Peachridge Glass

The Shanghai Museum of Glass | SHMOG Opens

Posted on 27 May 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

While researching state-side Glass Museums I came across information regarding the new Shanghai Museum of Glass SHMOG. All I can say is wow! As a designer who frequently works in glass, and a collector of historic and contemporary glass, this is a must go, must see place. Totally off my radar but this may be the final straw to tip me in favor of the long promised trip to the Far East with my wife.

I was especially interested in the G+ Project. G+ represents the countless possibilities of glass. The future G+ Glass Theme Park will be planned and constructed to gradually realize forward-looking ideas and boundless inclusiveness. Historical materials, works, research achievements and essential ideas concerning glass at all times and in all over the world will stay and collide with each other here. Check the SHMOG website out. Anybody been there?

Posted in Advice, Ancient Glass, Art & Architecture, History, Museums, News, Technology | Tagged G+Project, Glass Museums, Museums, Shanghai Museum of Glass, SHMOG | Leave a comment

Bill Baab – A Tribute to a Man Who Has Done So Much

Posted on 27 May 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Bill Baab - 2011 FOHBC Hall of Fame

Since I joined the Federation (FOHBC) and was elected to the Board, I have had the pleasure of working with Bill Baab, A person I have heard so much about. I thought I would take a moment to examine some of the many things Bill has done for the Hobby and the Federation.

Born January 29, 1935 in Glenside, Pennsylvania, Bill Baab moved to Atlanta in 1937 and to Augusta in 1940 when his father was transferred south by W.F. Potts Son & Co., in Philadelphia. After graduation from Boys Catholic High School in 1953, Baab joined The Augusta Chronicle in 1955 as a copy clerk. In two years, he had worked his way onto the staff. In 1960, he left to join the Georgia Game and Fish Department as a public relations assistant. In 1961, he became sports editor of the Thomasville (Ga.) Times-Enterprise and in 1964, he returned to The Chronicle as outdoor editor and sports writer. He retired at the end of January 2000.

Bill started collecting antique bottles in the winter of 1969. He founded the Georgia-Carolina Empty Bottle Club during the early 1970s and was secretary and newsletter editor of the Horse Creek Antique Bottle Club in Langley, South Carolina, founded in 2003 by Mrs. Geneva Greene of Langley, South Carolina. He resigned from those positions in 2011.

In 1972, Bill began working on “Augusta on Glass” after digging numerous drug store, soda and beer bottles from Augusta and wondering about their historical backgrounds. He and his wife, Bea, self-published the book in 2007 after getting technical help from Mrs. Kathy Sathe, of Fletcher, North Carolina. In 2010, they self published a book on Augusta drug store bottles. A Dairy Book is in the third and fourth printing. A Book on Augusta go-withs (items that “go with” a bottle collection, such as bottle openers, billheads, letter heads) is in the works.

Bill joined the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors in 1996 and later volunteered to become its Southern Region editor, a position he resigned from nearly a dozen years later in 2011. He compiled a Southern Region report for each issue of the Federation journal, Bottles and Extras. He also edits many of the stories to be found in that magazine for good English, grammar, spelling, punctuation, continuity and factual contents.

Bill started researching a series of stories detailing the state-by-state history of bottle collecting. Another project contains sketches of FOHBC past presidents and he also updated the Federation Honor Roll and Hall of Fame Lists.

Bill has been honored by the FOHBC, receiving prestigious President’s Awards from Ralph Van Brocklin in 2004 and John Pastor in 2006. In 2011, he was inducted into the FOHBC Hall of Fame.

What more can this man do? Thank you Bill.

Posted in Collectors & Collections, Druggist & Drugstore, FOHBC News, History, Medicines & Cures | Tagged Augusta, Bill Baab, fohbc, Georgia, Hall of Fame, Ralph Van Brocklin | Leave a comment

Glass Museums

Posted on 25 May 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Ken Previtali sent me an email yesterday suggesting more information on Glass Museums. He sent me a few links which I have noted below. Thanks for the suggestion Ken! I have also added a special section on the NEW Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors Web Site (launch by 15 June 2011). Please help me out if you know of other museums!

Posted in Advice, Ancient Glass, Art & Architecture, History, Museums, News | Tagged Corning Museum of Glass, Glass Museums, Heritage Glass Museum, Museum of American Glass - West Virginia, Museum of Connecticut Glass, National Bottle Museum, Ohio Glass Museum, Sandwich Glass Museum, WheatonArts | 2 Comments

Outhouse diggers: Looking for gold(en bottles) in Butte

Posted on 24 May 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

My friend James Campiglia sent me some nice bottle PR he’s getting up in Montana. Keep me posted and good luck! An email and link is noted below:

Hello Ferd,

Look at this nice bit of publicity we got. Not many bottles yet. Oddly a nice Tippecanoe was found whole. I don’t think those are dug often, although common. We have 2 collections from old time Butte diggers to look at tomorrow. Hope to dig some good stuff and take pics and do an article. The Chalmers Catawba was found by our friend Ray who is helping us dig, somewhere up here in Montana.

Take care, James

Mtstandard.com

Posted in Article Publications, Digging and Finding, News | Tagged Butte, Digging, James Campiglia, Montana | Leave a comment

Francis J. Mikalonis, Jr. Passing

Posted on 23 May 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

I am very sorry to report that Fran Mikalonis passed away this past weekend. Fran was one of the first dealers that I met back in 2002. He was so energetic and helpful. I bought some of my earliest bottles from him. Thanks Fran. I will miss you. For funeral information and guestbook:

Francis J. Mikalonis, Jr

Posted in Collectors & Collections, News | Tagged Fran Mikalonis | Leave a comment

Don’t Fall For This Ad or Feel Sorry For This Guy

Posted on 22 May 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

While perusing the May – June issue of the FOHBC Bottles and Extras I got a real chuckle out of this Classified Ad I came across. Well don’t be fooled or feel sorry for Jeff. This guy has the looks, the wife, the great house on beautiful land filled with some of the nicest colored historical bottles you will ever see. Jeff really has an eye for impact and appeal.

Bottles and Extras Ad

Posted in Collectors & Collections, Color Runs, FOHBC News, Humor - Lighter Side | Tagged Bill Taylor, Bottles and Extras, ferdinand meyer, fohbc, Jeff Burkhardt, sandor fuss | Leave a comment

FOHBC Board Meeting and General Membership Meeting

Posted on 22 May 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

The FOHBC Board Meeting will be on the morning of Friday, 24 June 2011 followed by the General Membership meeting. Please consider coming as there are some really promising new developments.

Posted in Bottle Shows, FOHBC News, News | Tagged Board Meeting, fohbc, Memphis, National Show, Tennessee | Leave a comment

Flaccus Bros Steers Head Fruit Jars

Posted on 19 May 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Flaccus Bros Steers Head in Emerald Green - North American Glass May 2011 Auction

I received a notice from Greg Spurgeon regarding the latest North American Glass on-line auction of quality bottles & jars that will open on Monday, May 23rd. You can now preview all 231 items at his North American Glass website.

What caught my eye when I visited the new auction was his Gallery Featured Items. In particular lot #2664, the Flaccus Bros Steers Head Fruit Jar in Emerald Green (pictured above). I love these jars. They are so detailed and simply gorgeous. They also come in great colors. I’ve posted a few pictures below.

Image Sources: Reggie Lynch’s Antique Jar Hall of Fame, Welcome to Jerry’s Jars, and North American Glass.

Flaccus Bros Steers Head in Pale Yellow

Flaccus Bros in Yellow Green

Flaccus Bros Steers Head Pints Color Run

Flaccus Fruit Jars - Courtesy Jerry's Jars

Posted in Advice, Auction News, Color Runs, Fruit Jars | Tagged Flaccus Bros, fruit jars, greg spurgeon, Jerry's Jars, North American Glass, Reggie Lynch, Steers Head | 1 Comment

The Breweries of Clinton, Iowa

Posted on 19 May 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Read about Mark Wiseman’s purchase of two crown top beer bottles from the Tritschler & Tiesse Brewery in Clinton, Iowa during the auction of the late Bill Wharff’s collection several years ago that led him to co-author an article in the latest issue of the FOHBC Bottles and Extras. Another reason to become a FOHBC member! See American Breweriana Association

The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors cordially invites you to join a dedicated group of individuals and clubs who collect, study and display the treasured glass and ceramic gems of yesteryear.

As a FOHBC Board Member I add that The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors is a non-profit organization supporting collectors of historical bottles, flasks, jars, and related items. The goal of the FOHBC is to promote the collection, study, preservation and display of historical bottles and related artifacts and to share this information with other collectors and individuals.

Federation membership is open to any individual or club interested in the enjoyment and study of antique bottles. The Federation publication, Bottles and Extras, is well known throughout the hobby world as the leading publication for those interested in bottles and “go-withs”. The magazine includes articles of historical interest, stories chronicling the hobby and the history of bottle collecting, digging stories, regional news, show reports, advertisements, show listings, and an auction directory. Bottles and Extras is truly the place to go when information is needed about this popular and growing hobby.

In addition to providing strength to a national/international organization devoted to the welfare of the hobby, your FOHBC membership benefits include:

• A full year subscription the Federation’s official bi-monthly publication, Bottles and Extras

• One free ad per yearly membership of 60 words for use for “wanted” items, trade offers, etc.

• Eligibility for a discount at FOHBC sponsored shows (National or EXPOs) towards “early admission” or dealer table rent

• Access to a knowledge of the world of antique bottle collecting unavailable elsewhere

• Contact information for clubs devoted to the study of historical bottles

• A forum for your writings, articles, and editorials regarding the hobby

• Participation in the nomination and selection of Federation members for the Honor Roll and Hall of Fame

• Federation-sponsored writing, show poster, and newsletter-design contests

• Free publication assistance for your book or manuscript

• And more…

We encourage Affiliated Bottle Club memberships by offering these additional benefits to your group:

• Display advertising in Bottles and Extras at an increased discount of 50%

• Insertion of your bottle club show ad on the Federation website to increase your show’s exposure

• Links to your club website free of charge, as well as assistance with the creation of your website

• Free Federation ribbon for Most Educational Display at your show

• Slide programs for use at your club meetings

• Participation in Federation sponsored insurance program for your club show and any other club sponsored activities

Finally…

We need your support! Our continued existence is dependent upon your participation as well as expanding our membership. The Federation is the only national organization devoted to the enjoyment, study, preservation, collection, and display of historical bottles. The FOHBC welcomes individuals who would like to contribute by running for Board positions or by sharing their expertise and volunteering their talents in other areas of interest such as contributions to our publications, assistance with the Federation’s National and EXPO shows, or through membership promotion.

If you haven’t yet joined our organization, please do so and begin reaping the benefits. If you are already a member, please encourage your friends and fellow collectors to JOIN US!!