Louis Fifer and his father John had found a bottle shard while digging at the Ravenna Glass Company site in Ohio. The Ravenna Glass Company started production in 1857 and closed in 1864. Known today for many marked historical flasks, they were also known for using high quality glass. The Fifer’s only clue to the bottle was the partial embossing “GETA” and below “ORM.SY” on the shard they found. After some detective work and with help from Matt Lacy, it is with great excitement that Louis was able to find and add a complete/intact example to his collection. The ROGERS VEGETABLE WORM.SYRUP CINCINNATI is small aqua pontiled medicine that was hand blown in Ravenna for a merchant in Cincinnati, so many miles away. See all the pictures in “Read More”.
Club news
Kaiser Wilhelm Bitters, Sandusky, OH
Gary Beatty sent me some pictures of a Kaiser Wilhelm Bitters from Sandusky, OH that he picked up at Chattanooga. I did some research, but little is know and nothing is listed in the Sandusky City Directory according to the sources. Those that I saw listed on ebay where mostly clear with a few ambers. In doing my research, I saw a number of Kaiser Wilhelm Bitters that were amethyst in color, interesting. Gary’s claims his had been nuked, was dull with stains and begging for a good cleaning. Gary was able to restore the bottle to the original condition. Beautiful bottle! See an advertising tray and a website in the “Read More”.
January Program
What a great program. Ohio/local beers and sodas was a real hit. Bravo to the presenters; Chris Gudzinas, Craig Lane, Todd Knisley and Matt Lacy. Chris Gudzinas started the program with a nice collection of Youngstown bottles. His main collection of Renner beers was impressive. “The origin of eastern Ohio’s longest-lasting brewery had remained a mystery to this author until recently, when new information was uncovered. See all the pictures from the meeting by clicking on “Read More”.
January Meeting
The January 28th meeting will feature a program of Ohio/local beers and sodas. This will be a club participation with many club members sharing their collections. I would hope to see a variety of very early sodas/beers all the way to the 50’s with the painted label sodas. Refreshment break will be pizza. Get your latest Mansfield news and pick up your Mansfield raffle tickets at the meeting.
Destination Cleveland for 2018
The long awaited announcement was made by Louis Fifer (FOHBC Conventions Director) that the 2018 FOHBC National Convention will be held in Cleveland, Ohio. The Ohio Bottle Club will be the host club. Read the announcement. After exploring other sites including Toledo, Sandusky, Columbus and Akron; Cleveland emerged as the leading site with a very strong offer and very attractive dining/activities within walking distance from the hotel. The team of Louis Fifer, Matt Lacy, John Fifer and Alan DeMaison received unanimous approval from the FOHBC Board of Directors on the proposal.
Jerry Haymond Passes
It is with great sadness that the OBC has learned that Jerry Haymond, milk bottle collector and dealer has passed. Jerry was a familiar face at all of our meetings, bottle shows and flea markets. Jerry was known for his hat that he always wore. Jerry was a pioneer in milk bottle collecting and he will be missed.
Happy New Years 2016
The OBC wishes all the collectors a happy New Years filled with good health and a few bottles for your collecting. Just received the digital Findlay and Kalamazoo newsletters for January 2016. Fun to start the new years reading about bottle collecting. The FOHBC Virtual Museum is establishing the first portable photographing site in Ohio. It will take a few months of work to perfect the method, but what a step forward in the hobby. Don’t forget the Muncie Fruit Jar show on January 10. Check out the weather reports and make plans to attend.
Merry Christmas
President’s December Message
This month is the club’s annual Christmas dinner. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. Dinner is at 6:30 on December 17th. We need some volunteers to be officers for next year. Secretary is a definite need. Please consider sharing your talents. We need volunteers to educate us on a part of collecting that you are an expert. We are always ready to learn about something new. Elaine’s brides bank collection started with a program that Ann Sekerak did for the bottle club. Her jelly jar collection started with a program we saw at the FOHBC National in Collinsville. Share your collecting. Click on the “Read More” to see the pictures from the November meeting.
Pittsburgh 2015
The sold out Pittsburgh Bottle Show and Sale was once again a nice show with an excellent assortment of bottles and tabletop antiques. The hospitality on Saturday night for the dealers and workers was great with an Italian sausage/macaroni pasta and shrimp cocktail highlighting a great variety of offerings. After a hearty meal, I always save enough room for a piece of banana cream pie. Set up was early on Sunday and there were plenty of bottles for the every collector. The display this year was awe inspiring Pittsburgh stoneware. Click on the “Read More” to see the pictures.
President’s message for November
This Months meeting will feature stoneware as the program. Bring your best stoneware piece(s) and story to share. Refreshments will be cookies. The Mansfield contracts are now available. If you are planning to stay that Friday night, get your room early. Bring an item for the silent auction. All proceeds will go to Haven of Rest for their annual Thanksgiving meal for the poor. Officers will be nominated. All are welcome at the Eagles in Wadsworth. See you this Thursday.
Keene & Coventry
Rick & Berny Baldwin recently made the trip to the Keene and Coventry Bottle shows. The shows are in October and along with great bottles, the changing of the leaves and the scenery are at their best. They have shared some of the great pictures from their vacation. Click on “Read More” to see all the great pictures.
Carl Abell passes
It is with great regret that we must report the passing of Carl Abell. Carl was a long time Ohio Bottle Club member. Carl’s family had operated the Elm Farm Dairy Plant in Medina from 1934 to 1979. He later establish an ice cream shop with a museum at the Elm Farm. Read all about the dairy and museum. Also read more about Carl and his distinguished life story. The Ohio Bottle Club has lost a friend.