I like to be surrounded by things that are ascetically pleasing to the eye. The morning sun catches the glass objects on the window sills. I have placed these objects together to create a story in old glass.
We are presently sipping our way through the bottles of Tokaji Aszu, one 3 Puttonos from 1973 and other an Essencia from 1964. The green bottle is an importer's sample of 1961 Armanac. Michael had a great series of samples bottles, ranching from1961 through 1973 which we shared as we were slowly unpacking and making room in our tiny loft. Less tasty are the two ink bottles we bought in the Falkland Island Museum. They had been salvaged from the American Sailing Vessel JOHN.R.KELLEY, a wooden ship of 2364 tons. Lauched in October 1883 by Goss & Sawyer of Bath, Main. Wrecked on the Kelly Rocks in Port Williams Falklands, 15 May 1899, on a voyage from New York to San Francisco with general cargo. These bottles were generously donated by Fortuna Ltd., to be sold in support of Museum Funds. The half bottle cut glass decanter is from the George III era accompanied by a lead crystal glass, hand engraved with a thistle and vine motif. The bottle stoppers are modern Venice.
I just received the following email:
ReplyDeleteDear Michael and Edi!
I have been researching the shipwreck of the John R Kelley in Port Stanley and was so excited to see your beautiful photos of the ink bottles and your identification of them. My grandmother was on the Kelly when it broke up in the outer harbor She was on board as a tutor for the Captain's daughter. They were taken into Port Stanley as a precaution and she spent three weeks there, before another ship came in without a Captain so they continued the trip to San Francisco. My mother had always said that the cargo was ink bottles but I had not been able to verify it.
Thank you and Happy Sailing!
Joan Gregoire