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
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