April 2005 Newsletter

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Upcoming Meeting -April 7 th 2005,

Doors Open 7:30 p.m., Meeting starts at 8:00 p.m.

Directions to the Town of Islip Recreation Center, Ronkonkoma Beach Pavilion at Lake Ronkonkoma off Rosevale Ave. (631) 467-3308

From the LIE: Exit 59, Ocean Ave North to Rosevale Ave. bear left to 1 st traffic light, turn right at light into park, left into parking lot, building is at the end on your right.

From Sunrise Highway: Exit 49 Lakeland (Sayville) continue north crossing Veterans Highway, merge w/Ocean Ave, continue north under LIE & follow the directions above.

Program - Spring Finds and Deals

And now few words from the President (or chief bottle nut notes)

Hello everyone, hope all is well. First up is something I forgot to mention in the March newsletter, and I am sorry that I did.

What I forgot was to tell you that Dave Stevens has put some of his bottles on display for the month of March in the Bellport Public Library, located on the west side of Station Road, just a few feet north of Main St. It is next to the Bellport Post Office. I was lucky enough to be off the Saturday before Easter, and I took off to visit the display, digital camera in hand. I was hoping to treat everyone to some nice photos of the display that Dave did. However, seems there is a big problem taking pictures in the Library, the staff was more than a little upset that I wanted to do this (gee, I do not know why, do it in my library all the time...). Seemed that the only way I could, maybe, perhaps, have a chance of getting a picture of the display, was to bring Dave down there in person, and they would then think about it, but no promise. So you will have to settle for my written comments. And here they are!

Wow, it is a great display. The primary focus is on inks, which if you know Dave he has had an interest in inks as long as I have known him, which goes back to around 1980, give or take a year. Geometric to umbrella to cone to I do not know what the inks are called are all there, beautiful arrangement. The colors look great, very, very eye catching to say the very least. I would estimate there are 40 different inks in total. There seems to be a secondary focus on LI pontiled sodas, as Dave has a fine looking DEER PARK and 3 different SAMMIS, HEMPSTEAD examples in there as well. A case full of eye candy for any bottle collector! I imagine that by the time you receive this in the post, the display will be removed. I know my library is very punctual about having you clean out the case, either you get down there on time, or they might remove your items for you. All in all, great display Dave!!!

Next up is our paid membership. Here are all the members who paid, for a total of 20 as of April 1:

Jack Slootweg

Bill Natalie

John Feldmann

George Becker

The Depkins

Charlie Clark

Will Varney

Ron Selibovsky

Gary Guest

Gary Hammond

Dave Stevens

Kevin Kelly

George Fisher

Don Weinhardt

Jim Scaturro

Sandra Radtke

Mark Smith

Brian Wade

Joe Timko

Mitch Kramer

I was hoping for more, but, this is a start I guess.

This month I have an article from the New York/Pennsylvania Collector on Fire Grenades, but first the answers to our Pontil Bottle IQ Test that we have been running.

Coming up in future months, I have a nice piece on the milk bottles used by the

Dairy's in Sayville. Help was provided to me for this article by my own Sayville Historical Society, Mike Katsar, and Frank Bennett.

And, not to be forgotten, the meeting is this Thursday, April 7 th , at 7:30 pm. I hope to see all of you there! Mark

PONTIL BOTTLE IQ TEST - THE ANWSERS

Section 1 Multiple Choice 1-B; 2-B; 3-D; 4-A; 5-C; 6-A; 7-C; 8-C; 9-A; 10-D

Section 2 Analogies 11-C; 12-D; 13-A; 14-B; 15-A; 16-C; 17-A

Section 3 Analytical Reasoning - The most logical answer is implied from "You are at a bottle show" (you may or may not have a table to sell items) 18-B; 19-E; 20-C

Section 4 Vocabulary 21-B; 22-A; 23-B; 24-C; 25-C; 26-C; 27-B; 28-D; 29-C; 30-E

Glass Grenades Extinguished the Fires of Yesteryear

Have you ever wondered what they had to quench a fire with in the old days, before the invention of flame retardant chemicals and foam filled canisters? As a matter of fact, they had an arsenal of their own in the form of liquid filled fire grenades.

Fire grenades originated in England during the late 18 th century. The fire grenade was a bottle made of thin and very fragile glass designed to be thrown on the fire and to break easily. The contents were aimed at the base of the fire to quench the flames, and the grenades were designed to be light and easily handled. Grenades could be found in homes, hotels, factories, schools, trains and other commercial buildings around the turn of the century.

Various fluids have been used in the grenade, the most effective was found to be carbon tetrachloride. However, when it was learned that when inhaled, the carbon tetrachloride caused respiratory problems, the liquid was then changed to salt water.

Alanson Crane was granted the first American patent for a fire grenade, and around 1870 the glass fire grenade began to become popular in the United States. Theres bottles were used until around 1910, when they were gradually replaced by the metal fire extinguisher we know today.

Fire grenades are usually six to eight inches high, with a narrow neck and a round body. Many grenades were sealed with a cork and cement. The cement would prevent the liquid from escaping if the cork shrank. For added protection, some grenades had a foil seal over the cork. Many grenades had a wire loop on the neck which was used for hanging the grenade from a nail or hook on the wall. Some manufacturers sold two or three fire grenades together in a wire basket.

Between 1900 and 1920, fire grenades resembling light bulbs could be purchased with a special bracket. This bracket had a spring device and a fusible link. When the fusible link melted, the spring would cause a metal arm to shatter the grenade and release the contents into the fire. Fire grenades of this era came in a metal case, such as the Shur-Stop Kit which contained six grenades.

One of the most famous manufacturers of fire grenades was the Harden Hand Fire Extinguisher Company of Chicago. Harden made grenades in one and one half pint and in one quart sizes. These grenades featured an embossed star with vertical ribs or a diamond quilted pattern. Early examples were made with a footed base. The glass color was usually light blue or cobalt blue.

Harden grenades are the most common of known types of fire grenades. Harden manufactured a rare grenade in 1889, made in three separate sections and held together with wire. One section was clear glass, the second section amber, and the third section cobalt blue. (Pictured left from eBay a rare early blue Harden)

Another large producer of fire grenades was Hayward's Hand Fire Grenade, located in New York. Their grenades were produced in blue, green, amber and smoke. Babcock made a fire grenade called the Babcock Hand Grenade Non Freezing. Grenades were manufactured in blue, green, clear and amber colored glass. A company named Barnum made fire grenades, including the Diamond brand. Diamond grenades were made in three and four sided designs. These grenades are clear glass and have a patent date of 1869.

Fire grenades were also made for railroad cars. A grenade was made with the markings C & NW Ry., indicating it was used by the Canadian & Northwestern Railway.

Fire has alarmed mankind for centuries and these grenades were designed to extinguish small fires. In an era when portable fire extinguishers were unknown, the fire grenade provided a minimum amount of extinguishing capability. Fire extinguisher bottles, similar to fire grenades, were made of glass and designed to extinguish fires. Unlike fire grenades, which were made to be destroyed in case of fire, many extinguisher bottles were filled with a dry chemical that could be shaken out onto a fire. Fire extinguisher bottles were mounted on early automobiles in case of engine fires.

The Dri Gas Fire Extinguisher manufactured in Chattanooga, Tenn., is a popular extinguisher bottle to collect. This clear 13 inch bottle has a diamond quilted pattern and was filled with a sandy colored, dry chemical. The directions on the bottle state: "Throw contents forcibly at the base of the fire by quick swinging motions." The Larkin Fire Extinguisher was a bottle made of brown glass that contained a dry chemical. It had a paper label, a bottle cap style top and a mounting bracket.

These grenades are popular with collectors as they were made in many unique shapes and patterns. Many grenades are embossed with the name of the manufacturer, such as Harden, Hayward's, Babcock, Harkness, Little Giant, and Comet, to name a few. (Pictured right an HNS Yellow Diamond from eBay)

When you purchase a grenade or extinguisher bottle, check for cracks, chips, or repairs to the glass. Try to obtain examples with the original seal and contents. Many bottles can be found without their contents and are still prized by collectors. Some grenades are quite rare, such as a clear Harden or a light green Hayward's. Harden's star fire extinguisher sell for 100 dollars and up, with the rare colors in the hundreds. Rare grenades in excellent condition are priced upwards of $2,000.

S. F. Hayward published a catalog in the late 1800's describing ist glass grenade fire extinguishers as "glass globes of about four inches in diameter filled with a chemical fluid which generates enormous volumes of extinguishing gas when brought into contact with fire. As the bottle is hermetically sealed and the fluid itself is not susceptible to the influence of the atmosphere, no fermentation or evaporation can take place. It is in fact a cheap, simple and durable fire extinguisher that will not freeze, and can be used by man, woman, or child."

Sizes ranged from half pint to two quart, the most common sizes being pints and quarts. The contents contained such simple chemicals as salt water, bicarbonate of soda, and muriate of ammonia. The addition of salt allowed the grenade to be advertised as nonfreezing. Corks were cemented in to prevent evaporation.

The grenade came into existence around 1868 and lost its appeal around 1903. Bottles can be found in many places such as farm houses, local auctions, under porches, basements, attics, old homes, flea markets, antique shops and antique bottle shows. You can dig in the trash pit or the privy of an old house. Over one hundred years ago, it was common practice to throw garbage into the privy or local trash pit.

The most rewarding digging can be found in the East, where most of the glasshouses were first settled. The Western states also have an abundance of good digging areas, which can be attributed to the gold rush in the late 19 th century.

While their fire extinguishing days are long over, fire extinguisher grenades and bottles make a lovely and attention getting addition to any glass collection. Their jeweled tones and unique shapes are sure to elicit spirited conversation. Just see how long it takes guests to figure out their original purpose!

This article on fire grenades was taken from the April issue of the NY-PA Collector. It was written by Maureen Timm.

Gary Guest Beer is Better Talk

OK so I am winging it here - I forget what Gary called his display and talk but it was very interesting and informative and for those that missed it here are some pictures I snapped. Shameless plug, hint or nag, take your pick we need speakers for meetings so volunteer! Laura

A Book in the Making

Most of you know about our obsession with flasks, perhaps some of you have to wonder what Mark does with them all. Well he researches them and then inputs then into the computer in hopes of eventually publishing a book on our beloved and underrated flasks (they can stay underrated as we can not afford overrated flasks) . He was able to get to the library before my busy season hit at work (which is now over) and do some more research so we thought it might be fun to share a page with everyone and see what you think of the format and the like.

ACKER MERRALL & CONDIT

(Charles & David Acker)

1) ACKER MERRALL & CONDIT/NEW YORK

Quart; amber; strap side; letter plate.

2) ACKER MERRALL & CONDIT/NEW YORK

Pint; amber; strap side; letter plate.

3) ACKER MERRALL & CONDIT/NEW YORK

Half pint; amber; strap side; letter plate.

4) ACKER MERRALL & CONDIT/N.Y.

Half pint; amber; strap side; letter plate.

Listings found:

1875: Dealers in groceries at 132 Chambers St. and the corner of Broadway and W. 42d St.

1880: Dealers in groceries, Havana cigars and fine wines at 130-132 Chambers St.

1472 Broadway, 1010 6 th Ave.

1885: Grocers at 130 Chambers St., 1472 Broadway and 1022 6 th Ave.

1890: Charles Acker listed as a Grocer.

1915: Retail Wine & Liquor Dealer at 130 Chambers St.

1916: No listing found. I was informed by a good friend in the wine/liquor business that they

are still in business today, in NYC. They are a client of his.

AHRENS, JOHN E.

1) HONEST MEASURE/JOHN E. AHRENS/842 & 1336 3rd Ave.

NEW YORK/ONE HALF PINT

Clear; strap side; letter plate.

2) HONEST MEASURE/JOHN E. AHRENS/

842 & 1336 3rd Ave./NEW YORK/ONE PINT

Clear; strap side; letter plate.

Listings found:

1890: No listing found.

1895: Liquor Dealer at 842 3 rd Ave.

1902 : Wholesale & Retail Wine and Liquor Dealer at 842, 1336 & 1929 3rd Ave.

1903-1905 : Wholesale & Retail Wine and Liquor Dealer at 842 & 1336 3rd Ave.

1906-1915 : Retail Wine & Liquor Dealer at 842 3rd Ave.