Latest Fruit Jar Legends Collector Profiles

Looking for some good weekend reading material? How about catching up on the latest of
 
 
He's added 4 more since my last recap-post. 
 
Just click on the photos below, and each Legend pdf will pop open.
 
Latest 4 Legends:
 
 
March 2012

Chuck Erb

 

I've known Chuck for a few years now and at Winter Muncie 2011 I kind of naturally gravitated to Chuck's room because in my opinion Chuck is not only a very unique person but it's hard to find someone as bubbly and fun to be around. It was at that time I asked if I could visit with him in Iowa, do a story and see Iowa from an Iowan's point of view. Of course he said he'd be delighted if I came by anytime but wasn't sure he merited a "story" but IMHO he is a true "Legend" more than worthy of a article.

This Article was also published in the following Publications:

March 2012 Midwest Glass Chatter. The official publication of the Midwest Antique Fruit Jar & Bottle Club.

Mar - Apr 2012 Bottles and Extras, The official publication of the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors.
 
Nov 2011

Darrell Plank

Darrell Plank has most likely THE Best "Rare" colored Fruit Jar Collection in the world bar none. In doing this interview with Darrell over the phone I came away actually quite impressed with the man. There is a whole lot more to him than meets the eye and rare fruit jars. Darrell is very laid back and down to earth but also very articulate, outgoing and personable. He's an incredibly intelligent person and extremely knowledgeable about his jars too.

This Article was also published in the following Publications:

Nov 2011 Midwest Glass Chatter. The official publication of the Midwest Antique Fruit Jar & Bottle Club.

Nov - Dec 2011 Bottles and Extras, The official publication of the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors.
Sept 2011

Dave Hinson 

I've never met Dave in person but I have known him since I joined the Fruit Jar Group on Yahoo back in Feb 2003.

In 2004 Dave, who is the "Owner" of the Group queried for an assistant Moderator and this humble author gladly accepted that responsibility. Dave and I are still Moderators.

This Article was also published in the following Publications:

Sept 2011 Midwest Glass Chatter. The official publication of the Midwest Antique Fruit Jar & Bottle Club.

Sept - Oct 2011 Bottles and Extras, The official publication of the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors.
 
July 2011

Dick Bere

 

There comes a time in everyone's life when they actually get a chance to meet someone who is really rather special.  Actually in my humble opinion, this person is extraordinary to say the least.  I haven't known Dick for very long but after spending the entire day with him, seeing his fabulous collection and hearing from others about his life and personal passions, I agree that he is somewhat remarkable. And mind you, it is not because he is a former President of The Kroger Co, the largest food retailer in the country bar none.  It is because he unselfishly gives of his money, time and energy to benefit the least of those in Cincinnati, OH.

This Article was also published in the following Publications:

July 2011 Midwest Glass Chatter. The official publication of the Midwest Antique Fruit Jar & Bottle Club.

July - August 2011 Bottles and Extras, The official publication of the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors.
 
Past Legends
 
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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