Latest Update – 28 August 2016
Photographs & Web Posts
FOHBC members, please contact Ferdinand Meyer V at fmeyer@fohbc.org for obtaining and using images. All images are the property of FOHBC. A special thanks to our show photographer, Gina Pellegrini.
FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo | FOHBC Board Meeting
FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo | Early Dealer Registration
FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo | Generals House VIP Reception
FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo | Sacramento Shootout
FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo | Membership Meeting Breakfast
FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo | Educational Seminars
FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo | Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo | 49er Bottle Jamboree Auction
FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Educational Displays
FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Showroom Floor
FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Showroom People
Official Sacramento National Convention Photographer – Gina Pellegrini
Click Art Below to Read Info Packet
Dealer Contract & Information Packet
Souvenir Program
General Information | Quick Tips!
Events or Info in Alphabetic Order
American Bottle Auctions Open House: American Bottle Auctions, 915 28th Street, Sacramento, CA 95816, Thursday, August 4th, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Meet Jeff Wichmann, tour his office and see some wonderful displays of antique bottles and western memorabilia. Shuttle Bus back and forth to the Wichmann Open House from the Lions Gate Hotel. *See Shuttle Bus information below. **See additional information further below.
Appraisals: Available at the front FOHBC tables on Saturday & Sunday during General Admission hours, McClellan Conference Center.
Auction: Holabird 49er Jamboree Auction, Saturday evening, 06 August 2016, 7:00 pm to approximately 10:00 pm at the Lions Gate Hotel, Club Ballroom A & B. Preview all lots early, before you place your bids, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. *See additional information further below. VISIT AUCTION READ CATALOG
Banquet: Friday, 05 August at Lions Gate Hotel, Club Ballroom, 6:30 pm to approximately 8:30 pm. Betty Zumwalt, renowned antique bottle and glass authority and author, FOHBC 2008 Hall of Fame inductee, will be the guest speaker discussing “50 year celebration of achievement”. Jeff Wichmann Hall of Fame award. Tommy Mitchiner (the late) Honor Roll award. FOHBC Club and Individual awards. A limited number of tickets available now and at door. You do not have to be a FOHBC member to attend.
Children: Children’s Bottle Grab Bags are available at the front FOHBC tables on Friday, Saturday & Sunday during Early & General Admission hours, McClellan Conference Center.
Cocktail Hour: Lions Gate Hotel Patio, Friday, August 5th, 5:30 – 6:30 pm. Prior to the FOHBC Banquet. Cash Bar. Anyone can attend.
Coffee Hangar: McClellan Conference Center. The Coffee Hangar is located in the McClellan Conference Center, at the intersection of Palm Street & Luce Avenue. An ideal location to kick back with friends, or have a quick meeting. Their baristas are proudly brewing ®Temple Fine Coffee & Teas, made to order. They also offer breakfast & lunch items including gourmet soups, salads, and sandwiches. More than great coffee, They offer a great selection of wine and craft beers. Will be open during all convention hours.
Dealer Contract: Information posted above.
Dealer (Early) & Convention Registration: Early Dealer and Convention Registration is at the Lions Gate Hotel, Club Ballroom Foyer, Thursday afternoon, August 4th, 3:00 – 5:00 pm. Registration packets and complementary Souvenir Programs will be available on Thursday afternoon at the Federation tables adjacent at the Lions Gate Hotel Club Ballroom Foyer. You can get your dealer or early admission packet before the crowd. You will also be able to join or renew your FOHBC membership and purchase FOHBC merchandise. The 2017 Springfield National Convention contracts will be available. *See Dealer Contract above.
Dealer Registration & Ticket Sales: McClellan Conference Center, Friday, August 5th, 7:00 am – 5:00 pm. Saturday, August 6th, 7:00 am – 5:00 pm *8:00 am for Early Admission. 9:00 am for General Admission. Sunday, August 6th, 7:00 am – 3:00 pm (Convention End) *8:00 am for Early Admission. 9:00 am for General Admission. Get your dealer, early admission & show packet at the McClellan Conference Center.
Dealer Unloading: McClellan Conference Center, Friday, August 5th, 7:00 am – Noon. During this time period, you may use the McClellan Conference Center rear service entry doors. No dealer loading and unloading in front of the center. The rear doors will be locked during show times so plan your time accordingly. Strict No Parking regulations. The front drive area is clearly marked with both striping and a yellow curb with stenciled No Parking language. McClellan Conference Center Staff will be on hand to marshall traffic. They are not availability to carry dealer valuables.
Displayer Unloading & Set-Up: McClellan Conference Center, Thursday, August 4th, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. Friday, August 5th, 7:00 am – Noon. During this time period, you may use the McClellan Conference Center rear service entry doors to unload. Only display tables, shelving, lights etc can be unloaded on Thursday. Valuables must be unloaded and set-up on Friday morning. No dealer loading and unloading in front of the center. The rear doors will be locked during show times so plan your time accordingly. Strict No Parking regulations. The front drive area is clearly marked with both striping and a yellow curb with stenciled No Parking language. *Displays & Displayers listed further below.
Early Admission: Early Admission is for non-dealers that would like the privilege of buying early at the show with the dealers. The early admission fee will be $60 for individuals or a family couple (including minor children). This price includes a complimentary Souvenir Program. Discounted cost for early admission to national conventions is another privilege of FOHBC membership. The discounted rate for current paid up Federation members is $45. You can purchase at Registration tables at the Lions Gate Hotel, Club Ballroom Foyer, Thursday afternoon, August 4th, 3:00 – 5:00 pm or Saturday, August 6th, 7:00 am – 5:00 pm at the McClellan Conference Center, or Sunday morning at 8:00 am at the McClellan Conference Center.
Event Schedule: Posted above and in Souvenir Program.
FOHBC Board Meeting: The semi-annual FOHBC board meeting will occur on Thursday morning, August 4th at the Lions Gate Hotel, Lions Den, from 8:00 am – Noon. FOHBC members are welcome as non-participating guests.
General Admission: Doors open for General Admission ticket holders on Saturday, August 6th from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday, August 7th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the McClellan Conference Center. General Admission is $5.
General’s House Reception: Lions Gate Hotel, Generals House, Thursday evening, August 4th, 5:30 – 7:30 pm. (prior to Sacramento Shootout). Sponsored by American Bottle Auctions & Peachridge Glass. This event is for dealers who have bought tables, their assistants, displayers, seminar givers and those with early admission pass. *See additional information posted further below.
Hotel Information: *Posted further below.
Internet Access: Complimentary to Lions Gate Hotel guests. Fee for connection at McClellan Conference Center.
Lunches: McClellan Conference Center. Dealers can order Box Lunch meals that are brought to their tables from the Coffee Hangar. All box lunches to include: Condiments, Whole Fruit or a Bag of Chips, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Can of Soda or Bottle of Water $14 per person* Choice of Ham and Cheese, Turkey and Cheese or Vegetarian Hummus Sandwich *price does not include 22% service charge or 8% sales tax. Orders will be taken on Friday afternoon for Saturday lunch & Saturday afternoon for Sunday lunch at McClellan Conference Center.
Membership Meeting Breakfast: Lions Gate Hotel Patio, Friday morning, August 5th, 7:00 am – 8:30 am. The FOHBC will be hosting its 2nd FOHBC General Membership Meeting Breakfast at the Lions Gate Hotel Patio. Meet your Federation officers. This event is free and only for current and paid up FOHBC members. Come hear the latest news and goals of your Federation. This will be a buffet breakfast that starts at 7:00 am. The meeting will start promptly at 7:30 am. Memberships sold at door.
Memberships (New & Renewal): Available at FOHBC tables.
Merchandise: Available at FOHBC tables.
Name Tags Badges: Dealer, early admission, show official and general attendee name tag badges must be worn and checked before entering the show. There will be no giving/sharing of name tag badges to individuals not listed on a sales table contract. Anyone found in the show area without a proper badge will not be allowed to remain. The FOHBC reserves the right to refuse anyone a sales table including assistants, early admissions, or general admissions to the show at any time for any reason. Any persons working and or helping with the show will be given an official show name tag badge.
O’Club: Dine at the O’Club at the Lions Gate Hotel which has some of the finest dining in Sacramento. Enjoy locally sourced ingredients elevated into fine dining by Chef John Carrier at their critically acclaimed onsite restaurant and lounge. The lounge at ‘ Club features pub style appetizers and mouth-watering entrées.
Parking: Parking is free for Lions Gate Hotel guests and visitors. Parking is free at the McClellan Conference Center.
Raffles: A $1 thousand dollar donation has been given to the FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention by the FOHBC to support a series of drawings during the public portion of the show on Saturday and Sunday. Vouchers will be given to the winners to be spent at the show. Drawing Times: Saturday & Sunday: Every hour from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. FOHBC officers, show chairpersons, and their spouses/partners or children are not eligible for the drawings. Any consultants to the FOHBC are also not eligible. Only one win per person.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: McClellan Conference Center, Friday, August 5th, 12:50 pm. Come watch the exciting ribbon cutting ceremony for the 2016 FOHBC Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo. The event will start promptly 10 minutes before the doors open for dealers and early admission attendees.
RV Parking: Total of fifteen (15) RV’s will be permitted on the Grounds. Parking will be offered at the Lions Gate Hotel’s “overflow” parking lot. A $25 nightly fee will be assessed for each RV/Trailer parked on-site. Please note that the Lions Gate Hotel does not currently offer hook-ups for water/sewer/electrical and should be promoted as “dry parking” for those interested. Reservations for RV Parking must be made with Michael Hutchings (Lions Gate Hotel) directly by the Group Cut-Off Date in July. Upon arrival, attendee/camper must check-in with the Hotel Front Desk to provide method of payment and confirm RV Parking Spot (through receipt of valid parking pass). Please note that the parking permits are only specific to RV’s and all other self-parking at the Hotel via standard vehicle is permit-free.
Sacramento Shootout: Sacramento Shootout bottle competition on Thursday, 04 August at Lions Gate Hotel, Club Ballroom. 8:00 – 11:00 pm after the General’s House Reception. There will be three (3) categories. Each category will have three (3) judges. Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. The categories are Jesse Moore Sole Agent (cylinder fifths), U.S.A. Hosp. Dept. quarts and Hostetter’s Bitters (limit 4 entries per competitor per category). *See additional information posted further below. **Please bring your entry bottle(s) at least 1/2 hour before event for registration.
Security: Every effort will be made to safeguard the sales and display areas. Uniformed security guards will be on duty at all times during the unloading period, the show, after show hours and the loading period. There will be signage prominently displayed at the McClellan Conference Center entrance and registration area stating “All boxes, tote bags and any other carry-in items are subject to a search at any time while attending the show.” There will be signage at entry areas and registration stating that the FOHBC reserves the right to refuse access to the show for any reason, at any time. Security announcements reminding dealers of their responsibility to oversee their tables and protect their merchandise will be made. Security volunteers will walk the sales floor during show hours. Be aware that the most vulnerable times for theft are at set-up and end of show periods.
Show officials and security will monitor and require dealers and attendees to evacuate the room promptly at the end of each day. There will be sufficient security for displays at all times. Security will be provided during the Sacramento Shootout bottle competition.
Sellers Permit – Temporary Seller’s Permit: The FOHBC is required by the State of California to have a copy of either a Seller’s Permit, Temporary Seller’s Permit, or B.O.E. Form 410-D exemption on file for each seller in order to rent tables to venders. Obtaining a Temporary Seller’s Permit or applying for an Exemption online only takes a couple minutes. And both are FREE. You will be questioned if you have not returned upon registration. Information posted below.
Seminars: Friday, 05 August at Lions Gate Hotel, Club Ballroom A & B on August 5th from 9:00 am to Noon. The six (6) seminars are: Warner And Dr. Charles Craig: Their Connection And The Beginning Of The Warner Medicine Empire – Michael W. Seeliger with assistance from Mike and Kathie Craig, The A.W. Cudworth Business Journal – Tom Jacobs, Red Wing Advertising Stoneware – Steve Ketcham, Early California Stoneware – John O’Neill, Early American Scent Bottles – Chris Hartz and Gold Rush Artifacts – John Shroyer. *See additional information posted further below and within Souvenir Program.
Shuttle Bus Schedule: *Posted further below.
Virtual Museum: Information and donations at the front FOHBC tables on Saturday & Sunday, McClellan Conference Center.
Hotel Reservations
[29 March 2016] Notice: The entire Lions Gate Hotel the FOHBC reserved is SOLD OUT.
Please contact our BACK-UP HOTEL noted below:
Please contact the Crowne Plaza Sacramento Northeast as this hotel is a full-service property like the Lions Gate Hotel and is located approximately 1.5 miles away. You can call 1.877.504.0054 and ask for the “Bottle Collectors” or provide the Block Code of: BT6. The Lions Gate Hotel nightly rate price has been matched at $99.00 per night plus tax.
You can also book directly through the booking link below.
Crown Plaza Sacramento Northeast
Should you have any questions regarding your room at the Crowne Plaza, please contact the Sr. Sales Manager, Metkeo Keomany at 916.338.5800.
[ Click for Lions Gate Hotel for special FOHBC reservations *mention Bottle 2016 or Bottle Collectors group]
You can also make reservations by calling Central Reservations at 916-643-6222, select (1) for reservations, and mention group code BOTTLE2016 to the reservationist.
If anyone is still having trouble with the link and/or with Central Reservations, they can always call the Lions Gate Hotel at the front desk to make their reservation. Any front desk agent will be able to help them. 916.643.6222
Seller’s Permit – Temporary Seller’s Permit
Please return to us: 1. Signed contract, 2. Your Fees 3. *Copy of your Seller’s Permit, Temporary Seller’s Permit [Apply for your TSP no earlier than February 1, 2016, and no later than June 1, 2016. You can send this later] or California Board of Equalization Form 410-D (Exemption).
BOE-410-D
Choose ONE of the colored-options below.
*If you already have an applicable business license or Seller’s Permit, enclose a copy with your contract and fees.
*If you need to get a Temporary Seller’s Permit [TSP] for this show, please use the following link to apply online: https://efile.boe.ca.gov/ereg/index.boe, then print the TSP and send to FOHBC c/o Warren Friedrich by June 4, 2016. [Choose “Register a business activity with Board of Equalization.”] Note: Apply for your TSP no earlier than February 1, 2016, and no later than June 1, 2016.
*If you are not required to have a TSP, please include a signed copy of B.O.E. Form 410-D found here: http://www.boe.ca.gov/pdf/boe410d.pdf (Fill out online. Print. Send to FOBHC c/o Warren Friedrich by June 4, 2016.) This link also has information about who is exempt.
The FOHBC is required by the State of California to have a copy of either a Seller’s Permit, Temp. Seller’s Permit, or B.O.E. Form 410-D exemption on file for each seller in order to rent tables to venders. Obtaining a Temporary Seller’s Permit or applying for an Exemption online only takes a couple minutes. And both are FREE.
Shuttle Bus Schedule
Airport Shuttle Bus Service: The FOHBC will receive discounted shuttle bus service to and from the Sacramento International Airport with the Lions Gate Hotel shuttle bus. Daily rates are $15 per person one-way or $25 round trip per guest. The Lions Gate Hotel will also honor the round-trip shuttle transportation to-and-from Sacramento Int’l Airport and Crowne Plaza Hotel, with a 48 hr advanced reservation notification. Anyone needing the service must call the LGH Front Desk Directly at 916-640-0835 and reserve their to-and-from transportation and mention both Bottle Collectors AND Crowne Plaza Sacramento hotel during said reservation.
Thursday, August 4th, 2016 thru Sunday, August 7, 2016
Shuttle Bus pick-up at Crowne Plaza Sacramento: 10:00 am, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm, 4:30 pm, 5:30 pm
Shuttle Bush drop-off at LGH: 10:10 am, 2:40 pm, 3:40 pm, 4:40 pm, 5:40 pm *All events at Hotel
Shuttle Bus drop-off at Crowne Plaza Sacramento from LGH: 5:30 pm, 6:30 pm, 7:30 pm, 8:30 pm, 9:30 pm, 10:30 pm, 11:30 pm
Friday, August 5th, 2016 thru Sunday, August 7th, 2016
Shuttle Bus pick-up at Crowne Plaza Sacramento: 7:30 am, 8:00 am, 8:30 am, 9:00 am
Shuttle Bus drop-off at MCC: 7:45 am, 8:15 am, 8:45 am, 9:15 am
Shuttle Bus pick-up at MCC: 3:30 pm, 4:00 pm, 4:30 pm, 5:00 pm
Shuttle drop-off at Crowne Plaza Sacramento: 3:45 pm, 4:15 pm, 4:45 pm, 5:15 pm
Saturday & Sunday, August 6th & 7th, 2016
Continuous shuttle bus between LGH and MCC (back and forth) between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
49er Jamboree Auction Now Online
13 July 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Fred Holabird
(775) 851-1859 or (844) 492-2766
fredholabird@gmail.com
NEARLY 200 LOTS OF RARE, HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE WESTERN BOTTLES WILL BE SOLD AT HOLABIRD WESTERN AMERICANA’S ’49er BOTTLE JAMBOREE, AUG. 6th
The event will coincide with the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors’ (FOHBC) Sacramento National Antique Convention & Expo.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Rare Western bottles will take center stage at the annual auction of the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors, scheduled for Saturday, August 6th, at the Lion’s Gate Hotel in Sacramento. The event will be part of ‘49er Bottle Jamboree and will coincide with the FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo, slated for August 4-7 at the same venue.
“This year we’re doing something different by presenting a wide variety of bottles and related pieces that help define Western collecting,” said Fred Holabird, president of Holabird Western Americana, based in Reno, Nevada, the firm conducting the auction. “We solicited bottles that are an iconic representation of the genre from different areas – and in the West, that isn’t easy.”
In all, 193 lots will come up for bid, the vast majority of them from the Western United States. These will include 60 whiskeys (featuring the two expected top lots in the sale), 50 sodas (to include many rarities), 45 medicines (featuring rare colored examples and some fantastic Owl bottles), five bitters and ten miscellaneous bottles (to include a cobalt blue grenade and inks).
“Bottles from some of the Western states are so rare that it’s difficult to find collectors who want to part with their gems, and we can’t blame them,” Mr. Holabird said, “but somehow, some of the most cherished pieces imaginable have found their way into this auction. Some are literally unknown to the bottle collecting world. Some are from non-collectors. Most are great rarities.”
The two whiskeys expected to do well include a green Thomas Taylor & Importers (Virginia City, Nev.) fifth, one of only two examples known and one of the earliest embossed cylinder Western whiskey bottles. It dates to around 1865-1870 and is being offered at auction exactly as it was discovered in the early 1970s in Reno. The bottle is estimated to realize $15,000-$25,000.
The other is an early yellow-green Gold Dust Whiskey (San Francisco, Calif.), circa 1871-1874, one of only eight known and literally flawless – 100 on a scale of 1-100, having never been in the ground nor mishandled (the original cork is still in place). This relic from the California Gold Rush, one of the oldest of the Western embossed whiskey bottles, should bring $10,000-$20,000.
One bottle from the miscellaneous category expected to generate much excitement is a Harkness “Fire Destroyer” grenade bottle (or ribbed glass bottle form hand fire grenade). The 6 ½ inch tall bottle, possibly the finest one known, is a deep cobalt blue in color, with red puce bands running through the glass. It has no chips, cracks or scratches and is expected to garner $5,000-$8,000.
The expected top lot of the sodas category is a W & B Shasta (Shasta, Calif.) Superior Mineral Water bottle, deep cobalt blue, with a fluted base and applied top. It is one of maybe a half-dozen or fewer Shasta bottles known, as the company only existed from around 1855-1860. As a result, it is regarded as one of the all-time great ghost town bottles and should finish at $9,000-$12,000.
Other sodas of note include a Pollard Soda (Las Vegas, Nev.) crown top bottle, circa 1905-1909, one of two known and the only embossed bottle of any kind to come out of Las Vegas during that time period (est. $3,000-$6,000); and a classic American Hutchinson’s style G. W. Tallman (Telluride, Colo.) soda bottle, medium aqua in color and produced circa 1900 (est. $300-$500).
The crown jewel of the medicines category should be the choice set of eleven triangular cobalt blue Owl Poison bottles, being offered as one lot with an estimate of $1,500-$3,000. The group includes the standard rounded corner variety and at least two examples of the earlier sharp angle cornered Owls. The bottles range from 2.4 inches to 9.75 inches and make an instant collection.
A single offering from the Owl Pharmacy (Seven Troughs, Nev.) will come in the form of a 16-ounce drug bottle from around 1909, one of only two known and the only one of the two in completely original condition (est. $1,000-$2,000). Also sold will be a Stewart Drug (Bodie, Calif.) bottle, 6 inches tall and sparkling mint in color, a classic Penn Oval (est. $500-$1,500).
The expected top earner from the beer group isn’t a bottle at all but a Reno Brewing Company tin sign, made circa 1900 and measuring 26 inches by 33 inches, housed in a reverse wood frame (as original). The colors of this classic Nevada beer sign are quite bright, considering its age. The graphics depict Reno Brewing with Sierra Lager advertising. It is estimated at $7,500-$15,000.
A Royal Beer (Reno, Nev.) cone-top beer can, a true relic of Reno’s glory days as a gambling mecca, with a vignette of the royal flush poker hand, one of the great American beer can rarities, should fetch $1,000-$3,000; and a choice green Victoria Brewing Company (Victoria, British Columbia) quart-size beer bottle, with “Not to Be Sold” on the reverse, should make $300-$500.
Two beer bottles show identical estimates of $1,000-$2,000 each. One is a C. Thomas (Truckee, Calif.) half-pint amber beer bottle with a tooled top and the original cork. It dates to around 1900 and is one of only a few known specimens. The other is a Bay Brewing Co. (Seattle, Wash.) pint-size beer bottle, bright green with an applied top and “Not to Be Sold” showing on the back side.
Lest the ink bottle collectors of the world feel neglected, the sale will feature one of the first, if not the first, Chas. M. Higgins & Co. (New York) 16-ounce ink bottle from around 1885, with the original paper label in a recessed band in the center, 3 inches in diameter. The company was founded in 1880. This bottle has no chips, scratches or discoloration and should hit $200-$500.
Hours of the auction will be 7:00 to 10:30 pm Pacific Coast time, with previews Friday and Saturday, Aug. 5-6 from10 am to 5 pm. For those unable to attend in person, internet bidding will be available through the platforms iCollector.com, Invaluable.com (with AuctionZip.com and eBayLive.com) and AuctionMobility.com. Telephone and absentee bids will also be taken.
This year’s auction is a collaborative effort, with valuable assistance from a number of major FOHBC players. These include Ferdinand Meyer V, the president of FOHBC; Richard Siri, FOHBC Sacramento National Chairman; Jeff Wichmann of American Bottle Auctions; Mike Polak, author of the Antique Trader Bottles Identification and Price Guide.
Holabird Western Americana is always seeking quality bottle and advertising consignments for future auctions. To consign a single piece or an entire collection, you may call Fred Holabird at 775-851-1859 or 844-492-2766; or you can e-mail him at fredholabird@gmail.com. To learn more about Holabird Western Americana and the bottle auction planned for August 6th, please visit www.fhwac.com.
Sacramento Shootout Judges Announced
04 July 2016
Here is the list of judges for the Sacramento Shootout: Hostettler’s – Frank Ritz, Lou Lambert, Ferdinand Meyer V • U.S.A. Hosp. Dept. – Dale Mlasko, Dennis Eastley, Sheldon Baugh • Jesse Moore 5th – Fred Kille, Ralph Hollibaugh, Andrew Koutsoukos, I’ll be the moderator. – Richard Siri – Sacramento Co-Chair MORE INFO BELOW
Last call for Consignments for the Sacramento National 49er Bottle Jamboree Auction
18 June 2016
From Fred Holabird: Hi thanks for the calls and all the help over time getting the word out on the FOHBC auction. I forgot to mention something important and need your help. I would greatly like to add some bottles from western states that help define bottle collecting in the West. Here’s what I’d like to see: Some western bottles that help define the state: Arizone: something like one of the Rattlesnake oil bottles. And a bottle marked “A.T.” or mining camps – Bisbee, etc. I will put in my own tombstone soda. Colorado: bottles from the mining camps that aren’t dirt common. I have a good selection from New Mexico now. Looking for Montana and Oregon pieces! We probably have California covered, unless I can find a Manzanita Cure, which would be great. Nevada – as I mentioned, I’ll pull from my collection. Washington – I’ll call a major collector I know. I need stuff within a week or so, if at all possible.
Displayers Announced for the Convention
11 June 2016
Ken & Reine Salter • 17th-19th Century American & European Black Glass
Mike & Kathie Craig • Warners Safe Bottles & Posters
Richard & Beverley Siri • Hostetter’s Bitters
Scott Yeargain & Pat Jenkens • California Bottles
Tom & Susan Lines • Schafer & Vater Whiskey Nips
Greg Wilson • Cod/Glob Stoppered Worldwide Bottles
Rick & Deloras Siri • California Small Town Whiskies
Russell & Kitty Umbraco • Lewis 66 Whiskey – Utah Liquor Co.
Michael & Karen Peart • Benica Glass – Natures Tiffany
Bob Hirsch • Apothecary Cabinet & Misc. Bottles
Ron & Gary Barnes • Owl Drug Co.
Jeannett Barnes • Miniatures
Colin & May Jung • California Glass Insulator Co., Signals etc.
Dan & Max Bell • Gold Rush Artifacts
Richard & Lauri Olson • Jamaica Ginger / Extract Ginger
Henry & Cecilia Guillen • U.S.A. Hospital Dept. Bottles
Richard Dana & Jim Monahan • Canning Jars
Arnie Lowenstein • EC & M San Francisco Glass Insulators
Andrew Koutsoukos • Pioneer West Coast Digging: A Pictorial Display
Warren Friedrich • California Grown Glass from P.G.W and S.F.G.W
Michael Mackintosh • Early American Glass & Seals
Please VOTE for your favorite display! “Best in Show” and “Most Educational” awards will be given. Announcement of the winners will occur on Sunday, August 7th between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm on the showroom floor.
Looking for Auction Consignments
20 May 2016
The fabulous rare Gold Dust Whiskey (pictured above)
Of the five different embossed Gold Dust whiskies, this is the John Van Bergen variety, the oldest and first of the five. John Thomas, in his master work Whiskey Bottles of the Old West, discusses the bottle at length (Catalog number 154). Dated as 1871-1874, it is one of the oldest of the Western embossed whiskey bottles. With full face embossing, plus the pictorial nature of the bottle with a horse, and the great name of “Gold Dust Whiskey”, which renders it an inescapable part of the California Gold Rush, this bottle is absolutely one of the most desirable western bottles.
When Thomas initially published his work in 1969, there were only about five examples known. By the time the final reprint and update came out in 2002 after his death, only three more had surfaced. Thus in approximately 47 years of intense bottle digging in the West, only eight specimens are known and the bottle remains one of the best of the best.
This bottle was recently found in an estate sale in California. It has never been in the ground and never been mishandled. It has the original cork still in place, and this cork is a testament to its originality and perfection. There are no chips. There are no scratches. There are no bubble bursts. There are no flashes. There are no chunks of charcoal in the glass. There is no “case wear.” There are no chips or wear to the letters, to the lip, or to the base anywhere. It is simply perfect in all respects. On a scale of 100, this is a perfect 100.
For color and visual appeal, it can’t get much better. The bottle is very heavily whittled. It is so whittled that you can’t read the embossing from the back. The color is that “early” yellow-green we sometimes see in these really early applied top whiskey bottles. In fluorescent light, it looks green. But it really is a yellow-green.
John Van Bergen got his start during the California Gold Rush in San Francisco in the late 1850’s. In 1870, parallel to huge discoveries of gold and silver in Nevada which brought with it a massive influx of prospectors to the West (all clamoring for whiskey!), Van Bergen went after one of the popular Kentucky whiskey brands, Gold Dust Whiskey, made by the Barkhouse brothers in Louisville. The company registered the brand in late 1871. John’s brother Nicholas took over the reins in 1874, leaving future whiskey bottle collectors a tough task of finding a rare bottle that was only used for basically two years.
To put this bottle in perspective, only eight embossed western whiskey bottles date back to 1871, rendering the John Van Bergen bottle as one of the first seven embossed Western Whiskey bottles. Only fifteen bottles date back to 1872.
Western Whiskey collector Fred Kille stated when he first saw this bottle in my office “The is one of the finest of all the whiskies. Forget if you already have a Gold Dust. This is superior. You’ll have to own this one.”
Estimate $10,000- $20,000
2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention Seminar Schedule
10 April 2016
Six outstanding seminars will be presented by prominent collectors on various collecting topics an the Lions Gate Hotel in Club Ballrooms A & B. They will take place on Friday morning, August 5th from 9:00 am until 12:00 noon. The seminars will be: Warner and Dr. Charles Craig: Their Connection and the Beginning of the Warner Medicine Empire – Michael W. Seeliger with assistance from Mike and Kathie Craig, The A.W. Cudworth Business Journal – Tom Jacobs, Red Wing Advertising Stoneware – Steve Ketcham, Early California Stoneware – John O’Neill, Early American Scent Bottles – Chris Hartz and Gold Rush Artifacts – John Shroyer FULL SCHEDULE HERE
Jeff Wichmann inducted into the FOHBC Hall of Fame
03 April 2016
The FOHBC takes great pleasure in confirming that Jeff Wichmann, of Sacramento, California has been inducted into the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors Hall of Fame. The Federation Board was very pleased with the nomination process and approved his induction with a unanimous, 18 of 18 votes. A 2/3rd majority was required. Jeff will join an important group of individuals who have brought forth significant contributions to our great hobby. READ POST
Jeff will be accepting the award at the FOHBC 2016 National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo Banquet on Friday, 05 August 2016, at the Lions Gate Hotel Hotel, Club Ballroom. Banquet reservations are $35 a person. The FOHBC Honor Roll award will also be given to the late Tommy Mitchiner.
American Bottle Auctions Open House added to 2016 Sacramento National Program
29 March 2016
American Bottle Auctions Open House | American Bottle Auctions, 915 28th Street, Sacramento, CA 95816, Thursday, August 4th, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Another great event has been added to the FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo. Come meet with Jeff Wichmann, Chi Chi Anyanwu and Dennis Fox, tour Jeff’s super American Bottle Auctions office and see some wonderful displays of antique bottles and western memorabilia. See Shuttle Bus schedule. The same buses will bring guests back. There are many lunch opportunities located in this unique Sacramento neighborhood. Refreshments offered. READ MORE
Betty Zumwalt, the keynote speaker at the 2016 FOHBC Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention and Expo
24 March 2016
The FOHBC Banquet will be held on Friday evening, August 5th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Lions Gate Hotel Club Ballroom. A cash bar will be available for sodas and/or alcoholic beverages. The cost of the banquet will be $35 per person. Reservations will be available on a first come basis. Betty Zumwalt, renowned antique bottle and glass authority and author, FOHBC 2008 Hall of Fame inductee, will be the guest speaker discussing “50 year celebration of achievement”. READ MORE
Auction name developed for Sacramento: “49er Bottle Jamboree”
23 March 2016
2016 Sacramento National Souvenir Program (Sneak Preview) The Best of The West
18 March 2016
Three veteran western bottle collectors endeavored to produce a list of the most important twenty-five 19th century bottles with respect to collector’s interest. Knowing that this is no easy task, as everyone has their favorites, a set of criteria was established as guidelines to develop the list. They included such issues as age, history, aesthetics, rarity and at times, other more nebulous details. Use categories were also developed in order to include a broad perspective of use types.
With some concessions by all, a top 25 was quickly developed but it was apparent that many more candidates should also be on the list. The top 25 quickly became the top 50 and the numbers still climbed. Against the best judgment of all it was necessary to create a new absolute top number which was arbitrarily set at 70. Any higher and the list would become completely unmanageable for its intended purpose – that is to introduce a list of really interesting bottles to the collecting public in a booklet designed to be a giveaway at a FOHBC Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo. Still realizing that there are many more highly collectible and interesting bottles not represented here, the title of this list might want to named “Some of the Best of the West”. There will be no disagreement by most that many collectors will see qualified candidates missing to which there is no argument. Perhaps the next list will include some of your favorites.
There are a couple more important criteria that were also considered. Color was played down as a overriding attribute. It is obvious that an unusual or unique color of an otherwise low ranking contender could trump nearly every other criteria, as it is not impossible for almost any bottle to be found in an exceptional and rare color. Another criterion of importance is that only whole examples were considered for the list. At least one whole example must be known.
Richard Siri, Warren Friedrich, Eric McGuire
Generals House Reception
01 March 2016
Lions Gate Hotel, Generals House Reception, Thursday evening, August 4th 2016, 5:30 – 7:30 pm, Sponsored by American Bottle Auctions and Peachridge Glass at the historic Lions Gate Hotel Generals House. This event is for dealers who have bought tables, their assistants, displayers, seminar givers and those with early admission passes at the FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo.
Lion’s Gate Hotel RV Parking
25 February 2016
Capacity: Total of fifteen (15) RV’s will be permitted on the Lion’s Gate Hotel grounds.
Location: Parking will be offered at the Lions Gate Hotel’s “overflow” parking lot (please see image above).
Nightly Fee: A $25 nightly fee will be assessed for each RV/Trailer parked on site.
Hook-Ups: Please note that the Lions Gate Hotel does not currently offer hook-ups for water/sewer/electrical and should be understood as “dry parking” for those interested.
Reservation Instructions: Reservations for RV parking must be made with Michael Hutchings directly at Lion’s Gate Hotel by the group cut-off date in July.
Check-In: Upon arrival, attendee/camper must check-in with the Lion’s Gate Hotel front desk to provide method of payment and confirm RV parking ppot (through receipt of valid parking pass). Please note that the parking permits are only specific to RV’s and all other self-parking at the hotel via standard vehicle is permit-free.
Sacramento Grizzly Bear
22 February 2016
Jeff (Wichmann) took the pictures yesterday (for a future Sacramento bottle article in BOTTLES and EXTRAS) and will forward them shortly. While he was here, he took a photo of a hand carved grizzly bear, California’s official state mammal. The bear has a blanket on its back and sides. One side is carved California. The other is carved Sacramento. If this image can be of any use for the Sacramento EXPO, the FOHBC is welcome to use it. We can also take other, perhaps better angles. See enlarged pics
Steve Abbott
Back to our Roots – What Does That Mean?
22 January 2016
The upcoming FOHBC 2016 National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo to be held in Sacramento, California on August 4 – 7, 2016, is considered to be a “back to our roots” celebration of the beginnings or organized bottle collecting which later developed into the FOHBC. In order to help understand how this interest in bottle collecting came about, I have attached a 13 minute video that I found on the Internet at sacramentohistory.tumblr.com. The underlying significance of this video is important, not only from the standpoint of bottle collecting in Sacramento but its greater implications to the hobby across the entire United States. READ MORE
2016 Sacramento Shootout Bottle Competition News
11 January 2016
The Sacramento Shootout bottle competition will be held at the FOHBC 2016 National Antique Bottle Show & Expo in Sacramento, California after the Generals House Reception. There will be three (3) categories. Each category will have three (3) judges. Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.The categories are Jesse Moore Sole Agent (cylinder fifths), U.S.A. Hosp. Dept. quarts and Hostetter’s Bitters (limit 4 entries per category per competitor). Security will be provided. For additional information contact Richard Siri, Sacramento Convention Chair, PO Box 3818, Santa Rosa, California, 707.542.6438, rtsiri@sbcglobal.net or visit FOHBC.org
SACRAMENTO: A place where many came to seek a treasure.
04 November 2015
Some by ship, some by foot, some by horse, but none by plane. Most of you FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo visitors made your trip in a matter of minutes or hours. But the treasure seekers referred to above took months of the most arduous travel to come to Sacramento, and most went home without a treasure. May your fortune be better! READ
Announcing Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC as the auctioneer for the FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo
[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE]
18 October 2015
The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors (FOHBC) is proud to announce that Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC will conduct the live FOHBC auction at the 2016 National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo in Sacramento, California on Saturday evening, 06 August 2016 at the Lions Gate Hotel.
Holabird Western Americana Collections LLC was founded in 2012 to meet the needs of Americana Collectors looking for rare and new-to-market collectibles. The Holabird name in the title of the company draws its roots from Fred Holabird, company advisor, co-founder and the professional auctioneer. As the president of Holabird-Kagin Americana, a division of Kagin’s Inc. from 2006-2014, he was the lead historian and author for a production team that published books and auction catalogs with sales in excess of $16 million.
When Holabird-Kagin Americana closed the Reno office in May 2014, Holabird’s Western Americana Collections expanded their operations into the former HKA building and are excited to now list some of the best and rarest collectibles at all price points to meet the needs of local collectors, as well as the online community.
They specialize in buying, selling and appraising historical Americana, numismatics, exonumia, and antiquities. Their auctions typically feature: mineral specimens, ingots, coins, tokens, photographs, assay, stock certificates, checks, postal history, rare books, and other ephemera and mining collectibles relating to U.S. history circa 1800-1930.
Team Meeting at Lions Gate Hotel
11 September 2015
On 11 September 2015, members of the Sacramento National team (Richard and Beverly Siri, Eric & Lisa McGuire, Warren Friedrich and Ferdinand Meyer V met at the Lions Gate Hotel and McClellan Convention Center for a 4-hour meeting and walking tour with Jennifer Irwin with the Lions Gate Hotel. Read Meeting Notes.
Dealer & Info Packets Available Online
24 July 2015 (see top of post) READ
OK, operators are standing by now. You can make your reservations for the show now! Hard copies available at the FOHBC 2015 Chattanooga National Antique Bottle Show next weekend.
Richard Siri named Show Chairman
16 January 2015 (Revised 17 April 2015)
The FOHBC Board of Directors unanimously approved Richard Siri as Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention Chairman on Thursday, 15 January 2015. Richard had been an ‘acting” chair coordinating advance efforts. Point persons for tables, displays and seminars have been named. This includes Warren Friedrich for Table Sales, Russell Umbraco for Displays, Eric McGuire for Seminars and James Campiglia for Security. FOHBC Western Region Director: Eric McGuire.
For those who do not know, Richard is a past president of the FOHBC, past National Show Co-Chair and advanced bottle collector from Santa Rosa, California.
[17 April 2015] Beverely Siri will be joining Richard as Co-Chair for the show. Welcome Bev!
FOHBC 2016 Sacramento Town Hall Meeting
23 October 2014
[NOTICE] The FOHBC is planning to conduct a WebEx Town Hall Meeting for all interested parties within the next two weeks for the 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention. It will most likely occur on a weeknight evening at 8:00 or 9:00 pm CST to accommodate west coast participants. Please RSVP when the date is given. READ MORE
Sacramento National Convention Logo Concepts
15 October 2014
Vote for your favorite concept for our logo for the 2016 National Antique Bottle Convention in Sacramento.
2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention Logo Designs
2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention Logo Designs | Part 2
2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention Logo Designs | Part 3
Sacramento announced for the FOHBC 2016 National Antique Bottle Convention
07 August 2014 (Revised 24 October 2014)
The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors (FOHBC) is extremely excited to announce that the 2016 FOHBC National Antique Bottle Convention will be held on 04 – 07 August 2016 (Thursday – Sunday) in Sacramento, California. Sacramento is the birthplace of the Federation of Historical Bottle Clubs (later renamed Collectors). Visit FOHBC.
The event will take place at the McClellan Conference Center at the decommissioned McClellan Air Force Base. The host hotel is the Lions Gate Hotel which is in conjunction with the McClellan Conference Center.
This will be a very unique venue due to the history of the base. There are officer homes, executive suites, 1 and 2 bedroom suites and standard rooms available. Rooms are $99 for standard room, 1 and 2 bedroom suites, and $119 for executive suites. The homes are priced according to the amount of rooms they have. There are 1, 2 and 3 bedroom homes. They are $99/bedroom. RESERVATIONS LINK Get your reservations early for there are only 122 available rooms which include the homes and suites. In the event that we sell out at the Lions Gate Hotel, we are contracted with two other hotels in the area in which you will be given the same rate with free shuttle to and from the convention center and hotel.
There will be 258 sellers tables available. Dealer contracts will be available at the FOHBC 2015 Chattanooga National Antique Bottle Show next year or on line at about that same time. We will be setting up tours for area events so keep looking for those updates on the Federation website. We are also contemplating having a Dealer and Early Buyer reception the Lions Gatel Hotel “General’s House” in the evening on August 4 for all who have bought tables and those with current early bird tickets.
Guests can call 916.643.6222, 24 hours a day to book a room. They simply need to state that they are with the ‘Bottle Collectors’ group to receive the discounted room rate and be placed in the room block. Guests can also book, any time, with the online reservation link. That link will be posted in the next few days. Rates are good for 3 days prior and 3 days after the show. If you need more time and plan on doing a prolonged vacation just call me and those rates can be adjusted for you.
We hope you will be as excited as we are about this 2016 major event. Questions at this time can be directed to Richard Siri, Show Chairman, rtsiri@sbcglobal.net or Ferdinand Meyer V, FOHBC President at fmeyer@fohbc.org.
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