Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Countdown to Canyonville




With just a couple of weeks to go 'till the doors open, we figured an update is in order.

Here's the weather forecast for the show~
 


As you can see, the weather has cooled off and we've actually had a day or two of light rain to soften the blow of this summers scorching heat. The air has cleared now that the fires are all but out, and we're enjoying crystal blue skies. The trees are starting to turn and the fall colors should be peaking the weekend of the show.

Things are pretty much status quo with regards to the show. Table sales are close to last year at this time and, as always, there's a few procrastinators that will wait until the last few days to reserve a spot.

We are donating one table to the Federation (FOHBC) to help promote membership. Ferd Meyer, president of the Federation, has indicated that it will be manned for part of the day on Saturday.

I'm attaching a full page copy of the show flyer. Just click on it, and it will open in a new window where you can print it out. If you have time, and are so inclined, burn a few copies and hand them out to junk shops, antique malls, second hand stores and what have you. Every piece of advertising helps! We'll be going online today with a last minute push via Craigslist as well.

One area which is an ongoing challenge, involves the displays. I'm asking everyone to consider setting up a display. It doesn't need to be elaborate, and I'm doing away with display judging this year to take away the stigma of competition and "winners and losers". Plus, each displayer will receive a $20~ bill as a thank you for their efforts. Feel free to talk up displaying with your fellow collectors as well.

We're going to set up one open display space for Oregon bottles / insulators, and would ask that each collector / dealer bring an item that is either embossed Oregon, or was dug in Oregon, to be set up on a display table. It will be a secure location and each bottle will have an ID sticker affixed to the base identifying the owner.

We've got room for up to five additional displays and it sure would be nice to fill the spaces.

Thanks!





Bruce Silva

Show Chairman

C'ville 2015

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Downieville Antique Bottle and Collectible Show and Sale

Entering Downieville California from Highway 49
 
Saturday September 12, 2015 brings the 24th annual Downieville Antique Bottle and Collectible Show and Sale. The Show opens at 8:00 am for early lookers with a modest $10 entry fee and open to the general public from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm with FREE admission. The show is located at the Downieville School Gym at the corner of Main and School Streets in the historic section of downtown.
 
This years show is another sellout with over 50 tables of antique bottles, early glass insulators gold rush artifacts, saloon collectibles, Yuba River Gold nuggets and jewelry to mention just a few of the unique items that will be offered during the show.
 
This years display will feature western manufactured glass bottles embossed with the unique curved R associated with the early glasshouses located in San Francisco during the mid to late 1800's.
 
 

 
Western curved R on medicine bottle

  • Western curved R on whiskey bottle
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  • The Downieville Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary will be serving breakfast, lunch, snacks and beverages with all the proceeds going to help supply the Fire Department with much needed supplies and equipment.

  • The Friday night dealers BBQ will include the popular wine tasting event and features a selection of craft beers too. The weather is predicted to be warm during the day and cooling off in the evenings so come prepared for the late summer Sierra temperature swings so common to this time of the year in the mountains.
North Fork of the Yuba River canyon with Saddleback Mountain in the background.

 

See you in Downieville!

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Real? Repro? Fantasy? Fake?


Once again, eBay yields another opportunity to either acquire a great rarity, or to get hosed royally.

I'm no expert on Goldfield Nevada stuff, although I've been around the block enough times to pay attention when the hair on the back of my neck stands up. I do know that in the 1970's a myriad of "fantasy" pieces appeared en masse, supposedly from Goldfield. These included spittoons, brass oil lamps, "Good For" whorehouse tokens and door keys with fobs, hotel desk bells, and stoneware items.The sheer volume of these fakes are testimony to W. C. Fields statement about a sucker being born every minute.
 




Such may be the case with a Buy It Now item that briefly appeared for sale, and which was quickly snapped up.

It is / was, eBay item number: 252071601759, and was described as;

"WESTERN JUG/BOTTLE GOLDFIELD SALOON STONEWARE BOTTLE GOLDFIELD NEVADA"


I recently got chewed out for copying a photo from another listing on ebay, so it'll be up to you to view it online for yourself. Just paste the listing number in eBays search and you can take a peek,


That said, the fine print read;

 

"THIS IS ANOTHER STONEWARE BOTTLE ITS A DIFFERENT COLOR THAN THE CALIFORNIA ONE THAT JUST SOLD,, AND DIFFERENT SHAPE. ITS INCISED / stamped INTO THE CLAY ADVERTISING THE GOLDFIELD SALOON R. A. DUNN. MAIN STREET. GOLDFIELD NEVADA. IT HAS A CORK STUCK IN TOP AND WILL NOT COME OUT. I DONT WANT TO BREAK IT OFF.

LOOKS TO HAVE CAME WITH THE BOTTLE. THE BOTTLE STANDS 8 1/2 tall. On the money IT LOOKS TO BE SALT GLAZED WITH COBALT BLUE ON AND IN LETTERS. LOOK. I DONT KNOW HOW THE BOTTLE IS BUT THERE ARE NONE ON EBAY.. SO THERE NOT BEING MASS PRODUCED. THEY CAME FROM A BOTTLE COLLECTOR,, YOU MAKE YOU OWN MIND UP WHEN YOU BID ON IT ! I WONT REFUND. LOOKS TO BE A GREAT WESTERN STONEWARE SALOON ITEM. I JUST LISTED THE CALIFORNIA ONE AND IT SOLD FOR 299.99,, I THINK I LISTED IT TOO CHEAP THERE IS A PHOTO OF THE BOTH OF THEM TOGETHER,, THANKS FOR LOOKING"

 
What say you, fellow collectors?
 
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