BOTTLES IN THE NEWS
Alleged Theft Foiled At Popular Antique Bottle Show
Hi Fellow Collectors. I just received this article from another collector and dealer, and wanted to post it as a reminder to all of us that we always need to pay close attention and be aware when selling at shows. While I feel that all buyers are honest collectors, it only takes one to ruin things for everyone. If we all watch and help each other when we’re selling or buying, we’ll be able to catch and stop these knucklehead characters.
A rare Keene 1830s sunburst flask, valued at $800, went missing from a dealer’s table at the 46th annual Somers Antique Bottle Show at St. Bernard’s School in Enfield on Feb. 28, 2016, casting a shadow on an otherwise successful show.
Scott St. Laurent, a collector and show dealer, had the flask out on his table when a man came along, picked it up, and chatted with him about it. The man put the flask back and moved on. A woman following right behind bought a small bottle from his collection. Laurent said that when he bent down to get wrapping paper for her purchase, he immediately noticed the Keene flask was missing. As no other visitor had passed his table, Laurent said he stopped the woman and confronted her. She claimed the bottle she purchased was all she had. She invited him to follow her out of the school auditorium where the show was being held to check her bag in the school entryway.
Laurent followed her out where she again said he could check her bag, but that she needed to use the bathroom. The bottle wasn’t in her bag, and when she came back, Laurent apologized. But, he noticed that she was acting very strange and nervous
Suspicious, he went into the women’s bathroom and picked up and shook the waste basket, which was full of paper. He heard a rattle and found the missing bottle buried underneath the papers. Organizers detained the woman and called police. “It’s a shame. This never happens here,” said one of the regular vendors. “I’d like her to be permanently banned from this show,” said St. Laurent. “But I’m happy. I got my bottle back.” Despite the incident, the show presented an excellent opportunity for dealers, collectors, and the just plain curious to buy, sell, and learn about popular vintage glass. We always hear the saying, “Let the Buyer beware”, but maybe we need to add a new one that says, “Let the Seller beware”.
“Have Fun With The Hobby Of Bottle Collecting” – Mike
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