Houston 24 Expo – American Antique Glass Masterpieces Exhibition Opening

AMERICAN ANTIQUE GLASS MASTERPIECES

The central and anchor component of the FOHBC Houston 2024 National Antique Bottle & Glass Exposition were the two exhibitions at the Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS). Unveiling of the American Antique Glass Masterpieces exhibition featured the Sandor P. Fuss collection with special guest specimen appearances from other major collections. Museum guests were able to see an extraordinary collection of beauty and utility in glass with Early American tableware and legendary historical flasks, bitters, spirits, perfumes and other bottles meticulously collected and displayed. The Event was for FOHBC Houston 24 Early Admission and other VIP attendees. This post will share photographs from Thursday, 01 August 2024 when both exhibitions opened at precisely 1:00 pm with a ribbon-cutting event where Sandor P. Fuss and Jeff Noordsy cut the ceremonial ribbon for the first exhibition. There are also images of Housaton 24 Expo registration, book signing and the Brown Gallery which housed the “American Antique Glass Masterpieces” exhibition.

“The depth and breadth of the Fuss Collection place it among the greatest groupings of Early American glass ever assembled. Many of the objects are unique and of those with multiple examples known, Sandor has chosen the finest available. The Fuss Collection is a monumental achievement made possible by his great eye, unwavering focus, and determination. It is a joy to share this fabulous glass with the World!” – Jeff Noordsy from the exhibition book foreword. The corresponding exhibition book (pictured above) was produced, designed and published by Peachridge Collections and is 300+ pages, full-color, hard bound with dust jacket, and museum quality. The book was unveiled at this event and will be sold afterward by the FOHBC for $95 ($85 discount for FOHBC members). – Ferdinand Meyer V

Photographs are from Gina Pellegrini-Ott and Daniel Lakatos unless noted. Thanks to Joel Bartsch, HMNS president and CEO for underwriting the Houston 24 Expo, the exhibition books and providing the museum “free of charge” to FOHBC members.

A separate post of images will be available for the David P. Wilber and Anthony Gugliotti Barber Bottle Collections exhibition in the adjacent Hamill Gallery.

Thursday, 01 August 2024

Event & Dealer Registration • Thursday 01 August 2024 [9:00 am to 5:00 pm] Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) | FOHBC Houston 24 Expo VIP Registration. HMNS Alfred C. Glassell Hall. Early Admission, Dealer Packets and name lanyards will be available for pick-up in the Houston Museum of Natural Science entry lobby area at the FOHBC tables. Souvenir programs, banquet tickets and select FOHBC merchandise available. VIP priority access to all HMNS Museum features and exhibitions. Museum Gift Shop open.

American Antique Glass Masterpieces Exhibition Opening • Thursday afternoon 01 August 2024 [1:00 to 6:00 pm] Houston Museum of Natural Science | Brown Gallery (HMNS) | Unveiling of the American Antique Glass Masterpieces exhibition featuring the Sandor P. Fuss Collection with special guest specimen appearances. See an extraordinary collection of beauty and utility in glass with Early American tableware and legendary historical flasks, bitters, spirits, perfumes and other bottles meticulously collected and displayed. This Event is for FOHBC Houston 24 Early Admission and other VIP attendees. Book sales and signing. Media access.

Portrait of Oana Ruxandra & Sandor P. Fuss in the Brown Gallery foyer.

Preparing for the Houston 24 American Antique Glass Masterpieces ribbon-cutting event in the Brown Gallery of the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

Jeff Noordsy (left) and Sandor P. Fuss prepare to make the ceremonial cut of the Houston 2024 ribbon.

The ribbon is cut! The official start of the Houston 24 National Antique Bottle & Glass Expo.

Lining up for Houston 24 Expo registration and book purchases at the Brown Gallery at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

Left to right: Jeff Scovil (photography), Sandor P. Fuss, Jeff Noordsy (AAGM consultant) and Ferdinand Meyer V (book designer and publisher not shown) at the Houston 24 book signing table. Jim Hagenbuch and Alicia Booth-Wickman on the right.

Sandor P. Fuss smiling at his new book signing “American Antique Glass Masterpieces – A major, museum exhibition showcasing the Sandor P. Fuss Collection.”

Sandor Fuss and Jeff Noordsy signing copies on American Antique Glass Masterpieces. Jeff Scovil (standing on the left) is signing both books as he was the photographer engaged by the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

Richard Siri Sr., FOHBC Hall of Fame, talking with Houston 24 team member Bella Meyer at the exhibition opening.

Jeff Scovil (Phoenix, Arizona) book signing. Jeff was the museum specimen photographer for both exhibitions.

Get your Houston 24 Exhibition Books now! Pictured Rick Siri Jr. (left) and Brandon DeWolfe.

One of the entry areas into the Brown Gallery housing the “American Antique Glass Masterpieces” exhibition.

Interior of the Brown Gallery. Nine large supergraphics panels were mounted to columns and walls.

Another gallery shot of the interior of the Brown Gallery.

Through a display case, Ferdinand and Elizabeth Meyer, Houston 24 Expo chairs, and owners of Peachridge Collections who were engaged to produce the American Antique Glass Masterpieces exhibition and book. Photo by Andy Rapoza.

One of the centerpiece display cases in the Brown Gallery showing the legendary three blue bitters “Together Again.”

Brown Gallery opening of the “American Antique Glass Masterpieces” exhibition.

Example of one of the wall display cases. Each object meticulously selected and displayed in each case by Sandor P. Fuss.

Plate 96: Pattern Molded Decanter with Matching Stopper. Electric royal blue. 36 ribs. 9 ¾” H. New England, probably blown at either the Keene, Marlboro Street Glass Works, Keene, New Hampshire or the New England Glass Company, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Ca. 1815 to 1825. Ex. George McKearin, Abraham and May, Peter Tillou and Jeff and Holly Noordsy Art and Antiques. The only reported example in a shade of blue.

Plate 21: J R & S Scroll Flask “J R. & S” Brilliant yellow-green. John Robinson & Sons, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Half pint. Tooled mouth and pontil scar. GIX-42. Ca. 1830-1834. Ex. Jack Whistance, Bob and Beka Mebane and Eric Schmetterling. This wonderful flask is another of the objects in the Fuss collection with eye-popping color.

Each object meticulously selected and displayed in each Brown Gallery display case by Sandor P. Fuss.

Plate 12: Whitlock Whiskey Bottle “Whitlock Whiskey New York.” Yellow olive with aquamarine rigaree B.M. & E. A. Whitlock & Co. Importers, New York Ca. 1860-1865 Ex. Larry Marshall, Don Keating and Gene Heisey. This wonderful bottle is among the most compelling objects in the collection.

One of the open-room freestanding display cases allowing 360 degree viewing.

Plate 38: Jenny Lind Glass Works Calabash Flask “Jenny Lind” and Bust – “Glass Work’s S. Huffsey” and Factory Portrait Calabash Flask Brilliant yellow green Probably Isabella Glass Works, New Brooklyn, New Jersey. Applied sloping collared mouth with ring, tubular pontil scar. Quart. GI-66. Ca. 1845-1860. Ex. Don Keating, Ed and Kathy Gray, Jeff and Holly Noordsy Art and Antiques, Norman C. Heckler. This bright and bubbly bottle was blown to celebrate Jenny Lind, known in the 19th century as “The Swedish Nightingale.”

Michael & Kathie Craig (left) gazing into a display case.

The Brown Gallery was an excellent volume of space to display the American Antique Glass Masterpieces exhibition.

A display case with remarkable specimens of form and color.

Plate 12: Pressed Glass Twisted Loop Vase with Gauffered Rim. Purple amethyst with an opalescent milk glass rim. 8” H. Blown at the Boston and Sandwich Glass Works, Sandwich, Massachusetts. Ca. 1850. Ex. Lowell/Lomas and Jeff and Holly Noordsy Art and Antiques. A likely unique object that was included in the “Sensational Sandwich” exhibition.

Coleen Shephard from Tampa, Florida.

Resting in the Brown Gallery foyer.

Sandor Fuss (left) and Jim Oliveira.

“The Three Kings.” Left to right: “Jared Spencer Decorative Flask, Medallions & Diamond Diapering Decorative Flask and Beads & Pearls Decorative Flask. It really doesn’t get any better than this.

An incredible grouping of Historical Flasks with a Capital Bitters in the center.

Plate 26: Cassin’s Grape Brandy Bitters Figural Viola. “Cassin,s (sic) Grape Brandy Bitters” Medium blue green Francis and Patrick Cassin San Francisco, California. Ca. mid 1860s. C 78. Ex. Ken Fee Perfect. Beautiful form and glass color. Only one other example of a blue-aqua Cassin’s Grape Brandy Bitters was known until American Bottle Auctions sold this example in November 2019. The previous example had a crack and a satin finish. Example on loan from the Stephen Hubbell collection.

Don Keating and FOHBC president Michael Seeliger posing in front of “The Three Blue Bitters–Together Again” display case. Don was one of the very few who once owned all three figural bitters.

Richard Siri Sr. and Michael Seeliger in front of one of the wall display cases in the Brown Gallery.

Plate 16: “Success To The Railroad” and Locomotive Historical Flask. Brilliant Prussian blue. Lancaster Glass Works, Lancaster, New York. Ca. 1830-1850. Sheared mouth, pontil scar. Pint. GV-1. Ex. William Ketcham, Bob Simmons and Eric Schmetterling. It is likely that this is the only extant example of a Lancaster railroad flask blown in this beautiful shade of blue.

Plate 141: Ornate Liquor Bottle Chicago, Illinois (Mortar and Pestle) “L S & CO” (monogram) “CHICAGO, ILL” – (Griffin) (Front view of the Sphinx) (Human-Headed Lion). The neck is in the form of an Egyptian Obelisk and is covered with hieroglyphics as are the other areas of the bottle. Yellow amber 12 ¼” H. Smooth base, applied double-collar mouth. Ca. 1883-1885 Unlisted.