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New Zealand Miniature Bottle Club

NZMBCMember - Ron Gabbard


My Name is Ron Gabbard and I live in Tacoma, Washington. I started collecting bottles in about 1979 when I found a gentleman selling his collection at a flea market. I purchased all he had (between 100 and 150) with the promise to purchase the rest as he brought them to the flea market. It was a good thing that he never brought any more bottles as I also started going to liquor stores and antigue stores looking for bottles. My collection got to about 400-500 bottles when my life took over (I was 18 when I started collecting). With marriage and a family I became a "part time" collector. My bottles ended up being stored for many years but if I happened to see a bottle I'd get one, and I would usually get a bottle or two as presents for holidays.


About 5 years ago I started bringing my bottles out and displaying them. By this time I had about 800 bottles and, like most collectors, didn't have the room to display them all. I work as a Pool and Spa Repairman and, being at peoples houses, whenever I would notice mini bottles I would comment on them. One day I was at a house and they had a rather extensive collection (about 2000 compared to the collections of 20-50 I would usually run into). I started talking to the owner about the bottles and learnt that he was the president of the Northwest Mini Bottle Club. I joined the club and started becoming a "serious" collector again. In the two years since I joined my bottle collection has jumped to about 1800. When my 3rd (of 4) child moved out I was finally able to get a room to display my bottles in. So after over 20 years I finally have all of my bottles displayed again. I am currently the Treasurer, Webmaster and Editor of the monthly newsletter for the Northwest Miniature Bottle Club as well as being a member of the Midwest Miniature Bottle Club and the New Zealand Miniature Bottle Club.


I know I am getting close to the point of having to specialize, but still continue to collect anything I like. I have been trying to focus more on Scotches, Vodkas, Tequilas, Rums, and Whiskeys but there always seems to be a bottle outside those categories that catches my eye. Maybe someday I'll be able to resist....until then I'll keep collecting everything.


Contact Details

Website:    http://community.webshots.com/user/gabspa

Email:        


My Favorite Bottle

These 6 mini Bull decanters are my favorite set. They were made by Collector's Art in 1975. They are (clockwise from bottom) Charolais, Brahama, Texas Longhorn, Hereford, Polled Hereford and Mexican Fighting. I am still looking for the Black Angus and a second Polled Hereford.


Click on the image below for Ron's favorite bottles