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Latest Project Status Reports update posted March 21, 2012

Hutchinson Highlights...

I. NEWLY IDENTIFIED MISSOURI HUTCHINSON IS A REAL PEACH

Laton Bare, our Florida Hutchinson Specialist, participates on the antique-bottles.net blog and tipped us off about this newly identified Hutchinson from Campbell, Missouri.  A subsequent telephone conversation with Arlin Cargill, our Missouri Hutchinson Specialist, revealed he and Tim Henson (visit http://www.wix.com/chevelle_godsmack/bottlekid76) are working on a new book about Missouri blob top and Hutchinson bottles that is scheduled to be in print this fall.  As soon as it is available, we will add ordering information to the "Bottle Books For Sale" portion of HutchBook.com's Collecting page.   

We don't yet have complete data for this new listing.  Here's the partial catalog entry:

MO 34 - Campbell, Dunklin County, Missouri: CAMPBELL / BOTTLING CO / CAMPBELL, MO. = 2 leaf mold, aqua, round (oval) plate mould, round base, Rare.

Here's some brief information about Campbell, Missouri from Wikipedia:

Campbell, Missouri has a history going as far back as the pre-Civil War era.  The city of Campbell was founded in 1880 with the arrival of the railways.  The original settlement of Four Mile is located just two miles Northwest of Campbell.  Four Mile got its name because it was located just four miles from the St. Francis River ferry and other important points of interest.

By the 1850s, the city of Campbell had several saloons, a drug store, many physicians, two to three general stores, and a post office.

In 1863, the Union and Confederate armies battled at Chalk Bluff on Four Mile Hill.  After the Civil War, the town of Four Mile became peaceful again.

By 1880, the railroad way was laid down in Campbell, taking all the business away from Four mile, eventually closing the town down.  The small town of Campbell started to flourish in the 1890s.  The town and surrounding areas had good timber, so sawmills and lumber companies began to pop up throughout the town...

In the 1930s a man by the name of Van Tompkins moved his family to a 230 acre farm on Riddle Hill, the hill just north of Campbell, Missouri.  Tompkins took the advice from an acquaintance to plant peach trees on some of his land because his other crops were not doing well in the red clay soil.  Van Tompkins was one the “founding fathers” of the well known peach orchards of Campbell, Missouri...

In 1944 the Campbell American Legion, local peach farmers, and business owners of the area played host to the first ever Peach Festival.  The Peach Festival was a one day event then, including a picnic where folks could barbecue and prizes to the farmers with the best peaches.  Now, in 2011, the Peach Fair has expanded to become an official Missouri Peach Fair.  It is now a seven day celebration of a good year’s harvest.  People from all over come to Campbell, Missouri to attend the Missouri Peach Fairs.  The fair now includes carnival rides, arcade games, various food stands, pageant contests, and raffle drawings.

www.CampbellMO.com provides the following additional information:

Life was peaceful in Four Mile until the area was startled with news of a railroad coming.  The line was built in 1880-1881, running two miles south of Four Mile.  Merchants were quick to set up little branch stores to do business with the railroad work crews.  Campbell started with the railroad and Four Mile was doomed.  Within two years, every business there had moved to Campbell.

Campbell flourished and during the 1890s it grew into a timber center.  Sawmills and lumber companies dotted the town and one owner made a million dollars within a few years.  Campbell was the most thriving town in Dunklin County until the timber was gone, about 1908.  Following the disappearance of good timber, the community settled down as an agricultural town.  Growth over the years has been relatively slow, but it has been steady.  During the past three decades, while other Missouri towns of its size were losing population, Campbell continued its steady growth.  The City of Campbell continues to look forward to the future.  With its famous peaches, cotton and other agriculture, it has progressed to its current population of 1,883.

II. ACQUIRING THIS TENNESSEE HUTCHINSON REQUIRED MULE-LIKE PATIENCE (AND A LIGHTNING FAST INTERNET CONNECTION!)

Three bidders chased a newly identified Tennessee Hutchinson that recently sold as GreedyBay 260970381517, with the winner placing a winning bid with only six seconds remaining in the auction.  The bottle sold for $110.27 + $8.00 P&H. 

This is the fourth Hutchinson we have catalogued from Columbia.  It is:

TN 29 - Columbia, Maury County, Tennessee: COLUMBIA BOTTLING WKS / CH. J. KEBAR / COLUMBIA. TENN. = 2 leaf mold, aqua, 7.000" x 2.500" with round (oval) plate mould, THIS BOTTLE IS NEVER SOLD on back, base embossing unknown, round base, Rare.

Two of the three other known Columbia, Tennessee Hutchinsons also bear Kebar's name.

Per Wikipedia:

Columbia's...2008 population was 34,402 according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.  It is the county seat of Maury County.  The town is notable for being the self-proclaimed "Mule capital of the world" and honors this fact with Mule Day, a large celebration held annually every April.  Columbia is also the home of the national headquarters for the Sons of Confederate Veterans...

A year after the organization of Maury County in 1807, Columbia was laid out in 1808 and lots were sold.  The original town, on the south bank of the Duck River, consisted of only four blocks.  The town was incorporated in 1817.  For years, it was the county seat of the richest county in agricultural wealth in the state.  Today, it is a tourist destination, most of whom are drawn by the numerous historic sites in the area.  Attractions include the James K. Polk Ancestral Home, the Columbia Athenaeum, Mule Day, and nearby plantation homes.

Famous natives of Columbia include James K. Polk, Governor, Congressman, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and eleventh President of the United States; A.O.P. Nicholson, state senator, U.S. Senator, and Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court; Sterling Marlin, NASCAR driver; Dr. Marion Dorsett, inventor of the serum to control hog cholera; Fran McKee, first female line officer to hold the rank of rear admiral in the U.S. Navy; Lyman T Johnson, civil rights movement; and Raphael Benjamin West, former Nashville mayor and Civil Rights ally; noted architect James Edwin Ruthven Carpenter, Jr.; and John Harlan Willis, United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the Medal of Honor - for his actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.

III. EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT THE "HAMMINTON" N.J. ERROR HUTCHINSON

Another nice Hutchinson bottle that recently sold at auction (GreedyBay 120864241877) is the illustrated example from Hammonton, New Jersey.  When the seller posted it, his listing mentioned "I tried to find some information on the Hamminton NJ Bottling Co. but could find none."  Someone subsequently informed him this is an error bottle, and the correct town spelling should have been "Hammonton," not "Hamminton."  Yet another potential bidder indicated "he has seen several of this bottle, so it is not rare."  Hmmm... 

While we certainly agree this is an error bottle because of the incorrect engraving for Hammonton, we disagree on the rarity rating as this is the sole example we have seen of this one.  Our differing opinions may simply be a matter of definition, as we are continuing to classify bottles as "Rare" if 10 or fewer examples are known   We have this one catalogued as:

NJ 183 - Hammonton, Atlantic County, New Jersey: HAMMINTON / BOTTLING CO. / HAMMINTON, N.J. / REGISTERED (near base) = 2 leaf mold, clear, 7.500" x 2.500" with round (watermelon) plate mould, back embossing unknown, 11 on base, round base, Rare.  Error bottle - should be HAMMONTON.

This auction drew only one bid, with the bottle selling for $19.99.  In my opinion, someone nabbed a very desirable bottle at a great price. 

Here is a portion of the www.TownOfHammonton.org general history of Hammonton:

Settled comfortably between two major cities, Atlantic City and Philadelphia, is Hammonton, the Blueberry Capital of the world...

In 1812, the area that would be Hammonton was mostly wilderness, with the exception of a saw mill.  The saw mill was run by William Coffin in agreement with its owner, John Coates.  Coffin bought out Coates and then partnered with a man named Johnathan Haines.  Together they built a glass factory and established themselves as a merchant stop on the road from Camden to Leeds Point and along the Mullica River.

Hammonton is named for one of Coffin’s sons, John Hammond Coffin.  What began as “Hammondton” later evolved into what we have today, minus the “d”...Hammonton remained a tiny settlement until two men from Philadelphia, Charles K. Landis and Richard J. Byrnes partnered and began selling land.  The first home from these land sales was built on what is now Central Avenue.

On July 1, 1854, the Camden and Atlantic Railroad ran its first train between Camden and Atlantic City.  The arrival of the Hammonton Railroad Station in 1858 brought more settlers and Hammonton grew in size and industry.  The settlers were from mostly English descent.  Blacksmiths, brick layers, carpenters, farmers, and more joined together and contributed their skills to help one another, and the town, prosper.  The new settlers were from varied religious backgrounds.  Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists and Catholics established their places of worship.  Recreational activities were held at the Hammonton Lake Park and, like today, the town hosted a waterfront July 4th celebration.

Originally a part of Mullica, Hammonton officially became a town in 1866.  The Hammonton Town Council was established.  That same year, Hammontonians hosted The Grand Strawberry Exhibition, which drew visitors from as far as New York and put Hammonton on the map for agriculture.  Strawberries and Sweet Potatoes were the two biggest crops.  Blueberry farming didn’t begin until much later.  During this time, Hammonton was home to four schools, though each was only one room!  Clearly, Hammonton has been focused on education from the beginning.

In the early 1860s Hammonton received a large influx of Italian immigrants.  In 1875, the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was celebrated for the first time by twelve individuals who formed a small procession in front of a home on Pine Road.  With the construction of St. Joseph’s Church in 1887, the celebration grew.  The Mt. Carmel Society received its charter in 1905.  The late 1800s brought us our first town hall, protected us from fire with the establishment of Hammonton Volunteer Fire Company No.1 and Independent Volunteer Fire Co. No. 2, and had everyone talking with the arrival of Delaware and Atlantic Telephone and Telegraph Company.  The Hammonton Electric Light and Power Company brought us light.

The early 1900s paved the way for concrete sidewalks, a water plant, the introduction of the gas industry, and a completed sewer system.  The manufacturing industry made great progress.  William B. Kessler, Inc. was just one of the many garment manufacturers that kept town residents stepping out in style.  Arena Auto Service, Bruno Oil Company, and South Jersey Laundry were founded.  Hammonton Public Schools and St. Joseph’s organized their P.T.A’s.  We organized our Police Department and founded the V.F.W., the Hammonton Rescue Squad, and the Hammonton Branch of the Atlantic County Library.  The Rivoli Theatre on the corner of Bellevue Avenue and Third Street was showing motion pictures.  We crowned our first Peach Queen and again everyone was talking.  This time it was through New Jersey Bell Telephone.

By 1950, Hammontonians had laid the foundation for a promising future.  In the decades that followed, we continued to expand economically with the openings of Whitehall Laboratories, Deer Park Baking Company, and several banks.  Although some of these companies have since moved on, Hammonton continues to be a promising location for business.  St. Martin de Porres established their parish.  Agriculturally, blueberries became the big crop.  The town’s first Blueberry Festival was first held in 1953.  We even crowned a Blueberry Queen!  And this time when everyone was talking, it was on the first dial service!

Our lives are centered around and shaped by our community.  What began as a tiny settlement around a saw mill has grown into a thriving town.  Today Hammonton is home to two wonderful schools, several places of worship, a multitude of successful businesses, a blueberry festival, and a feast.  Our people come from diverse backgrounds, yet we share a commonality: we are proud to be Hammontonians. 

IV. ANOTHER NEW MAVERICK HUTCHINSON DISCOVERED

Several collectors brought the illustrated VICTOR SODA maverick Hutchinson to our attention while it was listed at an on-line auction site.  The seller indicated he thought the bottle "to be from Illinois as it was bought at an auction in East Central Illinois.  The other Hutch Sodas were from Champaign, Paxton, Danville, etc."  He also suggested Victor, Colorado might be a possible source for the bottle.  The HutchBook database didn't already include this one, and it has now been added to the Maverick Hutchinsons page.  We are listing it as an unknown maverick until information is found confirming the bottle's origin.  Here is the bottle's catalog listing:

UN 36 = VICTOR SODA, 2 leaf mold, aqua, 6.875" x 2.125" with round (oval) plate mould, I.G.CO. 668 on back, blank base, round base, Rare.  Illinois?

At this point, our best guess (and it is only a guess) is the VICTOR SODA Hutchinson may have been utilized by a bottler located in Victor, Illinois.  Wikipedia indicates "Victor Township is one of nineteen townships in DeKalb County, Illinois, USA.  As of the 2000 census, its population was 364.  Victor Township was formed from Clinton Township around 1853."  If any readers have knowledge of the origin of this maverick Hutchinson, please contact us!

V. THE INTERNET IS A RESEARCH TOOL, NOT A DESTINATION!

The comment by the seller of the aforementioned Hammonton, N.J. Hutchinson that he "tried to find some information on the Hamminton NJ Bottling Co. but could find none" has become an increasingly familiar explanation for not doing (or knowing how to do) any research.  Performing an Internet search is not "research."  No, this isn't an indictment of the Internet.  The 'Net is a very valuable research tool, but it is not an end in and of itself!  Seeing people striking out while using search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and Bing and then declaring "no information is available," makes me cringe.  It is all I can do not to respond by asking "So, exactly how much (and what type of) information do you expect to find about a 125 year old bottle on the Internet?  If (and it is a big IF) there is information to be found on-line, it is because someone devoted their time and energy to  researching in city directories, phone books, biographical sketches, town histories, and numerous other primary information sources.  Yes, the Internet contains a wealth of information, but that information is but a rain drop in the vast ocean of available material.   

The excuses I hear most often are "I don't know how to do research," and "I don't live near where the resource materials are housed."  My response to both pleas is "So what?"  The process of researching bottles is not rocket science, and several readily available books include easy-to-understand research tips and guidelines (e.g. Collecting Soda Pop Bottles).   As for resource access, a tool such as the Internet makes it easier than ever to identify and contact libraries, historical societies, authors, and other collectors who either have the needed resource material or ready access to it. 

A closely related concern is the increasing number of instances where collectors find a bottle, post photos of it on a blog or web site, and then task others with researching the item for them.  Come on folks, try learning how to do your own research!  You may be surprised how much more you will enjoy our hobby when you have personally done the research necessary to learn more about the bottles in your collection. 

VI. NEW MINNESOTA SODA WATER WORKS BOTTLE BOOK PUBLISHED!

Speaking of research, today's mail brought my Special Edition copy of Austin Fjerestad's newly published book Minn. Soda Water Works: The Blob Top, Gravitators, Hutchinson and Hand Finished Crowns of Minnesota, Including Stoneware Spring Jugs and Advertising.  This new book is so hot off the press that my copy was still warm when I took it out of the mailing carton!  And, wow, what a great new addition to our hobby's body of literature! 

Austin has been contributing to the Hutchinson Bottle Directory initiative as one of our Minnesota Hutchinson Specialists for several years, so I have had the pleasure of watching his book grow from the idea stage to fruition.  Having personally enjoyed this creative process numerous times, it has been great fun to watch Austin establish and attain his goal of seeing this project thru to completion.  Congratulations on a job very well done, Austin! 

To review sample illustrations of pages and for more information about this fine new book, navigate to the Collecting page, scroll down to the "Bottle Books For Sale" section's "STATE BOTTLE BOOKS" list, and click on the newly added Minnesota (Austin Fjerestad - 2012) page.

VII. REVIEW: MICHAEL OWENS AND THE GLASS INDUSTRY

Early last year we highlighted a link to Bill Lindsey's very well done Historic Bottle Website (http://sha.org/bottle/index.htm) for an opportunity to view early film clips featuring Michael Owens and his Owens Bottle Machine.  Watching those amazing videos further sparked my interest in Michael Owens, and I subsequently chased down a copy of Michael Owens and the Glass Industry by Quentin R. Skrabec, Jr.  I recently finished this detailed biography and decided to share some comments about Owens and book with those who may also enjoy this volume. 

Quoting from the dust jacket and flyleaf:

Michael J. Owens' innovations in mass-produced glass paved the way for modern conveniences in use today.  His invention, the Owens Bottle Machine, transformed the American diet by standardizing and sanitizing food and beverage containers.  His automated inventions were vital to electric lighting, advanced optics, and automotive safety, as well as the reduction of child labor...

He stands next to Thomas Edison in the pantheon of inventors.  Commercial products stamped with his name are ubiquitous in modern life.  His inventions are directly responsible for safety glass in car windshields and consistently proportioned medicine jars.  His designs have changed the way we illuminate a dark room and buy pasteurized milk.  Michael J. Owens has left an indelible mark in human history, yet his name often has been overlooked publicly, until now.

Michael Owens was a driven but unassuming man who shunned the spotlight, wanting only to create.  In this first biography of a visionary, artist, and craftsman, Quentin R. Skrabec's research has uncovered a resourceful, colorful, and dynamic industrialist and inventor.

The author's text continues:

The real tribute to Michael Owens' vision was that, at his death ((1923), 94 out of every 100 bottles were produced on Owens Bottle Machines...Michael Owens took a handcraft industry into full automation with machines that produced bottles, light bulbs, and plate glass...Other than Edison's light bulb, no other invention rivals the glass-bottle machine as to its impact on society.

My personal interest in Michael Owens and his Owens Bottle Machine, of course, relates directly to Hutchinson bottles.  Numerous developments combined to bring down the curtain on Hutchinson usage in North America (see Demise of the Hutchinson Era for additional comments on this topic).  One of several contributing factors was the introduction and gradual acceptance of the Owens Bottle Machine by glass manufacturers.  Reading Owens' biography definitely helps one better understand the significance of the introduction of his Bottle Machine.

Quentin R. Skrabec, Jr.  Michael Owens and the Glass Industry.  Gretna, Louisiana: Pelican Publishing Company Inc., 2007.  www.PelicanPub.com or www.amazon.com 

Be sure to click on Project Status Reports for the latest HutchBook.com updates!

HutchBook.com Development

It is incredibly exciting to make available the accompanying material concerning the wonderful bottles that utilized Hutchinson's Patent Spring Stopper!  Since the Hutchinson Bottle Directory initiative's founding in 1976, over 1,000 people have contributed bottle data and related information that will benefit collectors, archaeologists, historians, and other interested parties.  Here are details documenting the project's historical development:

Given the enormity of the HutchBook.com project, it is being delivered in three phases:

Phase I: Extensive, factual documentation concerning soft drink industry history, the Hutchinson era, the term "soda pop," stopper patents, W. H. Hutchinson and Son, Hutchinson's lawsuits, the American bottling system, pre-Hutchinson Era bottling, Hutchinson's Patent Spring Stoppers, Hutchinson bottles, the Hutchinson bottling process, and much more;

Phase II: Hutchinson Bottle Directory listing 17,058 different bottles; and

Phase III: Illustrations accompanying each bottle listings.

Project Status Reports

Phase I: Hutchinson History

September 30, 2009: Phase I launched! 

Phase II: Bottle Directory

Note: HutchBook.com does not yet include public access to the Hutchinson Bottle Directory data base. 

Click this link to the Project Status Reports page for the latest update.  Please bookmark this page and visit regularly to track on-going project developments!

Phase III: Bottle Illustrations

We will start adding Hutchinson bottle illustrations after Phase II has been moved up to the Internet for public access.