The Charles & Joy Flint Collection

The Charles & Joy Flint Collection is being offered in our Select Auction 158, opening January 1, 2018.

My Bottle Collection

Charles & Joy Flint

I have had the great privilege of collecting bottles for over 50 years, beginning as a teenager, digging with my dad. The other privileges were learning, and meeting wonderful knowledgeable collectors. Many, such as old time collectors; Charles Gardner, James Whetzel, George Austin, Gerry Strubel, William Covill and many more, sadly they are now gone. I have known Norman Heckler and family since the first Lee, MA Antiques Bottle Show in 1968 run by Joe Furgal and me.

I have always stayed focused when collecting. To me it’s about condition, rarity, shape and color, color, then color. I collect with my artistic eye, and I always know what I want and what I don’t want.

This is my third collection. The first was packed away for many years when I bought my first house. One day my kids asked me about bottle digging; it sounded like archeology to them. So I took them digging a few times and we had a blast. Now, as adults, they still talk about it.

I got hooked on collecting again and started to unpack my collection. I had so many treasures that I completely forgot about. After picking through what I loved, I traded or sold many of my bottles. Then I went back on the bottle hunt and built up the 2nd fabulous collection.

Then in 2003 I called Norman to come and take many of my bottles; he took a little over half of the collection. It was a beautiful auction.

Then I went on the hunt again, putting together my best and rarest color choices ever. I was also addicted to the early black glass bottles both American and European. I explained to my wife, Joy that I felt we have too much stuff and I was ready to part with some items. I love the hunt and I will build another collection, although I may never find many of the rare bottles I own now, like the Tilden’s and Albany Glass Works bottles.

I have had many people ask to buy my bottles, so now is a chance to share this collection.

Collecting today is more exciting than ever, because of the vast knowledge shared on Facebook and the opportunity to meet amazing collectors and dealers through social media.

~Charles Flint