Philip Robinson, the well-known and long-admired icon of our Fruit Jar collecting hobby, has closed his museum in Muncie, Indiana due to health reasons.The Robinsons are long-standing members of the Midwest Antique Fruit Jar Club and have contributed vastly to the glass collecting hobby over a period of several decades. For the thousands who have visited there over the years, the institution known as the MUNCIE FRUIT JAR MUSEUM will be sorely missed. For 20 years, jar collectors and non-collectors alike, when traveling thru Muncie, wouldn't miss the chance to stop in and visit the museum. Philip was always more than willing to share his knowledge with others. His enthusiasm for the hobby was contagious. Mr Robinson amassed a comprehensive collection of Ball-made jars, but at the same time he did not specialize in any particular category. Rather, his Museum collection contained a broad array of items in all categories, representing the history of home canning in the United States and the World.
Philip and his wife Meredith have commissioned North American Glass to dispose of their entire lifetime museum collection. As most anyone who has been there knows, the museum contained a broad array of jars in all categories......rare Ball jars, colored jars, odd closure jars, jelly jars, stoneware jars, midget pint jars, 1858 jars, Atlas jars, Canadian jars, Australian jars, European jars, glass-lined Kerosene cans, original cast iron fruit jar molds, rare oversized promotional jars, salt-pepper sets, commemmorative and special run jars....the list is practically endless.
The museum contents will be dispersed on eBay (hoosierjar) and absentee auction on the North American Glass website. Keep an eye on these venues, as the auctions will be starting in the near future. There is no pre-set schedule at this time. But if you are a registered bidder on North American Glass, you will receive email notification as soon as an auction event is scheduled there.
NOTE: As many know, Mr Robinson was also a manufacturer and supplier of reproduction metal fruit jar closures. Effective immediately, David Rittenhouse of Farmland, Indiana has taken over that operation. If you need replica fruit jar closures now or in the future, please contact Dave, who can be reached by phone at (765) 468-8091 or email Dave at rittjman@aol.com.
