Untangling the Prickly History of Barbed Wire
Question: In my travels throughout the Southwest, I’ve been able to collect dozens of patterns of barbed wire. Where do the so-called “Meriwether” pieces fit into the history of barbed wire? I may have a chance to buy some examples of this wire, but the person selling the stuff has put a hefty price on it.--B.V.
Answer: The reason you may have to pay premium dollars is that the patented smooth wire produced by W. H. Meriwether in the early 1850s is generally credited by historians as being the first manufactured wire widely sold for fencing in the West. Pieces of Meriwether wire still exist, but its historical significance keeps prices high.
Meriwether’s smooth single-strand wire was produced in a wave pattern designed to resist extreme temperature changes, which could ultimately break it. But since it was single strand in design, it didn’t take much effort on the part of cattle to break through it.
Hence, the development of barbed wire. But, according to collectors, barbed wire did not appear in the West in substantial amounts until after the Civil War.
One of the first mass producers was Michael Kelly of New York, who in 1868 patented a simple form of barbed wire that was more widely used to corral small animals than to pen cattle.
In 1874, Joseph F. Gladden of Illinois patented a double strand of barbed wire capable of controlling cattle, and it sold well throughout the West. There are several variations of Gladden’s design using different gauges of wire in conjunction with varying distances and angles for the barbs.
Following Gladden’s success, several other manufacturers leaped into the growing market. Collectors who have studied patents issued following the Civil War and before the turn of the century have identified approximately 700 varieties. Several hundred other manufacturers may not have sought patents; therefore, collectors believe more than 1,000 varieties of barbed wire could be catalogued and collected.
A typical price for a “stick” of collectible barbed wire--approximately 18 inches in length--could be a few dollars or several hundred dollars, depending on its history, condition and scarcity.
Collectors note that a big problem in this field is separating counterfeit wire from authentic. Aside from educating yourself about the subject through books and museums, it’s best to contact veteran collectors before spending your cash on barbed wire of questionable origin.
Q: You’ve written about collecting colorful beer cans, but are beer bottles also collectible? I have several from around the world in my collection.--T.C.
A: Beer bottles are not only highly collectible, but many collectors think they may be undervalued because so many individuals prefer collecting beer cans instead.
Soft-drink bottles--such as the ever-popular Coca-Cola bottles--have enjoyed collector popularity for years. Their resale prices have climbed significantly, reflecting rising collector interest in all sorts of bottles that once held commercial drinks.
So bottle collectors still looking for a good deal might keep an eye out for unusual beer bottles-- with unique shapes or labels, or produced by companies that may no longer be in business--since they are still selling at bargain prices.
Datebook
Modern Times, a show for collectors interested in fine arts, furnishings, jewelry and clothing from the Art Deco era of the 1920s through the 1940s and 1950s, is scheduled for the Glendale Civic Auditorium, 1401 Verdugo Road, Saturday and Sunday, April 21 and 22. Approximately 75 dealers from 14 states are expected. Hours: Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: $4. For more information, call (213) 392-6676.