Hi to all of the bottle collectors out there. I hope everyone is digging, buying, or trading for bottles to fit your collections. I wanted to post a couple note worthy events that I was recently involved with.

The first item happened on June 21, 2014in Tonopah Nevada. By a great miracle, the Wyatt Earp “Northern Saloon “ excavation site was reopened in April 2014 to Ray Forrey for some continued digging. I met up with Ray, and another adventurer and friend, Dave Finnern who is also an experienced diver. Dave is an award-winning writer and has published numerous articles and books on underwater exploration. But, he’s also done his share of digging. It didn’t take long until we were digging and sifting for tokens, bottles, and other artifacts. After a full day of digging, we didn’t find any bottles but I did find two Vienna Bakery Tokens-Tonopah, Nev. (Circa 1905-1907) and Dave found two Wheat Pennies dated 1918 & 1920. The second day luck was again on my side and I found three more Vienna Bakery Tokens. Dave had to leave the next day, so Ray and I sent him home with one of the tokens to go along with the Wheat Pennies. He deserved it! We had a lot of fun but there is still plenty of dirt to sift for more treasures.

The next item is regarding an award I was honored to receive from the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors (FOHBC). During the August 1-3, 2014 FOHBC National Antique Bottle Show held in Lexington, Kentucky, I received the First Place Award for the Best True Story – “Wyatt Earp’s Northern Saloon and Tonopah ,Nevada” which was published in the Federation’s magazine, “Bottles & Extra’s” in the November/December 2013 issue. The plaque reads as follows:

Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors

Commends Mike Polak, Author

First Place 2014 Best True Story

“Wyatt Earp’s Northern Saloon And Tonopah, Nevada”

Published in the “Bottles & Extras”

2014 Bottle Auctions Demonstrate Excitement for Bottle Collecting

There have been a number of recent bottle auctions in 2014 that demonstrate how the hobby of bottle collecting continues to generate excitement for all bottle collecting enthusiasts.

Collectors were reminded just how valuable Perfume Bottles can be during the Perfume Bottle Auction on May 2, 2014 held by Ken Leach with 301 lots of vintage perfume bottles during the International Perfume Bottle Assoc.(IBPA) 26th Annual Convention on May 1-4 2014. Among some of the highlights of the 301 lots was an extremely rare 1922 Rosine Bottle “Antinea” that sold for $18,000, a 1919 Rosine “Aladin” Bottle in the original box that sold for $3,900, and an Egyptian 1920’s Blue Crystal bottle that sold for $12,000. But, the bottle that was the show stealer was an Egyptian style Baccarat Bottle “Toute I’ Egypt” for Monne that sold for an whopping $38,400. If you want to get in on the action, consignments are now being accepted for the 2015 Perfume Bottles Auction. Contact Ken Leach for information at 800-942-0550 or ken@perfumebottlesauction.com.

The excitement continued when Glass Works Auctions joined in on the fun with their “Festival of Color” auction offering 367 Lots of bottles ranging in categories from Bitters, Medicines, Sodas, Beers, and Historical Flasks to name a few on June 16th,2014. Among the highlights of this auction was a bright Yellow Green “Vidvard & Sheehan” Handled Whiskey with a hand crimped pour spout, circa 1860-1870, that sold for $7,500, a scarce Emerald Green, circa 1865-1875, “Union Spring Saratoga N.Y” Mineral Springs bottle that sold for $6,000, a scarce rich Yellow Olive “Eagle-Eagle” Louisville Glass Works Flask, circa 1835-1845, that sold for $8,500, and a Emerald Green Semi-Cabin shape “William Allen’s Congress Bitters”, circa 1865-1875, for $3.500. Consignments are now being accepted for the 2014 Fall Auction. Contact Jim Hangenbuch for information at 609-483-2683 or glswrk@enter.net.

McMurray Antiques & Auctions kept the action going with an auction on June 28th consisting of 190 lots of unique Patent Medicines, Drugstore, Apothecary, and Advertising items. One of the most unique items sold was a11” Tall high quality Porcelain “Leeches” Jar, circa 1886, that sold for $6,500, and a rare “Alvis Brazillian Specific Co. Pat’d June 10, 1890” Bottle, embossed with “The Cactus Blood Cure”, including the complete box, for $1,600. Consignments are now being accepted for the next auction. Contact Terry McMurray at 607-775-5972 or mcmurrayauctions@aol.com.

Not to be outdone, Norman C. Heckler & Company Auctions conducted a live public auction on July 18th 2014 that offered 76 lots of top quality bottles. The star of this auction, and the bottle that attracted all of the bidders, was a rare deep Yellow Green Sunburst Snuff Jar, circa 1815-1830, and made at the Keene Mariboro Street Glassworks in Keene, N.H. The bottle has been seldom seen and in a virtually perfect condition, it sold for an astonishing $57,330. In addition, a light Yellow and Olive Eagle Cornucopia Half-Pint Flask, circa 1815-1830, sold for $39,780, and a brilliant Yellow-Green concentric ring Eagle Flask, circa 1818-1830, sold for $31,590. Consignments are now being accepted for the annual fall auction. Contact Norman C.Heckler & Co. at 860-974-1634 or info@hecklerauction.com.

American Bottle Auctions just concluded a very successful auction on July 20th, 2014 with 186 lots of quality bottles including 35 Western Whiskey Fifths and another 20 Western Whiskey Flasks being offered for sale. There were a number of highlights from this auction including a golden Amber and heavily whittled “Washington/Taylor” Quart Flask that sold for $4,800, a rare light Amber “The Jockey Club Whiskey G.W. Chesley & Co. S.F.” Western Whiskey, circa 1873-1878, that sold for $4,600, and a bright Sapphire Blue “Double Eagle” Pint Flask that sold for $4,400. Consignments are now being accepted for the next auction. Contact American Bottle Auctions at 800-806-7722 or info@americanbottle.com.

As everyone can see, Bottle auctions continue to attract large numbers of collectors with record sales and a continued enthusiasm for the fun Hobby of Bottle Collecting.

I hope that everyone is having fun with the hobby of bottle collecting and finding some new treasures, or at least having fun trying.   In 40 years I don’t think I’ve stopped.

Every month I send out a package of post cards which advertise my book and provide details of the updated information, Bottles: Identification and Price Guide, 7 Edition, to the chairpersons of the many Bottle Club Shows across the US and Europe (If the timing is right) for distribution at their shows.   While putting together the latest group of cards for the 14 shows in April, I was also trying to think about what to write to update my blog on the website, www.bottlebible.com, Then, it hit me.  I started to wonder how many club members, and collectors who aren’t club members, support and attend their local clubs bottle shows.  The impact these shows have on the hobby is astonishing.   During 2013, there were 125 shows across the US consisting of a total of 10,000 tables (80 tables/show), 100 dealers per show, and approximately 30,000 collectors attending the show.   And, that doesn’t include show in England, Australia, The Netherlands, and other foreign countries.  A large number of these shows also include live bottle auctions.

Bottle shows are a lot of fun and can be a very rewarding and great learning experience for not only the beginning collector, but also for the veteran collector.  The shows always offer something new to earn or to share, and of course thousands of bottles to buy, trade, or sell.  The great thing about these shows is that they not only expose the collector to every type of shape, color, and variety of bottles, but also provide the opportunity to talk with experts in specialized areas.  No matter how many shows I’ve attended over the years, I still learn something new about glass and bottles at every show.

I’ve always felt that these bottle shows are part of the lifeline of the keeping the club alive, kicking, and growing.  Also, all the clubs have a New Members Sign-Up table for any collector wanting to join the club and jump in the fun.  By joining a local club and working with other collectors, you’ll find more ways to add to your collection, gather information, and most likely do a lot more digging.  So, let’s get out there and support your local bottle club, even if you’re not a member.  And why you’re there, why not join the club and become a member.   For an excellent listing of all club show, navigate to www.fohbc.org (Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors) and check out all show times and locations.

Now, check out a show this weekend and remember, “Keep Having Fun With The Hobby of Bottle Collecting”

Mike

 

Hi.  This is my first blog entry on my newly revised web-site www.bottlebible.com, and I want to welcome all Antique Bottle & Glass Collectors to the site.  I plan on providing updated news, events, and helpful information regarding the Hobby of Bottle Collecting.  I’m looking forward to everyone’s input and comments.  Remember, “Have Fun With The Hobby of Bottle Collecting.”

 

John Pastor, Publisher of “Antique Bottle & Glass Collector” magazine, recently asked me to write an article on what it would take for a beginning collector to start a  bottle collection from scratch with a budget of $10 to a $100.   John’s question brought back memories of my own early experiences as a new bottle collector 40 years ago, along with discussions I have had with new collectors at antique/bottle shows about the cost involved to start a collection.   This inaugural blog is an excerpt from a full length  article that will be published in the December 2013 issue of “Antique Bottle & Glass Collector.”

I’ve lost count of how many new collectors have walked up to my table, checked out some of my bottles for sale, then with a frustrated voice said, “I’m new to the hobby and want to start collecting bottles, but they seem so expensive?”

Well, that’s partly true.  There are rare and scarce bottles with unique designs, shapes, and colors that demand premium dollars.    But there are even more average or common antique bottles available such as Whiskey Cylinders, Whiskey Flasks, Beer, Inks, Medicines, and Food or Utility bottles, in the range of $1.00-100.00.   I’ve developed a quick look technique of buying bottles into three categories.

Low end or common bottles: Bottles in this category reflect noticeable wear   and in most cases the label is completely gone and there isn’t any embossing or identification.  The bottle is dirty, (which can usually be cleaned) with some scrapes but free of chips.  These bottles are usually clear but can also be found with colors.

Average grade/common bottles: Bottles of this type show some wear, and a label may be visible but usually is faded.  They are generally clear, aqua, or amber and free of scrapes or chips.  Many of these bottles will also have some type of embossing.

Average grade to Mid-High Grade: These bottles can be empty, partially, or completely full, with the original stopper and labeling or embossing.  The color of the bottle can be clear but usually are green, teal blue, cobalt blue, amber, yellow, or yellow green, or variation of shades of each of these colors. The bottle should have no chips, scrapes, and very little wear.  If it has been stored in a box, the bottle is most likely in good or excellent condition.   Also, the box must be in very good condition.

The Low End category can be found for $1.00 to $5.00, the Average grade from $5.00 to $20.00, and the Average Grade to Mid-High grade from $20.00 to $100.00.   Remember, the goal is to keep everything below $100.  As a general rule, I try to only spend $2 to $5 per bottle for the Low end, $10 to $20.00 for the Average Grade, and $20 to $40 for the Average to Mid-High grade.

Another great place for new collectors to find inexpensive bottles is under the dealers table.  Many dealers spend a lot of time digging, find many common bottles that they don’t intend to keep, and don’t the time to clean them.  So, they put them under their tables to sell at reduced prices might even take less.  Don’t be bashful. I’ve seen these bottles offered for $10-20 for a box of 20-25 bottles, and some cleaning.  I’ve even seen large quantities of common medicines sell for as low as .50 a bottle.

Always let the seller know that you are a new collector with a limited budget.  I’ve never run across a dealer who wouldn’t work with a new collector on a limited budget. Most dealers are also experienced collectors and enjoy helping a new collector. Now check out those bottle shows, flea markets, swap meets, and garage sales, handle that glass and ask plenty of questions, and bargain hard to get the best deal.  Above all, “Always Have Fun With The Hobby Of Antique Bottle Collecting.”

Bottles on a Budget

 

Hello, I am Michael Polak III. Working with my Grandpa Mike Polak we have brought you a redesigned website. We plan to keep the site interactive with bottle news, informative bottle  blogs, and many more exciting stuff to come! We will also keep you up to date on all the latest bottle meetings, book releases, and appearances.

Yes so the grandson gets to bug his own Bottle Collecting Grandpa to get him updated stuff so you will be sure to get the latest news! Please let us know if there are any thing you would like to see on the site. We would love your feedback. Please visit our contact page.