Even though many of us are busy this holiday weekend, committed collectors are already thinking about what next Saturday or Sunday will bring to the Rochester area. I myself have been looking forward to the 50th Genesee Valley Bottle Collector’s Association’s show and sale, which is set for Sunday, April 28, at Roberts Wesleyan College.
This will be only my fourth year shopping this annual event, so I’m still something of newcomer; however, we’re fortunate to have the show’s chair, Aaron Weber, share his expertise in a guest post.
According to Aaron, some say this antiques show is the region’s best kept secret, despite being 50 years old. In fact, he says, this bottle, paper, and tabletop sale will truly amaze you, especially if you have never been—and I have to agree.
So, without further ado, here are Seven Things You Don’t Know about the GVBCA Bottle Show & Sale:
1. The Extensive Size of the Show and Sale
If you are reading this blog post, I’m sure you are no stranger to antiques shows and sales. Many of you have probably been to several of the local shows held throughout the year in the greater Rochester area. Most of these feature 20 to 30 dealers. The GVBCA Bottle Show, however, is a little bigger. This year we have 125 dealers, who have rented 234 eight-foot tables to display their wares. What’s more, these dealers are from all corners of New York State, as well as 11 more states, representing almost a quarter of our nation.
2. The Super-Friendly Atmosphere
If you don’t collect bottles, you might be hesitant to attend a show that’s new to you. However, you’ll be heartily welcomed here. Several years ago, a colleague mentioned that “Bottle people are the friendliest of all antiques dealers.” This seems like a weird thing to say, doesn’t it? Well, as a “bottle guy,” I feel there isn’t a truer statement. As our show has grown and diversified, our dealer base has maintained this core value of ours, and they become our family, as you will too.
3. The Wide Variety of Collectibles
The Genesee Valley Bottle Collector’s Association has a motto that says, “We’re Not Just Bottles.” These words represent our show and sale, too. Our show, as mentioned above, has diversified over the years. We are now comprised of about 50 percent bottle dealers, who sell $1 bottles all the way to high-end examples, as well as something for everyone’s taste and level of collecting. Oh, wait, though. There is much more! The show also features paper, postcards, Depression Glass, stoneware, advertising signs, posters, early American glass, military items, toys, books, and so much more. I could go on and on, but I have been given only so much space.
4. The Incredible Facility
Our show and sale is held at Roberts Wesleyan College in the Voller Gymnasium. You will not find a more spacious, well-lit room in all of Rochester. Trust me on this; it was my job to look. And look I did, until I found this place. “Wow” sums it up. Add to that some incredible lunch options served up by the college food service and a great college staff, and you really could not ask for more—except maybe for free parking, which is also provided.
5. The Impressive Displays of World Class Collections
By now, you have probably wondered why we call it a show and sale, right? That’s a good question, and I have a good answer. Traditionally, bottle shows feature educational displays of folks’ collections, and we are proud to say we keep this tradition going strong. This year, we have displays that range from Rochester Stoneware, to insulators found on a specific rail line, to items from Buffalo and Rochester druggists, and, of course, great bottles! Even our displays represent collections from three states, so this may be your only chance to see them.
6. The Low Admission Fee
Unlike other shows and sales that have higher admission fees, we charge only $5.00 to enter our event, and we admit those 17 and younger for free. We do what we can to keep our costs down, so you have more money to spend on things you want. In addition, as part of our 50th anniversary celebration, we’re going to be holding drawings for “show money” that can be used to buy even more treasures. And it wouldn’t be a real 50th anniversary celebration without cake, so we’ll be serving that, too, to everyone there.
7. Your Enthusiasm for Attending Next Year’s Show
Once you check out everything the GVBCA’s Bottle Show and Sale has to offer, you will be hooked. I was—24 years ago—and I haven’t missed one since. Ours is a one-day event, so you might want to make plans now. The early birds will be there when the doors open at 9:00 a.m., and the die-hards will still be shopping when we close the show at 3:00 p.m. After that, we’ll all be looking forward to next year’s show.
Until then, you can learn more about the Genesee Valley Bottle Collector’s Association’s show and sale by visiting our website at www.gvbca.org. While you are there, check out our monthly meeting schedule, and, if you are a collector, consider joining.
We GVBCA members collect many different things, both as individuals and as a club, and we love to share our passions and hear about each other’s collections and the adventures we embark upon to add to our collections.
Now that you’ve discovered some things you probably didn’t know about the bottle show, Aaron and I hope to see you there.
For now, though, enjoy the weekend—and save up for next Sunday’s show and sale.
Patti
The Committed Collector
So…are you a fan of the local bottle show like Aaron and I are? Have you been before and were dazzled by the vast array of wares? If so, please leave a comment and let us know what treasures you found there. We’d love to hear about them.
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