My 2016 Baltimore Show Weekend

by Jim Bender

I spent the weekend of March 13 in Baltimore. I try to write up things about the shows I attend for two reasons: First and always most important to me is to support the hobby and give credit to the folks who work hard to put these events on. There are times we forget all these events are put together by people who are paid nothing. They do it for the love of the hobby.

No antique bottle show runs without volunteers. Jim and Marge Choplick, Tom Koluch and Steve Charing take care of the main entrance. (Steve Charing and Jim Choplick pictured)

The second reason I do it is to point out to people that the hobby is more than about people gathering up glass objects and filling their shelves. This hobby is about the experiences we share and the friends we make along the way.

There is a person in the hobby who spends his time posting blogs about what is wrong with our hobby. I feel so bad for this person because he clearly doesn’t see what’s right with it. I read a blog a few weeks ago about how I write only good things about shows and never report the bad things that goes on at these shows. I would like to answer that one person’s view just one time. I am a glass half full kind of person. I live my life trying to see what is good and work to make what’s bad better in a positive way. Writing negative things does not help anyone. I went down that path many years ago and it just made it worse for me. We are all in the hobby to have fun. So if my writings sometime sound like my personal experiences that is because they are. I am not the 6 o’clock news trying to create some breaking bad story to get people to pay attention to me. I am the FOHBC Historian, but everything I write is not a history lesson. I am a common man who shares his common stories with common people.

Many people today just don’t have the money to travel to these shows and see things that I am very lucky to see and do.  I like to share things with them the best and easiest way I can. That’s it and I will never drive hard-working people into the ground. I will pick them up instead. So here we go!

My weekend started out on Thursday this year. Normally, Linda and I drive to Baltimore on Friday so we can be there for the Saturday morning FOHBC board meeting. The past few years we have been asked to join a small group of people who go sight-seeing around the city. Last year, the weather was a bit wild so one no one went. This year, the weather was great so we decided to drive down a day early and do some sight-seeing. Our guide was Ferdinand Meyer who grew up in Baltimore and lived there until he left for college. I have become friends with Ferd the past few years and do enjoy his company.

Ferdinand heads off to lead the way (Linda Sheppard, Val Berry, Elizabeth Meyer and Alicia Booth pictured)

So we met at Ferd’s hotel early Friday morning. Linda and I as well as Jim and Val Berry, Alicia Booth and, of course, Elizabeth Meyer, set off. I was hoping to see Jerry Forbes as well, but he did not make the trip this year. Laughter starts early in the morning for me. That is a must, we have to laugh and have a good time no matter what happens. Baltimore is a great city to see if you’re riding with someone who knows where they are going. We circled around by the Emerson Tower. It was once owned by the famous Bromo Seltzer Company. Ferd explained that at one time there was a huge blue Bromo Seltzer bottle above the clock tower. That must have been something to see.

The historic Emerson Tower Bromo Seltzer clock face

Next stop was the Geppi’s Entertainment Museum. I have to say this place is fantastic! As we walked around the museum, I saw so many things that brought back good memories. The highlight for me was when I looked down and saw Action Comics’ 1938 Superman. This is the first issue of Superman.  I have seen pictures of this comic and they sell reproductions of it, but there it was, the real McCoy. I quickly pointed it out to everyone. Interesting thing is I don’t collect comic books, but seem to know a lot about them. I guess it is something us collectors just do. If you would like to see a short video about the museum visit their web site at www.geppismuseum.com.

Buying tickets for the Geppi’s Entertainment Museum. What great posters on all of the walls!

This hallway is loaded with some great posters. Look who’s landing at the far end of the hall. – Geppi’s Entertainment Museum

I thought this was an ink, ever seen one? – Geppi’s Entertainment Museum

The comic book room is a hit with everybody. – Geppi’s Entertainment Museum

This was my highpoint of the tour, number one Superman! – Geppi’s Entertainment Museum

This elevator is like a time machine – Geppi’s Entertainment Museum

Next stop was the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum. This was something new to me. I have never been to anything like this before. The main part of the B&O Museum is the old roundhouse where the cars were turned around. The 60-foot turntable was cranked by hand. It still works today and is used on special days. The roundhouse collapsed about 10 years ago under heavy snow and is now completely rebuilt and is beautiful. The volunteers at the  museum are great people and really know their stuff.

I learned more about trains in a few hours than I have in my whole life. Oh, by the way, the term real McCoy came from a train part. Elijah McCoy (1844-1929) was a black Canadian inventor who invented a lubrication system for steam locomotives. When competitors copied his products, they continued to fail and customers would say, “Give me the real McCoy.” There is the history lesson for the day.

Heading into the B&O round house. I love the flags hanging down.

This is how badly the roundhouse was damaged when the roof collapsed in a wet snow storm.

Some of the engines displayed in the roundhouse.

I thought this little train was so cool.

Alicia Booth sitting in the 4-man cab (engineers seat) of the largest locomotive ever made.

Saturday morning was the semi-annual FOHBC board meeting. The meeting is held every year in Baltimore, but we have discussed offers by other clubs to have us hold our meeting at their shows. It is nice to see clubs offering us a friendly welcome. The FOHBC supports all clubs and hopes someday to have every club in the country join. Who knows; maybe next year, we will try something new.

The FOHBC has grown greatly over the past few years. The flagship of the club is BOTTLES and EXTRAS magazine which is now in full color. Only a few short years ago, it was a run-of-the-mill magazine. Today, it is a world class magazine. This is mainly because of Ferdinand Meyer and Martin Van Zant. Their working together has resulted in a fantastic bottle magazine that’s second to none. Other board topics were the upcoming board elections and national shows.

OK, let’s talk about the bottle show. Jim Berry and I share a table at the show each year. Jim spends a lot more time at the table than me. I love to roam the room and visit with people as well as look at great bottles. Baltimore is the largest one-day show in the country. They have over 300 sales tables and dealers and attendees from over half the states in the country. They also get about three to five visitors from abroad as well.

Balcony view of the showroom floor.

If you have never attended this show, you really should. Like all shows, the Baltimore show has some collectables that are not bottles. I have not attended a bottle show in years that is 100 percent old bottles. Most people feel having some types of collectables helps the hobby and attracts more people. I myself collect many things and almost always find something non bottle at Baltimore. There is just so much stuff to look at that it becomes hard to really see everything in one day.

I bought several bottles this year for the collection. People always ask me throughout the day how is your sales and my answer is always the same” “I don’t know, but I will check tonight when I get back to my table.”

At first, I thought the attendance was down a bit, but after speaking with some of the show personnel, I learned it was not far off years past. [Editor Note: 1,103 paid admissions]

As always, the food was great and the dealers had some great snacks on Saturday night during set-up. Once again, the displays they had were great as well.

If you have never attended the Baltimore show, I would suggest you do so and have a little time to make a weekend out of it. There is a lot to see in the city.

After this weekend, I am so looking forward to the FOHBC 2017 Springfield National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo. As I walked around the show room I realized what a great convention Springfield was going to be. It’s going to be a bottle show as big or bigger than the famous Baltimore show. But the FOHBC offers so much more as a convention. We have some great seminars which are already planned. Our bottle battle is going to be like no other with some firsts. Think about this for a minute: Three of the top auctioneers are joining forces to support the FOHBC and the hobby. That’s right. Norm Heckler, Jim Hagenbuch and John Pastor have signed on as part of Team Springfield to judge the category of “Best Massachusetts bottle.” This is what this hobby is all about: joining together to make it great for all. Then a great live auction will be held as well.

The Springfield banquet will be one to remember for many years to come. The late Elma and Dick Watson’s collection will be the center point of the banquet. We not only will show you some fantastic  photos of the collection, but will share some stories about two great people.

Keep watch as more great details unfold about Springfield 2017.

Jim Bender
FOHBC Historian
Springfield 2017 Convention Co-chairman

Good to see Dave Olson at the show. He has been a little under the weather but is bouncing back fine.

The bottle looked like it was sitting under the stars.

Cure collector John Wolfe looks over something that caught his eye.

Chip Cable hard at work at his table. Chip is a great supporter of the FOHBC.

I just loved the look of this photo and had to include it.

It’s great to see families together at a show. Lex Lim, daughter Echoe and wife Yvonne all attended the sales table.

Alan DeMaison visits with Elizabeth and Alicia at the FOHBC table. Alan is heading up the Virtual Museum fund drive and filming effort.

Noel Tomas (left) and Ken Previtali always supporting the antique bottle shows.

Ken Previtali shared this great cobalt blue Ginger Ale with me. I hope to see Ken’s great display of Ginger Ales in Springfield.

The Beamans were there offering some other nice collectables.

Socrates Necklas is a regular at the Northeast shows.

Adam Koch enjoying the crowd.

The Jar Doctor was on hand selling machines and supplies. I have one of Wayne’s Lowry’s machines and it works great.

Rick Baldwin had these interesting openers for sale.

General Scotts Bitters, did have some lip damage.

Dana Charlton-Zarro looking at a great Pitkin flask.

Great Civil War display.

I just plain like this image as the centerpiece of the display.

Another nice display on Whimsies.

Wednesday, 30 March 2016. I typically feel like I should mention the date when I write these President’s Messages since we are preparing BOTTLES and EXTRAS in a much more timely manner so that an issue arrives a week or so before the publication date. Though I work full time, it seems that I spend a good portion of my second part of the day on FOHBC business. READ

One of the more interesting persons that I have met along the way is Federation member Ken Previtali. He is candid, creative, smart and also the “Ginger Ale Man.” You may remember his great, award-winning display at the 2013 FOHBC National Antique Bottle Show in Manchester, New Hampshire. Anyway, Ken advised me when I started writing President’s Messages to use “we” as much as possible, as this is not about “me.” Yes, did I say Ken was candid? Of course Ken is right. There is a much bigger picture and as my mom used to say, “the earth does not revolve around me.” Well, Ken, I think about your advice each issue, but I’m going to pass a little to the left because I need to get this in print and off my chest. READ

FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo | FOHBC Board Meeting

FOHBC Board Meeting | Lions Gate Hotel, Lions Den, Thursday morning, August 4th, 8:00 am – Noon

The semi-annual FOHBC board meeting occurred on Thursday morning. FOHBC members were welcomed as non-participating guests.

This will be first is a series to explore the many scheduled events at the FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo. We will start out with the FOHBC Board meeting as this was our first scheduled event of the four day mega convention. The meeting was scheduled from 8:00 am to noon on Thursday morning, 04 August 2016 within the Lions Den at the Lion’s Gate Hotel, our host hotel. This meeting usually occurs at our national convention in late July or early August and in March every year at the Baltimore Antique Bottle Show.

All photographs are by our official show photographer, Angelina (Gina) Pellegrini unless otherwise noted.

You can read the agenda below. Comprehensive meeting notes will be published at a later date. Read Meeting Notes.

The meeting was presided over by Ferdinand Meyer V (FOHBC President) and was attended by Sheldon Baugh (FOHBC First Vice President), James Berry (Secretary), Jim Bender (Historian), Val Berry (Merchandising Director), Linda Sheppard (Membership Director), Louis Fifer (Conventions Director), Elizabeth Meyer (Business Manager), Steve Ketcham (Director-at-Large), John Pastor (Directror-at-Large) and Eric McGuire (Western Region Director). Alicia Booth (Public Relations Director elect) was also in attendance. Other board members were in absence due to illness or conflicting events of importance.

Special guests in attendance included Isabella Alucema, Warren Friedrich, Lou Pellegrini, Richard Siri (Sacramento Show Chair), Bev Siri (Sacramento Show Chair), and Coco my Weimeriner. Of course Gina was photographing.

Information packets including a meeting agenda, support material, auction catalog, financial report and the fresh, hot-off-the-press, Souvenir Program. Each was neatly laid out in front of each seat.

Ferdinand Meyer V (FOHBC president) presides over the meeting. You can see part of Coco’s head as she is laying on the chair

Richard Siri (Sacramento National co-chair) gives an overview of the scheduled events.

Jim and Val Berry (left) and Sheldon Baugh (right)

Left to right: Linda Sheppard, Jim Bender, Steve Ketcham, Alicia Booth, Eric McGuire and Warren Friedrich.

Warren Friedrich (Sacramento National treasurer and Dealer Table liaison)

Steve Ketcham gives and overview of the Red Wing Collectors Society as he is a member of the Foundation board. Their ‘bricks and mortar; museum was of special interest to the FOHBC board.

Left: Louis Fifer (Conventions Director) and Jim Berry (Secretary)

Louis Fifer relaying a phone message to Ferdinand Meyer V regarding a special VIP politician, who collects insulators, asking to attend event.

Spirited discussion.

All imagery for the board meeting was relayed to board members and guests by flat screen imagery.

One of our many lighter moments.

Elizabeth Meyer (left) discusses dealer and membership lists with Sacramento co-chair, Beverley Siri.

More side bar conversations (left to right: Warren Friedrich, Eric McGuire, Jim Berry and Ferdinand Meyer V)

Coco checking to make sure each attendee was wearing their FOHBC name badge and convention lanyard.

Coco listening intently.

Lou Pellegrini (center) flanked by Alicia Booth and Richard Siri

Eric McGuire (center) flanked by Alicia Booth and Warren Friedrich.

The Sacramento National Souvenir Program, at 140 pages including covers, was the largest and nicest program by the Federation ever. Certainly to become a collectors piece.

FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo | Early Dealer Registration

Early Dealer Registration | Lions Gate Hotel, Club Ballroom Foyer, Thursday afternoon, August 4th, 3:00 – 5:00 pm

Registration packets and complementary souvenir programs were available on Thursday afternoon at the Federations tables adjacent at the Lions Gate Hotel Club Ballroom Foyer. Folks could get their dealer or early admission packet before the crowd. The audience was also able to join or renew their FOHBC membership and purchase FOHBC merchandise. What a great way to display the convention logo as everyone had to wear their lanyard.

All photographs are by our official show photographer, Angelina (Gina) Pellegrini unless otherwise noted.

Convention Welcome posters strategically placed for arriving members and guests.

Full room. Tables for registration, early admission, admission, membership and merchandise. Each staffed by great FOHBC volunteers.

A large floor plan – table layout was available for dealers to spot their table. The same information was in the Souvenir Program.

Healthy Crowd with lots of stops.

Bonnie Pellegrini makes an early t-shirt purchase.

Left to right: Linda Sheppard, Val Berry and Jim Berry. Fully badged!

Mike Craig gets instructions from Lisa McGuire.

Looks like Larry Childers is renewing his membership with Linda Sheppard.

Jim Bender holding court. Probably pushing the FOHBC 2017 Springfield National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo.

John Pastor and Jim & Jodi Hall getting the latest news from Jim Bender.

Laurel Ritz giving instructions and answering questions.

Left to Right: Laurel Ritz, Lisa McGuire, Delores Siri & Bev Siri. The best helpers you could get! Bev was a co-chair for the national.

Dave Maryo in from LA.

Dale Santos (center) flanked by his wife Barbara and Jim Bender on the left.

Big guns. Left to Right: Steven Hubbell, Bill Ham, Dennis Eastley & Dale Mlasko.

Can’t miss Bev Seri, Sacramento National co-chair.

Russell Umbraco (white striped shirt) talking with Bill Ham. Mike Valent checking in with Bev Siri.

FOHBC membership applications.

Linda Sheppard and Val Berry keeping records of membership and merchandise.

After early registration, a few chose to relax by the pool. Great weather arrived for the 4-day event. Last photo (Left to Right) John Shroyer, John O’Neill, Bonnie Pelligrini, & Duke Tadday

FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo | Generals House VIP Reception

Generals House Reception | Lions Gate Hotel, Generals House, Thursday evening, August 4th, 5:30 – 7:30 pm

There will be an American Bottle Auctions and Peachridge Glass sponsored open house reception at the historic Lions Gate Hotel Generals House on Thursday evening, August 4th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. This event is for dealers who have bought tables, their assistants, displayers, seminar givers and those with early admission passes. This event occurs prior to the Sacramento Shootout which will be held at the Lions Gate Hotel Club Ballroom.

All photographs are by our official show photographer, Angelina (Gina) Pellegrini unless otherwise noted.

The next Sacramento National event, after the FOHBC Board meeting, American Bottle Auctions Open House, and Early Registration was the Generals House VIP Reception in the lush back yard of the Generals House at the Lions Gate Hotel. The event was sponsored by American Bottle Auctions and Peachridge Glass (Jeff Wichmann & Ferdinand Meyer V) and was planned to show appreciation to the dealers, their assistants, early admission attendees, displayers, seminar speakers and volunteers that made this the biggest bottle event of the year.

Generals House Reception check-in.

Alicia Booth (FOHBC Public Relations Director) applies a hand-stamp to gain admittance.

Left to right: Alicia Booth, Helen Forbes and Elizabeth Meyer.

Walking up to the backyard gate to enter the reception.

Hostess, Isabella Alucema.

Guests were greated by FOHBC volunteers working a desk strategically placed in front of the back yard garden gate as the Generals House was occupied by the Siri family. A list and badges were referenced for each attendee to gain entrance. Each hand was stamped and finally the arriving persons were greeted by Isabella Alucema at the gate. From there, they went into the spacious backyard to be greeted by music, the smell of barbecue (creamy cole slaw, southern style red potato salad, grilled hamburgers, hot links, grilled BBQ chicken thighs and legs and a server with a keg of a local IPA called Track 7 from Sacramento.

We expected about 100 attendees as it was an early and new event for a FOHBC national. We easily doubled our estimate. Actually ran out of food. Even the weather cooperated as a front passed over and lowered temperatures during our 4-day event. Overall a great time to meet and greet friends and prepare for the Sacramento Shootout bottle competition which was planned after the event.

G A L L E R Y

Sponsors for the Generals House Reception- Ferdinand Meyer V and Jeff Wichmann

Jeff Wichmann (American Bottle Auctions) chats with Vicky and Tom Chapman

A nice table set-up under trees in the back yard.

Another table shot. Fun to pick out people such as Fred Holabird, Ken Edward, Warren Friedrich and George Wagoner.

Another nice table photograph by Gina Pellegrini. Lots of western collectors represented here.

And yet another table. Looks like (blue flower shirt, back to camera) Dee Kille, Fred Kille and Chris Bubash among others.

Steve Abbott (left) talks with Steve Howard.

Tom Spellman (left) and Rick Siri (right) fixin’ their hamburgers.

More people watching. Look and see Duke Tadday, Bonnie Pellegrini, Jim Hagenbuch, Richard Siri, Kim Kokles, Mary Kokles, Lou Pellegrini etc.

Looks like Bobby Hinely from Newnan, Georgia carrying his registration packet in his du pah pah pocket. Looks like a few others can’t believe what they are seeing.

Richard Tucker (peach colored shirt) talks to Jim Hall.

Hotel chef making hamburgers, hot links and BBQ chicken.

Food serving lines.

A nice image of the serving line past the hedges.

Probably about 200+ people at one point in time.

Jerry Forbes and Cutter in the house. Mike Valent across from Jerry.

Barbara and Dale Santos flank Jerry Forbes.

Jeff Burkhardt thinking about a bottle deal before entering the line.

Looks like Coco drank too much beer.

Ferdinand Meyer with a Left Coast look.

Duke Todday and his son.

The pretty Bonnie Pellegrini.

A keg of Track 7 Panic, a local craft IPA from Sacramento was served to guests.

Lou Pellegrini leans over and talks to Dennis Eastley and Dale Mlasko.

FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo | Membership Meeting Breakfast 

FOHBC Membership Meeting Breakfast | Lions Gate Hotel Patio, Friday morning, August 5th, 7:00 am – 8:30 am

The FOHBC will be hosting its 2nd annual FOHBC General Membership Meeting Breakfast at the Lions Gate Hotel Patio. Come meet your Federation officers. This event is free and only for current and paid up FOHBC members. Come hear the latest news and goals of your Federation. This will be a buffet breakfast that starts at 7:00 am. The meeting will start promptly at 7:30 am.

All photographs are by our official show photographer, Angelina (Gina) Pellegrini unless otherwise noted.

Lobby poster and sign lead to the Lions Gate Hotel patio.

Tables set and breakfast waiting for the morning member guests.

Day 2 | Friday

Year after year, we would have our FOHBC Membership Meeting after the FOHBC Board meeting. The Board meeting would run from 8:00 am to Noon. We would then grab a quick lunch and rush back to a mostly empty room for our 1:00 pm Membership Meeting. For one thing, it was a day early and many folks had just not arrived. For another, it was near lunch and many ran late or missed our meeting entirely. So last year, at the FOHBC 2015 Chattanooga National Antique Bottle Show (Read: 2015 Chattanooga National – FOHBC Membership Breakfast Meeting), we had our first FOHBC Membership Meeting Breakfast in the Marriott host hotel. It was a grand success so we decided to do it again, this time on the patio of the Lions Gate Hotel. With beautiful weather, it could not have been any better of a setting. Oh, and provide food, and they will come.

Read about Day 1 events: FOHBC Board meeting, American Bottle Auctions Open House, Early Registration, Generals House VIP Reception and the Sacramento Shootout.

FOHBC President, Ferdinand Meyer V, Coco and Isabella Alucema (Ferdinand’s granddaughter) wait for the breakfast to start.

FOHBC Virtual Museum mug with coffee waiting on the lecturn.

R E G I S T R A T I O N

We anticipated about 110 members and that was based on last year. We reached that goal. In the pre-function area, members had to be confirmed, dues paid up to date and any other business relevant to the moment occurred.

Elizabeth Meyer and Alicia Booth check in Michael Mackintosh and Steve Mello among others. Looks like Dar Furda from LA in the background.

T H E   B U F F E T

FOHBC Membership Meeting attendees were served a hot breakfast, buffet style including a stocked beverage station with freshly brewed coffee and tea, chilled fruit juices, assorted breakfast pastries, muffins and croissants, fruit preserves and butter, sliced seasonal fruits and berries, fluffy scrabbled eggs with fresh herbs, chicken apple sausage and breakfast potatoes with sautéed bell pepper and onion. Yum. Great way to start the day. You see, the educational seminars followed within the adjacent Club Ballroom A & B. Later, at 12:50 pm, was the planned Ribbon Cutting Ceremony as the show officially opened for early admission at 1:00 pm.

Beverage station with freshly brewed coffee and tea & chilled fruit juice.

Assorted breakfast pastries, muffins and croissants.

Sliced seasonal fruits and berries.

Fluffy scrabbled eggs with fresh herbs.

Breakfast potatoes with sautéed bell pepper and onion.

Chicken apple sausage.

First in line, Michael Mackintosh and Mike Valent.

Having breakfast with your friends, waiting for the meeting to start. A couple of the front tables ate first and scrambled down to the McClellan Conference Center as dealer unloading was occurring.

T H E   M E E T I N G

Federation president, Ferdinand Meyer V opened the meeting by introducing Board members in the audience. This included Eric McGuire, Sheldon Baugh, Louis Fifer, Val Berry, Jim Bender, Linda Sheppard, Steve Ketcham and Elizabeth Meyer. It was announced that ballots were being counted during the meeting, per Federation bylaws, and that the 2016 – 2018 slate of officers would start their positions after the Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo. This includes Alicia Booth, who was in attendance, Bob Strickhart and Brad Seigler.

FOHBC President, Ferdinand Meyer V addressed the attendees at the breakfast meeting.

Ballots were being counted during the meeting, per Federation bylaws for 2016 – 2018 slate of officers. Left Lindsey Stoneman and Bella Alucema.

President Meyer next gave an overview of the previous days events and events scheduled for the day including educational seminars, the ribbon cutting ceremony, the official show opening for early admission, the displays and the cocktail party and awards banquet planned for in the evening. Next, Jim Bender was introduced as the FOHBC Historian and Co-Chair, with Bob Strickhart, for the FOHBC 2017 Springfield National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo. Jim gave an overview of the convention, announced the Watson One auction and stated that table, event and advertising sales had commenced on 28 July 2016. Jim Bender also noted that a Springfield National table would be set up at the Sacramento National and staffed by himself and Jim Berry. He welcomed all to the table noting that 8% of the tables had already been sold.

Jim Bender giving an overview of the FOHBC 2017 Springfield National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo.

Jim Bender telling the story on how the planned Watson One Auction in 2017 was hatched and planned.

More back and forth between Bender and Meyer as they both promise that the 2017 National Convention will be one for the books with a few new events like a morning auction, room hopping and a kids scavenger hunt. Jim also discussed the possibility of a children’s privy dig simulation right in the Springfield showroom.

President Meyer next introduced Louis Fifer who is the FOHBC Conventions Director and Co-Chair, along with Matt Lacy, for the FOHBC 2018 Cleveland National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo. Louis preceded to give an overview of the event and noted that a task team had been assembled. Louis also noted that the Request for Proposal (RFP) had also been sent out to the Southern Region club contacts for the 2019 FOHBC 50th Anniversary National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo. Meyer noted that Houston, Shreveport and Augusta had expressed early interest in hosting the mega event. Proposals are due in by the end of September.

Louis Fifer, FOHBC Conventions Director and Co-Chair for the FOHBC 2018 Cleveland National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo

Next, Federation Secretary Jim Berry approached the stage with the counted ballots. As noted previously, the new slate of officers will take effect after the Sacramento National. Jim Bender was in charge of this years voting process.

2016 – 2018 Federation officer ballots are presented to President Meyer by Jim Bender and Jim Berry.

S p o t t e d   i n   t h e   C r o w d

Rick Pisano, Tammy Correa and Steve Mello.

A definite good morning table. Left to Right: Tim Schweighart , Larry Childers, Shannon Ade, (to be identified)

What a nice picture.

Looks like the sun is starting to break out.

A table of Los Angeles bottle club members.

Melanie Zoller and Don Keating looking good in the Federation hat.

Jeff & Jeanine Burkhardt on the left, Melanie Zoller and Don Keating (center) and John Pastor and Liz Maxbauer on the right.

John Shroyer, Duke Tadday and Louie Pellegrini (left to right)

I’m sure a lot of folks minds wandered as they thought of the nice weather or events to come. You can bet Coco had her eye on Ferdinand the whole time.

FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo | Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony | McClellan Convention Center, Friday, August 5th, 12:50 pm

Come watch the exciting ribbon cutting ceremony for the 2016 FOHBC Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo. The event will start promptly 10 minutes before the doors open for dealers and early admission attendees.

All photographs are by our official show photographer, Angelina (Gina) Pellegrini unless otherwise noted.

Day 2 | Friday

The FOHBC Ribbon Cutting Ceremony followed the Educational Seminars and the FOHBC Membership Meeting Breakfast. The event happened at the McClellan Conference Center at 12:50 pm. Richard and Beverley Siri, Sacramento National Co-Chairs, made the cut (actually Richard did) as other FOHBC Sacramento National officials such as Louis Fifer (FOHBC Conventions Director), Eric McGuire (FOHBC Western Region Director), Warren Friedrich (tables and dealers coordinator) and Ferdinand Meyer V (FOHBC President) looked on. Russell Umbraco, display coordinator, was off coordinating final display details so he is not in the pictures. This was the third year that the FOHBC held this event. We are out of ribbon. Best to order some more for the 2017 Springfield National.

The General Assembly room had been vacated at Noon as dealers and displayers had been setting up all morning. Wares could not be set up until 1:00. After the ribbon cutting ceremony, dealers and assistants were allowed in first followed by early admission attendees.

Read about Day 1 events: FOHBC Board meeting, American Bottle Auctions Open House, Early Registration, Generals House VIP Reception and the Sacramento Shootout.

Left to right: Eric McGuire, Louis Fifer, Ferdinand Meyer V, Richard Siri, Warren Friedrich and Bev Siri.

Richard Siri (Sacramento National C-Chair) starts the cut.

FOHBC Logo

FOHBC Virtual Museum logo.

Sacramento National Co-Chairs, Richard & Beverley Siri make the cut that will officially start the show.

And the ribbon was cut!

“That was really easy!”

The big scissors. Always fun getting through security at the airport!

FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo | The FOHBC Banquet

Cocktail Hour | Lions Gate Hotel Patio, Friday, August 5th, 5:30 – 6:30 pm

The FOHBC Banquet | Lions Gate Hotel Club Ballroom, Friday, August 5th, 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Isabella Alucema assisting with seating announcements.

A cocktail hour will be held on Friday evening, August 5th from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, prior to the FOHBC Banquet, at the Lions Gate Hotel Patio. A cash bar will be available for sodas and/or alcoholic beverages. Come rub elbows with your bottle collecting friends.

The FOHBC Banquet will be held on Friday evening, August 5th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Lions Gate Hotel Club Ballroom. A cash bar will be available for sodas and/or alcoholic beverages. The cost of the banquet will be $35 per person. Reservations will be available on a first come basis. Betty Zumwalt, renowned antique bottle and glass authority and author, FOHBC 2008 Hall of Fame inductee, will be the guest speaker. Awards will be presented to the FOHBC club competition winners who have earned special recognition in the past year for club newsletters, show posters and flyers, article writing and club web site. FOHBC Hall of Fame and Honor Roll awards will be announced. There will be a special prize drawing for a $100 gift certificate to be spent at the show. You do not have to be an FOHBC member to attend.

All photographs are by our official show photographer, Angelina (Gina) Pellegrini unless otherwise noted.

A famous historical San Francisco trolley video was project on screen during seating. Watch: Amazing Film Clip of Cable Car In San Francisco In 1906

Day 2 | Friday

The FOHBC Banquet traditionally follows the Educational Seminars and Early Admission on Friday, the official first day of the bottle show. This year the FOHBC Membership Meeting Breakfast occurred earlier in the day. The FOHBC Banquet or “Awards Banquet” as it is sometimes called, is a more formal event where reservations are required with meal choices made in advance. The banquet usually occurs in the host hotel ballroom as it did this year and it was preceded by a cocktail hour to start things off.

Cocktails before the banquet. Left to right: Kathy Taylor, Jerry Forbes, Bill Taylor & Alicia Booth.

Award plaques laid out in order in preparation for the awards portion of the banquet. Pictured: Alicia Booth (left) and Val Berry (right).

Special “Golden Shovel” awards.

Table centerpieces.

This year we had 115 or so reservations and ended up with close to 150 guests as many last minute tickets were sold during the day and at the door. Let’s allow the pictures to tell the story as they are in sequential order. The FOHBC Banquet Master of Ceremonies was Ferdinand Meyer V, Federation President and his granddaughter, Isabella Alucema. Alicia Booth, Federation Public Relations Director, assisted in handing out the awards. Award coordination was by Val Berry, FOHBC Merchandise Director and Elizabeth Meyer, FOHBC Business Manager. Shovel awards and table centerpieces by Alicia Booth

Read about Day 1 events: FOHBC Board meeting, American Bottle Auctions Open House, Early Registration, Generals House VIP Reception and the Sacramento Shootout.

T H E   B A N Q U E T 

Seating after the cocktail hour. Pictured left to right: Alice Seeliger, Mike Craig, Michael Seeliger, Kathie Craig, Bill and Katherine Mitchell.

Tables of ten set for banquet guests.

Salad first with a choice of chicken, pasta or pork.

Chocolate cake and coffee followed the meal.

SPOTTED IN THE CROWD

Beverley & Richard Siri, FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo Chairs

John and Wanda Joiner from Newnan, Georgia. John was the Co-Chair for the FOHBC 2015 Chattanooga National Antique Bottle Show

Larry & Eileen Westfall

???

Betty Zumwalt (seated center) with her daughter Christi Ferrigno standing with Rick Anyan. Kitty Umbraco on right (seated).

Jeff Wichmann, FOHBC Hall of Fame recipient, his wife Lynne and his son Tyler.

Don & June Grover

???

Andrew & Lynn Koutsoukos feeding their child (future bottle collector).

Russell Umbraco gets a call out for organizing the fantastic educational displays.

THE NIGHTS PROGRAM

Federation President, Ferdinand Meyer V takes the stage after the dinner.

The nights program projected on screen for all to see.

BETTY ZUMWALT

Betty high fives as she receives many accolades.

Betty gets a hug from Ferdinand as she arrives on stage.

Betty at the podium.

Betty captivates the audience as she talks about the history of the FOHBC.

HALL OF FAME & HONOR ROLL AWARDS

Jeff Wichmann accepts his Hall of Fame plaque.

Jeff Wichmann FOHBC Hall of Fame book.

Jeff Wichmann at the podium.

Jeff Wichmann amuses the audience with his Hall of Fame acceptance talk.

John Joiner accepts the FOHBC Honor Roll award for the late Tommy Mitchiner.

CLUB AWARDS

Club award plaques aligned neatly on the stage table.

Mike Bryant from the San Diego Antique Bottle & Collectibles Club wraps up with four awards. This mass accumulation of awards happens each year. Congratulations Mike! Mike won awards for Best Original Fiction Story, 1st Place: Ask Aunt Blabby – Pumpkin Seed Bottles, Author: Mike Bryant, San Diego Antique Bottle & Collectibles Club published in “The Bottleneck” , 2nd Place: Ask Aunt Blabby – Bitters, Author: Mike Bryant, San Diego Antique Bottle & Collectibles Club, Published in “The Bottleneck”, Club Newsletter Contest, 1st Place: San Diego Antique Bottle & Collectibles Club “The Bottleneck” Editor: Mike Bryant and Club Show Flyer | Poster Contest, 3rd Place: San Diego Antique Bottle and Collectibles Club, San Diego, California, Designer: Mike Bryant

Federation Historian, Jim Bender, accepts the 1st Place Best Original True Story award plaque for Making Light of the Great Jack Pelletier Collection, Author: Jim Bender, Mohawk Valley Antique Bottle Club.

Louis Fifer (FOHBC Conventions Director) was called up on stage a couple of times as he accepted award plaques for the Ohio Bottle Club such as 1st Place Web Site: Ohio Bottle Club, www.ohiobottleclub.org, Webmaster: Alan Demaison and Best Original True Story, 2nd Place: Does Stoneware Have Legs? Authors: Alan DeMaison and Adam Koch, Ohio Bottle Club.

Lillie Gold representing the International Perfume Bottle Association called up on stage twice for Best Original Research/Information Article 1st Place: Maker’s Mark “SM,” The Scent Bottles of Sampson Mordan Author: Richard Hoppe, International Perfume Bottle Association and 3rd Place: The Novelty of It All: Perfume Bottles as Christmas Ornaments Authors: Susan Arthur, Michael Rhoads and Helen Farnsworth, International Perfume Bottle Association.

SPECIAL AWARDS & PRIZES

Ferdinand Meyer V presents John Joiner with the Presidents Award. “As president of the FOHBC, it gives me great pleasure to award my personal highest degree of honor to a person that I admire for his personality, work ethic and love for the hobby. John Joiner from Newnan, Georgia stepped in with Jack Hewitt to be the Show Chair for last years FOHBC 2015 Chattanooga National Antique Bottle Show which by all accounts was a grand success. Choo-Choo to Chattanooga was our theme and John was certainlly the engineer and conductor behind this show that will be remembered for many years to come.”

Golden Shovel Awards. FOHBC Sacramento National Executive Committee. Left to right: Beverley Siri, Sacramento National Co-Chair, Richard Siri, Sacramento National Co-Chair, Warren Friedrich and Eric McGuire, FOHBC Western Region Director.

Special competition for seeing who had been to the most consecutive FOHBC National shows, conventions and expos. Brenda Baugh holds her husbands arm up the entire time as Sheldon Baugh, FOHBC First Vice President, eventually won.

The table centerpieces and chocolate gold coins were awarded to one banquet table sitter each whose chair was marked.

COCO

Coco watches on stage as her meal is delivered.

Elizabeth, my granddaughter Isabella, Coco our Weimaraner and I just returned from the mega FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo and are finally catching our breath after almost two years of planning. We welcome that it is over and at the same time, we are sad to have to rely on our memories. We had such a grand time! READ

Well… last issue I said that we would be putting full coverage of the FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo in the November December issue of BOTTLES and EXTRAS and we kind of did. Thirty-two pages of recap, attendee comments and super photographs from Gina Pellegrini await your perusal. You know, we do this each year and I suppose if you are going to have the biggest bottle event of the year, you’d better have a follow-up story to capture all the fun and excitement. Of course, some could not make the long trip west so this will also serve as a small synopsis of the many outstanding things that happened. READ

First Waco, Texas Antique Bottle Show

27 October 2017

Wide angle shot of showroom floor

Federation board member Brad Seigler (Southern Region Director and pictured left) reports that Jay Kasper was successful in holding the 1st Waco, Texas Antique Bottle Show this past weekend.

Brad reports that this was the first year of the Waco show and that Jay and his wife Mary really put forth the effort to make it run smoothly. The turn out was good for show day, and sales were brisk amongst walk-ins and the dealers. Before the show had even opened there was a large group of dealers on site to help set up the tables as well as after to help break it all down. Willingness to help out, share stories and talk bottles permeates our small, but close knit bottle community here in Texas.

Worth special note were the Whitley’s from Tulsa, Oklahoma who displayed their 50-state Hutch collection which is pictured above. Brad says he picked up a previously unknown Dallas cure tray and a very rare Heptol Splits tray from Morrison’s old corner drugstore in Waco. This being the originator of Dr. Pepper.
We hope that this was just the first of many Waco shows to come.

Jay & Mary Kasper (on ends) and Mike McGrew (holding sign).

Ware’s Baby Powder advertising tray. The Ware Chemical Company, Dallas, Texas

Heptol Splits Laxative advertising tray.

The Bailey’s who brought their 5-state Hutchinson display.

David and Martha Cole of Bangs, Texas

Brad Seigler (left) and Tom Leveille from Virginia.

The show room was busy all day.

Manville Show Big and As Crowded As Ever

07 February 2017

Last February 5th, Linda and I traveled to the 21st annual New Jersey Antique Bottle Club’s Antique Bottle Show and Sale, held again this year at the Manville VFW hall. The site is just about right for the 100 tables that show always has. Bob Strickhart took over the duties as show chairman four years ago when the show was about to be canceled by the club. Lack of volunteers and members was a huge issue. So Bob decided to take it on alone if need be to save the show. He has more than saved it, it has grown.

This is one reason I was so glad to have Bob join me as the co-chairman of the upcoming FOHBC 2017 Springfield National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo this coming August. Bob and I have worked very hard to make this Northeast region event the best it can be. Along with our team (Team Springfield), we are still working hard every day planning the event. Don’t miss this one!

You can see Bob’s planning skills at a smaller level at Manville. You can quickly get in and unload. You are greeted at the door by Bob’s wife Marianne with your dealer pack. Once you have your stuff set up, you are treated to a free dealers breakfast. The breakfast alone is worth half your table fee. What a deal and what a way to start the day off right.

Once again there was a line of folks waiting outside to come in at 9 a.m. when the doors opened. There are no early admissions at Manville. This seems to be something the dealers really like. Well over 200 paid admissions came through the door. It was crowded most of the day and I (or should I say Linda) sold well at our table. I am a floor general who spends the day visiting with people. We also handed out contracts and promo cards all day for Springfield. I have heard a lot of “I wouldn’t miss this one, I’ll be there.”

I did have a few dealers tell me they were thinking of coming in as early buyers rather than dealers. This was heartbreaking for me to hear from friends I see at all the shows during the year. Dealers are what make a show. If enough dealers choose to do that it will hurt the show. I understand it costs a bit more to stay the extra day this year. But look what you get. Fun-filled days with events that only come around once a year. I hear all the time that shows aren’t what they used to be. Ask yourself why that is? People also make the shows. It is not the building you’re in that matters. It’s you being there that counts.

Bob has proved that at Manville. He has created an event that is fun and people look forward to. So next year plan on going to Manville. Bob tells me he is sold out every year and has to struggle to get everyone in.

Next stop for me is Baltimore! Remember people make the shows!

Jim Bender

FOHBC Historian
2017 Springfield National Co-Chairman

All dealers and helpers received a free breakfast to start the day.

Early morning. All the dealers getting ready for the crowd to enter.

Bob Strickhart (far left) stands by waiting to greet people to the show as the doors open.

Norm Heckler busy in the morning setting up.

The Glass Works Auctions gang (Jim and Janice Hagenbuch) was on hand as always.

Bitters great John Feldmann sitting at a shared table with Brain Wade.

FOHBC board members Jim and Val Berry along with Linda Sheppard were on hand to take FOHBC memberships as well as Springfield National contracts and souvenir program ads.

Dana Charlton-Zarro and her trusted friend Annie visit with club member Mark Stotlzer.

As always, John Pastor and American Glass Gallery was on hand.

Greg Spurgeon with North American Glass as always, had a great table of fruit jars for sale.

When it comes to fruit jars, Greg Spurgeon is your guy.

I love to spot Springfield National promo cards on dealer tables.

Mark Vuono was on hand selling some very nice Calabash flasks that he had recently purchased. As Mark told me, he had to buy a bunch to get the one he wanted.

When I was collecting Union Clasped Hands historical flasks, I would have loved this stoneware piece, hey I still love this!

I thought I would use some space this time around and title it “Did You Know?” There is so much happening in the bottle world that can just plain slip by. Here are just a few things off the top of my head. READ

Loss of our friend … Bob Ferraro

It is with great sadness that we hear of the passing of Bob Ferraro in Boulder City, Nevada. Bob was many things including a great bottle collector, politician, business man, human being and most important, a friend to many and an inspiration.

Read: Former Mayor Bob Ferraro dies at 81

FOHBC Hall of Fame: 2002 – Bob Ferraro

President of the Federation from 1977-79, he has been a collector since the mid-1950s. He built outstanding collections of figural bitters, eastern whiskeys and Nevada bottles. He co-authored (with first wife Pat) The Past in Glass (1963) and A Bottle Collector’s Book (1964). He continues to serve the Federation (first vice president 2008-14) and director-at-large (2015).

FOHBC President: Bob Ferraro, 1977 – 1978, Boulder City, Nevada

Bob was chairman of the Federation’s Western Region from 1973-75 before becoming FOHBC president. He was president of the Southern Nevada Antique Bottle Collectors Club from 1971-73. One of his primary goals while serving the national organization was to increase membership by proposing to change the name of the organization from Federation of Historical Bottle Clubs to Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors. “During my term in office, the Federation decided to hold a national show in a different region each year and to have an exposition every four years in a different region. We were attempting to model the expositions after the first national show held in St. Louis in 1976. I believe we have met this objective. I have met and worked with many bottle collectors from all four regions within our country. This has been a pleasing and satisfying experience. Bottle collectors are great people!” He was inducted into the FOHBC Hall of Fame in 2002.

Mohawk Valley Antique Bottle Club has a Great Two Days

Day 1

I am running a bit behind with my show reports because the past three weeks has been filled with bottle activities. I have been to the Rochester bottle show, the Mohawk Valley Bottle Clubs show and just returned from the Mansfield show. I set up at all three shows and also went to Norm Hecklers barn sale in between. So, I am playing catch up at this point!

The Mohawk Valley Bottle Club held its 23rd annual show on May 7th. The location once again was at the Utica Maennerchor located at 5535 Flanagan Road in Marcy, New York.

The weather was rainy but this is not necessarily a bad thing for shows held this time of year as most people tend to do outdoor activities in the Spring when the weather is nice.

The show was 50 tables with 26 different dealers mostly from the Central New York area. They had over 100 people through the door and the show room was busy all day. I saw a few new faces set up which I had never seen before at any of the regional shows. This is a good thing for the hobby. I always try to buy from the new dealers to keep them feeling good about setting up. The Mohawk Club is a great bunch of people who try to have fun all the time. They understand the hobby and what it really is about; enjoyment and friends. So many times, we get caught up in what’s the best or biggest. From what I can see, this pulls us away from what made the hobby greatest, the people.

Club President Jon Landers was just elected to the FOHBC Honor Roll. This is an honor that Jon earned for sure. I have known Jon for many years and he promotes the hobby as well as anyone you will ever meet. Being on the FOHBC board, I read the Honor Roll application and submission booklet Jim and Val Berry (also FOHBC board and Mohawk Valley club members) submitted for Jon. It hit the nail right on the head and was the best Honor Roll application that I have seen in my many years with the FOHBC. I look forward to seeing Jon get his award at the Springfield National banquet.

The local Channel 2 news crew was on hand at the show asking people about the show and hobby. I had a chance to speak about the upcoming Springfield National convention. I am told the news segment looked good. I have not seen it myself. As always, I am including photos of the show. Next year mark your calendar and join us all at the Mohawk Valley Bottle Collectors Show and Sale.

Overview photograph of the show.

A second overall photo of the other side of the show room.

Jim Berry checking out a great green bottle.

Val Berry staffs the front desk waiting for the doors to open as Linda Sheppard visits with her. Watch for them both to team up at the front registration tables in Springfield.

Peter Bleiberg visits with a fellow milk bottle collector. Watch for Peter at the Springfield National.

Jeff Ullman (right) and Rick Weaver talk about Jeff’s attempt to revive the Saratoga Collectors Club. Rick had a great mineral water collection and Jeff is assembling one now.

I am told Jeff got about half a dozen people signed up. I now belong to the Saratoga Collectors Club and support Jeff’s efforts.

One of two signs on Jeff’s table.

Sue Landers had some nice inks for sale.

I spotted the Mohawk Clubs photographer Polly taking photos, so this time it was her turn. The fellow to the right is Keon Kellogg from the Empire State Bottle Collectors Association.

As always, if I am there and so are my FOHBC signs.

It took me years to find all four colors of these great Man on the barrel bottles. Here’s a set ready for the picken’.

Rodger Thomas had a ton of great milk bottles for sale.

The National Bottle Museum was on hand to promote their great bottle raffle. A fantastic aqua vertical Greeley’s Bourbon Whiskey Bitters figural barrel.

The Greeley’s Bourbon Whiskey Bitters being raffled off by the museum to raise money for the museum.

Every year the club raffles off a nice bottle.

Not only is Roy Topka a great digger but he is a huge supporter of the National Bottle Museum. Roy was selling raffle tickets for the great barrel bitters.

Mohawk Valley Bottle Collectors Club – Day Two

On Monday night at their monthly meeting, the Mohawk Valley Bottle Club decided once again to have a free drawing to members at the meeting for five free memberships to the FOHBC and five free memberships to the National Milk Bottle Collectors Association.

They did this last year and decided to do it again this year. I was there to hand out the latest issue of Bottles and Extras to the winners and Peter Bleiberg was on hand as the Milk Route editor to sign people up for that club. So, in effect, they took the money they made at the show and gave it back to the hobby. Just before a great Show and Tell program on antique tins by Dave McFadden they drew the names. How great is that! That folks is why I love this club so much.

As I look forward to Springfield and the 2017 National Convention and Expo, I realize just how many people from the Mohawk Club are involved. I am a co-chairman, Peter Bleiberg will be doing a seminar, Jim and Val Berry are handling the souvenir program, Jeff Ullman will be helping with security, of course Linda Sheppard will be at the front desk and Jon Landers will be going into the Honor Roll. What a great group of folks.

I have included the photos of the winners and thank you guys for supporting the hobby we all love. There were almost 50 people at the meeting on May 8th, now that is support.

Jim Bender
FOHBC Historian
2017 Springfield National Co-Chairman

Almost 50 members in all made the club meeting.

Sue Landers shares her tins with the club during show and tell.

Bob Dicker, at over 90 years old, shares a story about a bottle that he recently saw in Bottles and Extras.

Bob shows his bottle just like the one in the magazine. See it does not have to be worth a million dollars to be interesting.

Bob’s bottle next to the photo. He was very proud to share the story and were glad he did. Thanks Bob.

Jon Landers proudly holds up the book Val Berry gave him for being voted into the FOHBC Honor Roll.

Dave McFadden brought a small part of his tin collection to share with the club.

This very early store tin was a club favorite.

The winners of the FOHBC memberships were Al Casatelli, Tom Andriach, Theresa McFadden, Jeff Ullman and Carol Blenis.

The winners of the Milk Bottle Collectors Association membership were Dan Weeden, Juliann Scatko, Artis Finn, Michael Palczewski and Yvonne Wall.

Dave starts his talk on antique tins. It was very interesting for sure.

I found this to be an interesting tin for sure. It looks like a set of books on a shelf.

We lose a Great Leader in our Hobby – Gene Bradberry

20 June 2017 (R•062117)

Just hearing from Tom Phillips that long-time FOHBC member, past president and Hall of Famer Gene Bradberry passed away this morning.

Obituary for Ollie Eugene “Gene” Bradberry

2013 – Gene Bradberry Hall of Fame

In 2010, the FOHBC was in trouble. Internal squabbling was pushing the organization away from being the paternal parent of the hobby. Its future was bleak. In stepped Gene Bradberry as president, a job to which he was no stranger. He’d also served previously. But this time it was different. A retired Memphis, Tenn., policeman, he quickly laid down his brand of law and, as a result, the FOHBC arose, like the phoenix, and headed in the right direction. Ed Provine, Gene’s longtime good friend and fellow collector, in his letter of nomination pointed out that many collectors know of Bradberry’s dedication and hard work for the Federation. He joined the FOHBC in 1969 and quickly became active behind the scenes. He served as 2nd vice chairman (1971-72), chairman (1972-74), President (as chairmen became) (1988-94), Membership Director (1994-2000), Expo 2004 show chairman, 1st vice president (2004-06), Membership Director (2006-10), President (2010-2012) and Director at Large (2012-Present). He also found time to serve his Memphis Bottle Collectors Club and is presently show chairman.

Time for another issue of Bottles and Extras and the President’s Message. Our magazine has grown so much, there always seems to be something to work on each day. Incoming articles, images, Photoshop work, proof-reading, design, layout, advertising coordination and the myriad of other components that make up and complete our periodical six times a year. We sure have matured in this area. I also have a stack of our magazines from 1992 to 2002 sitting behind me that need to be scanned for archival inclusion on our web site so we are working on the back end, too. Please keep your membership up-to-date, consider submitting articles, advertise your show and specific needs and submit your letters, comments, finds and photography for consideration. We have a spot for you.

READ FULL MESSAGE

Buyers Uncork Pent-Up Enthusiasm As Bottles Take Over Springfield

Hi Jim, Here is the article that ran this week. READ Thanks for all your help with this and pass on my thanks to Bob Strickhart also, esp. for the tour of the show floor. I really enjoyed covering the convention. You have our permission if you want to post this pdf online or e-share it with your audience. A weblink might be easier to share tho so if you want to grab it, the article will likely go live on our website later today or tomorrow morning. If you go to our home page at www.AntiquesAndTheArts.com and click it, you can grab the individual URL for the article.- Andrea

We hope you like this issue of Bottles and Extras which is dedicated to our recent 2017 Springfield National. You will find within, an excellent comprehensive Springfield article by Jim Bender, one of our co-chairs. We decided to pair the Springfield article with Eric McGuire’s outstanding “Another Look at Sandwhich Glass’ article that initially appeared in the Springfield National souvenir program. These two feature pieces took most of our space within this issue. You will still find your section favorites like Member News, Shards of Wisdom, Member Photos, History’s Corner and Lost & Found etc. We even added a new page for Virtual Museum News which will now appear each issue. This update is being authored by Richard Siri who initially came up with the Virtual Museum idea.

READ FULL MESSAGE