L. Deloche, Pharmacien Encoignure Dumain & Bourbon, Nouvelle Orleans – Pot Lid

DelochePotLid1

Apple-Touch-IconAI was looking at this pretty cool New Orleans pot lid on ebay last night wondering if Greg Dean or Rex Barbour (both major pot lit collectors living in Australia) knew anything about it. Also Dr. Charles Aprill (New Orleans), had he any information on this pot lid or pharmacy. Well I check back this morning and the ebay listed had ended. Here was the listing and description. The pictures were rather nice. See original ebay listing.

Read more on PRG: American Pot Lid Pictures in from Greg Dean

Read more on PRG: Quack Pot Lids Display (Australia to Reno)

DelochePotLid3

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Ext. Rare New Orleans Pot Lid, Bourbon St. Address.

L. Deloche, Pharmacien Encoignure Dumain & Bourbon, Nouvelle Orleans, all within a round border, the pot is in black transfer, the pot is 2 5/8″ round, now, this is a extremely rare lid, it is unlisted and may be unique, it has world known famous and historic Bourbon St on it, put all this together and you have a very rare and important and historic lid, to date there are no others known, so now i will get to my price on this lid, with ext.rare flask selling for over a hundred grand, and a 1913 nickle that just sold for over 3 million, and there are five of those, my thought on the selling price is that its reasonable and cheap, of course many may not see it this way but in the 1940’s that same v nickle sold for 3 thousand dollars,people thought that was high at the time, anyway this is no doubt for a advanced collection and one that has the budget to go with it, but be assured this a top shelf piece and would be a center of that advanced collection, a collection that has something others don’t because even for more money there’s not another to be bought, so here it is, a one time shot at a ultra rare lid, it has no cracks, or chips, not a matching base, overall very good condition.

DelochePotLid2

A search online reveals a Louis Deloche, druggist, Bourbon & Main (1834 New Orleans City Directory), 253 Bourbon (1838 New Orleans City Directory), listed as Druggist and Chemist in 1843 directory, 253 Bourbon (1850 New Orleans City Directory) and Louis Deloche, druggist, 195 Bourbon (1861 New Orleans City Directory). Louis had a wife named Josephine. She is listed in an 1876 New Orleans City Directory as Lewis’ widow. Some address as pot lid, meaning I suppose, they lived above the pharmacy. A 1900 Meyer Brothers Druggist catalog lists a H. Gruebler as purchasing the Deloche Pharmacy.

DelochePotLid4

I also see that this same pot lid showed up over at Antique-Bottles.net late last year. The following comment was noted:

Looks like a French lid made for the US market. Plenty of UK lids were done for similar purposes with American addresses. Time for a bit of research on Deloche in Orleans to prove othewise. 

Here is another odd listing of an accidental death:

Simeon F. Boy C. – 10 years – N.O. La – cor. Dumain (sic) & Bourbon Sts. Killed by having his head crushed by the flywheel of a force pump used for making mineral water at the establishment of L. Deloche. The boy sliped (sic) and fell with his head in the wheel while it was revolving crushing his scull (sic) and right arm. Entirely accidental.

New Orleans August 6th, 1863

Does anyone have and Deloche druggists bottles? He was around a long time. By the note above, he was also making mineral water.

Posted in Apothecary, Druggist & Drugstore, eBay, History, Mineral Water, Pot Lids, Questions | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Buffalo Bayou, Buffalo Beer Tour & Buffalo Brewing Company

BuffaloImage

The American Buffalo

Buffalo Bayou, Buffalo Beer Tour & Buffalo Brewing Company

04 May 2013

Apple-Touch-IconAThree things on my desk(top) or laptop today all dealing with the American Bison. First is the next segment in a series I am writing about Houston history including Allen’s Landing and Buffalo Bayou. You can read the first three posts by clicking the link in the previous sentence. The next segment dealing with pathways along Buffalo Bayou should be ready tonight or tomorrow.

Buffalo Bayou

Houston&CentralDepot

Houston and Texas Central Depot – 1873. You can see Buffalo Bayou

Buffalo Beer Tour

The second is a beer tour in Buffalo, New York. From an e-mail I received. Attached is a flyer for a Buffalo Beer Tour on Saturday May 25th by Pete Jablonski. Tickets are $40. Contact information for tickets is on the flyer. Thanks. Joe Guerra. See Flyer

Pearl_Street_Grill_and_Brewery

Buffalo Beer Tour on Saturday May 25th

Buffalo Brewing Company

The third is related to Buffalo Brewing Company of Sacramento, California. While searching for a Buffalo beer image I couldn’t help but to get sidetracked. Certainly the most notable of the brewery men of Sacramento were the German-born Herman H. Grau (1846-1915) and William E. Gerber (1852-1928). Herman, a former East Coast brewer who came to Sacramento from Buffalo, N.Y. in about 1886, was the man who organized the Buffalo Brewery, which would eventually become the largest brewery west of the Mississippi. Here are a few fantastic pieces pictured below. Read: Buffalo Brewery men were interred at East Lawn Memorial Park.

So we have famous beer men from Buffalo, New York who strike out and start a brewery in California. I wonder if any shipments passed through Houston?

BuffaloBrewingCoPoster

Buffalo Brewing Company Paper Sign, Sacramento, CA. Depicting nude Indian maiden on buffalo. In period walnut frame, mint condition. 17 1/2 X 24 1/2 inches.- Live Auctioneers (estimate $15,000 – $25,000)

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Buffalo Brewing Co. tin tip tray, Sacramento, CA. – Victorian Casino Antiques

BuffaloIce

View of Harry M. Bowman’s painting shop at 918 11th Street, Sacramento, ca. 1900-1910; unidentified individuals, possibly including Bowman and his employees, displaying carriage wheels in foreground. Buffalo Brewing Company storefront at right. Bowman was a paint shop foreman for Pacific Wheel and Carriage Works and specialized in painting carriages. – Center for Sacramento History

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The Buffalo Brewery. [ca. 1910]. California State Library, California History Room.

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Buffalo Brewing Company stock certificate. Sacramento, California. Unissued, 19__. Incorporated 1888 – ClintonHollis.com

Posted in Advertising, Advice, Ales & Ciders, Breweriana, Club News, Ephemera, History, News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fantasy Jug Raffle and Saratoga Bottles to be featured at the 2013 Saratoga Show

Ferdinand,

Roy Topka with the Bottle Museum in Ballston Spa here. Local collector and artisan Jim Healy (he was tickled pink by the mention of his good work in the current Bottles and Extras) created the attached Fantasy Jug for the Museum and donated it to be raffled.

The theme being the 150th anniversary of the Racetrack in Saratoga. By early April the Museum website should be featuring the jug and information on the raffle, along with other media exposure that will be undertaken to promote the raffle. What I am asking, is it possible when the website is ready could the jug be pictured on your website with the link to the NBM? I understand if this is not possible, as all the clubs and the Federation are needing to raise money for their own purposes. I figure it never hurts to ask! Thank you for your consideration, if you have any questions, or if there is ever anything I can do please let me know.

Roy Topka
2013 Saratoga Show Chair

Jug NBM

Fantasy Jug Raffle and Saratoga Bottles to be Featured at the 2013 Saratoga Show

A highlight of the 2013 Saratoga Annual Show (see info below) will be the raffle of a fantasy jug marking the 150th anniversary of the Saratoga race track. The 1860’s era 3 gallon jug was donated by Schenectady, NY collector John Rudzinski and hand decorated by artisan Jim Healy of Tribes Hill, NY. The jug has a minor lip repair. Tickets are $10 each or three for $20 and can be purchased by contacting the National Bottle Museum at 76 Milton Ave, Ballston Spa, NY 12020, (518) 885-7589. Tickets will be available at the bottle show where the winning ticket will be drawn. All proceeds will benefit the Bottle Museum. We encourage everyone to participate and take a chance to become the owners of this wonderful piece of art.

Also featured at at the show and at the Museum will be special displays of Saratoga bottles and go withs from Northeast bottle collections.

When attending the show please take the time to check out the great displays!

Show Info

01 June 2013 (Saturday) Ballston Spa, New York – Annual Saratoga Bottle Show, Ballston Spa High School, 220 Ballston Avenue, Ballston Spa, New York 12020, Saturday, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm, No Early Admission, Set-up: Friday, 31 May, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm and Saturday, 01 June, 7:00 am to 9:00 am, Admission: $3.00 Adult, $1.00 Children under 12, National Bottle Museum, nationalbottlemuseum.org, Roy Topka, chairman, 4 Firestone Lane, Clifton Park, New York 12065, 518.779.1243, rmt556@yahoo.com

Posted in Advice, Art & Architecture, Bottle Shows, Mineral Water, Museums, News, Pottery, Stoneware | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Is it just a Duffy’s Pure Malt Whiskey bottle?

DuffysWindow

Is it Just a Duffy’s Pure Malt Whiskey Bottle?

02 May 2013 (R•111914)

DuffysMaltBaltoCropApple-Touch-IconAI realize that Duffy’s Pure Malt Whiskey is probably one of the most common bottles out there. I once received a requested ‘care box’ of bottles from my father sometime in the middle 1990s that contained a Duffy’s. You see, I had asked him for some of his ‘extra bottles’ to put in my windows. Obviously my pop was not going to give me a yellow Indian Queen or a cobalt blue embossed medicine just for filling a window. He did however include an amber Drakes Plantation Bitters and an amber Fish Bitters. Heck, I didn’t even know what a Bitters was at that time! That is another story though. Anyway, I still have the Duffy’s. It is pictured to the left and it even has the word ‘Baltimore’ (also comes with “Rochester”) embossed on it, my home town. Yes, common bottles like this can be cherished and important.

I put one of the advertisements below, the one titled “Four Million Cures” on the Peachridge facebook page yesterday prompting a number of responses such as:

“Years ago we dug 60 whole ones and uncounted broken ones in one hole. Someone sure liked it”– Randy Taylor

“Smashed hundreds of these as a kid” – Chris Nichols

“Have a pint …a half.. and a mini. thought they weren’t worth a sh**. My daddys stuff. … priceless to me” – Steven Harris

DuffysPin

The Most Preposterous Medicine Ads Ever?

I just love the Duffy’s advertisement below and some of the claims. How in the world were they getting away with this, using a Malt Whiskey as a medicine? I also think they were stretching it a little when they say they have cured four million people of disease. I mean the ad says 3,986, 721. Ha, they are exaggerating! Also, who was counting and how was it recorded? This is precisely why I love this hobby so much!

“Four Million Cures”

“Grip Death Rate Lowered by 40%”

“Vigorous at 119 Years of Age”

“Smart at 102 Years of Age”

DuffyMaltWhiskeyAd

Advertisement Atlanta, Georgia 1901for Duffy’s Pure Malt Whiskey. Making the most outlandish claims. By the way, ‘No Fusel Oil” basically means “No bad alcohol”.

The Most Powerful Man in World

The advertisement below is great. This guy looks like some deformed mutant though “he owes his Strength and Health to Duffy’s Pure Malt Whiskey”

“It is a Form of Food Already Digested”

whattttt?

“Keeps the Old Young – The Young Strong”

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Duffy’s “Most Powerful Man in the World” advertisement – Washington Post – 05 June 1905

“Did a Medicine Bottle Change History”

There is an abundance of material already written about this brand and I really do not want to go there. I do however, want to point out that Jack E. Fincham has a brief and really nice Duffy’s article in the May | June 2013 issue of the FOHBC Bottles and Extras. Ordinarily I would not provide an article ‘free for perusal, certainly from a current issue, but I will make an exception in this case. I am so pleased with the great writers and articles that are in the new and improved Bottles and Extras. Please consider subscribing if you haven’t already. Read Article

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“Did a Medicine Bottle Change History” article by Jack E. Fincham in the May | June 2013 issue of the FOHBC Bottles and Extras

Some Great Bottles

DuffyBunch

Lot Of Five “The Duffy Malt Whiskey Company / Rochester, N.Y. U.S.A.” Bottles, America, 1870-1890. Cylindrical, shades of bright amber, tooled sloping collared mouths – smooth bases, four are embossed “Patd. Aug 24 / 1886”, ht. 3 7/8 inches, 6 inches, 6 7/8 inches, 8 1/4 inches and 10 1/8 inches. Two have original labels. Fine condition. Estimate: $200 – $400 Minimum bid: $100 – Heckler Auctions

DuffyTrio

Lot Of Three “The Duffy Malt Whiskey Company” Bottles, America, 1870-1890. Cylindrical, golden amber, yellow amber and yellow olive, applied and tooled sloping collared mouths – smooth bases, ht. 10 inches, 10 1/8 inches and 10 1/4 inches; (one has 1/2 inch scratch with 1/16 inch flake, as well as 1/8 inch surface chip). Two bottles have “Rochester” embossing, one has “Baltimore” embossing. One retains original label. Fine condition. – Heckler Auctions

Other Interesting Material

Duffys Pure Malt Whiskey -1914A

Later “Spring Time is Tonic Time” Duffy’s Pure Malt Whiskey -1914 advertisement -02 May 1914 issue of Judge

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Duffy’s Pure Malt Whiskey self framed tin sign. Depicts chemist at work. Chas. W. Shonk Litho Co. Chicago – icollector.com

Posted in Facebook, History, Liquor Merchant, Medicines & Cures, Peachridge Glass, Questions, Whiskey | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Burnham’s Timber Bitters or just Timber Bitters?

BurnhamsTimberBitters

Burnham’s Timber Bitters or just Timber Bitters?

01 May 2013 (R•050914) (R•060214)

Apple-Touch-IconAHere is another oddball Bitters that surfaced yesterday when Brian Wolff was doing some online research for M.S. James’ Family Bitters. He came across the labeled Burnham’s Timber Bitters on an antique web site (Lake County Antiques) in New Jersey. Unfortunately the label is in pretty bad shape. A quick look around, provided for quite a few large rectangle advertisements for Timber Bitters in far upstate New York (Watertown, ChateaugayAltamont etc). Interesting that the Burnham name is absent (or is it). The upstate ads are a real clue as to this products origin.

TimberBittersAd - Watertown-Herald - 1894

Timber Bitters advertisement noting a Dr. J.H. Burnham (I missed this the first time reading through the fine print) – Watertown (NY) Herald – 1894

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Timber Bitters advertisement – Chateaugay (NY) Record – 1894

It looks like we have another unlisted Bitters that will require a number from Bill Ham for the next Bitters Bottles Supplement. Should it be a “T” listing for “Timber” or a “B” listing for Burnham’s? That is the question.

B 273 Burnhams box

Black & white image of Dr. Burnham’s Timber Bitters – image from Bitters Bottles

***Update 2:30 p CST. Bill Ham responds…

B 273 L . . . “Dr. Burnham’s Timber Bitters”
Label indicates “Prepared by the Burnham Medicine Co. 710 Broadway, Albany, N.Y.”

There is a picture of the label which I suspect is the front label, and the one pictured on the bottle is probably the rear label.


Elmer S. Burnham (The Red Herring)

(Burnham Primary Suspect #1)

If you look closely at the label on the bottle, you can barely make out Burnham Medicine Co. (something) N.Y. At first I thought we are probably talking about a major merchant during this time period named Elmer S. Burnham. The obvious problem here is, why would a grocer in New York City be advertising in the much smaller upstate New York newspapers and not locally.

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Faded wall graphics for Elmer S. Burnham’s Beef Wine Iron? Clams?, 53-61 Gansevoort St., New York, 2000 – waltergrutchfield.net/burnham.htm

From the New York Times, 6 Jan. 1941, “East Orange, N. J., Jan. 5 – Elmer S. Burnham, founder and retired president of the E. S. Burnham Packing Company of New York, which he established in 1890, died here last night at his residence, 67 Watson Avenue, after a short illness. Born in Deerfield, Mich., 87 years ago, he was a grain broker in Chicago before entering the packing business. A son, S. M. Burnham, lives in Florida.” The subject of this notice was Elmer S. Burnham (1855-1941).

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E. S. Burnham Company Grocers and Druggists Specialities billhead New York – Flatwater Agency Paper and Collectibles

Burnham’s in New York began as E. S. Burnham Co. Manufacturers Grocers’ Specialties at 120 Gansevoort St. around 1894, and moved to 53-61 Gansevoort in 1897. They were located here until 1929. Their products were groceries, produce, and druggist sundries. Apparently the sundries included medicinal tonics and extracts, as well as clam bouillon.

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New York City  – Use Burnham’s Beef Iron & Wine {small} Burnham’s dose glass

The Gansevoort Market Historic District Designation Report (New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, 2003, pg. 167) describes. “the unusual flatiron-shaped store-and-loft building at 53-61 Gansevoort Street (1887, Dunn), which housed E. S. Burnham & Co., clam canners.” The report gives the following information on Burnham: “E.S. Burnham & Co. / E.S. Burnham Packing Co., canned goods and, later, druggist sundries, remained in this location until around 1929. Elmer S. Burnham (c. 1854-1941), born in Michigan, began as a grain broker in Chicago prior to establishing his packing business. Among Burnham’s products were clam chowder and clam bouillon. From 1905 to 1929, the E.S. Burnham Packing Co. operated a clam cannery on Marco Island, Florida.”

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Liebig’s Beef Iron and Wine advertisement – American Druggist

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Burnham’s “Hasty Jellycon” advertisement – Ticonderoga Sentinel-1898. This was another Burnham product which was a forerunner to today’s jello, a powdered dessert gelatin called Hasty Jellycon.

{above paragraphs from waltergrutchfield.net/burnham.htm}


Charles Burnham (Dead End)

(Burnham Suspect #2)

Then I thought we might be talking about Charles Burnham as there are a number of listings for a Pharmacist named Charles Burnham in New York City around 1886. I believe he might be the father of the famous NY architect, Daniel Hudson Burnham. His father was listed as a rather unsuccessful Physician.

BurnhamListings(2)

Charles Burnham listing in New York City (actually two different Burnham listings)


Burnham’s Pharmacy (Wrong Direction)

(Burnham Suspect #3)

Simply a wrong turn finding a peculiar product for Crude Petroleum.

BurnhamsPharmacyBoston

A neat bottle with a Burnham’s Pharmacy Boston label for CRUDE PETROLEUM. Now why would anybody need this?


The Burnham Medicine Co. – Albany, New York

(Suspect #4 – Prime Suspect)

BurnhamsLabelMarked

The key here is realizing that this must be an “A” for Albany, New York

Cracking this case involved looking at the torn label more closely and the missing city name in the above picture and realizing this was not New York City but probably Albany, New York on the label. That would explain Timber Bitters being advertised in Watertown, Chateaugay and Altamont which is in the orbit and reach of Albany. When I googled Burnham Medicine Company in Albany, I found the listing below for the Burnham Medicine Co, 710 Broadway in Albany, NY. This is where I am today. Not many directions left. I still can not make a definitive tie to Timber Bitters to Burnham Medicine Company.

NYalbany-broadway

Broadway looking North from State Street, Albany, New York

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Listing below for the Burnham Medicine Co, 710 Broadway in Albany, NY. – 1902

Updated with incoming advertisement provided by Brian Wolff. Looks like we are talking about a Dr. J.H. Burnham.

BurnhamAd

Advertisement with the “Purify the Blood” header that ties back to the square Timber Bitters ads at the top of the post. Dr. J.H. Burnham and Timber Bitters noted. – The Otsego Farmer, Cooperstown, NY Jan. 3, 1896

Update: Timber Bitters is listed as being made by company #361 in The Pharmaceutical Era, Volume 27 (1902). Company #361 is the Burnham Medicine Company of Albany, New York. They may have been located elsewhere. There is an article about the company’s annual meeting in a 1894 edition of the Warrensburg, New York newspaper, indicating at that time it was located in Fort Edward, and that the company’s president was J. H. Durkee, with Dr. J. H. Burnham listed as “assistant secretary”.

Posted in Bitters, Depression Glass, Digging and Finding, History | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mailbox Letters – May 2013

www.studiomathewes.com

Apple-Touch-IconAPlease feel free to send any antique bottle or glass questions to ferdinand@peachridgeglass.com. The information will be posted if relevant or of interest to the readers. I will try to answer or wait for another reader to respond. Quality images are very important. Thanks! If you want to see previous questions,go to “Mailbox Letters” in “Categories” on the right column of each page.


Pale Yellow Morning Star Bitters

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAI have the same exact Morning Star Bitters bottle as shown in your post. I am interested in selling it..where can I go to sell it? sorry, I am new to this. Lynn

“The bottle is in excellent shape. The bottle was found in the ground by a plumber locally on the eastern shore of maryland. My husband and his friend cleaned out the widow’s garage and found the bottle. We have had the bottle probably 40 years and I had it in a drawer because of young children then grandchildren. Recently I decided to find out what it is worth and sell it. I thought it was a shame to keep it in the drawer.”

Read: Looking at the Morning Star Bitters – Baltimore

See: Pic 2, Pic 3, Pic 4


YOUNGBLOOD Soda Water Bottle

YoungbloodSoda_Daniel

Hello Sir, my name is Daniel and I have been collecting bottles for a few years now. I have recently acquired a very nice blob top bottle that is greenish and says YOUNG.BLOOD (see above) in big lettering around the bottle. I can’t find a picture or any information about the bottle. If you know any history or value of the bottle I would highly appreciate it. Thank you,

Daniel Zern

Read Post: Jacob Youngblood and the Bernhard Soda Water Apparatus


Mrs S. A. Allen’s World’s Hair Restorer Display

AllenDisplay

Hi. Ferdinand –

I received an e-mail from a gentleman from Spain recently wanting to sell a Mrs Allen’s Hair Restorer advertising display (see above). I have attached a photo of this rare item. If anybody is interested in purchasing this item e-mail me at bottlepickers@bottlepickers.com. I will forward the information.

Frank Wicker
www. Bottlepickers

Read More: Mrs. S. A. Allen’s Worlds Hair Restorer Display…and some more


Sarony, Major & Knapp Question

T39 12930o Major Knapp stamp T39 12930r Major Knapp stamp

Dear Mr Meyer, I read your article about The great work of Sarony, Major & Knapp Lithographer – New York. I am an Italian collector of Cofederate paper money; recently I found, on the back of a 100$ 1862 note a stamp “Major Knapp”, attached. These stamp were used during the Civil War or military agents to issue the note for interest calculations (these notes bear a 7,30% interest per year), while after the was the stamps were used only as advertising notes, since the Confederate money was worthless.

My question for you is: have you ever seen a similar stamp in your study about Major & Knapp? In case could you suggest me someone to talk to about this argument?

Thanks a lot, my best regards,

Enrico Aidala

Read: The great work of Sarony, Major & Knapp Lithographer – New York


Lash’s Bitters Funnel Find

LashesFunnel

Came across this in an antique shop in upstate NY. – Deborah Antonez


Deep Amber Drakes Bitters Bottle

SONY DSC

Hi, I’ve taken in a deep amber Drakes bitters bottle. It measures only 9 ∏” high, and is 3” square. It seems to be your variant D-105 with respect to markings and configuration. The size seems a bit off, any thoughts? Thanks for any input. William Bunch
William Bunch Auctions & Appraisals, LLC

PRG: William, This bottle was produced in the millions with msmt variations. This is a common color. Looks like a fine example and pics. What is cool is how black the bottle is. That is more important in this case. Let me know if you put it on ebay or want to sell.


Found: Wm Radam’s Microbe Killer jug

RadamsJug1

Hi, My name is Keri R., my husband found this jug Wm Radam’s Microbe Killer Co, with the lettering inscribed not stamped. I can not find one that looks like it on the web, can you tell me a little more about it and how much it is worth. Please and thank you.

Read: From Texas – Wm. Radam’s Microbe Killer

Read: Wm. Radam’s Microbe Killer ~ Dec. 13th, 1887

PRG: In that condition 40.00+ range would be fair (from Rick DeMarsh]


Schram Automatic Sealer

Found several quart looking jars (clear) (almost 7″ high) while cleaning out my parents house. They say “Schram Automatic Sealer” on them, All script lettering (no flag) and just a #9 or 6 on the bottom, nothing else. If you wouldn’t mind sharing some info with me: what year approx are these from, and are they rare?

Thanks for your time. – Kathryn F.

From Greg Spurgeon at North American Glass: There are several versions of the jar all in various sizes, and all machine-made in the early 20th century in various plant locations including Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, as well as in Quebec and Ontario, Canada. In the mid 1920’s the Schram Glass Co was bought out by the Ball Bros, and within a few years this brand was no longer made. All varieties are very common with low monetary value.


Penny Postcards

ArcherCityTxCard

Hello Ferdinand, Came across this website. Thought something similar could work for bottles. Such as, select your state and see all the bottles that came from there. What do you think? Joe (Gourd) Visit Penny Postcards


The Medicine Chest – Looking for Savannah Information

Hello, Do you have any information on an early Savannah book titled “The Medicine Chest” by Dr George Harral? Joey W.

Drugs&Pharmacy

PRG: Searching online I find: Drugs and Pharmacy in the Life of Georgia, 1733-1959 By Robert Cumming Wilson

Joey: I bought that book last week..Its a good resource. The last and only G Harral bottle from Savannah sold for $12,000.00.

Read: Charles Matzen Near to His Goal : Completing Savannah Collection by Bill Baab


May 25th Beer Tour

Pearl_Street_Grill_and_Brewery

Attached is a flyer for a Buffalo Beer Tour on Saturday May 25th by Pete Jablonski. Tickets are $40. Contact information for tickets is on the flyer. Thanks. Joe Guerra. See Flyer


Cooley’s Bitters Question

Cooley'sArt

Hello: First of all, sorry for my English. I am a historian of the Republic Argentina. I (am)  seeking information about Cooley’s bitter(s). I need to know if Dr Cooley’ bitters were prepared based on orange or orange peel. I work on the period 1850/ 1860. Could you help me? Thank you. Guillermo Alfieri.

Read More: Is the Cooley’s Anti Dispeptic Bitters our oldest Bitters?


Posted in Advice, Bitters, Mailbox Letters, Questions | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Daily Dose – May 2013

M a y   2 0 1 3

Some ramblings and thoughts.

Friday, 31 May 2013

Catching a bird out of Louisville in an hour or so. Been out all week. Looking forward to going home and seeing my wife, dogs and bottles. Lots of work recently getting the next Bottles and Extras ready for the July | August issue. Also working on some components with Michael George on the Manchester Show program. Mike has really designed a great one.

milkglass

Make sure you check out the Gary Katzen Milk Glass post. Not sure where milk glass got its name.

Wednesday, 29 May 2013

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Hey, check out this monster pontil and yellow color on this Morning Star Bitters. This puppy is for sale. From the owner…

“The bottle is in excellent shape. The bottle was found in the ground by a plumber locally on the eastern shore of Maryland. My husband and his friend cleaned out the widow’s garage and found the bottle. We have had the bottle probably 40 years and I had it in a drawer because of young children then grandchildren. Recently I decided to find out what it is worth and sell it. I thought it was a shame to keep it in the drawer.”

Read: Mailbox Letters – May 2013

Read: Looking at the Morning Star Bitters – Baltimore

 

Monday, 27 May 2013 – Memorial Day

memorial-day-children

Remembering our fallen heroes from the Civil War on.

TurnerBrosBuildingBuffaloNY

Niagara Street, between Virginia and Carolina, the Turner Bros building (originally built as a sarsaparilla, gingers and bitters manufacturer in 1852) – Buffalo Rising

Updates on the Turner Brothers Barrel post and new material from Bill Ham on a short Turner Brothers barrel.

Sunday, 26 May 2013

Gayen_A_FT

It is nice to put to bed the origin of the J. T. GAYEN, ALTONA figural cannon bottle. Jan Tecker Gayen, of Danish blood, lived in Altona, Hamburg, Germany and sold spirits world wide.

Read: Figural Cannon Bottles – J T GAYEN / ALTONA

Read: Looking at some J.T. Gayen Bottles

Saturday, 25 May 2013

Sorry, been away on business all week. I guess I should call this Ever Other Day or So Daily Dose. Long three day Memorial Day weekend. Will be out on the tractor all day and later fill gravel pot holes in the driveway.

Been watching some dialog between Michael George, Maureen Crawford and Rick Ciralli regarding the New England Bottle Bottle and the Seminars at the 2013 FOHBC National Bottle Show in Manchester, NH. Seems like they are getting the nine judges lined up for three bottle groups. All speakers have been lined up for some time.

Bernhard_Youngblood_art

Make sure you check out the BOARDMAN Soda and MRS. S.A. Allen’s posts.

MRSAllensPrint_LOC

Wednesday, 22 May 2013

AngeloGianelliPortrait

Had fun yesterday compiling available info on the Royal Italian Bitters. Again, there is so much more about each bottle than just the beauty and eye appeal. Angelo M. F. Gianelli (pictured above) was a remarkable person. More info was added late last night.

BurkhardtFeldmanns_8

Found this picture that I had forgotten about from when we were in Long Island assessing the Feldmann Collection. The picture above is Jeff Burkhardt inspecting a Carey’s Grecian Bend Bitters. See another picture of this extraordinary bottle.

ColdCreamofRosesPotLid_8

Lovin’ this pic of a Cold Cream of Roses in the current ABCR Auction. I get a icy, soothing feeling just looking at the graphics.

Tuesday, 21 May 2013

Up in the mountains of West Kentucky today. Wonder if that front that is spawning all of the tornado’s is headed this way. Terrible what happened in Moore, OK.

Here is an article on page 3 of Slug Plate that captures some of the insane activity on ebay caused by the Sheik from Qatar. Read

Monday, 20 May 2013

GayenShipWreck

Interesting bottle…Caribbean Sea Old J T Gayen Bottle Intl’ waters off Costa Rica 1800s Case Gin on ebay. Read More: Figural Cannon Bottles – J T GAYEN / ALTONA Read More: Looking at some J.T. Gayen Bottles

Saturday, 18 May 2013

Need some help determining if the Duncan Edwards Crown Bitters is English or American?

NationalBittersAd

This is the first National Bitters advertisement that I have found with an illustration. Found in the Tyrone Herald, Friday, July 16, 1869.

AugustaOnGlass

Still in Augusta. Headed home this afternoon. Miss my bottles. Had a nice dinner will Hall of Famer Bill Baab and his wonderful wife Bea the other night. Bill gave me a signed copy of Augusta on Glass which he authored.

Wednesday, 15 May 2013

BothCobaltPigs

Wow, how about all these finds of late? I suppose this has always happened and our tight-knit, online community and ability to get the news out amplifies the finds. It could be that more people are looking because of all the reality shows. I think you all will get a kick out of my piece on Collectors. I’m sure I looked and spoke like a fool. Both examples of the Duffy’s Crescent Saloon cobalt blue pigs are pictured above. Maybe Ralph bought the ebay version to corner the market, protect his investment. Yeh, and maybe I can win the lottery twice.

NightReflections

Bottles casting a shadow on Land Cruiser. Highly amplified contrast as it was midnight black outside. See the different rows?

Monday, 13 May 2013

Well, the crew from the television series ‘Collectors‘ finished up today. I have to say, I was very impressed with the team of eight that primarily came from Toronto. They were well organized, professional, courteous and respectful in our home. I really do hope this will help the hobby down the road. This was some experience!

RINGEDtrio

Yesterday I was comparing the Art Deco style of the Dew Drop Bitters, London Medicated and Chickahominy Bitters (pictured left to right above) to rocket ships in the old Jules Verne novels and early movies such as the George Melies movie, Le Voyage Dans La Lune (1902). I guess I let my imagination run away from me as this looks like a Barto’s Great Gun Bitters stuck in the cheese moon

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Even these early Deco renderings of the Chrysler building remind me of some of my bottles with their tops and indented panels.

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Sunday, 12 May 2013

Travellers_AGGLot129

Nice to sit back and look at the strength of the Franklin and Dyott embossings on the GI-94 thru GI-98 flasks. Lovin’ that Traveller’s Bitters in that American Glass Gallery Auction #10Read More: Travellers Bitters Travels from Baltimore to Carmel

Saturday, 11 May 2013

SwainsBourbon_ebayNice example of a Swain’s Bourbon Bitters on ebay. Further evidence of a healthy and robust Bitters market, particularly with squares. Read: Swain’s Bourbon Bitters – A Strong Square

Television crew arrives here shortly. Been clean like crazy. Wife and granddaughter headed out of dodge to horse events. Just me and my grandson.

Friday, 10 May 2013

Apple-Touch-IconAGotta clean my bottles today. I’ve said this before. Kinda like painting the Golden Gate Bridge. Once you finish on one end, it is time to start again on the other. Full television crew from Toronto arrives 8:30 AM tomorrow for a full day of shooting that will end mid day Monday. Bottles have to look purdy. Yes I am probably crazy.

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Make sure you go back and see the Dyott Manual Labor Note that was added to the recent Dyott ‘singing’ post. Eric Richter adds…

I hope most folks can see why this note is referred to as an “Elvis Note.” Note the worker rolling glass on the marver in the white jumpsuit who looks almost identical to the 1970’s version of Elvis Presley. How could they know in the 1830’s that they were creating an almost perfect portrait of a 1970’s Elvis? Very amusing.

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Wednesday, 08 May 2013

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Congrats to Tim Henson“Picked up an extremely rare Theller’s Stomach Bitters today out of a very old private collection. This is the only one I have ever seen or heard of other than a listing for it in the Ring/Ham.”

Read More: Labeled Theller’s Bitters Lady’s Leg – New York

Tuesday, 07 May 2013

Off to Louisville here shortly. A couple of items….

Anybody watching the “ebay Soda Bottle Price PHENOMENA”? Seems like something interesting is happening with a mystery buyer. That’s all I’ll say now.

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Fellow collectors; Just a quick advance heads up to let you know that the Spring list is about ready. I’ve gone through the shelves and stored away boxes of my personal duplicates and pulled a number of nice pieces. We also picked up a couple cases of better items on consignment and purchased a small collection that contained a number of examples that have not been publicly offered (nor seen) in years.

As many of you know, we suffered the straw that broke the camels back in terms of a complete computer system failure (it “bricked”) in March, and were forced to rebuild everything in terms of contacts and addresses from scratch. Please, take a moment and reply to this email with your current mailing address. We’ll be sending out the lists via USPS as soon as we get our database rebuilt.

As always, we wish you all the best of luck with your collecting endeavors. Keep in touch~

Bruce Silva (Western Whiskey Tool Top Gazette)

millerstrio 004

Hello All, 

I trust that everyone is having a great Spring, and if you are digging, that there have been some nice finds!

I also wanted to let you know that after a while of not listing any new items on oregontrailantiquebottles.com we are starting to receive a few quality items which will be listed in the near future. I do have a couple high quality western whiskies on the site today ( refresh your browser to see them), and there are more nice bottles on the way!

As always, if you have an item of high quality, or several choice pieces, I would be happy to list them for you for only 5% of the actual selling price. As always, there is no buyer’s premium, and the selling price is agreed upon by YOU. I handle everything including photographing, listing, communicating with multiple interested parties, packaging, shipping, and the financial details. Our success has been excellent with 89% of listed items selling for strong, and record prices. For 5% how can you go wrong?

Please check in on the website for some great upcoming bottles from the old west!

See you all in Reno!

Dale Mlasko
Oregontrailantiquebottles.com

Monday, 06 May 2013

PRG to Marianne Dow: Looks like you solved it! Bravo. This would be for the extremely rare THE INDIAN HERB BITTERS aka ‘Kansas City Queen’ PREPARED BY DRS DICKERSON & STARK. PRG: See advertisement un Sunday, 05 May 2013. Clipping from American Agriculturist, Volume 38; Volume 1879.

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Sunday, 05 May 2013

CincoDeMayoART

DelocheClip

This is a bit grim but I am looking for any bottles or material for a Lewis Deloche, druggist, New Orleans.

Simeon F. Boy C. – 10 years – N.O. La – cor. Dumain (sic) & Bourbon Sts. Killed by having his head crushed by the flywheel of a force pump used for making mineral water at the establishment of L. Deloche. The boy sliped (sic) and fell with his head in the wheel while it was revolving crushing his scull (sic) and right arm. Entirely accidental.

New Orleans August 6th, 1863

IndianHerbBittersAd

Can anyone make out or tell me the balance of the copy on this advertisement? Click to enlarge. Is it for the Dickerson & Stark ‘Kansas City Queen’, the E. Long Queen or the Brown’s Indian Queen? Or maybe something else?

Read: The Indian Herb Bitters Prepared by Drs Dickerson & Stark

Read: E. Longs Indian Herb Bitters

Read: Looking closer at the Brown’s Celebrated Indian Herb Bitters

Friday, 03 May 2013

DrWeedAd_Albany1871

Record cold temperatures here in Houston today. Odd for May. April much cooler than usual too. Just love the advertising for Duffy’s Pure Malt Whiskey. Not feeling good? You could always visit Dr. Weed. Lots of these docs set up in San Francisco and Denver now. The Dr. Weed occurred in an Albany NY newspaper in 1871.

Wednesday, 01 May 2013

MarkVuonoPose

Love that picture of Mark Vuono yesterday for the banquet promotion for for the 2013 FOHBC Manchester National. Those are some monster historical flaskson those shelves. The back lights in his cabinet are turned off.

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Wine of Coca advertisement – 1886

Humorous advertisement from The Medical Directory of New York City in 1886. Especially the “A Quick and Very Diffusible Stimulant and Tonic”. Too much! Added to Cocaine post. From Caswell, Hazard & Co. your friendly “Family Chemists”!

Posted in Advertising, Advice, Bitters, Daily Dose, News, Questions | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Flashback: The Similarity Between Ancient and Early American Glass

twobarrelbottles

Interesting article at Collectors Weekly. This article, written by the then-Associate Curator of the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, notes the Egyptian influence on ancient glass (especially in Rome), the origins of blown and pressed glass, and the similarities between ancient Egyptian glass and more modern American styles. It originally appeared in the August 1942 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and served antique collectors and dealers. READ

Posted in Ancient Glass, Article Publications, Figural Bottles, History, Museums | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The XR Dr. Kreitzer’s German Stomach Bitters – Philadelphia

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The XR Dr. Kreitzer’s German Stomach Bitters – Philadelphia

28 April 2013 (R•092018)

Apple-Touch-IconAThis extremely rare Bitters bottle sold on ebay last night. This listing is noted below. See Listing on ebay. As usual, I wanted to find out why this bottle was so rare and who was Dr. Kreitzer?

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ebaylogoHere’s a nice old bitters bottle. Hand finished, smooth base, about 7 1/4″ tall, embossed DR. M. C. KREITZER’S / GERMAN / STOMACH BITTERS // DYSPEPSIA & C // 1536 N. 4TH ST. / PHILADELPHIA // LIVER COMPLAINT“. Looks very similar to the much more common Dr. Hoofland’s Bitters, perhaps this was an unsuccessful competitor. Very good condition, a few light scratches on one edge, light internal content haze. An amazingly lightweight (only 6 oz.), thin delicate bottle, a skilled glassblower made this one – a medicine this size usually weighs twice as much. Good crudeness with a funky light aqua color. A hard to find old Pennsylvania bitters! – ratzilla (100% Positive Feedback)

The Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham listing in Bitters Bottles is as follows:

K 79  DR. KREITZER’S GERMAN STOMACH BITTERS
DR. M. C. KREITZER’S / GERMAN / STOMACH BITTERS // DYSPEPSIA & C // 1536 (not 1556) N. 4th ST. / PHILADELPHIA // LIVER COMPLAINT //
7 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 1 3/4 (5) 1/4
Rectangular, Aqua, LTC, 4 sp, Extremely rare
Example Dug in Northfield, N.J.

The Kreitzer’s and Gold Mining

GoldMiningPA

Dr. M.C. Kreitzer secretly involved in gold mining. Gold Mining in Pennsylvania. – New York Times – April 25, 1883

JeffersonMedCollegeCover_48-9

Dr. M.C. Kreitzer graduated from the Jefferson Medical College in 1848-49. The is a portion of the catalog cover.

Dr. M. C. Kreitzer

he established himself in business as a druggist and physician

Dr. Michael C. Kreitzer was born on 14 November 1826 in Myerstown, Pennsylvania. His wife was named Mary and his father was from Germany. His death occurred on 24 September 1903 and he is buried in Myerstown, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Kreitzer was educated at Myerstown Academy and at Yale University. He graduated from Jefferson Medical College (as in Thomas Jefferson) in 1848-1849. The same year he established himself in business as a druggist and physician at 1536 North 4th Street (embossed on bottle), and continued in active practice at that address until his death. There is also a Harry C. Kreitzer living at the same address with Michael C. Kreitzer in 1891. A John A. Kreitzer graduated from the Jefferson Medical College in 1870-1871.

“On the Market Nearly 70 Years”

It looks like W.C. Power & Company was pushing the Kreitzer line at the same 1536 N. 4th Street address in 1912 stating “On the Market Nearly 70 Years” in advertising material. That pretty much confirms that Dr. Michael C. Kreitzer started selling his medicines upon graduation or sooner from Jefferson Medical College in 1848-49.

As far as Michael C. Kreitzer being involved in gold mining in Pennsylvania, who knows? That New York Times article in 1883 is sure interesting. You would think Kreitzer would keep moving up in life and closer to the city center. It is telling that he practiced at the same address his entire life in North Philadelphia.

KreitzerART

283. “DR. M.C. KREITZERS / GERMAN / STOMACH BITTERS – LIVER COMPLAINT – DYSPEPSIA & C. – 1536 N. 4TH. ST. / PHILADELPHIA”, (Ring/Ham, K-79), Pennsylvania, ca 1880 – 1890, aqua, 7 5/8”h, smooth base, tooled lip. An area of light scratches and glass dullness is on a base corner. Extremely rare having no auction record! Larry Umbreit Collection. – Glass Works Auctions | Auction #124

Support Material

KreitzerMap

Dr. Michael C. Kreitzer practiced his entire medical career at 1536 N. 4th Street. Map is from 1896

Kreitzer_1859Listing

1859 Philadelphia Directory listing for Dr. Michael C. Kreitzer, M.D., 1536 N. 4th Street

KreitzerAddresses

Both M.C. Kreitzer and H.C. Kreitzer listed as living on Franklin Street. – Boyd’s Blue Book: A Directory from Selected Streets of Philadelphia – 1891

KreitzerList1912

“On the Market Nearly 70 Years” – List of Dr. Kreitzer products – Druggists Circular, Volume 62 – 1912

Dr. M.C. Kreitzer'sSalveAd

Dr. M.C. Kreitzer’s Celebrated Salve avertisement – The Pharmaceutical Era, Volume 45 – 1912

Michael_C_Kreitzer_Obit

Dr. Michael C. Kreitzer Obituary – The Druggists’ Circular and Chemical Gazette, Volume 47 – 1903

KreitzerDeath

Dr. Kreitzer Death Notice – American Druggist and Pharmaceutical Record, Volume 43 – 1903

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Posted in Bitters, Druggist & Drugstore, eBay, History, Medicines & Cures | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What’s the Attraction for You at National Federation Shows?

Reno_HereTheyCome

What’s the Attraction for You at National Federation Shows?

By Bill Baab

Why are you here? That’s an easy question, but the answer may not be. You might be here because of a chance to buy quality bottles for your collection. Or you might be here to visit with friends. Or it may be a combination of both answers, with a few personal reasons thrown in. Whatever the reason, the facts remain that you are happy to be here, and you plan to make the most of it.

Before 1976 when the Federation of Historical Bottle Clubs (as it was then known) held its first national show in St. Louis, antique bottle shows were strictly local or regional, attended mostly by collectors and members of the curious public who resided within those locales.

The National Antique Bottle-Jar Exposition held Aug. 14-15, 1976 during our nation’s Bicentennial celebration changed all of that, especially from a collector’s perspective.

“I wasn’t exactly a stranger at bottle shows when the St. Louis show was scheduled, but I’d never traveled so far,” said FOHBC member Tom Hicks, of Eatonton, Ga. “LeRoy Smith (a collector from Union Point, Ga.) and I got so excited because the show was going to be s-o-o-o big. We got to calculating just how many minutes we could spend at each table so we could see everything.” Hicks has attended every national federation show since except Nashville, Tenn. “We had our van all packed and pointed out at the road, ready to go to Nashville, when I came down with a case of kidney stones. I later told my wife, Mabel, that missing that show was worse than the stones and ranked right up there with the other major disappointment of my life — not seeing Boston Red Sox slugger Ted Williams play an exhibition game in Montgomery, Alabama.” Presumably Hicks and his friend found the time to visit all 280 sales tables in St. Louis. Let’s go back in time and check out all the shows leading up to this one. It’s made possible thanks to pages of past issues of Old Bottle Magazine, Bottle News, Antique Bottle World, Antique Bottle & Glass Collector and Bottles & Extras.

The 1976 National Antique Bottle & Jar Exposition – St. Louis, Missouri

There is no doubt this show set the standards for those to follow. There were 140 outstanding displays of bottles and fruit jars, many of which had never been in the public view; 280 sales tables, and 4,000 collectors. Hal Wagner was chairman and Jerry Jones co-chairman of the event. The program featured articles by some of the legends of the hobby, including Helen McKearin, Alice Creswick, George Herron, William E. Covill Jr., Dr. Cecil Munsey, Dick Roller, John Wolf and Paul Ballentine. Ken and Shirley Asher, Old Bottle Magazine publishers, devoted 17 pages to photos of the displays, unfortunately, all in black and white, because color was expensive to print back in those days. There was a surprise awaiting visitors – a commemorative Expo bottle in the shape of a scroll flask with the federation’s distinctive eagle on one side and crossed flags on the other. How many of these bottles sold during the Expo still exist?

The 1980 National Antique Bottle-Jar Exposition – Rosemont, Illinois

The St. Louis extravaganza was a tough act to follow, but show chairman Ken Sosnowski and co-chairman Jim Hall did their darndest and, in the opinions of those who were there, succeeded. There were 330 sales tables and 70 displays, the latter including a Hutchinson bottling display by Bob Harms and Sean Mullikin. Demonstrations on how Hutchinson bottles were actually filled were held every two hours. The 96-page program included articles by Betty Zumwalt, Bob Ferraro and Clevenger Glass Works’ Jim Travis, among others. Souvenirs included a commemorative paperweight to display owners, a miniature stoneware jug to those attending the banquet and suitably inscribed log cabin bottles in cobalt and amethyst made at the Clevenger factory and sold for $20 apiece.

1984 Antique Bottle, Jar & Insulator Exposition – Montgomery, Alabama

After the two previous shows were held in the Midwest, the Sunny South finally got a chance to shine and highlighted insulators on the cover of its 78-page program. Chairman James Robbins called the show “my dream come true.” Feature articles were written by Bernie Puckhaber (Saratogas), Dick Bowman (Insulators) and Dennis Smith (Pioneer Glass Works), among others. The latter also found time to put together an outstanding exhibit on Celery Cola (on which he is still THE authority). There were 32 exhibitors and 204 dealers listed in the program. There also was a heat wave as one might expect in the Deep South during the August show dates so visitors and hosts alike built up lots of sweat equity. One specially made quilt was raffled (and brought $3,400) and the other was auctioned (for $1,600). Profits from the two plus auction of a one-of-a-kind Federation bottle ($325) were donated to the Verbeck House/National Bottle Museum in Ballston Spa, N.Y.

1988 Antique Bottle & Jar Exposition – Las Vegas, Nevada

Show chairman Lou Pellegrini and his crew of volunteers “hit the jackpot,” according to comments from many of those who attended the Federation’s fourth Expo. There were 285 dealers set up on 365 tables and there were 53 displays. Show-goers likened the atmosphere as comparable to that of the St. Louis Expo and, while there were a few glitches, bulk of the comments was positive. Bob Harms had his traveling Hutchinson bottling machine there, while other displays ranged from Alex Kerr’s target balls and go-withs to a display of historical flasks. There was something to please just about everyone. There was no mention of Expo souvenirs.

1991 Bottle & Advertising Show – Memphis, Tennessee

Display of a pair of $40,000 bottles owned by Frank Brockman was one of the highlights of the show at the Memphis Cook Convention Center. One was the Northbend-Tippecanoe Cabin and the other the sapphire blue Columbia-Eagle Flask. “He brought them in from California at my request and we used them in our pre-show publicity,” said show chairman Gene Bradberry. “I borrowed the artwork for the full-color, slick paper flyer from Norm Heckler and used it with his permission. We had 200 sales tables and (Atlanta collector) Bob Simmons handled some great displays. Heckler, Jim Hagenbuch and Dick and Elma Watson were among well-known collectors in attendance.” Bradberry’s idea at the time was to create a national show every year. “There were still those who wanted an Expo every four years so we compromised and had the national shows every year between the Expos.”

1992 Antique Bottle & Jar Exposition – Toledo, Ohio

Show chairman Adam Koch and his Ohio Bottle Club volunteers had to get used to hearing exclamations of “Holy Toledo!” from excited visitors at the show at the Seagate Centre. Bulk of the comments from show-goers was highly positive. The program was the thickest ever, 110 pages counting the covers, with features by Ralph Finch, Bill Agee and Stanley and Isabel Sherwood. There were a bunch of specialty group meetings taking place, too – the Jelly Jammers and those who liked fruit jars, Saratoga Waters, painted label sodas, poisons, whimsies, glass knives, milk bottles and infant feeders. There was a chance for early buyers to get into the show in advance of the rest of the crowd and this did not sit well with many. But as one dealer among those manning a record 550 sales tables put it: “those people were there to buy and they did.” There were 60 displays, all outstanding.

1993 National Advertising & Bottle Show – Richmond, Virginia

Somewhere in the Federation board of directors records, there is mention of someone who probably was suffering from bottle show withdrawal pains suggesting that instead of waiting another four years for an Expo to roll around, why not hold annual national shows. This Virginia show was the first of many and it was a good one. “The show was great and went off without a hitch,” said Federation Chairman Gene Bradberry. There were 17 displays, including a genuine wagon showing off hundreds of medicine bottles and go-withs. Post-show stories never gave a dealer count, but comments given to reporter Ralph Finch were mostly on the positive side.

The 25th Anniversary National Bottle & Advertising Show & National Convention – Cherry Hill, New Jersey – June 22-26, 1994

The Federation was “born” in 1968 so the Silver Anniversary show was a special one, thanks to Dick and Elma Watson of New Jersey and Jerry McCann of Chicago. The Watsons had come up with the idea of a bus trip to Wheaton Village in Millville, N.J., and McCann got the ball (and the bus) rolling, according to a post-show article. The Federation rented the bus for $500 and each one who made the trip paid $10 that included the trip, admission to the museum and a box lunch. The next day, the Watsons arranged for a Wheaton glassblowing display to set up in the hotel parking lot. Collectors from Canada, England, Scotland, Germany, Grenada and the United States came to the show. Some of the visitors made it to the Watsons’ “bottle house.” Jon Panek of Deerfield, Ill., said his visit there “was like dying and going to heaven!”

1995 National Bottle Show – Chicago, Illinois

Dealers set up on 210 tables and there were 11 outstanding displays. Many visitors were able to take a Friday night cruise on the Chicago River and out into Lake Michigan. Jon Panek of Deerfield, Jerry McCann of Chicago and Barb and Bob Harms of Riverdale, Ill., came up with lots of neat extras not normally found at such shows. At previous shows, visitors lamented that two days were just too short. The complaints at this one were that the show was too long. Perhaps the 90-degree heat had something to do with that. One of the most unusual items sold during Jim Hagenbuch’s Glassworks Auction was a salt-glazed jug imprinted with Lancaster Tonic Bitters / C.A. Wood & Co. / 37 Haverhill St. / Boston. It sold for $400. Hagenbuch’s 3-day-old van was stolen, and that was bad enough, but happily there were no bottles inside.

1996 National Antique Bottle Exposition – Nashville, Tennessee

“Music City, USA,” attracted 665 sales tables staffed by 461 dealers and many of those in attendance came in a vacation mode. There were 45 displays. Bitters maven Carlyn Ring was named to the Federation Hall of Fame. Many visitors, among them non-smokers, enjoyed a trip to the Museum of Tobacco Art & History. Show chairman Claude Bellar and his staff of volunteers were lauded for their efforts. Norm Heckler conducted the auction and among noteworthy items were an 1820-30 Concentric Ring Flask that netted $20,000 and a cobalt Columbia Eagle Portrait Flask that garnered $21,000. There were no awards given for the displays, but each entrant received a commemorative bottle of Jack Daniel’s best stuff. Ken Anderson’s trailer, which held all of his Indian cures, go-withs and the great medicine wagon he displayed them in, escaped being damaged when the trailer broke loose from the hitch and wound up in a ditch. “It must have been Indian magic,” commented one observer.

1997 National Antique Bottle Show – Jacksonville, Florida

The show was smaller than usual, with 120 dealers manning 160 tables, but enthusiasm was high for the first show held in the South since the 1993 affair in Richmond, Va. Dick Watson and Doc Ford were inducted into the FOHBC Hall of Fame. Carl Sturm celebrated his birthday and a slice of key lime pie with one candle was delivered to him. There were several outstanding displays, ranging from Wayne Boynton’s Celery=Cola display to Ron Rasnake’s pictorial case gins to Joe Brock’s Jacksonville’s Past in Glass, among others. Another highlight was a dinner cruise up the St. Johns River.

1998 National Antique Bottle Show – Cincinnati, Ohio

Burton Spiller gave a nostalgic talk about the early days of bottle collecting as he remembered them and that was one of the highlights at the Cincinnati Convention Center. Another event was more personal for Spiller, who was inducted into the FOHBC Hall of Fame. Fifteen terrific displays attracted lots of attention. There were 160 dealers’ tables and at one of them, a dealer was going to put out some Beanie Babies. But show chairman Adam Koch was adamant that Beanie Babies had no place at an antique bottle show and sale. Good for him!

1999 National Antique Bottle Show – Cincinnati, Ohio

No one made a bid to play host to this year’s show, so Adam Koch & Co., agreed to do a 2-peat. Howard Dean, longtime collector of Saratoga Springs bottles and author of many stories relating to the bottle hobby, was elected to the FOHBC Hall of Fame during this meeting. Kevin Sives, an FOHBC member and early user of the Internet, gave a user-friendly talk about using that medium to one’s advantage. There were two programs on inks and labeled inks by Keith Leeders and John Hinkle, respectively.

2000 National Antique Bottle Exposition – Denver, Colorado

Dave Cheadle succeeded Dave Hinson as editor of Bottles & Extras and found time to give an educational talk on trade cards and bottles, one of the Rocky Mountain highs during the show. Sheryl Anderson was show chairman and did a remarkable job. There were new books galore from Pike’s Peak Gold by John Eatwell and David Clint III, Antique Glass Bottles by Willy Van den Bossche of Holland, and Bitters Bottles by Bill Ham and Carlyn Ring. Seven countries and 33 states were represented at the event and the federation picked up 60 new members, according to post-show reports. It was noted that the first FOHBC convention was held in Denver back in 1969, presided over by John Eatwell.

2001 National Antique Bottle Show & Sale – Muncie, Indiana

Thirteen exhibits featuring fruit jars, water bottles, poisons and show globes, among others, and 140 sales tables highlighted the show in “Fruit Jar Country, USA.” Future federation president Ralph Van Brocklin gave a slide presentation on Western Whiskey Flasks. The show was chaired by Norman Barnett, with lots of help from his wife, Junne. The federation made a nice profit via an auction conducted by Norm Heckler with lots ranging from inks to barber bottles. Collectors came from California, Colorado and Georgia. The Minnestrista Cultural Center housed a collection of patent models of fruit jars plus other exhibits relating to Muncie history and the Ball Brothers Fruit Jar Co. Visitors literally had a ball!

2002 National Antique Bottle Show & Sale – Syracuse, New York

The 72-page program features 16 pages of “Pride of New York” bottles in full color and is definitely a coveted collector’s item. Ralph Van Brocklin, who was elected FOHBC president, gave a seminar on Western Flasks, and George Waddy, a featured columnist in Antique Bottle & Glass Collector, gave one on Saratoga Bottles. There was more on Saratogas inside the program written by authority Howard Dean, while Kevin A. Sives wrote about New York glass houses of the 17th through 19th centuries. Elma Watson, John Eatwell and Mayor Bob Ferraro were inducted into the FOHBC Hall of Fame. Phyllis and Adam Koch wrote a touching tribute to Elma Watson in the September Bottles & Extras. Mrs. Watson died of cancer on Aug. 26, 2002. There were 252 sales tables and 29 exhibits and the show’s auction conducted by Norm Heckler grossed $25,000.

2003 National Antique Bottle Show & Sale – Louisville, Kentucky

More than 200 tables awaited early buyers at this show co-hosted by Wayne and June Lowry of Raymore, Mo., after two years of planning. Longtime collectors Norm and Junne Barnett were inducted into the Federation Hall of Fame. They set up their famous collection of unusual fruit jar closures as one of 16 educational exhibits. Orville Seals of North Jackson, Ohio displayed more than 100 Louisville mini jugs (mostly from the Bauer Pottery). Norm Heckler called the auction which grossed more than $30,000.

2004 National Antique Bottle Exposition – Memphis, Tennessee

Ralph Van Brocklin closed out his last term as FOHBC president with the triumph that was this Expo. Chaired by his friend and longtime federation member Gene Bradberry in the latter’s home town, the show featured 371 sales tables and 23 displays. Seminars included such topics as baby bottles, locating sites and digging them, black glass dating, fruit jars and bitters. Twelve authors got a chance to sign and sell their books. Jimmie Wood of Denver, N.C., was awarded the FOHBC People’s Choice ribbon for his stunning display of applied color label sodas from North and South Carolina. There also was a forum describing the trials and tribulations of becoming a book author, with Jack Sullivan, Dewey Heetderks, Jerry McCann, John Eatwell and Bill Ham chiming in.

2005 National Antique Bottle Show – Grand Rapids, Michigan

Thirty-one outstanding displays awaited visitors’ attention at the show where chairman John Pastor and his crew of volunteers did a marvelous job. Seminars were plentiful and first class, with Red Book author Doug Leybourne discoursing on fruit jar closures, Carl Sturm speaking about identification and dating of black glass bottles, Dann Louis talking about cures, Dan Simons on Michigan bottles, Wayne (Jar Doctor) Lowry about cleaning old bottles, Dr. Darell Erickson on infant feeders, Rick Cirali about Connecticut glass and Mark Vuono on historical flasks. Norm Heckler again loaned his auctioneering talents to the Federation. One of the outstanding bottles sold was a green Drake’s Plantation Bitters for $10,500.

2006 National Antique Bottle Show – Reno, Nevada

This was the first national show held in a Western state since the 2000 Expo in Denver, Colorado, and it was a roaring success, thanks to the efforts of FOHBC conventions director Wayne Lowry, show chairman Marty Hall and Reno-Sparks club members. There were 287 in line for early admission and 315 more for general admission, making for standing room only around the 266 sales tables. A significant piece of federation business was the approval to publish Bottles & Extras bi-monthly instead of quarterly. California collector Richard Siri was the keynote speaker and his discourse on Hostetter’s Bitters was complemented by his 190 variants of those well-known bottles. The displays drew this rave from Ralph Van Brocklin: “Hands down, THE BEST group of displays I have ever seen at a show!” Wonderful seminar topics ranging from target balls to historical bottle research were highlights of the meeting. B&E editor Kathy Hopson-Sathe gave the show coverage more than17 pages of the Fall issue and Van Brocklin did a masterful job of describing what went on.

2007 National Bottle Show – Collinsville, Illinois

“Back To Where It All Began” was the theme at Collinsville’s Gateway Center, pointing to the inaugural national show held in 1976 across the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. Special pins were presented to “Long Timers” who attended both shows. Wayne (Jar Doctor) Lowry was show chairman, with assists from Curt and Ellen Faulkenberry, Jim and Debbie Taylor and Pat Jett. Wayne’s wife, June, business manager for the federation, was stunned to receive the President’s Award from Carl Sturm. Seminars ranged from “Something for Everyone” by Jelly Jammer members Phyllis Pahlman and Margaret Shaw to “Chero-Cola – There’s None So Good” by Dennis Smith to “Using the Internet to Collect Bottles” by John “Digger” Odell to “Ink Symposium” by Keith Leeders, John Hinkel, Ed and Lucy Faulkner, Frank Starczek and Don Carroll. Longtime collectors and federation members Gene Bradberry and Ed Provine did a show and tell session on early glass-blowing methods and tools of that trade. Other highlights included 19 outstanding displays. Greg Hawley, one of a group of treasure hunters who found and excavated the Steamboat Arabia, was the banquet speaker.

2008 National Antique Bottle Exposition – York, Pennsylvania

Collectors from across the country and around the world (Australia, Germany, United Kingdom) made the trek to the ninth Federation Expo where they enjoyed seeing 32 terrific displays ranging from fruit jars to California perfumes. They also attended outstanding seminars on Saratoga waters, black glass, inks, the Lancaster, N.Y. Glass Works and the Kola Wars. Convention Director R. Wayne Lowry reported 415 sales tables had been sold. Perhaps the show’s only negative aspect came at the banquet where featured foods were in short supply and some of the 246 guests had to accept substitutes. The FOHBC Hall of Fame grew by four new inductees in Tom Caniff, Jim Hagenbuch, Carl Sturm and Betty Zumwalt. Steve Ketcham and the late Katie Foglesong were inducted onto the Honor Roll. Norm Heckler once again was the auctioneer for the Expo event, with an early, olive-green Wryghte’s Bitters / London the top lot with a $3,900 bid. Russ Smith of the United Kingdom and Rex and Joanna Barber of Australia penned views of the Expo from their perspectives in the November-December Bottles & Extras. Former FOHBC president John Pastor resigned as Midwest Region director and Jamie Houdeshell was named to take over the post. Mr. Pastor accepted the position of second vice president and remains on the board of directors. June Lowry became editor of B&E after Kathy Hopson-Sathe was forced to step down because of illness.

2009 National Antique Bottle Show – Pomona, California

Highlight of this show, host of which was the Los Angeles Historical Bottle Club, was the awards banquet during which many collectors received their just dues. It was the first Federation National Show to be held on the West Coast. Onlookers included collectors and dealers from Australia and England, as well as from 18 states. Outstanding exhibits included Richard Tucker’s historical flasks (winning the People’s Choice ribbon) and Terry Monteith’s well-displayed collection of demijohns and carboys captured the FOHBC Most Educational ribbon. Alan DeMaison received the President’s Award for his outstanding contributions as Federation treasurer from Richard Siri. The FOHBC Hall of Fame gained another member in Johnnie Fletcher of the Oklahoma Territory Bottle & Relic Club. Johnnie was originally nominated by his friend, Ed Stewart, of Paola, Kansas, for inclusion on the FOHBC Honor Roll. but Johnnie’s dedication and contributions to the hobby led board members to vote him into the main shrine. Midwest Region Editor Joe Coulson’s Glass Chatter of the Midwest Antique Fruit Jar & Bottle Club was a first-class winner in the newsletter category. The Ohio Swirl, edited by Phyllis Koch of The Ohio Bottle Club, was second. Huron Valley Antique Bottle Club’s show flyer was first and the Antique Bottle Club of San Diego placed second. Jack Sullivan, of Alexandria, Va., won for the best researched article for “The Night the Axe Fell on Cleveland.” Dave Maryo, the host club’s president, was second with his article, “Forsha’s Balm is Endorsed by President Lincoln.” Mike Bryant won the the best true story award for “The Snake in the Glass” and best fiction for “Ask Aunt Blabby.”

2010 National Antique Bottle Show – Wilmington, Ohio

Best thing about this show, those who attended would agree, was the Roberts Centre showroom with its well-lighted, wide aisles, offering plenty of room for 297 sales tables, 20 wonderful displays and hordes of people. Show chairman Jamie Houdeshell became ill a few days before the show, but co-chairman Joe Hardin and chief coordinator Patty Elwood stepped up. They were assisted by Jamie’s parents/ Jim and Mira Houdeshell, as well as Richard Elwood and John and Margie Bailey. Jamie’s pet project was the auction and, thanks to his early efforts. the event grossed just shy of $20,000. A highlight of the show was the induction of Scott Grandstaff and Kitty Roach, of Happy Camp, Calif., onto the FOHBC Honor Roll. Joining them was another Californian, Jeff Wichmann. Scott and Kitty founded the original Bottles and Extras magazine, eventually giving it to the Federation when it got too much for them. Sheldon Baugh gave an educational talk about Ohio’s Shaker communities and displayed Shaker bottles from his own collection.

2011 National Show – Memphis, Tennessee

FOHBC President Gene Bradberry played the perfect host as the Federation returned to the Southland for the first time since 2004. That show also was held in Memphis, known for its downtown trolley cars and barbecue. Second Vice President Ferdinand Meyer V outlined his progress on the FOHBC web site (FOHBC.org) and Virtual Museum during the semi-annual board meeting held prior to the show and sale. Seminars were held dealing with inks (John Hinkel), bitters (Meyer, Don Keating and Sheldon Baugh), odd-closured fruit jars (Dick Watson), German colognes (Carl Sturm) and applied color label sodas (Randee Kaiser). Seven outstanding displays sparked interest, with Base-Embossed Cylinder Whiskeys by Steve Schingler winning the Most Educational Award and Patented Labeled Medicines by Henry Tankersley garnering the People’s Choice Award. Ninety-one lots were offered during the FOHBC National Auction, with the highlight of the sale the Morning Call Bitters going for $5,460, which was $1,460 over the high estimate. The unique variant, light amber with a hint of olive in color, sports deeply indented panels and arched column corners. Another highlight was the induction of Bill Baab, of Augusta, Georgia, into the FOHBC Hall of Fame. Former Federation Treasurer Mike Newman, of Martinez, Ga., nominated the 76-year-old Baab, who joined the Federation in 1996 and later became its Southern Region editor.

2012 National Antique Bottle Exposition – Reno, Nevada

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 “Drakes, Whiskey & Umbrella Ink Shootout” where more than 200 people showed up. Competing in back-to-back-to-back “duels” were Circle Cutter Whiskey cylinders, Drakes 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. Drakes Judges Jeff Noordsy, Jeff Burchardt and Rick Simi picked a blue-green example owned by Ferdinand Meyer, 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. 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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