Missing Legends? Fruit Jar Collector Profiles

Looking for some good reading material? How about catching up on the latest in Bruce Schank's Legends of the Jar interview series.

 

Read his latest Legend, Dick Harris, then go back and re-read all the others -- enjoy! Just click on the PDF links below, and each Legend will pop open.

 

March 2011 Dick Harris

http://www.balljars.net/Legends/Dick%20Harris%20bio.pdf My visit gave Dick at least a nice period of time to temporarily display many of his wonderful jars once again after many years in storage. This Article was also published in the following Publications: March 2011 Midwest Glass Chatter. The official publication of the Midwest Antique Fruit Jar & Bottle Club. March - April 2011 Bottles and Extras, The official publication of the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors.

 

February 2011 Fr. Patrick Wilhellm

http://www.balljars.net/Legends/Fr.%20Pat%20bio.pdf Talking with Fr. Pat I quickly realized that he was more than a character; he was actually very animated, hilarious and quite personable. Plus a very important message came through to me loud and clear too, when it comes to fruit jars; "it's not what you know that really matters but who you know that ultimately matters, including God Almighty." This Article was also published in the following Publications: February 2011 Midwest Glass Chatter. The official publication of the Midwest Antique Fruit Jar & Bottle Club.

January 2011 Bill Dudley

http://www.balljars.net/Legends/Bill%20Dudley%20bio.pdf Bill was at one time called "Mr. Wax Sealer."  He is now and has been known for many years in the collecting community as "Mr. Hemingray." This Article was also published in the following Publications: December 2010 Midwest Glass Chatter. The official publication of the Midwest Antique Fruit Jar & Bottle Club. Jan - Feb 2011 Bottles and Extras, The official publication of the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors.

June 2010 Norm Barnett

http://www.balljars.net/Legends/NormBarnettBio.pdf Unfortunately, I was never able to get to Norm's place and actually see his fabulous Fruit Jar Collection. I put this together with scanned materials. This Article was also published in the following Publications: June 2010 Midwest Glass Chatter. The official publication of the Midwest Antique Fruit Jar & Bottle Club. July - Aug 2010 Bottles and Extras, The official publication of the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors. *Note, since doing this article Norm passed away on Monday Oct 25, 2010 at the age of 84. Norm was quite a character and will be missed by many Collectors in the Hobby..

 

May 2010 Mason Bright

http://www.balljars.net/Legends/Mason%20Bright%20bio.pdf I was never sure whether Mason had the best Ball jar collection in the country or not because that's a subjective argument but what am sure of is that he had one of the best overall display environments of any collection I am yet to see and that's saying a lot. This Article was also published in the following Publications: May 2010 Midwest Glass Chatter. The official publication of the Midwest Antique Fruit Jar & Bottle Club. May - June 2010 Bottles and Extras, The official publication of the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors. *Note, since doing this article Mason's collection has been sold to another collector and has passed into the annals of history.

April 2010 Paul Shoecraft

http://www.balljars.net/Legends/Paul%20Shoecraft%20bio.pdf Paul is considered an expert on Australian jars most notably by many of those very people who live and collect fruit jars in Australia. Paul read at one time that there is a direct positive correlation between intellect and collecting something no matter what it is and he definitely is a fruit jar collector of the extraordinary kind. This Article was also published in the following Publications: April 2010 Midwest Glass Chatter. The official publication of the Midwest Antique Fruit Jar & Bottle Club.

March 2010 Don Burkett

http://www.balljars.net/Legends/Don%20Burkett%20bio.pdf Sometimes it takes unfortunate circumstances in order to accomplish extraordinary positive things. I was feeling a bit down and the weather was really lousy on a Friday morning in late October 2009 and through my fogged and gloomy thought processes a brilliant idea came to light. Why not take a trip and visit with some other collectors especially some old timers. I made the 545 mile, 9 hour trip to visit with "Mr. Mason" Don Burkett and I must say wholeheartedly I am that much the richer now for the experience. This Article was also published in the following Publications: March 2010 Midwest Glass Chatter. The official publication of the Midwest Antique Fruit Jar & Bottle Club. March - April 2010 Bottles and Extras, The official publication of the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors.

November 2009 Jeff Harper

http://www.balljars.net/Legends/Jeff%20Harper%20bio.pdf They say everything is bigger in Texas, well Jeff & Mary Harper's hospitality is huge. I had a wonderful time with Jeff & Mary and touching and seeing all of the incredible Ball Stuff was great. This Article was also published in the following Publications: November 2009 Midwest Glass Chatter. The official publication of the Midwest Antique Fruit Jar & Bottle Club.

October 2009 Dan Corker

http://www.balljars.net/Legends/Dan%20Corker%20bio.pdf Phil Alvarez and I had a wonderful time visiting with Dan and Judy Corker. It was like being at a Fruit Jar Bed & Breakfast. This Article was also published in the following Publications: October 2009 Midwest Glass Chatter. The official publication of the Midwest Antique Fruit Jar & Bottle Club. January - February 2010 Bottles and Extras, The official publication of the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors.

September 2009 Bo Trimble

http://www.balljars.net/Legends/Bo%20Trimble%20bio.pdf After the July Adamstown Show, Phil Alvarez and I visited Bo Trimble's house for an afternoon visit to see his really nice collection. This Article was also published in the following Publications: September 2009 Midwest Glass Chatter. The official publication of the Midwest Antique Fruit Jar & Bottle Club.

August 2009 Phil Smith

http://www.balljars.net/Legends/Phil%20Smith%20bio.pdf I stopped by Phil Smith's home on July 8, 2009 before going to The Last Summer Muncie Show. I had a great time and he has a fabulous fruit jar collection. This Article was also published in the following Publications: August 2009 Midwest Glass Chatter. The official publication of the Midwest Antique Fruit Jar & Bottle Club. November - December 2009 Bottles and Extras, The official publication of the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors.

June 2009 Bob Clay

http://www.balljars.net/Legends/Bob%20Clay%20bio.pdf Here's a story of my long time friend Bob Clay. At one time Bob had THE Best colored Ball jar collection (.) This Article was also published in the following Publications: June 2009 Midwest Glass Chatter. The official publication of the Midwest Antique Fruit Jar & Bottle Club.

May 2009 Dick Watson

http://www.balljars.net/Legends/Dick%20Watson%20bio.pdf Back in April I took a day trip to Dick Watson's Home (which IMO is actually a museum.) I had a great time although it was far too short and I'm  planning on another visit in the middle of July. I was completely Awe Struck by Dick's collection. This Article was also published in the following Publications: May 2009 Midwest Glass Chatter. The official publication of the Midwest Antique Fruit Jar & Bottle Club. July - August 2009 Bottles and Extras, The official publication of the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors.

March 2009 Phil Alvarez

http://www.balljars.net/Legends/Phil%20Alvarez%20bio.pdf Recently I managed to spend some time with a long time friend of mine and go to the March 2009 Baltimore Show with him. I stopped by his home first and spent a morning there taking pictures and talking about his collection.  Phil has a stupendous collection and is a down right nice guy too. This Article was also published in the following Publications: March 2009 Midwest Glass Chatter. The official publication of the Midwest Antique Fruit Jar & Bottle Club. March - April 2009 Bottles and Extras, The official publication of the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors.

 

Hey, Bruce -- who's up next?

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