The 2nd Annual St. Joseph Insulator / Bottle Show & Sale was held in St. Joseph, MO on March 20, 2004. Activities actually began on Friday evening, March 19, as many dealers and collectors gathered at the home of Dennis and Jeanne Weber for snacks and stories. Insulators, telephone signs, cookie jars, St. Joseph bottles and advertising were just a few of the collections that they enjoy sharing with friends and collectors.

Chris Hedges and Gerald Miller discuss the "color" of a purple H.G.Co. signal.

The first day of spring gave us sunshine and warm temperatures. Thirty-six tables filled the Knights of Columbus Hall with insulator, bottle, telephone, and advertising dealers from nine states including CO (Mike Miller, Ray Curiel, Bob Ryckman), IA (Larry & Pat Whitlock, Bill & Linda Connell, Dave Shaw, Tom Murphy, Jack & Linda Graham, Clyde & Donna Jones), IL (Jason Townsend, Paul Rosenberger), KS (Jerry & Barb Williams, Wyn Painter, Tom Fisk, Brian & Melissa Riecker), MI (Bob Alexander, Mike Bruner, Andy Wadysz), MO (Tom & Boone Jeffers, Floyd Jeffers, Chris & Marilyn & Andy Hedges, Bruce Mobley, Wayne & June Lowry, Jim & Debbie Taylor, Dennis & Jeanne Weber), NE (Lynn Koehler, John White, Lance & Charlotte Recknor), OH (Steve & Lois Blair), and TX (Jack Roach). We were especially happy to have our 1st display --- Rare Porcelain Insulators --- set up by Jason Townsend from IL.

Jack Roach made the trip from Texas
loaded down with new stock.

Dennis Weber explaining "what these things were used for" to
 an old retired telephone friend.

Dealers were greeted early with frozen fruit cups, muffins, coffee cake, juice and coffee and then the crowds came. An estimated 150 public came thru the doors at a steady pace. Two insulator dealers and one bottle dealer sold many pieces from recently acquired collections. Walk-in items made several dealers happy: some good signals went west to CO, and local St. Joseph items including a Columbian Electrical Company Catalogue (with insulator photos) and 2 rare blob top beer bottles found new homes with St. Joseph collectors.

Jason Townsend with his rare colorful porcelain display. 
2 blue U384 roman helmets, U186 Purkey patent, & U416 upside down cross top.

Bill Connell, Paul Lutz, and Linda Connell at the Connell's table.

Lunch was provided by members of the Missouri Valley Insulator Club (who also helped sponsor the show). A special thanks to Pat Whitlock, Linda Connell, and Sylvia Jeffers for help with the meal. The day went quickly and the hall was again empty by about 3:30. We (Dennis & Jeanne Weber) were pleased with the increase in the number of dealers and are planning for our 3rd annual show. Mark your calendars for early March, 2005 in St. Joseph, MO.

Thanks to MVIC, dealers, and all who made this a successful and fun show.

Show hostess Jeanne Weber, ready to sell, sell, sell.

Pictures by Jeanne Weber.