Geelong Bottle & Collectables Club IncVolume 68 May/June 2009

Great,ScottyCollectors flock as the late Scotty Clark’s lifetime of collecting goes under the hammer.REPORT – Page 3

Geelong Bottle and Collectables Club Inc. The club meets on the fourth Monday of each month (ex-cluding December) at the Belmont Park Pavilion, Barrabool Road, under the James Harrison Bridge.

Club postal address:Geelong Bottle and Collectables Club Inc.Box 5049North Geelong LPO 3215

WHO’S WHOPresident: Dave Smith

Vice-president: Peter Harding 5275 3411

Treasurer: Bob Bauer5250 1392

Secretary:Tracey Elso

Assistant secretary: Noel Dawson

Librarian: Craig Finegan

Editor: Cam Ward 0430 369 146

Public officer: Kim Johnson

State representative: David Smith

Catering officer: Pam Bauer

Committee members: Tony ParsonsCraig FineganKim JohnsonNoel Dawsonand executives

From the desk of the president

Welcome to my first president’s report! After being elected at our AGM (I think because

no one else wanted the job!) I have struggled to come to grips with what my role is.First, a formal thanks to Kim and

the previous committee for their great efforts in their roles over the past years, culminating in a great state show last November. Don’t be disappointed in the financial result Kim, all that effort and the great show that it was, the “good times had by all”, mean much more than some extra dollars in the bank!I have set myself and, hopefully, ALL

members, an initial task of trying to increase membership. Simply by chatting to two ex-members – in Adelaide of all places – and hopefully being positive about the club, Fances Cerasa and

Andrew Foot came along to our June meeting, with some fantastic finds by the way, and joined up at the end of the night! Mick Fay from Gawler in South

Australia has joined as our first interstate member, I believe, simply to receive our great newsletters (thanks Cam) and to keep in touch with what is happening in Geelong. Welcome to all you! We must always make the club welcoming to all comers, be positive about what the club has to offer to existing members and prospective new members .At the time of writing I will be away

on holidays but I am sure vice-president Peter can handle all issues while I am away.When I return I hope to finalise

booking a venue for our October 2010 show. I will look closely again at the Murwillumbah one-day show on August 1, to pick their brains on one-day versus two-day shows and set a date for our first committee meeting.Enjoy what you collect.

By David Smith,President,

Geelong Bottle & Collectables

Club

Newsletter now available onlineIf you’d like to see the club newsletter as it’s created – in colour – you can now go online and peruse at your leisure.The newsletter is now

being hosted at the Issuu website, www.issuu.com, where you

type in “Geelong” and then click on the issue you want. You can turn the pages with a click of your mouse and zoom in. At pres-ent, only this issue and the March-April edition are there but more will be added.

The massive Scotty Clark collection had eager bidders coming through the lots hours before the auction started.

Crowd honours Scotty’s passionBy any measure it was a

massive undertaking, a final farewell

befitting the late Scotty Clark.When Scotty’s collection

went under the hammer on May 31 at Nobelius Auctions in Surrey Hills, the catalogue ran to more than 1100 lots and presented a huge challenge to auctioneer Bruce Lowenthal.

It was not just the sheer volume but the diversity that stood out. Every spare inch of the main auction room was filled. They weren’t all museum quality pieces but most lots invariably drew spirited bidding from the large crowd. And there was a chance that you’d pick up something if you were prepared to wait.Scotty obviously saw no

need to specialise and he accumulated everything from enamel signs to eye baths. Advertising pieces went beyond the usual tins and signs to china. This was the place that you

had to be if you wanted to add to your pie funnel collection, needed to replace your Pam Prest Planet enamel oven door, wanted to repair your apple corer or wanted a string dispenser you weren’t likely to misplace in a hurry (it was cast iron).But there were some obvious

highlights, including an array of whiskey jugs and a superb majolica water filter.It would be fair to say

we may never see such a collection again.

Dave Smith contemplates the merits of this Black Horse.

Despite being repaired, this majolica ware Johnson Bros water filter was one of the auc-tion highlights.

The quality whiskey jugs and advertising pieces.

Some of the classic Austra-lian tins up for sale.

Holy hidden treasure Batman!Growing up I had a holy

trinity of Corgi toy cars – a James Bond DB5

Aston Martin, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the Batmobile. I only ever had the first one of

those growing up, and various ex-amples of the other two over the years to come but nowhere near the standard of this example that came up on eBay recently.Could this be the

world’s best Corgi Bat-mobile and Batboat?Still sporting the origi-

nal $6 price tag from iconic Manhattan toy store FAO Schwarz it had never been played with. A woman bought it for her son during a visit to the Big Apple in 1966, hid it in a cup-board with the intention of giving it to him for Christmas that year but obviously forgot about it. The result is a Batmobile that is

practically perfect in every pos-sible way. The box itself has no tears, the plastic window is clear and free of smudges, the brown cardboard protective sleeve is intact, even the original rubber band holding the boat to the trailer is there. The antenna is perfect. The

stickers are intact and perfect. There is a little white Batman en-velope that has some instructions and a little rack holding a batch of tiny rockets that are launched by the toy.Bidders around the world went

nuts and eventually it fetched more than $5000. Closer to home, there were plenty

of collectables that had bidders’ pulses racing.

An Arnotts “Roses Series” 12oz biscuit tin inspired plenty of bid-ding before ending at $836.86. Almost as highly sought after

was the rare Bowen & Co Mel-bourne rectangle potlid, complete with original base. A total of

13 bids pushed its final price to $1523.And a crude “straight line” Fowl-

er impressed ginger beer circa 1830-40 will remain in Australia after being sold for $610.

– CAM WARD

CHERRY RIPE: This rare rectangular Bowen & Co potlid and base topped $1500 after some spirited eBay bidding.

Big auction a small step on the road to recoveryImagine the scene: Tony

Parsons picks me up at about 5.45am to arrive at

Flowerdale by 8am for a half-hour chat and breakfast in the car park and to see all the pre-arranged car park deals happening prior to the Lancaster-Roycroft auction.

The landscape made for a somber mood on our way north. It was still clear to see how close the bushfires came to each side of the Hume Highway and where fire crews stopped the flames. You could only wonder at the intensity of it all.

On the winding drive from Strath Creek to Flowerdale, the roadside was burnt on one side and untouched on the other. There was no logic as to what was left and what was lost.

One of the only buildings to survive Black Saturday in Flowerdale was the old, dark, drafty Flowerdale Hall, now turned into a community relief centre with many portable buildings and toilets (a real bonus that for the auction crowd).

The hall was apparently emptied of donated goods as the community strongly expressed a desire to the Roycrofts to “get back to normal as possible ... run your auction”.

It was a commendable effort considering the tragedy of February 7 and the brief time lag from then to the May 24 auction. But it was achieved –with a bit of encouragement and pushing from Graham Lancaster.

Day two of the two-day event was what the bottle collecting community had set itself for – and the opening lot probably underscored how determined

they were to make sure it was “business as usual”.

The iconic “Dempsey Dog” ginger beer was knocked down for $22,500, buyer’s commission pushing the total out to $25,000. The buyer was an interstate raider who literally flew into Melbourne, hired a car, bid on two lots (the other being the Lincoln & Co Narrandera lightning stopper ginger beer), paid up and left immediately to drive back to the airport. Talk about on a mission!

All up, prices seemed pretty strong and were reportedly just as strong at the sign auction the day before. What global financial crisis?

It was also good to see that the raffle and refreshments to support the Flowerdale fund were similarly well supported.

The highlight for me was lot 793, the JW Wilding Queenscliff 10 oz codd. It was the first one I have seen for sale and although scruffy will come up nice with a professional polish. Well sought

after by keen codd collectors, it was pushed to $440 (including commission). Big money, but when will you get another one?

We came home through Whittlesea and a moonscape landscape that was a picture of total devastation – mature trees that look like they won’t regrow and houses and sheds that burnt from the inside. It puts the whole issue of buying bottles into perspective really.

– DAVID SMITH

MOVING ON: Communities like Flowerdale are moving on from the devastating Black Saturday bushfires.

FLYING START: The two ginger beers that lured one committed interstate collector to Flow-erdale for a matter of minutes.

minutes

Committee meeting – MayMay 25, 2009

Meeting opened at: 7.30pm

Present President D. Smith, vice-president P. Harding, treasurer Bob Bauer, secretary T Elso, committee members & club members C. Finegan, T. Parson, A. Snowdon, J&B Sydenham, D&J Votava, D. Phillips, C. Fields, C. Ward

General BusinessHave speakers during daylight savings as we have more relaxed meetings. Start at 7.30pm when we have guest speakers. Format: guest-meeting-finds

Talk of finds pre supper – all OK?

Prospect of starting meetings at 7.30pm during winter months.

Next Geelong show is 18months away, possibly with one-day format. Need to push collectables during advertising/planning. Review categories. Look at possible future venues. Job allocation – members to give thought to jobs required and needing to be done – who is best for them?

Meeting closed at 8pm

May monthly meetingMeeting opened at 8.05pm

ApologiesKim Johnson, Bruce & Elsie, Anne Phillips

Minutes of previous meeting Moved: Peter HardingSeconded: Craig Finegan

Business arising from minutes Calender – re Ron BarryState Show – no more infoScotty Clark auction – to be discussed in general business

CorrespondenceGippsland A.B.&C.Club – newsletter & new collectors’ mag “Passion for Collecting”Australian Bottle & Collectables ReviewWestern A.B.&C.Club newsletterMornington Peninsula A.B.&C newsletterJunk mail

Treasurer’s reportMoved: Peter HardingSeconded: Dave Smith

General business S. Clark auction – not enough people wanting to go so a private car load of people will attend.Milk & cream bottle book – 5 books to be ordered, total $135 inc postage. One book to be kept for library, others to be used for fund raising.Cowra Bottle Show – Dave gave report on show and museum. Noel also discussed show.Chris’s Auction – Peter Harding reported on past few auctions.Flowerdale Auction – Dave reported on latest Lancaster/Roycroft auctionCaloundra Show – Noel reported on Caloundra showGeorge Yates – The passing of longtime bottle enthusiast and state bottle club member George Yates.Life Membership – Noel raised the subject of life membership. Members to think about it; to be discussed at next committee meeting

David’s latest finds included three varieties of the Bollington Hop Beer ginger beer.

Cam gained a virtual show entry of ceramic labels, right, when he was the sole bidder at a Melbourne col-lectables auction.

A nice Trait codd shown by Tony in May.

Bob’s advertising thermom-eter – complete with five-digit phone number.

A rare Cats team photo, featuring many familiar names from the club’s golden era of the Fifties, was on sale at May’s collectables fair.

latest finds

MayTony Drift fruit drink Rowlands torp, Mason & Trait codds

Noel Piano insulators

Bob Mobil thermometer Nigger Boy licorice ad

Peter 1888 Geelong Savings Bank calendar FIRST Geelong Advertiser printing plate March 30, 1987

David Chicago and Kangaroo fruit jars THIRD 4 Geelong ginger beers Geelong household almanac 1914 Cookery book circa 1920

Ron & Jan Coasters MCP Dumbo Oil cans

Cam National Geographics Kennedy assassination papers Ceramic label lemonade bottles SECOND Dynon ashtray Corio whiskey jug & glass

Joe & Dot Footy scarf Doll

Ron & Jan Shortbread moulds Tracey Murano Verin Lattino bowl

Alan Mr Squiggle doll Pink glass shop jar Champion Melbourne jar Gas & Fuel advertising Handmade heavy metal tribal necklace

Ern 5 tea strainers McPherson’s catalogue

Pete was an obvious winner of May’s latest finds wit this stunning 1888 Geelong Savins Bank calendar.

latest finds

JuneDavid Dingo jar/CFJ Mason pint jar/MFJ shear lip half-gallon THIRD

Peter Brights box Coles Myer 75th anniversary glasses

Kim Green and yellow vase

Barry Luggage scales SECOND

Cam Blue Ark essence bottles Old CDV photos Geelong Gaol timbers 1929/30 movie magazines 2 Australian Women’s Mirror magazines

Alan Jeweller’s anvil Casting mould? Large Lord Calvert Whiskey advertising statue FIRST Old trays (Munro Whiskey, Chambers & Seymour Melbourne, Sedan)

Classyglass

Club members have done their best to brighten up recent bleak weather with some colourful finds. Noel produced these six piano insulators, below, while the amethyst Mason codd, right, now resides in Tony’s collection

CLASSIFIEDSNotices

Need to e-mail a photo?Like to post a photo on the internet to

sell an item?Have a lend of the club’s digital

camera.ASK PETER FOR DETAILS

Wanted to buyAnything to do with Jim Beam, Coca Cola, ceramic Garfields

and Ned Kelly. Collectables collector.

Phone Len Ellmer on 5224 1469.

Royal DoultonWhisky flasks/Kingsware

Old electric jugsPlease call JIM HUNTER

on 5127 6420. Member of the Gippsland club.

SINGER SEWING MACHINESAnything to do with Singer.

Phone Bruce or Elsie on 5275 5450.

Matchboxes, labels, vesta boxes, match grips and Meakin china.

Phone 5276 1267.

Any old newspapers and documents.Prefer Geelong and areas but will

consider anything.Phone Peter on 5275 3411.

Geelong street guides and business directories.Phone 5266 1126.

Milk glass Vegemite/Marmite jars.Also screw top metal lids, any size.

Phone Bruce on 0408 527 741.

Wanted to buy

Pre-1956 telephone directories.Geelong & District or MelbournePhone Cam on 0430 369 146.

Any old newspapers and documents.Prefer Geelong and areas but will

consider anything.Phone Peter on 5275 3411.

Victa logo plateFor original model

Phone Alan on 5255 4773 or 0403 160 336.

Embassy branded items.The old GJ Coles home brand.

Will BUY anything.Phone Peter on 5275 3411.

For salePhotographic record of 2008 State

Bottle and Collectables Show.All category winners and selected

individual bottles on one CD. Suitable for enlargements.

$10 per copy.Phone Cam on 0430 369 146.

Any Scouting memorabilia.Phone Shane on 5229 6469.

Aussie fruit/preserving/jam jars Geelong bottles

Ceramic label milks and soft drinks David 0419 434 306/5243 4306