Geelong Bottle & Collectables Club Inc Volume 70 September/October 2009
Triple treat
Club stalwarts Joe and Dot Votava and Ern Taylor honoured with life memberships. REPORT – Page 3
From the desk of the president
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WHO’S WHO President: Dave Smith
Vice-president: Peter Harding Treasurer: Bob Bauer Secretary: Tracey Elso Assistant secretary: Noel Dawson Librarian: Craig Finegan Editor: Cam Ward 0430 369 146
ello members, August was such a busy month for me as I attended not one but three bottle and collectables shows – Murwillumbah (always a nice one-day event), the 2009 national in Penrith (HUGE!) and Maryborough at the end of the month (still Victoria’s biggest annual show). September and October then proved to be quiet – relatively speaking! It has been great to see nearly 20 members attend our past two meetings. The quality and range of latest finds has been “outstanding”, to quote Jim Bell. The new format of running an efficient 30-minute meeting, followed immediately by discussion and presentation of latest finds and displays before voting, supper and staying around to chat seems workable and popular. Butwhile our fellow members talk about their latest finds/displays, please let’s pay them the respect of listening and keep the
chat and catch-up for supper. And keep the latest finds and displays coming, folks, we are all enjoying learning about new fields of collecting. We are trying to build the profile of the club and the next project is to put on a reasonable display at the Bannockburn Collectables fair in November. Tracy has organised a free display area for the club, which could take up to three tables. We need to support her coordinating efforts – and the promotion of the club – by: Providing some items, larger photo displays etc for the display area; and Telling Tracy when you can sit on the stall to tell potential new members about our great club. For clubs like ours, sometimes the best find of all is the sight of new members turning up for one of our meetings, lured by the efforts we all put in at events like Bannockburn. David Smith President
Diary dates November 28/29 – MORWELL (Bottle & gems fair; Kernot Hall, Morwell)
December
12 – WANGARATTA (Bottle & Collectables Show)
Public officer: Kim Johnson
January
State representative: David Smith
7 – BATHURST (Swap meet; Bathurst Showgrounds) 14 – SANDHURST (Bottle club swap & sell day; Mckinnon Hall, Showgrounds) 14 – BALLARAT (Super Southern Swap Meet; Ballarat Airport) 14 – MALDON (Antiques & Collectables fair; Maldon Football Ground)
Catering officer: Pam Bauer Committee members: Tony Parsons Craig Finegan Kim Johnson Noel Dawson and executives
23/24/25 – FRYERSTOWN (Annual antique fair)
February
Geelong Bottle and Collectables Club Inc.
The club meets on the fourth Monday of each month (excluding December) at the Belmont Park Pavilion, Barrabool Road, under the James Harrison Bridge. Club postal address: Geelong Bottle and Collectables Club Inc. Box 5049 North Geelong LPO 3215
Trio lays foundations for club’s ongoing success
Life memberships for three of a kind
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heir names may be short but the respect with which they are still held in the hobby they have loved for decades continues to be immense. Between them, Dot Votava, Joe Votava and Ernie Taylor have over 100 years’ experience as passionate bottle collectors. They form a bridge from the era when you could drive to a quiet piece of bushland and literally pick up bottles on the ground to the present day. They were still competing at the 2008 State show staged by the Geelong club, putting up displays that would have been the envy of many collectors, not only within the club but also around Australia. The lengths they have gone to for a prized acquisition is the stuff of legend but at the club’s October meeting the tables were turned: their latest “finds” found them! The trio, all founding members of the Geelong Bottle and Collectables Club 25 years ago, were each presented with life memberships of the club by president David Smith. “Their long-time enthusiasm for their hobby of collecting, especially in the areas of Geelong memorabilia and antique bottles, has seen impressive collections gathered,” David said. “Their passion for the hobby has supported and maintained the club over two and a half decades, with all serving as various office bearers. “All three are still active
GOING STRONG: Dot Votava, left, in a photo from the Feb-Mar 1978 issue of the Australian Bottle Review and, right, holding court during October’s latest finds discussions.
in the hobby, still passionate enough to get up early ‘on the hunt’ at garage sales and markets. “Congratulations Dot, Joe and Ern. Your life membership is just a token of how your fellow members value your long contribution to the club.” Dot, Joe and Ern were presented with individual
plaques honouring them as life members. Each plaque is decorated with the club emblem of a seagull hovering over a rubbish dump hoping for that elusive collectable treasure to appear for them to swoop on – in the true spirit of passionate collectors able to have some fun at their own expense.
VALE CLIFF LOVEDAY Another club founding member, Cliff Loveday, has died after a long fight with cancer. Cliff gathered together an impressive collection. His passion for collecting and the hunt and his easy likeable manner will be missed by all who knew him Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
Alan took us back in time in September with this winning 1888 view of Geelong from the Picturesque Atlas of Australasia.
A classic MacRobertson’s tin helped give Ern second place in September’s latest finds.
Tony showed this sparkling St Arnaud ginger beer with an unusual green glaze top.
This Gouda vase may have looked Joe and Dot’s Aboriginal doll. pretty but Tracey told us it was fake.
Geelong mermaid sighting sparks auction frenzy
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lenty of collectors were no doubt saving up for November’s two-day Graham Lancaster auction at Flowerdale. But some rare pieces have still changed hands for big money. More on perhaps the biggest of them all – the JJ Trait Majolica barrel – next edition but among the eye-catching pieces in eBay recently was a counter sign for Mermaid Table Salt, one of the brands of Geelong’s own Cheetham Salt.
The colour counter sign, measuring approximately 230mm x 360mm was made by Griffiths Huse Advertising Melbourne and featured a mermaid in a cave with a man looking in, and the Mermaid salt products down the side. Despite displaying some minor edge wear and brown spotting on the back, collectors loved it. After a bidding war between no less than five bidders, it was eventually sold for a handsome $354.99.
LEFT: This classic Cheetham Salt cardboard advertising sign proved a smash on eBay. INSET: Close-up detail of one corner of the sign.
Strong showing means Warrnambool is back A
nother early Friday morning found me on the road again, this time the Warrnambool show was my goal. I made it to Tony’s by 7am, loaded his few boxes and display stand and then it was out onto the Princes Highway to Warrnambool. We got there just as the Mill opened and a quick lap inside discovered a rare old collectable – in the shape of Noel Dawson! We also turned up a really
nice early green English chemist jar (with an “M” base that didn’t look like it was made in Melbourne). Jim Bell informed us later of its English origins. Next it was off to Maillors Flat demolitions and collectables. By then it was time to go and help instead of looking for more shops. I’m really glad Tony and I, plus Noel and later Craig, did make the trek. The South Western Club really needed the
extra pairs of hands in its setup. That said, the Warrnambool show was in a great, no, a fantastic venue: two rooms at the showgrounds/greyhound track (similar to Maryborough); catering in between the rooms; carpeted and a lot of trestles and chairs (used as barriers) included in the venue hire! In all, there were about 300 feet of swap/sell space and 300 feet of displays in the other room.
The varied displays were fantastic quality and really well presented. It was not a good show to sell at but great buying was had by many! Certainly the club would have learnt much from this, its first show in too many years. And it was a promising start. I hope that the bi-annual show, alternating with us on the same last weekend in October, builds up. I for one look forward to returning to Warrnambool in 2011. – DAVE SMITH
minutes August monthly meeting August 24, 2009
Meeting opened: 8pm
Apologies Chris Russell, Anne & Darrell Minutes of previous meeting Moved: Kim Johnson Seconded: Peter Harding Business arising from minutes Nil Correspondence Thank-you card from Dot & Joe Votava Notice from Back to Stieglitz Festival October 25, 2009 Treasurer’s report Term Deposit $2498 Cash Tin $ Tea Tin $30 Swap & Sell tin $ Moved: Craig Finegan Seconded: Robyn General business Drinking at club – Dave discussed responsible drinking after meeting and at supper. Keyrings – To be distributed to members who didn’t get one at the show. Warrnambool Show – Discussed about getting the Geelong club members to turn up at show and to give a hand and support Warrnambool club as it is a new club. Geelong show 2010 Oct 22/23– Dave has booked the Showgrounds hall, and is underway with getting things organised Meeting Closed at: 8.25pm Best acquired 1st: Dave Smith Geelong thermometer 2nd: Alan Snowden Bengal Gin Tiger statue 3rd: Tracey Elso Uranium green vase
HOT STUFF: Dave Smith’s advertising thermometer raised plenty of interest at the August meeting.
TOTALLY WILD: Alan captured plenty of attention with this striking Bengal Gin advertising statue.
Among Tony’s latest haul of 18 ceramic labels were these two rate examples of the Geelong TV brand.
This 98-year-old Stock and Station Journal was the standout in a collection of calendars that helped make Peter an obvious winner of October’s finds.
The smallest find of the month was Cam’s sample hot water bottle.
Members couldn’t split this brandy sign and tobacco statue for second place in October but that didn’t bother Alan; they’re both his.
Craig’s goldfields classic: the registered Robert Thin “Leaf” vinegar.
latest finds September David
Advertising milk – Kinkarra Ted Promotional jam jar – Taylor, Brisbane
Alan
1888 – three-volume picturesque atlas of Australasia Round Brownie Downing picture Squirrel Confections tin
Pam
Two children’s tea sets
Cam
Brownlow Crown Lager 3 milk bottles AFL Port
Tony
Manallack St Arnaud ginger beer F Steward codd Four Geelong bottles
FIRST
Jan and Ron 2009 AFL Grand Final ticket Collection of keys Scales Ern
MacRobertson’s tin and Ampol tin
Noel
Fly paper Scent bottle
THIRD
Dot and Joe Grocery ad Australian doll Old tool Craig
1850s goldfields era pickles – Large B&A Pickle shield/small registered ribbed pickle/arched pickle/olive leaf vine pickle/ unusual 1850s pickle Japanese Modern Toy Co. Model T Ford Ford tinplate car
Tracey
Gouda vase (fake) Davidson’s “slag glass” vase Walther violet cloud glass vase
Jack
Four pocket knives
SECOND
latest finds October Cam
Corio Whiskey ash tray Sample hot water bottle Two 1920s Geelong Regatta badges Three labels – Chas Cole, All Saints, Apri Brandy
David
Ceramic label bottle Chas Cole 13oz Acme Reliance patent codd Green chemist jar
Tony
18 ceramic labels
Jason
Two Beatles cards in frame
Neil
JW Ferguson Half Way House bottle (English)
THIRD
Elsie & Bruce Mystery object Dot & Joe
Mickey Mouse book Cobalt Mexican Hair Restorer bottle Bottle opener
Peter
1911 calendar/variety 1950s calendars
Craig
Robert Thin vinegar (registered 1858) 1880s Ridgeways chamber pot
Jack
Four pocket knives
Alan
Wills Pirate Shag Tobacco advertising statue (1930s) Duncasses Brandy embossed tin sign (1900s)
Tracey
Geelong view ware White Chookie
SCHOOL’S IN: Members have appreciated knowing more about the latest monthly finds before they cast their votes.
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Notices
CLASSIFIEDS
Need to e-mail a photo? Like to post a photo on the internet to sell an item? Have a lend of the club’s digital camera. ASK PETER FOR DETAILS
Wanted to buy Anything to do with Jim Beam, Coca Cola, ceramic Garfields and Ned Kelly. Collectables collector. Phone Len Ellmer on 5224 1469. Royal Doulton whisky flasks Kingsware/Old electric jugs Blowtorches, clean or dirty and any spares. Phone JIM HUNTER on 5127 6420. Member of the Gippsland club. SINGER SEWING MACHINES Anything to do with Singer. Phone Bruce or Elsie on 5275 5450. Matchboxes, labels, vesta boxes, match grips and Meakin china. Phone 5276 1267. Any old newspapers and documents. Prefer Geelong and areas but will consider anything. Phone Peter on 5275 3411. Geelong street guides and business directories. Phone 5266 1126. Any Scouting memorabilia. Phone Shane on 5229 6469.
Wanted to buy
Milk glass Vegemite/Marmite jars. Also screw top metal lids, any size. Phone Bruce on 0408 527 741. Pre-1956 telephone directories. Geelong & District or Melbourne Phone Cam on 0430 369 146. Any old newspapers and documents. Prefer Geelong and areas but will consider anything. Phone Peter on 5275 3411. Victa logo plate For original model Phone Alan on 5255 4773 or 0403 160 336. Embassy branded items. The old GJ Coles home brand. Will BUY anything. Phone Peter on 5275 3411. Aussie fruit/preserving/jam jars Geelong bottles Ceramic label milks and soft drinks David 0419 434 306/5243 4306
For sale Photographic record of 2008 State Bottle and Collectables Show. All category winners and selected individual bottles on one CD. Suitable for enlargements. $10 per copy. Phone Cam on 0430 369 146.