met Richard Siri in the mid-1960s when the local area bottle collectors met to form a mutual interest club that became the Northwestern Bottle Collectors Association (NBCA). No one could be considered more dedicated than Richard's passion for collecting. It became a major part of his life and he was soon known by most bottle collectors in the Western U.S. His primary collecting interest was bitters and whiskey bottles and Richard put together what is still considered the premier western bitters collection. He was past president of the NBCA for many years as well as past president of the FOHBC (2008-2010). Richard became a major fixture at most of the bottle shows in the West with his many displays and his always present sales tables. He became the undisputed expert within his collecting expertise and was always willing to share in his knowledge. In 2002 Richard co-authored a book with Bill Ham and Ken Schwartz that updated John Thomas' – Whiskey Bottles of the Old West. His name can also be found on a number of other bottle related books as contributing acknowledgment. Richard's interest in championing his favorite pastime is well known. He co-chaired the FOHBC 2012 show and sale in Reno, Nevada, and with his wife, Beverley, he chaired the 2016 FOHBC convention in Sacramento, California. He is steadfast in keeping organized bottle collecting alive and fervent in the dissemination of information about the history of bottles in all its facets. I should not forget Richard's continued financial support of the FOHBC, including his recent sizeable contribution to the FOHBC Virtual Museum Project. It is easy for me to support and endorse Richard Siri as a candidate for recognition as a nominee for induction to the FOHBC Hall of Fame. Sincerely, Eric McGuire, FOHBC Western Region Director File: FOHBC_SiriHOFReference_McGuire
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The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors
09 January 2017 Re: FOHBC Hall of Fame Nomination | Richard Siri
It gives me great pleasure to recommend that Richard Siri be inducted into the prestigious FOHBC Hall of Fame in 2017. Ferdinand Meyer V FOHBC President 101 Crawford Street Studio 1A Houston, Texas 77002 fmeyer@fohbc.org
Without a doubt, Richard is probably the most significant person in our hobby today representing our Western Region. His collection of western bitters and Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters bottles and related ephemera is second to none. Richard had also chaired many western bottle shows and national FOHBC shows, most recently the FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo, which was a grand success. On a national level, Richard has served as the FOHBC Board President and was the original concept originator for the FOHBC Virtual Museum, where he also serves on the board. It is high time that this gentleman receive this award. Sincerely,
Ferdinand Meyer V FOHBC President
File: FOHBC_SiriHOFReference
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28 January 2017 Re: FOHBC Hall of Fame Nomination | Richard Siri FOHBC Board of Directors: I am proud to join so many other collectors in nominating and supporting Richard Siri for the honor of FOHBC Hall of Fame. To be honest, I had the most support and continuous information from Richard Siri than most any other collector. During the years I collected, I always heard most promptly from him and his letters gave me the detailed information I needed. I was the only female collector for many years. I never felt discrimination from Richard that so many others enjoyed at my expense. In a hobby that tends to bring out something other than the best in people, Richard was always eager to share and very supportive of my goal to write a good and useful book. I think he is already a major asset to the Federation and the general public in the bottle collecting world. It is good that people like Richard are keeping our hobby active and thriving. I hope our nomination of him for this honor will be acted upon quickly and he will enjoy the honor of this position. Thank you Carlyn Ring FOHBC Hall of Fame File: FOHBC_SiriHOFReference_Ring
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20 January 2017 Re: FOHBC Hall of Fame Nomination | Richard Siri FOHBC Board of Directors: Bill:
Bill Taylor FOHBC McMinnville, Oregon
Richard Siri is the consummate antique bottle collector. Not only does he have one of the finest collections of Western bottles, but he and his wife, Beverley, have done more than anyone on the West Coast to support our exciting hobby. Richard has served as President of the FOHBC and is credited with making many worthwhile changes to the organization. He is a very knowledgeable advisor to new collectors and his willingness to take on tasks like managing shows, both local and national, helps to move this great hobby forward. Because of Richard and Beverley’s hard work and dedication, the National shows in Reno and Sacramento were outstanding successes. Their efforts make it possible for this hobby to continue to thrive. Thank you, Richard for all you have done for bottle collectors everywhere! Bill Taylor McMinnville, Oregon File: FOHBC_SiriHOFReference_Taylor
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10 January 2017 Re: FOHBC Hall of Fame Nomination | Richard Siri FOHBC Board of Directors: Dear FOHBC Hall of Fame Committee:
Roger D. Terry FOHBC 156 Boynton Rd. Layton, Utah 84040
My name is Roger Terry. I have been an active collector of antique bottles for nearly 50 years, and a member of the FOHBC since 2004. I am writing in behalf of Richard T. Siri, regarding his nomination to the FOHBC Hall of Fame. I have known Richard Siri, and have had many bottle related dealings with him since the mid 1970s. I have grown to respect him very much, both as a collector and researcher of early West Coast glass, its manufacture, and as a spokesman and promoter of bottle collecting in general throughout the United States. His willingness to share his collection and bottle knowledge is legendary around the western bottle show circuit. Richard has been an energetic organizer, tireless contributor, and many times the chairman or point person for major Western Region bottle shows. He has done this for as long as I can remember. Most recently these include the Federation national shows in Reno in 2006 and 2012 and the Pomona National in 2009. Richard recently concluded the Federation National show in Sacramento in 2016, of which Richard was the show chairman. It was a huge success. Richard has served in a leadership role in his local bottle club for 40+ years. He has supported and served the national bottle collecting community with a term as Second Vice President of the FOHBC, and then again as President of the FOHBC. Richard has long been known for assembling the most complete collection of western bitters bottles in existence. However, he has also put together world class collections of U.S.A. Hospital Deopt. bottles, and his collection of Hostetter's Bitters bottles is second to none. His research in all three of these collecting fields has added much information to the data base for the collector community to study and to further the enjoyment of their bottles. I have always greatly admired Richard’s willingness to share his collection and knowledge through displaying his treasured bottles at regional bottle shows here in the West. He always has had at least one, sometimes several, educational displays for the public to enjoy and ask questions. Richard was the driving force behind the very popular "Bottle Shootout" at the 2012 Reno National. This activity has now grown to be a staple at the Federation's National Show events. Richard Siri is a mentor to many of us, and has been a major force behind the popularity of bottle collecting the western United States for many years. He is known for his contributions to the bottle collecting community here in the western United States, and throughout the country and for his willingness and dedication to serve the FOHBC on a regional and national level. I strongly support his nomination to be awarded membership in the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors Hall of Fame. Sincerely, Roger D. Terry File: FOHBC_SiriHOFReference_Terry
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19 January 2017 Re: FOHBC Hall of Fame Nomination | Richard Siri FOHBC Board of Directors: Richard Siri has been a mainstay in the bottle hobby since I re-entered the bottle scene in the late 1980s. I remember him as a youngster. Once I watched him wide-eyed and eager, purchase a very rare Angeli flask at a bottle show in Stockton around 1967.That image of him pulling out a wad of cash to purchase what at the time was the first example of a bottle ever seen remains imbedded in my mind forever. That was Richard, he dared to venture where no man or woman had gone before. That is why today Richard has such a comprehensive collection of western glass and go-withs, one of the largest anywhere. He would go after pieces other collectors were not quite sure about. He told me he bought his Barry & Patton pint cylinder during the last hour of a show on Sunday. It had sat there the entire show with no takers. Today that bottle is considered not only rare and desirable; it’s an important bottle that solidifies the link between whiskey wholesalers and the new frontier of the wild west. A man only goes so far without someone by their side and Beverley has been that person. Together, they have attended bottle shows much of their adult lives and have been by default the keepers of the hobby, standing guard over show after show, year after year and decade after decade. Richard’s place among the Federation has been as president and untold positions all in the best interest of the hobby he loves so much. Like so many other bottle collectors over time, not seeing Richard and Beverley at a bottle function would be an anomaly. We’ve all watched as Richard and Beverley have pursued their passion and shared the kinship in the bottle world we see today. I think the FOHBC couldn’t have a more deserving choice than the inclusion of Richard (and Beverly) Siri. Jeff Wichmann American Bottle Auctions FOHBC 2016 Hall of Fame File: FOHBC_SiriHOFReference_Wichmann
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24 January 2017 Re: FOHBC Hall of Fame Nomination | Richard Siri FOHBC Board of Directors: I can’t remember exactly when we first met a few years ago. The fellowship shared was our keen interest in bottles. Many an evening was spent sharing the knowledge we had learned that day. Referencing the number and quantity of specimens was most interesting. He may not have known it, but he was a help in that manner in collecting data for my book. All of this went on for years with laughter and comradeship. Times at the Northwestern bottle club meetings was a learning experience for all who attended. Richard’s keen interest in sharing his knowledge was encouraging to the younger crowd as we had several of them in our club. He has always helped the beginning collector. As time progressed, Richard took on different positions in the club and the Federation. His enthusiasm and love of the hobby is infectious, as many collectors will tell you. His devotion to detail on a subject matter could fill a book and has in fact generated quite a few written articles. Richard has traveled many miles in support of his hobby and gained the best of all collectibles – the wonderful friends acquired. In all his years, the contribution to the hobby is without limits – details and variations of glass molds, distribution and years of products – all this and more!! The time-honored value of the devotion of a collector to his hobby can never be measured. It is with this humble thought; I would like to submit Richard Siri’s name to the FOHBC Hall of Fame. Betty Zumwalt
Oregon Bottle Collectors Association 2016 FOHBC Hall of Fame Recipient File: FOHBC_SiriHOFReference_Zumwalt
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