VR VAT RESERVE 188-16
BOSTON LIGHT ALE 154-10
KOPPER KETTLE 172-4
GIPPS AMBERLIN BEER 164-31
NATIONAL ALE L174-22
NATIONAL BEER 174/30
HABERLE'S CONGRESS ALE 211-13
GROUP OF CANS
BURGEMEISTER PILSNER BEER
155/17
VR VAT RESERVE 188-16
BOSTON LIGHT ALE 154-10
Like most collectors, I was reading the classified ads in a local paper
and came across the typical ad "Beer Can Collection For Sale..".
Most of these types of ads lead to the 1970's straight steel and commemorative
cans. I made the call and arrangements to view the cans. In the basement,
laid out on a pool table was just what I was expecting. I explained to
the man that the cans were not old enough for my collection. Then it all
happened! He said he had found some older cans in the attic of his past
east coast residence. He said they were VR or something like that and
went to get them. All of a sudden in front of me was a box of 10 indoor
VR Vat Reserves and one pristine Boston Light Ale J-Spout. The cans ranged
from 1+ to 1-. The VR's were full when he found them and some had leaked
causing slight discolor on the red bands and to the spouts. He said they
were not for sale, but he would trade for sports memorabilia. After a
few months of negotiations I had traded for nine VR's. The best VR and
the Boston Light Ale was not obtained. He wanted to keep one of each and
was not going to budge. I did try for several months, but he moved again
and I could not locate him. I still wonder if those cans made it into
the hobby?
 |
 |
KOPPER KETTLE 172-4
GIPPS AMBERLIN BEER 164-31
One day I was reading my email and was deleting the "junk" mail.
One email struck my attention just before deleting it. It only said, "find"
in the subject column. I opened the email and discovered a photo of Kopper
Kettle cone tops can. I contacted the man and found out that he and his
ex-wife came across one case of Kopper Kettles and two cases of Gipps
Amberlin Beer cones. He stated that in the divorce the ex-wife kept some
of the cans. I negotiated a price for the can he did have and obtained
Ten Kopper Kettles and one case of the Gipps. The Kopper Kettles ranged
from A1+ to 1- and most of the Gipps were 1- with humidity damage. I did
contact the ex-wife and she claims she threw them out, OUCH!
 |
 |
NATIONAL ALE L174-22
I received a call from a fireman who said he saw one of my ads on the
web. He said they were putting a fire out in a really old house with bad
wiring. After the fire was out, they removed some lathe and plaster walls
to verify the fire was out and out popped two of these cans both in A1+
condition. I made an offer that left him momentarily speechless. He thought
he might get around $50.00 for them, I really surprised him! I told him
there is most likely at least four more in those walls and I'll bet he
was thinking of starting the house on fire again. The National Ale conetops
were similar to 174-22 except the side panels and the patent pending statement.
NATIONAL BEER 174/30
This is one of the many recent cans acquired through this web site. I
received an email during last year's convention with this photo. I didn't
make it to the convention, but I'm glad I was around for this email. It
turns out that the owner of this can was about 30 minutes from the convention
hotel. I called on a good friend to close the deal.
 |
 |
HABERLE'S CONGRESS ALE 211-13
Once again, I received a call for an ad I placed on the web. This man
explained that his job was cleaning estates after someone past away. He
was cleaning an older house and found a box of Haberle's Congress Ale
quart cone tops in a basement cellar. He claimed they were all mint condition.
After I made an offer he couldn't refuse I soon received the cans. Well
they were not mint, but two were A1+ , four 1/1- and a couple 2+. Sure
hope he call again!
 |
GROUP OF CANS
This mixed batch came from a daughter of a late police officer that keep
these from his patrol. They were well taken care of and even waxed. The
cans are Gold Bond 71/25, Senate 132/22, Old Reading 108/3, Gluek's Stite
241/6, Old Shay 197/26, Fort Pitt 194/10 and Diehl 159/15. I hope she
finds more!
 |
BURGEMEISTER PILSNER BEER 155/17
Here is four nice Burgemeister Cones. These can out of an Iowa home's
wall during a remodel project. The man believes there are more cans in
his wall, but is not ready to tear them apart. They looked good in this
photo as found, but they were dirty and cleaned up to A1+ to 1+. If you
need one contact me, I may still have one.
 |
