Some new local finds and gets! :)

[KBbottles]

Have had a lot of luck the past few weeks and perfect weather digging season is also upon us here in central NJ. First up is this rare local New Brunswick blob beer. I have been studying and collecting New Brunswick bottles for the past 2 years and had thought I had a very complete list of all existing blobs especially after consulting with guys who have collected this stuff for 20+ years. I recently had a rare opportunity to dig a fresh exposed dump in a town close to home. A couple of beginner and curious diggers found the place, but there were only a couple serious diggers around to completely dig the place. Spent a day there with one of my buddies and saw a kid pull this one out of the ground. After explaining how I collect New Brunswick bottles and need this one desperately, I traded him a different blob that I dug that was not needed in my personal collection. The young kid graciously accepted my trade offer.

Dominick Sharkey - New Brunswick, NJ. He owned a saloon on Albany St. for a short period of time. Nobody has heard of this one so far. May be one of a kind?

 

[KBbottles]

Next up, is a bottle dug by one of my buddies at the very same site the Sharkey came from. Although this one is considered somewhat common, it fits many collector categories as a short picture blob with beautiful script writing. The E.L. Kerns (ELK) company lasted well into the 1970s and was considered to be one of the most successful beverage companies of NJ. Even though Trenton bottles are outside of my collecting area, I have a great appreciation for all the Kern variants as it is one of the most clever and nicely designed embossed bottles from NJ. There are several amber and bright green variants as well.

 

[KBbottles]

Here is another scarce New Brunswick, NJ blob beer. Although the bottler in particular was fairly successful, this variant with the embossing around the outer edge of the plate is not often seen. This was dug at the same site by my digging partner's son.

 

[KBbottles]

The next two bottles are examples that I was recently able to pry from a friend's collection. One of the guys I dig with on a fairly regular basis had a friend acquire them from a local yard sale. This first one is by a man named John O'Kane (proper spelling) of Kingston, NJ. I was only aware of three bottlers from Kingston prior to seeing this, and they were all Italian names. This Irishman supposedly at one time owned the best-located hotel between New Brunswick and Trenton... and now we know he had bottles!

 

[KBbottles]

last but certainly not least is this W.W. Mooney blob from Rocky Hill, NJ. I am aware of Mooney bottling beer with two different town names embossed besides this one (Somerville and Westfield I believe). This one is completely new to me and the local collector community. Research on his history is pending.

Thanks for looking!! []

 

[botlguy]

OUTSTANDING finds ! Even though I know nothing of your local items it is enjoyable when others share their enthusiasm for such things. I can tell you are excited and that is the way it should be, gets me kind of excited.

 

[KBbottles]

Thanks Jim! In the past couple of years, I've shifted focus in my collecting and enjoy the historical research of the people behind the beautiful bottles we all collect. The local history is fascinating and I contribute to the local historical societies that appreciate all this as well. To me, after a while, a collection of aqua blobs becomes a blur with not much variation, but when you research the significant history and stories behind a lot of them, it really brings them to life! This is something I encourage everyone to partake in. Every piece has a story to tell!

-KB

 

[botlguy]

Excellent attitude Kenneth. You have the essence of collecting. The / A hobby is enjoyable with just the items but it is fuller with the knowledge that goes with it.