Geelong Bottle & Collectables Club Inc Volume 73 March/April 2010
MEET THE TEAM
H
ere’s your first look at some of the committee that will be guiding the Geelong Bottle & Collectables
Club throughout 2010. Club president Dave Smith is flanked by, from left, committee members Alan Snowden and Tony
Parsons, treasurer Bob Bauer, secretary Tracey Elso, vice-president Peter Harding and librarian Craig Finegan.
From the desk of the president
I WHO’S WHO President: Dave Smith
Vice-president: Peter Harding Treasurer: Bob Bauer
t sems that all of us are getting busier! As I sit and stare at the screen and ponder this, I know another newsletter is about to come out. We all have busy lives but I must commend the efforts being put in for two big dates on the club’s 2010 calendar. Stall holder bookings and preparations for our market day at Rugby Street are progressing at full steam. You have all seen the signs go up and they’ve certainly produced the stallholder bookings and, hopefuly, the public through the door Our committee meeting tonight should finish preparations and hopefully all goes well and we have enough helpers.
Secretary: Tracey Elso Assistant secretary: Noel Dawson Librarian: Craig Finegan Editor: Cam Ward 0430 369 146 Public officer: Kim Johnson
Obviously we must keep October 23 in our sights and bring it to the front burner after market day. Allan and others have been working at every antique and collectables show to get stallholders and certainly there is interest at every bottle show from regular traders. Our next deadline is to produce the schedule and get it to the Australian Bottles and Collectables Review by the end of June. Don’t forget that this is our club and it needs your volunteering and involvement to prosper. Keep broadcasting a positive view of collecting and our club and it will grow. David Smith President
Diary dates June 27 – SPRINGVALE (Hobby & Leisure & Collectors’ Fair; Sandown Racecourse)
July
18 – WILLIAMSTOWN (Australia’s Premier Collectables Show; Williamstown Senior Citizens’ Centre)
August
22 – MALVERN (Great Collectors Haven Fair; Malvern Town Hall)
October
10 (TBC) – SPRINGVALE (IN2 Collectables Retro-Fest; Sandown Racecourse) 23 – GEELONG (Bottle show, swap & sell; Geelong Showgrounds)
State representative: David Smith Catering officer: Pam Bauer Committee members: Tony Parsons Craig Finegan Kim Johnson Noel Dawson and executives
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
Barwon rarity is a dairy good get
I
spoke to Geelong collector and club member Daryl Phillips, who is very good at research and very knowledgeable about Geelong companies, about the origins of this milk bottle (pictured) I have acquired. According to Daryl, Harold A. Tomkins established Riverside Dairies in Mt Pleasant Road, Belmont in the 1930s. The cows apparently would roam down the hill and graze along the Barwon River flats (now caravan parks and river reserve). C H Smithson, Riverside Dairies and still with the registration number 338, bought Harold out. Later, Wally Derek bought Smithson out before Ian E Tomkins bought the business back to the family and changed its name to Riverview Dairies. Daryl owns a half-pint embossed H A TOMKINS with 338 on the base and he mentioned that another Geelong collector had a quarter-pint with red pyro H A Tomkins many years ago. Does this make this half-pint blue pyro label HA TOMKINS one of three “known” in Geelong collectors’ hands? My thanks and acknowledgements to Daryl Phillips for this info. I hope I have got it accurately. – DAVID SMITH
Thistle whisky sale proves a prickly proposition
S
o what’s a 26oz James Dickson Leith thistle whisky bottle going for these days? Somewhere between $3000 and $3700 it would seem. Collectors may remember the Lara resident who strolled into the 2008 Victorian Bottle and Collectables State Show at the Geelong Showgrounds with an example he’d unearthed by accident in Corio several years earlier. He was promptly offered $3000 cash on the spot but wasn’t looking to sell. Another example of this highly desirable bottle was up for sale on eBay recently but everyone baulked at its $3700 price tag. The Cairns seller said this particular specimen, in addition to being embossed with a large
Scotch thistle and the initials “JD” initials on the rear shoulder also had further raised thistle embossing on three shoulders. The condition was said to be near perfect, with no cracks or repairs but with an extremely hard to see small nick or inconsistency on the rim edge. It also has the remnants of the cork and the zinc seal. A lot cheaper, but more keenly contested, was a scarce plastic Geelong Football Club Courage Draught beer tray. The white tray was printed with “Geelong. VFL. The Cats. Drink Clean Tasting Courage Draught”. In good condition, the tray attracted nine bids and sold for $57.57.
A circa 1870 Chas Cole Hamilton circa with the familiar bird with fish trademark reached $150 on the strength of five bids. It was described as being in good condition and also had the bottle maker MGBC embossed on the base. At about the same time as Francis was displaying his TeeVee soda syphon at the club meeting, another example was being auctioned on eBay. Acid etched with the words “TEE VEE DRINKS PTY. LTD. GEELONG” and “This syphon is the property of Tee Vee Drinks Pty. Ltd. Geelong and its use by others is illegal”. It was also embossed on the bottom with “2X”. It attracted nine bids and fetched $40.75.
minutes 2010 annual general meeting March 22, 2010
Meeting opened: 8pm Apologies Darrel & Anne Phillips. Chris Summers, Neil & Robyn Stack, Robyn Harding, Andrew Foote. Minutes of Previous Meeting Moved – Peter Harding; seconded – Ron Pocock Business arising from minutes Dave Smith steps aside and Tony Parsons takes the floor for the committee votings. NOMINATIONS: PRESIDENT Nominee: Dave Smith; nominated by Peter Harding; seconded by Craig Finegan; accepted by Dave Smith VICE PRESIDENT Nominee: Peter Harding; nominated by Dave Smith; seconded by Joe Votava TREASURER Nominee: Bob Bauer; nominated by Peter Harding; seconded by Pam Bauer SECRETARY Nominee: Tracey Elso; nominated by Bob Bauer; seconded by Dave Smith LIBRARIAN Nominee: Craig Finegan; nominated by Dave Smith; seconded by Peter Harding EDITOR Nominee: Cam Ward; nominated by: Dave Smith; seconded by Tony Parsons CATERING OFFICER Nominee: Pam Bauer; nominated by Peter Harding; seconded by Alan Snowden COMMITTEE MEMBERS Nominee: Tony Parsons; nominated by Dave Smith; seconded by Peter Harding Nominee:Alan Snowden; nominated by Dave Smith; seconded by Tony Parsons Nominee: Noel Dawson; nominated by Jennifer Sydenham; seconded by Alan Snowden PUBLIC OFFICER Nominee: Kim Johnson; nominated by Tony Parsons; seconded by Dave Smith VBACA REPRESENTATIVES Nominee: Dave Smith; nominated by Tony Parsons; seconded by Tracey Elso Nominee: Craig Finegan; nominated by Alan Snowden; seconded by Noel Dawson Meeting closed 8:20 pm
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Alan’s winning sign in March looked even more spectacular when plugged in; this Embassy pencil case does much more than hold pencils; Alan created plenty of interest with these two Hobart ginger beers; Francis came second in March with his cheery electric jug; Barry won April’s latest finds with an old bagging machine.
minutes March monthly meeting March 22, 2010
Meeting opened at: 8.25pm Apologies Darrel & Anne Phillips, Chris, Andrew Foote, Neil & Robyn Stack, Robyn Harding. Minutes of the previous meeting: Moved: Peter Harding; seconded: Alan Snowdon Business arising from minutes Correspondence VBACA – membership & insurance renewal invoice Treasurer’s report: Term deposit – 2556.79 Cash tin – Tea tin – $15 Swap & sell tin – General Business: Visitor – Annette Subs – An invoice will be slipped into our newsletter when our subs are due. Membership fees – Will remain $20/per family for 2010. Fees will be reviewed annually. Life members do not pay annual membership fees. Bus Trip – Proposed bus trip to Maryborough to be organised for August bottle show. Car Boot Sale – Scheduled for May 22. Costs: inside $25 inc tables; outside $10, plus $5 per table; undercover $15, plus $5 per table; barbecue/coffee urn to be run in conjunction; early birds to pay $5 entry – entry free after 8am. Meeting closed at: 8: 35 pm Latest finds 1st: Alan Snowdon 2nd: Francis Ceraza 3rd: Barry Sydenham
Bickfords SalVital Flashlight display sign Face electric jug 1850 copper rotisserie
minutes March committee monthly meeting Meeting opened: 7:30pm Apologies Kim Johnsons, Cam Ward Business Bunnings barbecue: Waurn Posnds & Corio barbecues were a success, profit/costings to be finalised by Bob Bauer Guest speaker Gold mine explorer Shaun Krafft – Very well attended night and great speakers. Cam to forward Shaun 3 copies of our magazine/newsletter for him, highlighting the night. Antiques trail Copies currently being done, How Bazaar very happy with formats. Annual general meeting Next meeting March 22 Dave to do president’s report Bob to get audit done – will be ready in April Tracey to do latest finds – winners and suggestions for prizes? Market day: May 22 Set up Friday afternoon and Saturday from 6am Public opening 8am – early birds pay $5 for entry Dave to do fliers for donated goods Peter and Tracey helping to set up on Friday Barbecuse – bacon & egg sandwiches and coffee urn. Tony to organise Craig & Alan to help and do gate. 2010 Geelong Bottle Show Show fliers to be done before Easter Show advertising – any other suggestions/online sites to look at such as collectables magazine or markets and fairs magazine.
OLD-STYLE: Peter unearthed some 73-year-old Anakie receipts for the April meeting.
CAUGHT IN THE ACT: Alan and Tony deep in coversation over one of Alan’s latest finds – an early Hobart ginger beer.
latest finds March Alan
Cast iron balance scales Pickfords SalVital display sign
Cam
Ecks & Crystal ceramic labels Corio Whiskey trophy tray
Ron
Magazine
Francis
TeeVee soda syphon Face electric jug
David
HA Tonkins milk bottle Old Judge port bottle with label
Noel
Sleeping piccaninny statue
Tony
Melbourne Bitter Geelong Cup can 10 small ceramic labels
Peter
Australian newspapers – Ronald Ryan hanging Embassy memo book GJ Coles fishing hooks
Tracey
Uranium glass flower bowl Hazel/Atlas US royal lace trio uranium green Murano Latticino handkerchief bowl Murano swirl-cased bowl Murano – Bambi uranium glass Melba’s gift book
Jack
Pocket knife
Barry
1850s rotisserie
FIRST
SECOND
THIRD
minutes April monthly meeting April 26, 2010
Opened 8pm Apologies Craig Finegan, Tracy Elso, Shane.Allan, Kim Johnson Apologies for next few meetings Bruce and Elsie Minutes from previous meeting Moved Peter Harding; seconded Joe Votava Business from minutes None Correspomdence Gippsland and Mornington club newsletters Treausurer’s report Income $240 (subs) Term deposit $2556 Tea Tin $32.75 Moved Allan; seconded Noel General Business Thinking of you letter to Esma Taylor who is not well Card to Clare, Tony and Matilda Parsons (newest member) Librarian asked to check overdue books and follow up to be returned Library storage to be addressed – perhaps archive some old newsletter files from other clubs Overdue fees to be invoiced with next newsletter – Cam to get list from Bob
??
October show – no committee meeting in April so next committee meeting May 17 Market day – May 22. Jobs allocated including garage sale notices – Tony (Grovdale), Allan (Peninsula), David (Belmont); not much other response from members Barbecue – Tony and Allan need another helper Gate – Tony plus one; need another early bird helper Set up friday – call David to help Signs – David to start when he returns from Queensland Meeting closed 8.30pm Latest finds 1st Barry 2nd Dot and Joe 3rd Tony
Bagging Machine Turner Patent Bottle Les Bray blue soda syphon
Notices
CLASSIFIEDS
Need to e-mail a photo? Like to post a photo online 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. Milk glass Vegemite/Marmite jars. Also screw top metal lids, any size. Phone Bruce on 0408 527 741.
Wanted to buy
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 Auction catalogues – Christie’s, Sotheby’s, Leonard Joel. Decorative arts, collectables, furniture, jewellery, etc. Glossy, full colour, great for reference. $2 each. Phone Cam on 0430 369 146. National Geographic magazines 1920s-2000s. Classic stories, great ads. $1 per issue Phone Cam on 0430 369 146.