Finger Lakes Bottle Collectors Association Holds 47th Show

05 October 2016

This past Sunday October 2nd I was able to attend the 47th annual Finger Lakes Bottle Collectors Show.

The Finger Lakes Bottle Collectors Association (FLBCA) was organized in April 1969. It is a non profit organization composed of individuals and families who share a common interest in bottles, fruit jars, glass, stoneware, related items, advertising, and other antiques and collectibles. The goal of the FLBCA is to enhance and promote the enjoyment of the hobby by sharing information with other collectors. MEMBERSHIP is open to any individual, family or club at a cost of $10 per year. WE HAVE FUN! FLBCA meets the second Tuesday of every month except for July and August, in the Veterans Fire Hall, 638 Elmira Rd. (Rt. 13), Ithaca, New York. Refreshments served. Monthly programs! Club digs! Bottle Raffles! Monthly Newsletter! Annual Picnic and Christmas Party!

I have to admit that this was my first time to attend this show as in the past I was always off doing something else. Many times the show was held on the same date as the Keene, N.H. show. But this year, I made it a mission to attend the show. After meeting a bunch of the members at one of their monthly meetings, I knew I had to come.

Read: Two New York Clubs learn about the FOHBC

The show is held at the Dryden Fire Hall located on RT 13 in Dryden, New York. There is a $2 admission fee and early buyers can get in for $10. Once I arrived the parking area was full which is always a good sign.

The show had about 45 sales tables and many of the guys I see around the northeast were there selling their bottles. They had free donuts and food was available made by the Fire House crew. I picked up a few things for my collection as I always find something that I like at every show I go to.

I had two dealers tell me they just mailed in their contracts for the FOHBC 2017 Springfield National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo. I am always glad to hear that. With nearly 1/3 of the tables sold in only two months it shows that the Northeast will be the place to be in August 2017.

If you would like to join the Finger Lakes Bottle Collectors Association you can attend one of their monthly meetings held at the Veterans Fire Hall , 638 Elmira Road in Ithaca New York. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month other than July and August. You should stop in and meet this great group of people. I have included a few photos of the show. Next stop will be Keene, New Hampshire this coming weekend. See you there!

Jim Bender
FOHBC 2017 Springfield National Co-Chair
FOHBC Historian

Dave Mount on the left from the Mohawk Valley Bottle Collectors Club talking with Fran Starczek on the right of the Empire State Club.

Barry Haynes always supporting the shows. Barry is the Chairman of the October 16th Empire State Fall show in Scriba, New York. Don’t miss it!

Milk bottle dealer Roger Thomas was checking out the milks that were for sale.

Kevin Britten watches over his sales table. I see Kevin at many of the northeast shows and he is always a good supporter of the hobby.

Tom Kanalley visits with another collector. Tom was handing out things for upcoming shows and doing appraisals. I was happy to see the FOHBC Membership and FOHBC 2017 Springfield National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo material on the table.