These Bottles Not Just a Flask in the Pan

Question: In the realm of bottle collecting, how does one separate bottles from flasks, and how far back do flasks date?--C.C.

Answer: A rule of thumb appears to be that any bottle that has flat sides is technically a flask.

It’s not quite clear when the flask first appeared, but it can be documented that distillers began using flasks as promotional items in the early 19th Century.

Some history can be found in “Glass Bottles, Lamps & Other Objects” by Jane Shadel Spillman (Knopf, 1983, 478 pp., indexed).

“Large-scale production of flasks is an American phenomenon . . . ,” she writes. “The earliest American figured flasks were probably the sunburst and Masonic designs made in Keene, N.H., before 1820.”

The author says collectors usually divide flasks into two categories: historical and pictorial.

In the former group are portraits of politicians and heroes, such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. Historical flasks can also carry national symbols, such as the American eagle, or Masonic emblems, such as the square and compass.

Pictorial flasks, she says, can include outdoor vegetation, such as trees, and animals, such as deer.

In the “it-had-to-happen” department, a computerized bulletin board has been set up for collectors under the name International Collectors Network. “ICN’s free service lists hundreds of regional events and shows relating to old cars, stamps, coins, post cards and many other collectibles,” an announcement says. For further information, write to ICN, 2265 Westwood Blvd., No. 801, Los Angeles, Calif. 90064.

Angela Stewart, editor of a newsletter called the Wine Label Collector (published quarterly by the International Wine Label Collectors Club, 1964 N. Rodney Drive, Los Angeles, Calif. 90027, $6 a year), writes that “our wine-label collecting club is growing slowly, and as the word spreads I find that there are quite a few collectors and large collections about.”

In response to our post card column, Diane Allmen, editor of Postcard Collector (700 E. State St., Iola, Wis. 54990) said that, for putting 39 cents in postage on a self-addressed business-size envelope, the publisher will send readers a free booklet titled, “What’s Postcard Collecting All About?” Naturally, they’re looking for new subscribers, too, and also will send readers who request it a free copy of the monthly magazine.

Calendar

Saturday and Sunday--Old Towne Orange Antique Faire. This ninth annual fair runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. More than 24 shops in two antique malls will offer up to half off on some items. Old Towne Orange is located in the City of Orange near the intersection of California 22 and California 57.

Saturday and Sunday--The California Plate & Collectible Show at the Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. Admission $5; children under 12 free. The show, according to its announcement, will feature collectible plates, figurines, mugs and bells made by some of the world’s most prestigious producers. The items also will be for sale. A special highlight will be an exhibit by the late American painter Norman Rockwell. Telephone (619) 571-3359.

Feb. 21-23--Coca-Cola’s centennial will be celebrated at the Sheraton-Anaheim Hotel, 1015 W. Ball Road, Anaheim. The California Chapters of the Cola Clan, an organization of collectors of Coca-Cola memorabilia, is hosting the statewide convention. Also planned is an auction and a swap meet featuring signs, toys, calendars and other collectible items. Free admission to the public Saturday only, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., for the swap meet and exhibits. For more information, call (714) 682-4635.

Feb. 22--An antique toy show is scheduled, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Hyatt Hotel, 8401 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. Antique toys and games will be featured, including some that were manufactured in the 1800s. Admission: $2.50. For more details, call (213) 656-5470.

Feb. 23--A record collectors’ swap meet is scheduled, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Quality Inn, 616 Convention Way, Anaheim. Records priced from a few cents to several thousand dollars will be on sale. Admission: $2.50. For further information, call (213) 656-5470.

Feb. 28-March 2--More than 200 antique woodworking tools will be on exhibit at the 1986 Woodworking Show at the Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. The antique hand tools will be presented by the Pasadena-area chapter of Early American Industries Assn.-West with members on hand to answer questions. Admission: $5. For further information, call (213) 477-8521.

March 9--The American Society of Camera Collectors will have its spring, 1986, camera show at Machinists Hall, 2600 W. Victory Blvd., Burbank. “A special feature of the show will be an exhibit by film historian Mark Wannamaker, whose Bison Archives holds the most complete collection of Hollywood movie history ever assembled,” says Gene Lester, the group’s president. Hours are 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; admission is $3.50, with 50-cent discount coupons available at most camera shops and photo labs. Telephone (818) 769-6160.

Ronald L. Soble cannot answer mail personally but will respond in this column to questions of general interest about collectibles. Do not telephone. Write to Your Collectibles, You section, The Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053.