1976-03-08-times-standard-p2-jack-nash-collects-beer-cans-coasters
March 08, 1976 Times Standard Page 2:
Beer containers: One man’s thirst-quencher proves another’s hobby
By TED SILLANPA
Staff Writer
Eurekan Jack Nash has, 1,700 emply beer cans in his home.
He also five five years worth of pull-top can lids and 300 empty beer bottles.
Before anyone mistakenly tries to tag him as a heavy drinker, let it be known that Nash is a member in good standing of The Beer Can Collectors of America.
The 1,700 empty cans are all either antique or unique in some way, They fill up the den walls in the local bachelor's home.
Nash also has a collection of beer trays, coasters, labels, old advertisements, can openers and foam scrapers in various sections of his home.
I started tn 1968 because Grave Brothers of Santa Rosa made many different labels and I thought it might be interesting to collect them," Nash states.
The bulk of the 1,700 cans are discontinued brands.
Nash reports, “My most valuable can is an 007 brand put out in 1964 when James Bond movies were popular. They test marketed the can for a few months and it didn't go over.”
Nash also has in his collection, cans from the Humboldt Brewery formerly located on Broadway in Eureka.
“Brown Derby. Humboldt and Eureka Beer were all local brands. To my knowledge, Humboldt Brewery went out in 1939," Nash disclosed.
The avid collector didn't do anything with his collection from 1967-1972.
"Then I read an article about the Collectors of America being started by six fellows," Nash remembers.
He began trading with the six men in January of 1973.
While he has 1,700 on display, Nash has a trade Stock of 7,500-8,000 cans.
Obviously, one cannot go to the local liquor store to purchase a can brewed In 1939.
“There are several different ways to find the cans, I dig for them in dumps, go to trading sessions and get them from friends and other people," Nash reveals.
One of the best finds in Nash’s collection came when Waller Lybeck of Bank of America (n Eureka found four Wieland cone-lop cans in the catwalk above the bank.
"They came out in the 1940s," Nash says.
Another discovery came in San Francisco in 1973.
“I came across two six-packs of flattops in an old grocery store there," recalls the Nash.
Nash attends the California chapter of BCCA, the 49er chapter, trading session three times per year.
He added, “I always have my eyes open for flea markets and antique stores that might have something for me.”
Nash went to the national convention in Denver in 1974. There were 950 collectors on hand to exchange cans.
“I have correspondence with regard to my collection almost everyday," Nash states.
Mailings are where the majority of the expense involved in collecting lies.
“It isn’t cheap but, it isn't real expensive either. It is difficult to put a dollar value on this hobby, I don’t buy a lot of cans," says Nash.
Nash has 150 beer coasters and 15 beer trays in his set.
I don’t have any idea how many lids I have. I get them from friends because I open all my cans from the bottom," Nash reveals.
The cans are opened from the bottom for better appearance while an display.
Added to the number of beer-related items he has in stock, Nash has a collection of 400 soda pop cans.
“I get them at discount drug stores and chain stores in the bay area. They seem to have many different labels. I get some at dumps if they are in good shape," he admits. As far taking up space in his home, Nash has no worries since he ts a bachelor.
“I'm single so I don't have to worry about the space."
Nash has the den set up exclusively as his “beer room." The soda cans are housed in the next room.
Nash is employed at Arthur Johnson's in Eureka. The Store is owned by his family.
He was born and raised in Eureka and graduated from Eureka Senior High School.
He is a member of Art Johnson’s Sox Athletic Organization.
“Most of my time is spent with the beer collection or with Art Johson’s Sox," he said.
He wanted to paint out that the collection would not be nearly so extensive without the help of many area friends.
JACK NASH sifts through the collection of beer coasters In his den. designed to hold his vast collections of unique beer cans, etc.
A COLLECTION of one-of-a-kind beer bottles is reorganized by Jack Nash. They, too, occupy a special space in his Eureka home.
[photo]
HUMBOLDT BEER, Eureka Beer and Brown Derby, three locally brewed brands, are shown on a Humboldt Beer tray. They were brewed no later than 1939.
