Our Mission: Our purpose is to encourage and promote the hobby of bottle and advertising collecting, encourage the ethical sale & trade, create displays of bottles, establish values for collectable bottles and advertising, promote safe and ethical bottle digging & diving, demonstrate respect for the property of others, and adhere to all state and federal laws. We strive to educate members and the public at large of the rich history associated with the bottles, jars, stoneware, ephemera and advertising go-withs. We welcome new members of all ages and currently have about 50 members. We are the one and only original Milwaukee club and one of the oldest continuously operating antique bottle clubs in the United States.
Our History: Our club was founded in 1972 by a group of dedicated collectors, researchers pickers, diggers and scuba divers passionate about antique bottles….. a hobby that exploded in popularity during the 1960’s and continues to have strong interest today. Several of the founding members are still with the club and have helped make the club a vital, thriving organization through its many audio annual shows, picnics, digs, and holiday banquets. A few members are no longer with us but fond memories of their friendship, great finds, contributions to our historical knowledge, and collecting passion remain.
Our Leadership:
President: Sid Hatch
Vice President: Scott Rizer
Editor & Treasurer: Barna Bencs - who publishes a Great Monthly Newsletter!
Secretary: Peter Maas
Show Chairman: David Kapsos & Board of Directors
Events:
Monthly meetings
Where? Held at McGinns (5901 W. Bluemound Rd. Milwaukee, WI 53213), members’ homes, and continuing in 2015 at local historical venues including historical societies in the area.
When? The second Tuesday of every month except August (in lieu of the picnic) and December (in lieu of a holiday banquet.)
What happens at the meetings?
- Show and Tell!
- Presentations by Members & Special Speakers
- A chance to meet other collectors and to discuss what's happening in the antique bottle world.
Short Business Meetings!
Other Events
•MABAC Annual Show: February of Every Year (since 1972), currently at the Waukesha Expo Center in February
•Annual Picnic (With a member auction!)
•Bottle Digs