On Saturday June 7th, antique bottle collectors from the coast of Maine to the coast of California and many States in between, will congregate at the High School in Ballston Spa, NY for the annual Antique Bottle Show & Sale sponsored by the National Bottle Museum ®. Open to the public, this annual event is enjoyed by collectors and non-collectors alike. The doors open at 9:30 AM and the show closes at 2:30 PM. Cost of admission is $3.00 for adults and $1.00 for youngsters aged 12 and younger.
Special guest Mike Polak from Long Beach, California, author of “The Confident Collector” will be present to sign copies of the 6th and latest edition of his book. Larry Rutland, resident Hot Glass Instructor at Museum Glassworks in Ballston Spa, will be demonstrating Flameworking Techniques accompanied by his assistant, Talyah Alpern. Author Ann Hauprich will be on hand to promote her latest “labor of love” in progress, a soft cover book on the history of Ballston Spa. Her first keepsake book “The Way We Were, The Way We Are” quickly sold out and is no longer available. Great educational exhibits will be on display, and free literature will be available in abundance. Free Door Prizes will be awarded throughout the afternoon, a 50/50 Raffle will be drawn, and lunch will be available on premises.
Antique bottle collecting is an internationally popular activity. Most sought after examples of glass bottles are those which were mouth blown prior to the invention of the automatic bottle making machines in 1903. These beautiful objects are treasured for the history they represent. At the early factories, strong men toiled in intense heat 12 hours a day, blowing glass bottles individually, using a blow pipe. It took a team of 3 to 5 men to produce each bottle and jar. Through antique bottles it is possible to trace 18th and 19th century commerce, the birth and eventual demise of worldwide industries, new advances in science and medicine and of course, human nature at its best and worst. Although rare bottles will also be offered, many of these historic artifacts will be available for purchase at a price anyone can afford.
Shoppers will also find antique stoneware crocks and jugs, out-of-print books on the history and identification of antique bottles, trade cards, advertising materials related to the subject, and old postcards.
Sales tables are still available to dealers. For details, contact the museum at: 518/885-7589 or [email protected]. All proceeds from this event will help to support the National Bottle Museum ® and its programs. The museum is chartered by the NYS Education Dept. and enjoys 501 (C) 3 status with the IRS. It operates independently with a Board of Trustees and raises all of its own funds. It is located at 76 Milton Ave., (Rt. 50) Ballston Spa, NY. It remains open to the public year around, and maintains a significant research library for use on premises.
