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102 Comments
Xmas 2011
Through my website I was contacted by neighbours of David Atkinson, author of London Clay Pipes (ammongst other books) in the 70's. They told me he had been a hermit for the last 40 years since the death of his wife, in the oldest house in Peacehaven(a modern housing estate near Brighton) and at nearly 90 yrs old was being forced to move to sheltered housing. He had asked them to find somebody who might appreciate some of his finds as he could not take them with him. I visited the couple and they first showed me the house(soon to be demolished). Words cannot discribe the scene! Only the front door was visible, the entire house was covered in undergrowth, trees and bushes and barely habitable. Poor David was delighted to see a fellow bottle collector and we subsiquently spent several afternoons chatting, much to the amazement of nieghbours and carers alike who had, in their innoscence, thought him little more than demented. The trueth is, he was and still is a very intellegent and articulate fellow with nothing in common with those arround him and so had clammed up!
His stories of the early days of bottle collecting are legends and I feel I should make it known that he is still with us, has much to contribute and is in great need of company.
His house was full, and I mean full, of box apon box of bottle fragments, tens of thousands of them, frankly of little interest. His bottles were even less interesting but his pipes were fantastic and he has managed to take approx 500 cigar boxes of the best ones with him. Before I left him last I gave him a copy of my latest book to read(apparently the first thing he has read in 40yrs!!! He isnt well enough to recieve visitors unanounced but anybody wishing to can contact me first and I will arrange it.
Through my website I was contacted by neighbours of David Atkinson, author of London Clay Pipes (ammongst other books) in the 70's. They told me he had been a hermit for the last 40 years since the death of his wife, in the oldest house in Peacehaven(a modern housing estate near Brighton) and at nearly 90 yrs old was being forced to move to sheltered housing. He had asked them to find somebody who might appreciate some of his finds as he could not take them with him. I visited the couple and they first showed me the house(soon to be demolished). Words cannot discribe the scene! Only the front door was visible, the entire house was covered in undergrowth, trees and bushes and barely habitable. Poor David was delighted to see a fellow bottle collector and we subsiquently spent several afternoons chatting, much to the amazement of nieghbours and carers alike who had, in their innoscence, thought him little more than demented. The trueth is, he was and still is a very intellegent and articulate fellow with nothing in common with those arround him and so had clammed up!
His stories of the early days of bottle collecting are legends and I feel I should make it known that he is still with us, has much to contribute and is in great need of company.
His house was full, and I mean full, of box apon box of bottle fragments, tens of thousands of them, frankly of little interest. His bottles were even less interesting but his pipes were fantastic and he has managed to take approx 500 cigar boxes of the best ones with him. Before I left him last I gave him a copy of my latest book to read(apparently the first thing he has read in 40yrs!!! He isnt well enough to recieve visitors unanounced but anybody wishing to can contact me first and I will arrange it.
"... in the true spirit of Ted Fletchers 'Digging up Antiques' - All along the way there are tips on finding treasure in mud and meadows, the tools to use and likely sites. Very much a 'Boys Own' book, this being Mole and Mr Toad go bottle hunting. They just love the adventure, always smiling, in all weathers, having a great time and wanting to share the enthusiasm. Every bottle collector will recognise the tales, (and near death experiences), and every digger should have a copy to read under the bedclothes with a torch!" - Editor - British Bottle Review Magazine July 2011
" If you've ever met or spoken to Steve you cant fail to pick up on his passion for the subject. 'Bottle Digging Adventures' , Steve's fourth publication(and second with co'author and digging buddy John Brown), conveyes their enthusiasm for all things bottle related within the pages. The book chronicles their escapades with some very amusing tales and sound advice for followers of the hobby. A 'must have' book for the avid bottle digger and collector. Highly recommended. Editor - Antique Bottle Collector magazine (issue 45 summer 2011
Reply
paul hutson
06:40 PM on September 27, 2011
i have two glass bottles the 1st is a j woodcock & co (hastings), the 2nd is a john martin & co (st leonards) if anyone is interested in these please contact me at paul.hutson@gmx.com i can supply fotos at request
Reply
simon biishop
08:34 AM on March 19, 2011
Hi i just found a Scrase bottle in Balcombe with a Grey Bakalite lid quite modern looking but very heavy for its size .Is it of any interest to anyone?
Reply
David Hoexter
11:31 PM on February 06, 2011
Hi Steve: followed your suggestion from our eBay exchange and am absolutely floored (in a good way) by your wonderful web site. Many thanks for your taking the time to put it together. I know how time consuming such an effort can be. Best regards, David, Palo Alto, California
Reply
slod junior
03:56 PM on November 21, 2010
hallo
i have dug up a scrase, horsham bottle with a wooden screw top, in good condition.
are you able to date it by the date when wooden stoppers were discontinued
thank you
slod junior
i have dug up a scrase, horsham bottle with a wooden screw top, in good condition.
are you able to date it by the date when wooden stoppers were discontinued
thank you
slod junior
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