FOHBC News

10 December 2024 Zoom Webinar #17 – The Feldmann Collection – The FOHBC held its 17th online monthly 1-hour online Zoom webinar. Join FOHBC president, Michael Seeliger, as he presents photos from the past collection of John Feldmann with special commentary by Jeff Burkhardt, Ferdinand Meyer V and Bill Taylor. If you missed the presentation, you can see it here. Use pass code i5L$&.*v Read the Big John Feldmann Collection Amityville Legend article in the November–December 2012 issue of Bottles and Extras.

12 November 2024 Zoom Webinar #16 – The Mitchell Collections – The FOHBC held its 16th online monthly 1-hour online Zoom webinar. Michael Seeliger, FOHBC president, reviewed photos from the past collection of Jim Mitchell and the present collection of Bill Mitchell. See their collections and find out more about the brothers and why Bill collected Bitters and Jim collected Whiskeys. If you missed the presentation, you can see it at FOHBC.org or Here. Use passcode ^Y5XXB?3

08 October 2024 Zoom Webinar #15 – McMurray Museum Drugstore Tour – The FOHBC held its 15th online monthly 1-hour online Zoom webinar. Michael Seeliger presented a tour of the Terry McMurray drugstore museum. If you missed the presentation, you cansee it at FOHBC.org or Here. Use passcode eL+pq06m

03 September 2024 Antique Bottle & Glass Collector. Notice to all FOHBC Members. We sincerely apologize as the September–October 2024 issue of Antique Bottle & Glass Collector is mailing late due to the immense body of work in producing and closing out the Houston 24 Expo. The issue was posted online for FOHBC members on 02 September 2024.

13 August 2024 The FOHBC Reno 2025 National Antique Bottle and Glass Convention at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino was officially announced. Link to flyer.

10 August 2024 Houston 2024 Souvenir Program posted online for everyone to read cover to cover.

10 August 2024 Houston 2o24 Exhibition Books for Sale. List link for information

02 August 2024 Alan DeMaison inducted into the prestigious FOHBC Hall of Fame. The award was presented at the Houston 24 Dinosaurs Banquet.

02 August 2024 Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors | Houston 2024 Expo | General Membership Meeting Minutes2 August 2024 (Click Here). See pictures from meeting.

01 August 2024 Texas Hold ’Em Antique Bottle & Glass Competition | Houston 2024 Expo | See pictures from event here.

01 August 2024 Houston 2024 Exhibition Opening at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The American Antique Glass Masterpieces – A major, museum exhibition showcasing the Sandor P. Fuss Collection and the Select highlights from the David P. Wilber and Anthony Gugliotti Barber Bottle Collections.

01 August 2024 Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors | Houston 2024 Expo | Semi-Annual Board of Directors Meeting1 August 2024 (Click Here). See pictures of meeting.

31 August 2024 Peachridge “Glass in the Grass.” Pre-event for the Houston 2024 National Antique Bottle & Glass Expo. See exterior pictures from event. See interior pictures from the event.

20 June 2024 Antique Bottle & Glass Collector. The July – August 2024 issue of AB&GC should be in members hands now as it mailed on 20 June 2024!

11 June 2024  Zoom Webinar #14 – Warner Oddities – The FOHBC held its fourteenth online monthly 1-hour online Zoom webinar. Michael Seeliger presented a Warner Oddities. If you missed the presentation, you can see it at FOHBC.org or Here. Use passcode 1h$ji@n7

14 May 2024 Zoom Webinar #13 – The FOHBC held its thirteenth online monthly 1-hour online Zoom webinar. Brandon DeWolfe presented a Decade of Digging Galveston. If you missed the presentation, you can see it at FOHBC.org or Here. Use passcode stC9nej@

09 April 2024 Zoom Webinar #12 – The FOHBC held its twelfth online monthly 1-hour online Zoom webinar. Michael Seeliger presented Jerry and Imogene Phelps Van Buren Village. If you missed the presentation, you can see it at FOHBC.org or Here. Use passcode TR7Z*WnK

12 March 2024 Zoom Webinar #11 – Clear & Aqua but Uncommonly Colorful—Using Historical Research to bring out the color in every bottle. The FOHBC held its eleventh online monthly 1-hour online Zoom webinar. Andy Rapoza presented Clear & Aqua but Uncommonly Colorful. If you missed the presentation, you can see it see it here. Use Passcode: Wr=&KBj8

13 February 2024 Zoom Webinar #10 – Gemstones & Glass The FOHBC held its tenth online monthly 1-hour online Zoom webinar. Ferdinand Meyer V and Eric McGuire presented Gemstones & Glass. If you missed the presentation, you can see it see it here. Use Passcode: s%R2WpBW

06 February 2024 FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom Conference Call Minutes Read the meeting notes here.

09 January 2024 Zoom Webinar #9 – John Wolf Cures The FOHBC held its ninth online monthly 1-hour online Zoom webinar. John Wolf friend Dann Louis presented John Wolf Cures. If you missed the presentation, you can see it see it here. Use Passcode: j6FmD@75

12 December 2023 Zoom Webinar #8 – The artwork of H. H. Warner and Co. as shown through his advertising The FOHBC held its eighth online monthly 1-hour online Zoom webinar. Warner authorities Michael Seeliger and Stephen Jackson presented “The artwork of H. H. Warner and Co. as shown through his advertising.” If you missed the presentation, you can see it see it here. Use Passcode: 3XM1h%$L

05 December 2023 FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom Conference Call Minutes Read the meeting notes here.

14 November 2023 Zoom Webinar #7 – Classic & Zany Trade Cards The FOHBC held its seventh online monthly 1-hour online Zoom seminar titled “Classic & Zany Trade Cards.” Established ephemera collectors and authorities John Kemler and Joe Gourd presented some of their favorite advertising trade cards. If you missed the presentation, you can see it see it here. Use Passcode: 7wr5qEW*

07 November 2023 FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom Conference Call Minutes Read the meeting notes here.

10 October 2023 Zoom Webinar #6 – Three State Digging | Part 2 Well-known accomplished researcher and digger Jeff Mihalik presented Three-State Digging Part 2 – Digging Small Towns in Pennsylvania & Ohio.”Jeff is the author of many digging articles in Antique Bottle & Glass Collector. If you missed the presentation, you can see it see it here. Enter passcode 0@*xVfT@

18 September 2023 Seldon Baugh Loss Sad news for sure—we have just been informed that long-time FOHBC board member and antique bottle and glass collector Sheldon Baugh passed away last evening. READ MORE

12 September 2023 Zoom Webinar #5 “Collecting ACL Sodas” by Mike Dickman The FOHBC held its fifth online monthly 1-hour online Zoom seminar titled “Collecting ACL Sodas” It was fun and Mike Dickman did a great job touching on this popular subject. If you missed the presentation hit the link above.

02 September 2023 Houston 24 Event Info Package & Hotel Reservations Links After many months of planning (actually since mid 2021) the FOHBC posted Houston 24 information at FOHBC.org. A massive media campaign was also launched.

22 August 2023 FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom Conference Call Minutes Read the meeting notes here

08 August 2023 Zoom Webinar #4 “SHOW & TELL” hosted by Michael Seeliger The FOHBC held its fourth online monthly 1-hour online Zoom seminar titled “SHOW & TELL” based on unusual objects and items you may possess. If you missed the presentation, you can see it here and use Passcode: DZDF02&X

04 & 05 August 2023 FOHBC Board of Directors Bi-Annual Minutes This major board meeting usually happens at our FOHBC National Convention as it did last year for Reno 22. We did not have a national event this year so the 4-hour comprehensive board meeting happened in two Zoom sessions. Read Meeting Notes Here. 04 August 2023 and 05 August 2023.

18 July 2023 Zoom Webinar #3 “H. H. Warner and his Patent Medicine Empire” by Michael Seeliger and Stephen Jackson The FOHBC held its third online monthly 1-hour online Zoom seminar. Warner authorities Michael Seeliger and Stephen Jackson presented “H. H. Warner and his Patent Medicine Empire.” If you missed the presentation, you can see it here and use Passcode: Ee74.d0^ 

11 July 2023 FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom Conference Call Minutes Read the meeting notes here 13 June 2023 Zoom Webinar #2 “Foreign Bottles in America” by Eric McGuire

The FOHBC held its second online monthly 1-hour online Zoom seminar. Veteran researcher Eric McGuire presented Foreign Bottles in America.” If you could not make it, see the presentation here and use Passcode: *5PpIbAk

06 June 2023 FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom Conference Call Minutes Read the meeting notes here

16 May 2023 For Immediate Release: Invitation to Host – Northeast Region The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors (FOHBC) cordially invites any Northeast Region Antique Bottle and Glass Club, Show, Institution, and Chairperson Consortium Team to indicate interested in hosting and holding the FOHBC 2025 National Antique Bottle Convention in a town, city, state, in the Northeast Region. Read More

09 May 2023 First online monthly 1-hour online Zoom Webinar The FOHBC held its first online monthly 1-hour online Zoom seminar. Veteran digger and AB&GC writer Jeff Mihalik presented “Three-State Digging Part 1, I Have The Wheeling Feeling.” Part 2 will occur in October this year and will focus on other digs in the tri-state area. Members can see first presentation here and use Passcode: g2.lfQAZ

02 May 2023 FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom Conference Call Minutes Read the meeting notes here.

07 April 2023 Jerry McCann inducted into the FOHBC Hall of Fame! The FOHBC board voted unanimously to induct Jerry McCann into the FOHBC Hall of Fame. Thank you also to Joe Coulson for organizing and presenting the nomination of Mr. McCann. Read more.

04 April 2023 FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom Conference Call Minutes Read the meeting notes here.

30 March 2023 Promising Cures now Online…Free! Andy Rapoza reports that he is delighted to update us with some very exciting news: his book, PROMISING CURES, is now in digital format online, available to all readers, researchers, and perusers of history!! READ MORE

24 March 2023 New FOHBC Board Members President Michael Seeliger has done a fine job rejuvenating the FOHBC Board of Directors. Lately, Kathie Craig has joined the board as Treasurer, Stephen Jackson joined as Vice President, Brian Bingham as Historian (Craig Cassetta moved from Historian to Conventions Director) and Tom Lines has joined the board as Southern Region Director. See “Meet Your Officers

14 March 2023 FOHBC Bi-Annual Board Meeting This years bi-annual board meeting occurred as a 3-part Zoom call instead of the tradition “boots on the ground” board meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, tailored around the annual Baltimore Antique Bottle Show. Secretary Alice Seeliger prepared three sets of meeting notes. Read Meeting Notes #1 – 07 March 2023. Read Meeting Notes #2 – 09 March 2023 and Read Meeting Notes #3 – 14 March 2023.

07 February 2023 FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom Conference Call Minutes Read the meeting notes here.

17 January 2023 FOHBC Virtual Museum Zoom Conference Call Minutes – Read the 17 January 2023 Virtual Museum Team Meeting minutes.

10 January 2023 FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom Conference Call Minutes – The primary purpose of the first FOHBC board meeting for the year was to confirm Kathie Craig as our new treasurer. President Michael Seeliger also set the course for the coming months. Read the meeting notes here.

December 2022: FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom Conference Call Minutes – Three Zoom calls occurred in December 2022. Read the meeting minutes from the FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom conference call on 08 December 2022. Read the meeting minutes from the FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom conference call on 13 December 2022. Read the meeting minutes from the FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom conference call on 21 December 2022.

01 November 2022: FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom Conference Call Minutes – Read the meeting minutes from the FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom conference call on 01 November 2022.

04 October 2022: FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom Conference Call Minutes – Read the meeting minutes from the FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom conference call on 04 October 2022.

06 September 2022: FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom Conference Call Minutes – Read the meeting minutes from the FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom conference call on 06 September 2022.

16 August 2022: FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom Conference Call Minutes – Read the meeting minutes from the FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom conference call on 16 August 2022.

06 August 2022: Reno 2022 Feature Article – The FOHBC is working on a major feature article in the Antique Bottle & Glass Collector November–December 2022 issue regarding all components relating to the recent Reno 2022 National Antique Bottle Convention. Information will also be posted on FOHBC.org. In the interim, you can see the Reno 2022 Souvenir Program here.

01 August 2022: FOHBC 2022–2024 Board – We welcome the new FOHBC president, Michael Seeliger, and all board members while we thank the outgoing president, John O’Neill. Michael’s first president’s message will be in the Sept–Oct issue of AB&GC which mails mid month. See the new board list here. See the board profiles here.

29 July 2022: FOHBC Annual Membership Breakfast Meeting | Reno, Nevada – The notes from our annual membership meeting are complete and board approved. You can read the notes here.

28 July 2022: FOHBC Bi-Annual Board Meeting | Reno, Nevada – The notes from the four-hour FOHBC bi-annual board meeting notes are complete and board approved. Thanks to our new secretary, Alice Seeliger. You can read the notes here.

26 July 2022: FOHBC Auction Price Report – The long awaited FOHBC Auction Price Report was released for FOHBC Members only. Visit the Members Portal on the FOHBC.org home page. A big hit so far!

22 June 2022: S.S. Central America Exhibit at Reno 2022! – Show-goers and visitors to the FOHBC Reno 2022 National Antique Bottle Convention will get to see the S.S. Central America gold artifact exhibit sponsored by Holabird Western Americana Collections.

10 June 2022: Archiving past issues of Antique Bottle & Glass Collector – As you may know, the FOHBC is working backward and archiving and indexing all past issues of Antique Bottle & Glass Collector. The first two months of 2022 and the year 2021 are complete. No more running to the closet and rummaging through old magazines to find an article. Of course, all Bottles and Extras past issues are archived and indexed. What this means, 1: You can read all past issues cover to cover. 2: You can access PDFs of feature articles that can be searched by Google. 3: Each article is indexed by genre and category. 4: Only available to FOHBC members via Member Portal.

07 June 2022: Tom Caniff, a great hobbyist, is gone – Sad notes, compiled by Ralph Finch–Tom was an impressive collector, an intense researcher, a fire department chief, a fruit jar expert, and a keeper of pets, including stuffed toys, turtles, snakes and cats—a LOT of cats. There were few animals not found on the Caniffs’ Noah’s Ark. READ MORE

19 April 2022: FOHBC Board of Directors Meeting Notes – Read the meeting minutes from the FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom conference call on 19 April 2022.

30 March 2022: FOHBC Board of Directors Meeting Notes – Read the meeting minutes from the FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom conference call on 30 March 2022. See presentation material from meeting “The New FOHBC.

16 March 2022: FOHBC Board of Directors Meeting Notes – Read here the meeting minutes from the FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom conference call on 16 March 2022. See presentation material from meeting “The New FOHBC.”

14 February 2022: Eric McGuire Keynote Speaker at Reno 22 Banquet – At the FOHBC banquet dinner in Reno 2022 National Antique Bottle Convention, Eric McGuire will be our featured speaker. Eric has been a long-time fixture in the world of bottle collecting, having been bitten in 1960. READ MORE

14 February 2022: The 49th Annual Milwaukee Antique Bottle & Advertising Show – The Milwaukee Antique Bottle Show was held on February 6, 2022, and was a great success and was exceptionally well attended. The show was moved to a new venue, the Waukesha County Expo Center which allowed for a much more spacious environment than previous shows. This show attracts not only bottle collectors but breweriana and advertising collectors. The turnout showed that the collecting hobby is alive and well. Read More

11 February 2022: Inaugural Issue of Antique Bottle & Glass Collector – We are excited to say that our inaugural issue of Antique Bottle & Glass Collector was mailed to FOHBC Members on Friday, 11 February 2022—four days ahead of schedule! FOHBC members can also read online in PDF or page-by-page reading in the Members Portal. This is our first issue since the merger of Bottles and Extras and Antique Bottle & Glass Collector (AB&GC). We have chosen the name Antique Bottle & Glass Collector and developed a hybrid design (taking the best from both magazines) and will follow the Bottles and Extras bi-monthly distribution schedule. READ

01 February 2022: FOHBC Board of Directors Meeting Notes – Read here the meeting minutes from the FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom conference call on 01 February 2022.

23 January 2022: Johnnie Fletcher Rest In Peace – In from Mark Wiseman. In case you had not heard, Johnnie Fletcher passed away yesterday, Johnnie, a FOHBC Hall of Famer, was a dear friend of mine, a true mentor, and super long-time promoter of our hobby. Johnnie’s funeral will be on 27 January at the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, 925 W Kentuck Drive, Mustang, OK 73064, Viewing at 1:00 PM, Funeral at 2:00 PM. Read: The bottle digging and collecting community has lost a giant. 2009 – Johnnie Fletcher: A founder and several times president of the Oklahoma Territory Bottle & Relic Club, Johnnie has served as editor of Oklahoma Territory News since the club was founded in 1987. In 1991, he published Oklahoma Drug Stores; in 1994, he published the first edition of his Kansas Bottles 1854-1915; in 2006, he published the second edition of Oklahoma Bottles, and was working on a Missouri bottle reference book. He won FOHBC awards for the best newsletter and best story in 2003. He was nominated for inclusion on the Federation Honor Roll, but board members voted him Hall of Fame status instead because of his important contributions to the hobby.

21 January 2022: Three strikes and you’re out! Maybe in baseball but not The Little Rhody Bottle Club – We got our three strikes before 5:00 AM on the morning of our show, January 09, 2022. With Covid fear terrorizing our great country, a few vendors started canceling their tables. That was strike one! Read More

07 January 2022: The FOHBC Email Newsletter – In preparation for the merging subscribers from Antique Bottle & Glass Collector and FOHBC Members, the FOHBC has sent a series of mass emails to current membership that includes announcing the last issue of Bottles and Extras and the merger, Reno 2022 News, FOHBC Competitions, Happy Holidays, and Virtual Museum News

05 January 2022: First FOHBC Board of Directors Meeting of the new year – Read here the meeting minutes from the FOHBC Board of Directors Zoom conference call on 05 January 2022.

28 December 2021: Post-Sale Press Release – American Bottle Auctions (Part 1, Mel Hammer, Dec. 10-19) – Dear Editor or Journalist – Attached is a press release with accompanying images for the online sale of Part 1 of the Mel Hammer bottle collection, held Dec. 10-19 by American Bottle Auctions, based in Sacramento, Calif. The 137 bottles included many of Mr. Hammer’s favorites, including schnapps and gin bottles, bitters bottles, and inkwells. The top lot of the auction was a Dr. Renz’s Herb Bitters bottle (San Francisco, circa 1868-1881), 9 1/2 inches tall, with a uniquely styled applied tapered top (pictured). It sold for $24,150, a new record for that bottle. Online bidding was driven through the American Bottle Auctions website. If you need additional information about this auction, you may call Jeff Wichmann at 800-806-7722; or, you can email him at info@americanbottle.com. Thanks, and best regards, Ken Hall

15 December 2021: January–February 2022 issue of Bottles and Extras – We are excited to say that our first New Year issue of Bottles and Extras was mailed to FOHBC Members this past Wednesday, 15 December. A complimentary issue was mailed to all Antique Bottle & Glass Subscribers with a “Happy Holidays” message from board president John O’Neill.

13 December 2021: Christmas is coming from Bob Jochum – Fellow FOHBC members, Christmas is coming! I’m making use of the FOHBC.org member list and new member info from Bottles and Extras to send you a couple of lists of bottles and go-withs that I have for sale. The lists are labeled “500+ Cures For Sale” and “Non-Cures For Sale” as I’m primarily a cure collector but have acquired numerous “non-cures” over the years. In addition to what’s on the “500+ Cures For Sale” list, I’ve got 400+ more cures (and cures only … not medicines, poisons, milks, pharmacy bottles, etc.) in my collection that I’m not currently proactively offering for sale. But if you’d like to know if I have a particular cure bottle that you’ve long desired, ask me about it. I’ll then let you know if I’ve got one and, if I’m willing to sell it, let you know my asking price (which does not automatically include shipping and insurance, but that’s something we can discuss). Additionally, I’m an avid tumbler and I’m willing to improve the look for you of just about any bottle that you want from my lists that’s not yet near mint or mint.  I’d typically charge $15 for the tumbling which would generally take 3 to 4 weeks once I have space on my machines (two Jar Doctor 6-position tumblers). And of course, I’ll send you pictures when you request them. Just let me know. You can trust my description of the condition of a bottle in my listings. The majority of the bottles I’ve acquired over the years from other collectors are not quite as nice as the seller said they would be … so that when I say that a bottle has a slight stain or 1+ haze, other sellers would probably have stated that the bottles were near mint, mint, “minty mint”, “perfect”, or “sparkly.” When I take pictures for you, I’ll re-examine the bottle(s) to confirm the condition and I’ll let you know if it varies from the listing. If you know of other collectors and friends (perhaps they’re not FOHBC members) that might find my lists to be of interest, please send them this letter and the links so they know the above-mentioned info as well as my email address. Thanks. I’m looking forward to hearing from you. I hope I can help you acquire a new treasure. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Bob Jochums, 2bjochums@gmail.com

08 December 2021: FOHBC Magazine Design Presentation to Board – The FOHBC board had a Zoom call so Ferdinand Meyer V could present designs for the inaugural issue of the March–April 2022 issue of FOHBC Antique Bottle & Glass Collector. The Designs were approved by the board. Read meeting notes here.

03 December 2021: FOHBC Magazine Merger News – The FOHBC is formally announcing the merger of our two hobby magazines Bottles and Extras and Antique Bottle & Glass Collector (AB&GC). The first issue of the new magazine called Antique Bottle & Glass Collector will be a hybrid design and will follow the Bottles and Extras bi-monthly distribution schedule. This will be the March–April 2022 issue. The magazine will remain all color, 72-pages plus covers. A great group of “extras” will be provided to all persons receiving the magazine and who become members of the FOHBC. Read about it here.

03 December 2021: FOHBC Virtual Museum – To the Antique Bottle and Glass World: We had some growing pains and our hosted server holding four websites, unfortunately, went down for the FOHBC Virtual Museum, FOHBC.org, Peachridge Glass, and FMG Design. Although we had already implemented several things to improve website performance, including a robust new tool that serves optimized and cached content via a global network to our website visitors, the server is still prone to downtime. This is partially because not all of the files can be optimized and served this way until we move the location of a large number of files to another part of our hosting server. Some of this work is still in progress and we aim to complete it by the end of the year. During Thanksgiving week, our hosting server experienced one of the longest periods of downtime thus far. Because it happened during the holiday, our hosting support failed to respond sooner with a solution. We are now in the process of upgrading to a more powerful server to reduce the chances of dealing with this again. FOHBC.org, PeachridgeGlass.com, and FMG Design came back up this past Monday. The Virtual Museum is a different story when you consider all the mechanics. We have 25,000 plus images so far and 550 specimens or so that spin.

02 December 2021: FOHBC Board Conference Call – A general FOHBC board Zoom call occurred last night. Meeting notes can be read here.

13 November 2021: Rare soda bottle stolen from Georgia collector – COLUMBUS, Georgia – What is the absolute worst experience collectors of antique bottles could ever suffer? Just ask Allen Woodall of Columbus. He’ll tell you. When fellow collector Jack Hewitt recently visited Woodall to check out the latter’s museum, Woodall decided to show off one of his glass prizes, a cobalt blue John Ryan from the latter’s Columbus branch with an embossed capital R on the back. So Woodall went to its hiding place in his office and was stunned when the ultra-rare bottle could not be found. Some sticky-fingered gent had preceded him. Woodall reported the theft to the Columbus Police Department and is taking his own steps in hopes of getting the bottle returned. One of those steps is this story about my friend’s great loss. So if one of you readers is offered the bottle, Woodall asks that you contact him at 1 (706) 332-6378. Another of his steps is that he is offering a $1,000 cash reward and will ask no questions if the bottle is returned. By Bill Baab. Update: This story has a very interesting update that is planned for the March April 2022 issue of FOHBC | Antique Bottle & Glass Collector (formerly Bottles and Extras).

11 November 2021: FOHBC Bi-Annual Board Meeting (Zoom Mtg #4) – The fourth FOHBC Zoom call occurred last night. Meeting notes can be found here. (posted 02 December 2021)

27 October 2021: FOHBC Bi-Annual Board Meeting (Zoom Mtg #3) – Since the 2021 Syracuse National was canceled, the FOHBC bi-annual board meeting did not occur. After three or so attempts to have it in August and September, President O’Neill was finally able to schedule the first 1-Hour Overview Call on 29 September. (See Zoom conference notes) The second call occurred on 13 October 2021 and dealt with the proposed Antique Bottle & Glass Collector + Bottles and Extras magazine merger. (See Zoom conference notes) Zoom #3 call occurred on 27 October 2021. See Zoom conference notes

22 October 2021: Bid on an Outstanding Drake’s Plantation Bitters to Benefit the FOHBC Virtual Museum – Bid on an incredible Drake’s Plantation Bitters figural cabin. 100% of proceeds to benefit the FOHBC Virtual Museum of Historical Bottles and Glass. American Glass Gallery, Auction 30 Opens November 8, 2021. See Auction

13 October 2021: FOHBC Bi-Annual Board Meeting (Zoom Mtg #2) – Since the 2021 Syracuse National was canceled, the FOHBC bi-annual board meeting did not occur. After three or so attempts to have it in August and September, President O’Neill was finally able to schedule the first 1-Hour Overview Call on 29 September. The second call occurred on 13 October 2021 and dealt with the proposed Antique Bottle & Glass Collector + Bottles and Extras magazine merger. (See Zoom conference notes) – 10 October 2021: FOHBC Club Contests are Back! After a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, it’s that time again! The FOHBC is sponsoring a contest in five (5) categories and as a member club, you are encouraged to participate. Submissions are due no later than June 1, 2022. Judging will then be conducted and all winners and awards will be announced and presented during the banquet at the FOHBC Reno 2022 Antique Bottle Convention in Reno, Nevada on Friday, July 29, 2022. INFORMATION

30 September 2021: Two articles from FOHBC member Ben Swanson Renowned medicine ephemera collector Ben Swanson up in Baltimore submits two articles by Michael J. Morrissey for our perusal from The American Revenuer put out by The American Revenue Association. The first is Charles H. & Mary W. Marshall, Patent Medicine Manufacturers of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Read Page 1, Read Page 2. The second is Finds in the Marketplace: Stonebraker RevisitedRead Page 1, Read Page 2.

29 September 2021: FOHBC Bi-Annual Board Meeting (Zoom Mtg #1) Since the 2021 Syracuse National was canceled, the FOHBC bi-annual board meeting did not occur. After three or so attempts to have it in August and September, President O’Neill was finally able to schedule a 1-Hour Overview Call on 29 September. The second call will occur on 14 October 2021. Look for notes when Secretary Val Berry provides. (See Zoom conference notes)

15 September 2021: FOHBC Virtual Museum Quarterly Call The FOHBC Virtual Museum Team had a Zoom Conference Call on 15 September 2021 to discuss finances, operations, design, and imaging trips among other things. Read Notes Here.

11 September 2021: Early FOHBC Bottles Free to a Good Home. I am starting to downsize my collections and I’d like to know if any FOHBC members might be interested in my FOHBC commemorative bottles? I will donate the bottles, but the recipient(s) must pay shipping charges. Some are made by Clevenger, while others by different glassworks. Bottles are from the Iowa Antique Bottleers (among the first clubs to join the FOHBC), the Denver club, the Phoenix, Ariz., club, the First Chicago Club, and others marking celebrations and anniversaries of various individuals (Charles Gardner, Grand Old Man of Bottle Collecting) and historical events with appropriate embossing. Bill Baab riverswamper@comcast.net

31 August 2021: Digging in Galveston Thought you might find these shards interesting…dug in a trash pit in Galveston this past Sunday. One from an Argyle Bitters out of New Orleans (thanks Courtney Frioux for the ID!) and the other I believe is part of a Senour’s Calisaya Bitters. I noted your comment in your writeup on the Senour’s back in 2016 “I suspect, someone will eventually dig a bottle in our port cities here in Texas”. I’ll keep trying to find a whole one! Best Regards, Brandon DeWolfe

30 August 2021: Charleston, S.C. collector Vic Svendsen, 69, dead CHARLESTON, S.C. – James Victor “Vic” Svendsen, 69, of James Island, S.C., died Monday, August 23, 2021, after an extended illness. A native of Charleston, he had a successful career in the food sales industry. He enjoyed digging early Charleston privies for antique bottles. First-time visitors to his home would be given a tour of his vast bottle collection and perhaps an old bottle to keep as a souvenir. Survivors include two daughters, Andrea Hoelscher (Sean) of Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Lindsey Bonham (Dave) of James Island, and a brother, Virgil Svendsen (Barbara) of James Island. Donations may be made in his memory to Ronald McDonald House Charities, 81 Gadsden St., Charleston, SC 29401. See Obituary

20 August 2021: Virtual Museum New England Imaging Trip The first group of images from Alan and Terry’s New England trip have been formatted by Miguel for the Internet and are in the VM processing and research rooms on the Lower Level. Our first piece placed in a gallery late yesterday is Holman’s Nature’s Grand Restorative. Visit it today in the FOHBC Virtual Museum Medicines Gallery.

17 August 2021: Hot off the Press! The September 2021 issue of Bottles and Extras ships to FOHBC Members tomorrow! Members can read digital articles now at the Member Portal. To become a FOHBC Member

17 August 2021: Coming Soon – Early Georgia Sodas Book 19th century Georgia soda book to become treasured by collectors By Bill Baab – If there was such a degree as a doctorate in research, David Kyle Rakes would hold it. And, if such a degree in design existed, Ferdinand Meyer V would own it. The degrees may be mystical, but that pair has become a team and from that teamwork has evolved absolutely one of the best books sure to be treasured by collectors of Georgia’s 19th-century soda bottles. “Early Georgia Sodas – the Bottles and Proprietors in Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, Savannah, and Valdosta,” will become every collector’s “go-to” source of up-to-date historical information on John Ryan, Edward Sheehan, and many other bottlers of the soft drinks called sodas. Rakes, a resident of Belleview in Central Florida, is a master researcher who has traced the history of each bottler from birth to marriage to death. Those backgrounds generally have not been readily known to collectors. Meyer and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Houston, Texas, and are FOHBC Board Members. Complementing the book’s text are enlarged color photos of each soda bottle, many taken by Mike Newman, of Martinez, Georgia, who has become an expert in the proper use of digital cameras. He also is a longtime collector of antique bottles. The book is expected to become available after Jan. 1, 2022, when details as to price and how to order copies will become available. See cover

24 July 2021: Reno 2022 Information Packets FOHBC Reno 2022 National Antique Bottle Convention Info Package and Contracts online NOW! Click Here

05 July 2021: Baltimore Antique Bottle Show Cancelled Baltimore Antique Bottle Club. Balto canceled due to 250 max capacity. John Toft: Hello everyone, I wanted to jump in here and help clear up some confusion. I am not only a member of the Baltimore club but a “Past President” and a member of the executive board. The 250 capacity number was the total number…….including dealers. This number was decided by the college where the show takes place. We had no input deciding this number. We have 300 tables. Right there we are over the capacity limit. No public customers even in the calculation. It just was unworkable. We regret anyone that has experienced an inconvenience because of it. We apologize and hope that our great show can return in 2022.

24 June 2021: Pottery skull with a stogie Incoming picture from John O’Neill and John Shroyer who dug the last three nights in California “John Shroyer and I opened a hole and this popped out.” Pottery skull with a stogie. Shroyer pictured.

15 June 2021: Meyer Report to the FOHBC Board This report by Ferdinand Meyer V was presented at the FOHBC bi-annual board meeting in March 2021. Read

02 June 2021: 2021 Syracuse National Bottle Show Cancelled News just in. The FOHBC Board had a conference call earlier this evening and decided to cancel the FOHBC 2021 Syracuse National Bottle Show. Unfortunately, the dark cloud of the Pandemic resulted in less than stellar sales and commitments to attend. Please contact the show chairs with any questions.

11 April 2021: FOHBC Auction Price Report A conference call occurred where FOHBC president John O’Neil authorized the FOHBC Auction Price Report sub-committee led by Jeff Wichmann to proceed full speed with the online report similar to past Auction Price Guide books put out by D & C Collectors, Jim Mitchell and R. Brown. The FOHBC received a $10k grant to execute this project which should be ready by the 4th quarter of this year. Another reason to join the FOHBC because members will have 24/7/365 access to this monumental effort. Become a member.

21 March 2021: Ferdinand Meyer V new FOHBC Hall of Fame Member Ferdinand Meyer V was nominated and received the required board member majority votes to be admitted into the FOHBC Hall of Fame for 2021. Read submission in ISSUU

13 March 2021: Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors | Bi-Annual Board of Directors Conference Call – Zoom Minutes Read the FOHBC Bi-Annual Board of Directors Conference Call Zoom Minutes recorded by FOHBC Secretary Val Berry.

16 January 2021: Meet Fred DeCarlo, the new FOHBC Northeast Region Director Fred DeCarlo was born and grew up in Utica, New York. He is currently a firefighter/EMT with the City of…. Read

13 January 2021: Call for Historical Information The FOHBC, led by board member Michael Seeliger, has started a major new initiative to preserve our history. Read

01 January 2021: First Issue of the New Year! Bottles and Extras, the 72-page + covers, full-color magazine. More about Bottles and Extras.

14 November 2020: Jeff Wichmann Joins the FOHBC Board FOHBC president John O’Neill appointed Jeff Wichmann to fill a vacant position on the FOHBC board. The board approved on 05 November 2020. Read

13 November 2020: We welcome Michael Seeliger to the FOHBC Board of Directors Michael Seeliger grew up in Monona, Wisconsin, and still lives within 20 miles of his hometown. He married his wife Alice in 1969 and together they have collected bottles since the 1960s. Read

19 March 2020: FOHBC Virtual Museum Now Open to All! With COVID-19 canceling many events, bottle shows, and public gatherings and closing the museums that many of us visit, the FOHBC has decided to open our museum doors to all without membership or fees until the end of the summer, when we will re-access. Hopefully, this will help pass the time. Remember, we are Under Construction, so wear a hard hat, enjoy, but don’t touch the bottles, practice social distancing and wash your hands! Visit Museum