It is 27 November and I am sitting in my studio on a Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday. I am grateful and in the spirit. You see, today is the day I start playing traditional Christmas music here in the studio and it makes me happy. I remember growing up and being with my family. Warm and fuzzy feelings. With the flood and the house in disarray, we had Thanksgiving and we plan Christmas at my daughter’s house with the grandkids (and 12 dogs). I got all excited and said I wanted to try something new under the circumstances and wanted to take them all to a hotel suite for a few nights and have Thanksgiving in a restaurant. Well, I started a riot. I had forgotten about tradition and family and had to back pedal quickly. Maybe next flood.

READ FULL MESSAGE

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

It is 27 November and I am sitting in my studio on a Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday. I am grateful and in the spirit. You see, today is the day I start playing traditional Christmas music here in the studio and it makes me happy. I remember growing up and being with my family. Warm and fuzzy feelings. With the flood and the house in disarray, we had Thanksgiving and we plan Christmas at my daughter’s house with the grandkids (and 12 dogs). I got all excited and said I wanted to try something new under the circumstances and wanted to take them all to a hotel suite for a few nights and have Thanksgiving in a restaurant. Well, I started a riot. I had forgotten about tradition and family and had to back pedal quickly. Maybe next flood.

READ FULL MESSAGE

It’s hard to believe that this will be my last President’s message for the FOHBC in Bottles and Extras. My, has time flown by. Six years as President and thirty-six issues of Bottles and Extras with me standing on a soap box. I remember looking at a blank screen and wondering if I could fill a half page with copy. It seems like previous presidents did about the same. Well before I knew it, I was using a full page and was reducing the cap height to fit about 1,100 or 1,200 words in each issue. Yes, still chatter but it always felt good to get it off my chest and to keep our membership up to date with club news from my viewpoint.

READ FULL MESSAGE

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