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www.fohbc.org January - February

U.S. Randy Weaver gave an most of the dealers look at the shows Northeast Regional News interesting program on Nurs- as a success based on the money Chris Davis er , from the 1700s they make, but the club should con- 522 Woodhill through the present, along sider shows a success when they’re Newark, NY 14513 with Invalid Feeders. He well attended and there are a lot of (315) 331-4078 also touched on Formulary people visiting and asking -re- [email protected] Bottles with their . In lated questions. Sales are nice, too, November, Ted Sobel spoke but we are charged as collectors and The Applied Lip about Ithaca Potteries. as a club with educating people on Finger Lakes Bottle Collectors the hobby and getting new people Association, Ithaca, N.Y. Bits and Pieces interested. This show always seems Check out the FLBCA website: Empire State Bottle Collectors to accomplish that objective.” www.fingerlakescollecting.org Association, Syracuse, N.Y. The Finger Lakes Bottle Club’s Charles Betts presented “Clyde Traveler’s Companion show was Oct. 2nd. It was held in Glass Works’ Products Other Than Greater Buffalo Bottle Collectors Dryden, N.Y., in a picturesque area Bottles.” Clyde is known for fruit Association, Buffalo, N.Y. east of Cayuga Lake. A fine array of , sodas, beers, and whiskey The October issue was a “Spe- dealers filled every part of the local flasks, but produced other glass cial Show Edition,” made available fire hall. Some dealers even filled up items toward the end of its history to all who attended the show held the vestibule with an assortment of in the 1900s, including pickle jars, Sept. 25th, as well as all the dealers. antiques. The show drew from sev- decanters and candlesticks. It has been traditional for the club to eral neighboring bottle clubs and Barry Haynes was the speaker in provide the enhanced and expanded Pennsylvania. One dealer came from October. He spoke on Oswego, N.Y. newsletter as part of the show ex- Florida, on his way to the Keene, Deep Rock Springs. His display of perience. Included in the pages, of N.H., show the following weekend. bottles was oustanding. November’s course, is information on how to Enthusiam ran high, even if the at- speaker was well known local col- join the club and a listing of some tendance was down some from last lector Ed Kantor on “Rare Syracuse of the benefits of being a member. year. The club display theme was Whiskey Flasks.” Many bore origi- The past meeting was illustrated “Bring Your own Great Bottle.” nal labels, which often did not with many photos of a typical meet- The “First Frost Flea Market” survive as long as the bottles and are ing: show & tells, displays, sales was held at the same location on therefore rare. tables, the speaker, and business Nov. 13th. It was a full show, with The annual Fall Show in Scriba meeting. Amazing what can go on 48 tables. The crowds were good, on Oct. 16th drew 174, with 48 ta- in a few short hours. That’s not to as this is a highly anticipated event bles. It was another sellout. The fall mention the networking and sharing every year. It seems free admission colors were brilliant and made for a of knowledge. Each newsletter also might help push the attendance up. nice drive for those who visited the has a page or two dedicated to busi- Variety is what this show offers. show. One out-of-state dealer did ness cards and ads, primarily for There are always plenty of bottles the show - Dave Olson, of Mass., wanted items. I think the club has a and jars, along with antiques, col- who brought several tables of high good idea. It offers two membership lectibles and more. quality bottles and flasks. The show levels instead of the usual one: local Tom Kanalley organized a flea offered something for everyone it memberships, and long-distance. market at the Ithaca Antique Center seemed, with bottles, insula- A major article for the Special this past summer. Thirteen dealers set tors, coins and advertising, along Show Edition was “Broadway/ up on the grounds on a very hot day. with bottles and stoneware, for sale Steins Breweries, 1852 - 1958: 797 Free bottle appraisals and information by dealers from across New York to 815 Broadway, Buffalo, N.Y.,” helped draw people. The first-time State. A fine exhibit with a digging by John Eiss. The opening sentence show was successful and will be held theme was done by Mark Yates, read, “Buffalo was an ideal location again next summer. which drew rave reviews. for brewing beer in the mid-1800s Kurt Kabelac presented a talk One comment on the fall show by with cold temperatures and plentiful January - February www.fohbc.org

Erie.” There was also a growing Baltimore Bottle Digger Rotterdam Junction, N.Y. Changes population of beer-loving German, Baltimore Antique Bottle Club, in advertising strategies are being Prussian and Alsatian immigrants Baltimore, Md. considered for next year’s show, if arriving by way of the Erie Canal. Visit the club website: www. it is to be held. All the right ingredients were there baltimorebottleclub.org for a thriving beer industry. Buf- An interesting and well-attended Applied Seals falo’s location for shipping couldn’t program, in conjunction with Okto- Genesee Valley Bottle Collectors be better either, as it was located berfest, was on “Home Brewing.” It Association, Rochester, N.Y. between the Great Lakes region and was presented by Marc Turner and Check out the club website: the Erie Canal and points east. Buf- Nic Queen. There were many ques- www.gvbca.org falo even had the world’s first grain tions, and much interest generated in Programs during the fall months elevator. Plenty of electricity was this growing field. The next month’s have included Trade Tokens and An- provided by Niagara Falls. The beer talk was given by Mark Benbrow on tique Textiles. Ann and Joe Moore’s bottles and advertising are highly “Basics for Bottle Diggers.” This talk on textiles concentrated on Sam- collected, and the history is revered. one must also have generated great plers. These were typically created Club president Peter Jablonski leads interest. It’s best to find out all you by young girls as a way to practice tours of brewery sites, past and pres- can before your first time digging. sewing techniques in the late 1700s ent, throughout the year. The club made a donation to the and early 1800s. Some fantastic ex- Programs have featured author Wheaton Museum of Glass. A new amples have survived and can be Greg Wital on Stained Glass Win- meeting site was been found, and very valuable in today’s market, not dows in Buffalo. Greg’s book is ti- John Handley was thanked. Some- be mention extremely historic. tled “The Windows of Corpus Chris- thing to shoot for: BABC has 160 November’s meeting was the ti Church.” December featured the members (one up from last year), 23 21st Annual Benefit Auction, along Christmas Party, with Bottle Bingo out-of-state. The club sends out 17 with a pizza party. The club raised for entertainment. The bottles were newsletters to other clubs and mu- over $2,000 for the second year in purchased at the annual show. seums each month. a row. All items were donated by members, including a variety of bot- The Jersey Shore Shards Capitol Area Antique Bottle Club, tles, antiques, collectibles, wines, The Jersey Shore Bottle Club, Albany, N.Y. reference books, holiday items, gift Toms River, N.J. The club met at Holmes & certificates (donated by the club, Visit the club website: www. Watson’s Pub in Troy, N.Y. The good at area malls. Four gift cards BottleClub.org display theme was “Colors of Fall valued at $25 (2), $50, and $100 are Programs have featured “Finds Bottles,” and “Bring Your Find of auctioned but amounts are not re- and a Mini Auction.” Auctions can the Month!” The club gets around. vealed until the end of the auction!), be very fun programs. In August, they met at the Nation- and more. There were some cash Several club members were al Bottle Museum, appropriately, donations, including $300 by one asked to help identify shards at a in Ballston Spa, N.Y. The display member. All money is split between recent Sea Glass Festival. Sounds theme that month was “Vegetable Mercy Flight Central (emergency like an interesting event. Those Bottles,” which brought forth items helicopter transport), and Bethany at the festival were amazed at the including a pumpkin candy con- House (shelter for battered women knowledge of bottles provided by tainer, a Vaughn’s Vegetable Lith- and their children). Top lot was members Bob Randolph and Monte ontriptic Mixture bottles, a Bunker $300 for a rare blue decorated script Boshko. Hill Pickle and Paine’s Celery Com- jug from Canandaigua, N.Y. Thanks The newsletter included a story pound in aqua and amber. to members Doug Nicot, auctioneer, and many photos of Banjo Bottles, October’s display theme was and Joanne Washington, clerk. along with Viobots (violin bottles). “Local Stoneware,” including all The club has gained four new The website, for more information, forms such as bottles, crocks, jugs members since the Summer Break. is www.viobot.tripod.com and so on. The meeting was held at The editor, Jim Bartholomew, asked what will be the new meeting site, for email address updates for news- www.fohbc.org January - February newsletter have included Urbana, www.mohawkvalleybottleclub.com The October newsletter includ- Ohio, Buffalo, Albany, Dryden, Programs have incluided “Un- ed the most comprehensive article N.Y., Heckler’s, Woodstock Valley, listed Utica Milk Bottles,” by Carl ever written on “The Life of Dr. Conn., Keene, N.H., and Scriba, Scarano. Collector Roger Thomas Thatcher, The Glass Milk Bottle & N.Y. by clubmembers. attended all the way from Cortland, Other Famous Inventions,” by Wil- bringing a fine selection of Utica liams Sawyer, in 1946! Thatcher is Bottles Along the Mohawk from his collection. In No- considered the inventor of the milk Mohawk Valley Antique Bottle vember, “Old Utica Breweries & bottle and lived in Potsdam, N.Y. Club, Utica, N.Y. Bottlers” was given by members Check out the club’s website: Fred Capozzella and Ron Weir.

ing Martin Van Zant, 208 on occasion, wine. Many of these Midwest Regional News Urban St., Danville, Indiana glasses have Ohio origins. Joe Coulson 46122. Monthly meetings For more information on join- 10515 Collingswood Lane are held at Ben Davis High ing the OBC, please contact Berny Fishers, IN 46038 (317) School in Indianapolis on Baldwin (treasurer), 1931 Thorpe 385 - 0956 the last Wednesday of the Circle, Brunswick, OH 44212. The [email protected] month. Membership dues club also has a new website which are $10 per year. can be found at: http://www.ohio- Hello, bottle collectors! Wel- bottleclub.com. Details about their come to another installment of the Ohio Bottle Club milk bottle book can be found there Phyllis Koch (editor) and Den- also. Midwest Region news report. We love to hear from the Midwest bot- nis Peine (secretary) are doing a tle clubs – so keep sending in those very nice job with The Ohio Swirl, Antique Bottle Club of news items… please, please, please the OBC’s award-winning newslet- Northern Illinois and thank you! ter. Terry Crislip is president. Dorothy Furman is newsletter It was reported in the Novem- editor and Jeff Dahlberg is presi- Findlay Antique Bottle Club ber newsletter that member Howard dent. The club has been holding its Marianne Dow maintains the Sussman passed away on November meetings at the Antioch Senior Cen- club’s website, which has news 10, 2011. Howard was a long-time ter, 817 Holbeck, Antioch, IL. items posted almost weekly as well member of the club and retired from For information on joining the as pictures from the club’s past Reiter in 1991, where he had ABCNI, you may contact: Dorothy shows. You should check out the proudly served as a home delivery Furman, 26287 W. Marie Ave., An- club’s website: http://finbotclub. man. Besides milk bottle collect- tioch, IL 60002. blogspot.com. ing, he enjoyed his family, fishing Richard Elwood is president.An- the Outer Banks, gardening, cruises Kalamazoo Antique Bottle Club nual dues are only $12 for individu- and travel. He will be missed by his Al Holden is the newsletter editor. als or families. Monthly club meet- bottle collecting friends. Here is an excerpt from the November ings are held on the second Sunday Jack Sullivan submitted an arti- newsletter, written by Al Holden: of the month at the University of cle on “Buckeye State Tall Barware” Another bottle we saw was “Liq- Findlay. They meet in the ENDLY in the November issue. The name uid Opodeldoc,” have you heard of ROOM in the Student Union Build- “highball,” according to experts, that one? Brent had a nice example ing which is on the corner of Frazer originated sometime in the late 1890s at the meeting, and it was another and Cory. and probably derives from “ball,” an one Chuck purchased. That name English term for a drink of whiskey was familiar to me, but I am not sure Circle City Bottle Club and because the drink is served in why. A quick look at my personal Dave Berry is president and a high glass. Highball glasses were collection on display, and it doesn’t Sonny Mallory is vice president. used as merchandising items for show up. I had been polishing bottles You can find out more about the many American liquor organizations. and adding more display shelves at a January - February www.fohbc.org

All that came to a screeching halt reach Al Holden by phone: 269-685- the auction. in 2010 when I started cancer treat- 1776, or email: prostock@net-link. The doors opened at 7 a.m. ment. Half of my collection is still net. The club meets regularly at the Saturday morning with dealers and hidden away in boxes, and I don’t main downtown Kalamazoo Public early-birds ready to go. We had 40 recall what all is there. I am pretty Library, located at 315 S. Rose tables sold, the barn was full and we darn sure I have a pontiled Liquid Street. They meet on the third floor in made a lot of money. There were a Opodeldoc somewhere. the conference room. Meeting starts lot of good items at the show and They are a pretty cool little bottle at 7 p.m. The club has a website: the smiling customers 7 p.m. closing and we saw a beauty at the meeting. http://www.kalamazoobottleclub. were carrying out a lot of of In a copy of the American druggist org/ purchases and so were the dealers. from 1893 they printed two formu- The WVABPC holds monthly las for Opodeldoc.The solid soap Wabash Valley Antique Bottle & meetings at Shadows Auction Barn, liniment version was: 2 lbs. White Pottery Club 1517 Maple Ave., Terre Haute , IN. Castile soap chips, 5 oz. Camphor, Martin Van Zant is newsletter Club dues are $10/yr. For more 1 oz. Oil of Rosemary, 1 oz. Oil of editor for The Wabash Cannonball, information, please contact Tony Origanum (Oregano), 1 gal. Recti- the WVABPC’s monthly newsletter. Stringfellow (treasurer), P.O. fied Spirit, and 11 oz. Water of Am- Doug Porter is president. 690, Farmersburg, IN 47850. monia.Dissolve in corked bottle by The October meeting of the the heat of a water bath and when WVABPC was well attended to hear Iowa Antique Bottleers quite cool strain; then add water of a great presentation given by Doug Mark Wiseman is the newslet- ammonia. Cork lightly and tie over Porter on West Terre Haute. He had ter editor, and he does a great job with bladder. It will be very fine, great stuff to show the history of the each month. Mike Magee does solid and transparent when cold. town’s growth. Ed Newman reported the minutes quarterly, and supplies The liquid soap liniment ver- the following details for November: Mark with articles that Mark selects sion was: 1 qt. Alcohol, 2 oz. Cas- What a great weekend! The for the newsletter. Tom Southard is tile Soap Shavings, 1 oz. Camphor, auction / get-together on Friday the club president. October meeting ½ oz. Oil of Rosemary, and 2 oz. evening (Nov. 19th), and the show highlights: Ammonia Water. Dissolve the soap on Saturday at Shadow Auction The meeting was held at the shavings in alcohol by the aid of Barn was the best yet.A big Thank new Colfax Historical Society Mu- gentle heat then add the other ingre- You goes out to John and Mary seum. We were honored to be the dients. Pretty cool I think! I made Newman for setting up the barn and first group to use the new meeting up a batch for the trick-or-treaters, doing the auction. I was there for a space. Kevin Williams gave us a and it was a big hit! while visiting with people that came tour of the stored items and display Joan Kaiser’s book, “The Boston to the auction on Friday and sampled areas that are still being construct- Glass Industry,” showed that Liquid the food (homemade vegetable soup ed and developed. Kevin Williams Opodeldoc bottles were being sold was good, lots of finger foods, meat gave the program on the histori- for $9 a gross in 1813. That works trays and desserts) and a lot of good cal Colfax Hotels associated with out to a little over 6 ½ cents each. I bottles and things for the auction. the Colfax Mineral Water industry. was once told that in manufacturing There were a lot of good items, The attendance swelled at this point a product like this, back then, the including a Coca-Cola porcelain for Kevin’s program attracted local cost of the bottle far exceeded the button sign four feet in diameter, historical members and Colfax resi- cost of the contents! As near as I can a Vicksburg Hutch candy bottle, dents (approaching 40 people at our tell, these bottles were pontiled up which they said was the predecessor meeting). The program provided to 1850 and remained in production to Coca Cola, many good fruit jars the history of the mineral water in- with a smooth base until the 1900s. and bottles, along with Terre Haute dustry and described with historical Chuck Parker is president beers and soda bottles. There were photographs each of the hotels/sani- and you can contact him for more four tables full of sale items, and tariums: The Grand Hotel, The Ma- information about their club at 607 13 fold-up Coca Cola and race car son House, Fry Hotel, Hotel Colfax, Crocket Ave., Portage, MI 49024 driver cardboard displays. There Centropolis Hotel and Sanitarium, www.fohbc.org January - February

Spring, Turner Sanitarium and Rest closed by means of a lever, which website available at: http://www. Home; and the Mills House Hotel, is moved by the foot of the opera- jellyjammers.comYou can also find Fry’s Bottling Works, and the other tor. In the where the lever is out more about the Jelly Jammers parts of the mineral water bottling employed, three hands are needed by contacting Margaret Shaw: 6086 industry were also described. Kev- – one, a boy, to gather the molten W. Boggstown Rd., Boggstown, IN in’s presentation fit in with the show glass on the end of the blow-pipe, 66110, email: meshaw@franklinisp. and tell session that followed. The one to blow the bottle and shape it net. Membership is $15 per year. theme of the meeting was of course to them mould, and a third to fin- Colfax Items. ish the neck and mouth and cor- Midwest Antique Fruit & In the December newsletter, the rect any defects in form. After the Bottle Club following old newspaper article was mouth is finished, the bottles is tak- The MAFJBC has members submitted by Mike Magee; Iowa en to the annealing furnace, where nationwide and is heavily fruit jar State Reporter, Waterloo, Janu- it is placed upon a pan, which, with focused. Their meetings are gen- ary 25th, 1882, “How Bottles are several others attached together in erally held the first Sunday of the Made:” the form of a chain, which is drawn month at 1:30 p.m. in the Cantina The manufacture of glass bot- slowly through a long horizontal at Minnetrista, which is located in tles is very simple in itself, though oven. When the pan arrives at the Muncie, Indiana. Dave Rittenhouse for the production of fine work great opposite end of the oven, its load of is president and Joe Coulson is edi- skill is required. The finest bottles bottles is removed, and it is returned tor. The show and tell theme for the now made are blown, as they were to the mouth of the oven to receive November meeting was Fruit Jar in the earliest days of bottle-mak- a new load. Shipping and ing, without the use of a mould, the The IAB newsletters always Ends. Club members also bring re- operation being performed by sim- contain wonderful digging stories cent purchases. ply gathering a proper quantity of by Mark Wiseman. He has a regular Mike Mosier shared a wooden molten glass upon the end of a me- column, “The Digger’s Scoop,” that shipping box for pint Ball (3-L logo) tallic blow-pipe, and forming it into tells of his local digging adventures Mason fruit jars; and a wooden box shape by holding it in various posi- with his dog, the old truck, and vari- with the following : “From tions while expanding it by blowing ous digging friends that join him. Ball Brothers Co. Muncie, Ind.” Joe through the , and occasionally You can find out more about IAB Coulson shared a cardboard box applying pressure with some tool of membership ($15/yr.) from: The from the Sterling Glass Co. (one very simple form. Generally how- Iowa Antique Bottleers, c/o Mark C. dozen quart fruit jars); and a card- ever, bottles are made with the use Wiseman, 3505 Sheridan Avenue, board shipping box for Midland of a mould in which glass is blown Des Moines, IA 50310. Mason Jars (8 quart jars). because in this way time and labor Gusty and Mike Monaghan dis- are saved. It may be said that all the Minnesota’s 1st Antique played an amber pint Trademark bottles, and jars, etc., in common Bottle Club Lightning.The jar was purchased use and made in the United States Barb Robertus is editor of the from an estate auction of a 92-year- are blown in moulds. Occasionally MFABC newsletter, The Bottle Dig- old neighbor. They were able to pur- bottles will show by a seam on the ger’s Dope. Linda Sandell takes chase a few jars at the auction, but side where the parts of the mould care of the printing and mailing. this was the beautiful one to share. come together. The finer glassware Membership in the MFABC is $10/ At the December meeting, Dick bottles are blown. The mould is yr. For more information, please Cole donated a copy of “A Christ- usually made of iron, and is in two contact Linda Sandell, 7735 Silver mas Carol” to the club library. This parts which are hinged, and can be Lake Road #208, Moundsview, MN edition was privately printed for Ball opened and closed instantly. For 55112. Brothers in 1926. Dick shared an making the smaller bottles a boy is urban legend about this book: Ball required to open and shut the mould, Jelly Jammers used to give away hams at Christ- as required. Pat Van Dyke is the club presi- mas. One of the executives went to For larger bottles, the parts dent and Margaret Shaw is news- the Trading Post (a saloon across January - February www.fohbc.org

Christmas Eve afternoon. He saw ribbon went to Labeled Beers with of pottery to say the least! lots of hams on the bar. He was told 7 votes, Faygo received 6 votes and 3. From Greg Watt – add the fol- that Ball employees brought the Mount Clemens Glassworks re- lowing bottlers to the list: Fred Seibt, hams in and traded them for booze. ceived 4 votes.The People’s Choice C.T. Pagels (2 variants), F. Lehmann The following year Ball gave away vote and cash prize went to Faygo and L. Wagner. That brings the total the book instead of a ham. Dick shot with 24 votes, Labeled Beer re- up to 23 different company names. this story down by pointing out that ceived 20 votes and Mount Clemens 4. From Doug Wagner – the fol- Prohibition started in 1919. Glassworks received 19 votes. Mike lowing article may explain why so The MAFJBC has a website: Brodzik elected to donate the $25 many different names have come http://www.fruitjar.org. Future prize back to the MDABC treasury. up: TROUBLES OF A BOTTLING meeting details as well as lots and You can find out more about COMPANY, Chicago, Novem- lots of pictures from their semi- the MDABC and its monthly meet- ber 15, 1888. Judge Shepard has annual shows can be found there. ing schedule by contacting Mike granted an injunction restraining Membership is $15 per year. Brodzik at 26251 Koontz, Ro- Thomas Hennessy, Herman Pomy, seville, MI 48066 or by email at: Patrick Hayes, Cornelius Ryan, Metropolitan Detroit Antique [email protected]. MD- W.A. Hausburg, A.L. Hoffman Bottle Club ABC dues are $10 yearly. and Louis Sass from selling, leas- The Metropolitan Detroit An- ing, or transferring any property of tique Bottle Club, founded in March 1st Chicago Bottle Club the Chicago Consolidated Bottling 1971, has been actively meeting Ray and Peggy Komorowksi Company, upon application made again since January 2010. Mike are the newsletter editors. Carl Ma- by John A. and George Lomax, Ar- Brodzik is the newsletter editor as lik is president. The following news thur Christin, and August, Henry, well as club president. update titled “Digging in Chicago” and Louis Mette, who own a major- From the November Slug Plate: appeared in the November Midwest ity of $600,000 of stock of the com- MDABC Show 2011. Since our last Bottled News: pany. The company was organized show was back in 2004, I think the The pottery hoard continues to in 1887 and does a business of bot- club did a wonderful job to put on give up secrets slowly. A few more tling and selling soda, mineral, and a successful show that was enjoyed tidbits of information have surfaced: aerated waters amounting to about by one and all. Many were happy 1. We can now confirm the lo- $500,000 a year. The injunction suit to see a show back in the Detroit cation where all the pottery came appears to be the result of a quar- area and were pleased with the geo- from is the actual basement of the rel between the stockholders of the graphical selection of Royal Oak. J.A. Lomax / Chicago Consolidated company, which was organized a We had 32 dealers and covered 36 Bottling Company. By using a 2011 year ago last March by a consoli- sales tables in the room. There was Google Earth map along with the dation of the various interests en- a wide selection of all types of glass true location of old Congress Street gaged in the bottling business. The that anyone’s heart could desire. we were able to dash in the 1886 lo- stock was fixed at $600,000, and Official count at the door was 123 cation of the factory. The old plant the stockholders turned in their old visitors. A most sincere thanks to is in the middle of the new Congress bottles and other chattels, the idea those that volunteered their time, Parkway! being that in union there would be including Femia Alberts, Jim Clan- 2. OK, now the question of ex- strength, but the contrary has been cy, Steve Kinney, Marko Tomko, actly how many pottery bottles were the result. The Lomaxes put in Richard Neisch, Joe Varani, Tom harvested from the site.I know that $31,000 worth of stuff, and for the Schnichtel, Rick Ryan and of course at least 200 to 300 are in the hands first year had control of the desti- Jackie Brodzik. The show had three of various club members. The un- nies of the organization, a dividend displays. One was Faygo Through confirmed rumor is that one con- of 3 ½ percent was declared. Con- the Years (Mike Brodzik), two La- struction worker may have around siderable dissatisfaction had grown beled Beers (Bruce Heckman), and 1,500 of them. So, it looks to me up with the management, however, three Mount Clemens Glassworks like we may be looking at a spread partly because many of the stock- artifacts (Mike Brodzik). Voting of 300 minimum to a number possi- holders could not obtain lucrative www.fohbc.org January - February the March meeting of the directory North Star Historical bottles were used until 1904. A con- the minority members elected new Bottle Club sensus of those present was that the officers throughout, Thomas Hen- Susy Olsen is newsletter editor “L.F. & Company” on some bottles nessy succeeding John A. Lomax as for the North Star Historical Bottle refers to Luther Ford. Glass bottles president. The effect of the change News. Dennis Nygaard is president. were likely used into the 1960s. The was to intensify the quarrel, and it Dave Labno introduced the pro- company now also makes dyes for has been finally taken to the courts, gram for the October club meeting the medical industry, to dye tissue the supposition being that the direc- by saying he had been at a dig site samples for biopsies. The Norman tory was about to lease or otherwise and found a lot of Mrs. Stewart’s family purchased the company and dispose of the company’s property. bottles.His research led him to call owns it today. Additional note by Ray Ko- the Mrs. Stewart Company. Ron For more information on join- morowski: As you may know, I col- Dubis from the company was then ing the NSHBA, you may contact lect “Lomax” bottles, so for me this invited to be present at this month’s Susy Olsen at ga2hafun@gmail. story does not get any better than meeting. com. The club meets on the third this. And for the 1st Chicago Bottle Bluing contains a finely pow- Sunday of the month at the Hiwatha Club, especially our club’s pottery dered iron particulate that acts as a YMCA, 4100 28th Ave. So., Min- collectors, it doesn’t get any better non-toxic, non-bleach whitener for neapolis, Minnesota. as well. The idea that a small rem- laundry. It has also been used in cre- nant of the Lomax factory still ex- ative ways over the years to whiten Flint Antique Bottle Club isted is mind boggling. For all these other things, and if misused can also Tim and Angie Buda are the years, it turns out that the Congress result in turning materials blue. One newsletter editors, and they pro- Parkway was protecting this area – of the more amusing anecdotes sent duce a colorful newsletter. The club who would have imagined this? in to the company was from a cus- meets regularly at the Grand Blanc For more information on the 1st tomer who used the product to dye Heritage Museum, 203 Grand Blanc Chicago Bottle Club you may con- an ox for a parade. Road, Grand Blanc, Michigan on tact Ray and Peggy Komorowski The company was started by Al the second Thursday of the month by phone: 708-848-7947, or email: Stewart in 1883 and continues today from 7 – 9 p.m. You can find out [email protected] using essentially the same recipe at more about the club by contacting a plant in Bloomington, Minnesota. Bill Heatley (810-214-1850) or Tim Later on, the recipe was acquired & Angie Buda (989-271-9193). by Luther Ford, who expanded pro- duction considerably. Hand-blown

deeply involved with an- Dump Digger’s Gazette Western Regional News other project at that time so Antique Bottle Collectors, Inc. I soon took over. I left his A club dig was set up by Sam Darlene “Dar” Furda name in place because he and Sammie Thatcher. They ob- 6677 Oak Forest Drive Oak Park, CA 91377 had been helping me proof tained permission from the property (818) 889 - 5451 and has more computer owners of the Leadville Dump. The [email protected] skills than I do, if some- successful dig was held last August. thing goes “south” with our Over 90 people were “digging like a Dear Readers: computer. Some of you may bunch of maniacs.” The club gained Ken Lawler asked that I remove see Ken and I pop up at a bottle show 13 new members at that time. It was his name from the above listing. here and there, depending on how he reported that not as many bottles He has been dealing with advanced feels at the time. Meanwhile, he and were found at that dig as were in stage 4 prostate cancer since Janu- I both suggest that you folks keep on past digs, but the overall feeling ary 2011.We took on this editor role digging, collecting, writing articles was that it was just great to have the challenge together about four years for your club newsletters and support opportunity to dig. January - February www.fohbc.org their talent in using a backhoe to Golden Gate Historical Bottle Society think that one of the most interest- open up the earth so diggers could Included in the last issue for ing parts of any show is the displays. jump right into the open ground 2011 was an article entitled, “Dating This year, some members joined and “start digging.” Mike Watral’s a Mining Camp or Dump Site.” As forces and loaned some of their fin- name was added to the names of Reference: “Corker Memory” ap- est for “A Club Display.” The sign those who are pretty handy with a peared in January 1972. Reprinted describing the display explained backhoe. If those three guys had not from The Pontil – based on an article it best: “The Los Angeles Histori- opened the ground for the diggers, by Mr. Charles Hunt from Geologi- cal Bottle Club presents this joint the comment was made that the club cal Times. display to demonstrate the diverse would probably still be digging in There is usually an interest in collecting interests of our valued Leadville trying to get down to the knowing a little history on what is members.” One member showed bottom layer. There are pictures in found while poking around in old his examples of early American pat- the club’s September 2011 news- mining towns, ghost towns or other tern molded glass. Another brought letter indicating a sunny day, and abandoned home sites. Dating the in pot . There were nine bottles wide open trenches filled with folks site is the most important factor be- that were from different “Gold Rush in dirt-stained clothes peering up at cause this fact alone will help you Towns.” There were Los Angeles the camera with wide grins on their determine how much time you want area cylinders and liquor bottles as faces. to spend poking around the area. well as non-glass items such as an Some dating can surface by check- extensive corkscrew collection and Bottle Bug Briefs ing the dates sometimes found on mining items. The participation in Forty-Niner Historical Bottle Association old newspapers or magazines that the club display was much appre- A “wish we had been in the au- were used as insulation in some old ciated with those members loaning dience” type of program was pre- buildings. This article lists a series some of the best examples from sented by Mike Peters. An animated of items that might be found in an their collections to be enjoyed by Mike took members through the era before 1900 such as soldered show attendees. Individual displays adventures he and Rubye have been seam tin cans, square nails, bottles were recognized as some of the best having in “Diving for Bottles in with hand-finished necks with pon- as well. A very colorful collection British Columbia.” They have been til marks and beer bottles made for of scroll flasks showed vibrant in a going to Vancouver Island for 12 cork rather than metal crown backlit cabinet. There were bottling years to dive for bottles! He men- caps. These beer bottles would most machines complete with glass bot- tioned “how few bottles there are to likely be embossed with the name of tles to indicate the process. Roman collect and how much treasured are the brewery. Finding any of the listed bottles from the 1st Century to the minor variants.” Not only did bottle items would indicate that this type of 4th Century A.D. were a complete diving impress him,but he pointed location would be an older location surprise. out that British Columbia is a great worth investigating. I enlisted the help of club presi- place to visit. This article actually takes the dent Dave Maryo as to what he ob- During show and tell, Herb reader through what items might be served as he checked out the tables. Yue showed bottles he found while found in a particular area from be- He clearly stated that “there were diving in British Columbia. Mike fore 1900 right up through the 1920s a variety of bitters from lady’s leg McKillop showed a SALUTARIS and 1930s. Any items that would be to figural bottles. There were also BITTERS that he purchased for $10 found after the 1900s would probably some rare Los Angeles whiskeys, at a garage sale. It was considered not be of interest to the person look- wines and beers and I noticed that Mike’s “lucky find.” Here comes ing around, because the most interest club member Mike Polak had some the kicker: Some 2010 Downieville for the serious collector is in finding rare Nevada bottles on his table.” attendees mentioned that Mike sold bottles with “hand-finished necks.” that bottle “for enough to make half The Stumptown Report a down payment on a new Camry or The Whittlemark Oregon Bottle Collectors Association Accord.” Now that is impressive! Los Angeles Historical Bottle Club What started out as “it might not Every club is proud of its anual happen at all” turned out to be an www.fohbc.org January - February article called “Digging News” that some from the 1880s. “By the time history is why I collect flasks and related the story of a slow start that fill in and clean-up was done it was tokens obviously have a lot of his- ended up with an unexpected end- 4:30 a.m. and the sun was rising.” tory connected to them.” ing. Permission was granted only An “all-nighter” had not been ex- after much conversation took place. perienced by these folks for quite The A-Z Collector Four club members met on a Sun- awhile. It was further said that, “We Phoenix Antiques, Bottles and Col- day in July 2011 “to check things were doubly pleased that we found lectibles Club out.” They were “privy-minded.” some interesting bottles and things Club members Craig Carlson Test holes that were dug were chal- – and that we still had the stamina and John Niemiec presented a pro- lenging because of concrete footings for such foolishness.” gram on American Brilliant Cut and large roots, and the opinion was Garth Ziegenhagen takes us on Glass at a meeting the latter part of that what they had investigated had a walk through his decades of bot- 2011. They belong to the American probably already been dug. The gang tle adventures in his article, “My Cut Glass Association (ACGA). gave up on the first day. However, New Frontier of Collecting.” He Their interest in collecting cut glass one hardy member returned to the writes about his walks in the late goes back over twenty years. While site a few days later and talked with 1940s with his brothers on early attempting to learn more about a contractor who mentioned that an wagon roads along the hills of the Dorflinger Cut Glass, they saw an old concrete slab had been removed Deschutes River where a railroad article in a 1911 Pottery and Glass from the fourth privy (the privy was completed in 1910 and many Magazine that mentioned Macy cut that seemed the least promising). dumps were discovered. He reveals glass. After asking around, no one That intrigued the hardy member so that most of the bottles they found had heard of Macy’s cut glass, so as much that on that very evening he were not embossed. He goes on the old saying goes “one thing leads stuck his shovel in the ground and to cover the early 1950s where he to another.” It was at that point that soon decided that he needed help. A got “third choice” of bottles found. Craig became interested in research- club member who originally wasn’t They turned out to be purple and ing information about cut glass. in on the dig was called and when the clear ones. They were found at the Craig turned his attention from author of this article finally arrived it Shaniko Dump. Imagine him and being a collector into becoming was 9 p.m. There was dirt flying, but his brothers rummaging around in a well known and recognized au- there was still some uncertainty as to Shaniko, a stage stop in the 1870s thority on American Brilliant Cut whether the privy held promise. How- that had also had a railroad until Glass. It took a few years of intense ever, when a couple of Bromo Seltzers 1900. He mentioned that they found research using various resources appeared, that was when the author many bottles around homestead before a Macy-Straus catalog was decided to hook up the electric lights. dumps. During the 1960s, the Zien- produced by the ACGA along with As the author predicted, the three of genhagen brothers started realizing five volumes of Research Notes. them were in for the long haul. that some embossed whiskeys were Through his program presentation One digger dug down to the more valuable if in good condition some of what he covered was the heavy trash layer, cleaned out his and contained color and crudeness. cut glass making process and the tailings, and asked for the 10- Garth left the 1970s and 1980s with type of items produced. Both Craig foot ladder. When the author got fewer bottles being added to his col- and John had displayed samples of a chance in the hole it was written lection. the finished product. Not only was that, “I was in the bottle digger’s With the earlier years left be- the program informative glass-wise, dream.” Buckets of bottles and hind, in 1990 he was told about it also enlightened members as to dishes were hauled up out of that bottle shows and the Oregon Bottle the important part of our American hole. The process of “dig and haul” Collectors Association. He started Industrial production. went on for about four hours. What attending bottle shows and started the article did not reveal was what picking up embossed Oregon flasks. digger’s dirt kind of bottles was dug. However, His interest in flasks accompanies his Reno Antique Bottle Club what was learned was that there interest in collecting Oregon tokens. Even though this club is devoting might have been some from 1905 He has around 200 pieces identified time to the planning of being the host January - February www.fohbc.org members still stay focused on some the fact that in the 1950s his dad Ghost Town Echo pretty cool items to bring to meetings would “often shoot bottles on the Washington Bottle & CollectorsAssociation for show and tell. Loren Love lugged dump site with a 22 rifle from our Ellen Levesque, webmaster in his collection of all different sizes backyard.” Fast forward many years for the club, sent an e-mail to club of his blue Bromo Seltzers. A little to later when Mike had become in- members in August 2010 announc- brown pottery pig with a railroad map terested in bottles and decided to dig ing that the club would need to find on his tummy was shown by Russ at the site. This desire was based on a new volunteer editor and why. She Umbraco. This little “piggy” was pro- the fact he’d heard success stories had originally volunteered to help duced somewhere between 1859 and about “digger finds” from that dump. keep the newsletter going after the 1893. Marty, the renowned club dig- So one time Mike spent a day roam- death of the former editor. However, ger, brought in three rare bottles he ing about the site. (Editor’s Note: obligations mounted and Ellen had dug: an A.G.P. Morrill soda, a Buffalo Learn to recognize poison oak or to enlist the help of club members. crown top Reno Bottling Company poison ivy before you tromp around Thankfully, club member Scott Gib- and a Silver State Liniment. in an area where this danger exists, bons stepped forward accepted the There is club news that Fred Ho- especially if you are deadly allergic challenge and wrapped his arms labird will be giving a program in to the “stuff.”). Mike got a severe around the project and put out his first February 2012 regarding the “super reaction to poison oak and ended up issue in October. It starts right out size gold nugget found in the Gold in an emergency room three times in with eye-catching information and Rush Country.” It has been stated that one week! His end result was that he pictures. Scott’s newsletter should he will have details on what happened did find some bottles, but that “the prove to be an interesting asset to the with the nugget that was supposedly cost wasn’t worth it.” club. As with any club, member ar- “misrepresented.” (Editor’s Note: A An aside from the editor: On ticles are always welcome. mention in your newsletter covering one of our past digging experiences Scott’s humor shows up in the some of the highlights from Fred’s in upstate New York, Ken Lawler advice found on the first page of presentation would be appreciated.) and I found poison ivy. A friend we his October issue. Suggestions are The Bottleneck were digging with found bees. We made to those of you who are “dig- San Diego Antique Bottle and Col- witnessed our friend screaming and gers” (and have wives) of how to lectibles Club running while waving his cap above change your wife’s perception of Here’s an experience told by this his head shouting, “Bees, run!!!” He your hobby. He writes that there is club’s president, Mike Bryant, that disturbed the bees in the ground un- a way of including her in the “thrills might remind some of us of a danger der an old rotting log while attempt- of privy digging” (without actually that lurks “out there.” It is for those ing to claw under it with his potato taking her along). He points out that of us who roam around on foot, look- fork! While I realize that many of you can tell your wife about some ing for a good dig site. Actually, this you have probably had similar ex- of the treasures that can be found in could apply to any of us across this periences, this incident with Mike a privy such as, “glass buttons, mar- country. He calls his two-paragraph is a reminder of these types of “un- bles, and doll parts.” Further sug- write-up, “The Curse of the Linda comfortable” dangers. The way gested is that after you sell a bottle Vista Dump.” The setting is out here Mike ended his article was to say, or two, use the proceeds to take the in Southern California. It starts with “Ah, the life of a bottle collector.” wife “out on the town.”

Barry Parks gave the pro- 1500s. Houses had thatched roofs, Southern Regional News gram for the club’s Octo- thick straw piled high, with no wood Johnnie Fletcher ber meeting. The program underneath. It was the only place for 1300 S. Blue Haven Dr. featured Barry’s collection the animals to get warm, so all the Mustang, OK 73064 of ceremonial and reli- cats and other small animals lived in (405) 376 - 1045 gious masks from all over the roof. When it rained it, became [email protected] the world and was well re- slippery and the animals would fall ceived by those attending. off the roof, hence the saying: It’s The Tulsa Antiques & Bottle The October newsletter had an raining cats and dogs. There was www.fohbc.org January - February into the house so people started add- es Historical Museum and those at- end! After digging a few bottles ing big posts and a sheet to protect tending reported they had a very in Abilene and encountering hard their beds. That’s how canopy beds enjoyable time. They started off ground and few permissions, the came into existence. Bread was di- the evening with a visit to the Hur- trio decided to move operations to vided according to status. Workers ricane Restaurant where they found Atchison, Kansas. During the move, got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the the food not so good but the service there was much lightning, rain, hail family got the middle, and guest got great. After eating, everyone pro- and tornadoes! Fletcher wondered the top, or the upper crust! ceeded to the museum. After view- for a while if maybe the prediction The November newsletter an- ing the exhibits they were treated to was coming true. nounced that Henry Tankersley will be stories of the area which included The November issue showed a giving a program on collecting dental how the Indian Mounds had been photo of a severe case of poison ivy items for the November club meeting. destroyed to make room for condos, that Ed Stewart had caught when The newsletter also had more dumps that had been discovered as digging a pit. It’s just another dig- information about life in the 1500s. progress was made, how fossils had ging hazard not to be taken lightly. England is small and folks started been discovered when “fill” was Ed commented that the poison ivy running out of places to bury their moved from point A to point B, and was a worthwhile price to pay for dead. They would dig up coffins, plenty of other information. digging a pontil pit! take the bones to a bone house and The weather must have been There was a story about a bottle re-use the grave. When reopening better for the October meeting as 19 dig in Abilene, Kansas with Kenny the coffins they found that 1 out members attended. Burbrink, his sons Owen and Casey, of 25 coffins were found to have The club is making prepara- Francis Wiltz and Fletcher. The first scratch marks on the inside indicat- tions for ita upcoming bottle show. day, several pits were dug but few ing that the person had been buried Accordingly, they have 4x6 cards bottles were found. The second day alive! A string would be tied on the for members to distribute at antique only Burbrink and Fletcher took wrist of the corpse, lead it through stores, flea markets, bottle shows, etc. part. They found several Abilene the coffin and tied to a bell. After giving information about the show. drugstore bottles in the morning a burial someone would sit in the The club is asking for members and finished the day by digging graveyard listening for the bell; thus, to volunteer for club offices and re- a pit near the original saloon row someone could be saved by the bell sponsibilities as some of the current of Abilene. This pit yielded more or was considered a . . . dead ringer. officers will not seek another term than fifty unembossed, large sized, On a sad note it is reported that in office. drugstore bottles. Since Kansas long time club member Rick Carte was a dry state during the time the had passed away after battling can- The Oklahoma Territory News, bottles were used, it was theorized cer for several years. a newsletter of the Oklahoma Ter- that the bottles contained “prescrip- ritory Bottle & Relic Club edited tion liquor.” The only way you The Glass Bubble, edited by by Johnnie Fletcher, featured a story could legally buy liquor during the Linda Buttstead, a newsletter of about a bottle dig in Abilene, Kan- 1880s and 90s was with a doctor’s The Suncoast Antique Bottle Col- sas by Fletcher and Kenny Burbrink. prescription and filled by the local lectors Association, from the Tam- They dug one pit behind an 1880s druggist. pa & St. Petersburg, Florida area, house that resulted in the finding Another story was about a bot- reported that the September meet- of 516 marbles and a Civil War era tle dig in St. Joseph, Missouri. Dan ing was fun! To start with only four whiskey bottle. They also had a visit Moser and Ed Stewart joined forces members showed up on the stormy by a reporter from the local newspa- to dig some empty lots where the evening. Since four bottles were be- per who did an article on the dig. 1868 panoramic map showed hous- ing offered in the raffle, they thought A second story in the same es had been located. The best bottle that each attendee would get a bottle newletter was about a dig in Abilene dug was a Kelly’s/ Old Cabin/ Bit- to take home. However, later four with Francis Wiltz, Ed Stewart and ters// Patented 1863 in good shape. more members showed up so only Fletcher taking part. This was the half got the raffle bottles. weekend when a religious fanat- The Bottle Talk, a newsletter of January - February www.fohbc.org edited by Marshall Clements, was cine manufacturers. Jack Murdock wouldn’t give $5 for a bottle, then again full of color photos of all had an unusual whiskey bottle that don’t bring it for the raffle . . . re- types of bottles brought to the meet- advertised both groceries and liquor cycle it. ing by club members. There was a from Raleigh, N.C., while Donnie Club president David Tingen very unusual 6-pack Orange Crush Medlin had nice torpedo-shaped In- gave a very informative presenta- Carrier that featured a sliding slot- dian Rock Ginger Ale with a Pepsi tion of beer bottles that were in cir- ted arm that locks the bottles into logo distributed by the Richmond culation from 1829 to around 1870. place brought by Witt Stalling. Pem Pepsi Cola Co. David said that if anyone had any Woodlief presented what appeared Members were ask to do better questions about early beer manu- to be a picture of Robert E. Lee. on providing the club raffle bottles. facturers, just give him a call. He’s However, on closer examination It seems the raffle has evolved into always ready to “talk beer.” (919) you could see it actually was an ad a collection of junk and seems to 848-4387 for Dr. D. Jayne & Son patent medi- get worse each month. If a member