The Barns Miniature Bottle Display

D I S P L A Y    S E R I E S


Here is the next in the series of expanded coverage of the wonderful displays at the 2012 FOHBC Reno Expo. These pictures of Ron & Jeanette Barns ‘Miniature Bottles’ are credited to Scott Selenak (FOHBC photographer).

This is the first display of many that caught my attention at the Expo. This is Ron Barns (Chico, California) pictured below, who along with his wife Jeanette, have assembled the most comprehensive collection of miniature bottles that I have ever seen. Some of these bottles are extremely rare and all are in excellent condition.

Many folks back East that I have mentioned this collection to, have heard of the Barns Collection. It was spectacular to see the comprehensive collection in one setting. As a collector of miniature Bitters bottles, I was equally impressed with some of the examples on display.

Read More: Swirls, Whirls, Twists & Twirls

Read More: E.G. Booz and North American Log Cabins Too!

Read More: EC&M Insulator Display at the FOHBC 2012 Reno Expo

Read More: Cigar & Tobacco Jar Display at the Reno Expo

Read More: W.H. Hutchinson Display – Reno Expo


The Ron & Jeanette Barns

M I N I A T U R E   B O T T L E S 








About Ferdinand Meyer V

Ferdinand Meyer V is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and has a BFA in Fine Art and Graphic Design from the Kansas City Art Institute and School of Design. Ferdinand is the founding Principal of FMG Design, a nationally recognized design consultation firm. Ferdinand is a passionate collector of American historical glass specializing in bitters bottles, color runs and related classic figural bottles. He is married to Elizabeth Jane Meyer and lives in Houston, Texas with their daughter and three wonderful grandchildren. The Meyers are also very involved in Quarter Horses, antiques and early United States postage stamps. Ferdinand is the past 6-year President of the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors and is one of the founding members of the FOHBC Virtual Museum.
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2 Responses to The Barns Miniature Bottle Display

  1. Froggy says:

    Incredible collection, considering how rare some of these are. We collect miniature(sample) embossed BEERS and after 7 years have 13 different examples. One can never go wrong collecting miniature/Sample anything as the challenge of finding these rare and sought-after pieces make one’s collection very satisfying, however large or small it may be.

  2. mikedickman says:

    I agree with Froggy: miniatures/samples are interesting, worthwhile additions to every category of bottles although often very difficult to locate. The FOHBC Expo in Denver in 2000 had an amazing display of rare figural bitters placed side-by-side with the sample version of each bottle. I’ve never seen some of those miniature bitters before or since. It’s too bad the FOHBC didn’t have photographer Scott Selenack back then to record that wonderful display for posterity!

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