Bodnar’s Auction Sales – 2-Day Online-Only Auction Event
April 27 & 28, 2022
www.bodnarsauction.com
866-349-7378
Preview by Appointment.

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, N.J. — On a September day in 2021, Auctioneer Joseph Bodnar and his crew drove into a quiet neighborhood in Long Branch, N.J., and walked up to the door to pick up items that Mark Conover Sr had spent his lifetime collecting. Although Bodnar had seen the collection, his crew had no idea what they were about to see. As they descended the stairs to the basement, they were amazed at what was in front of them. Every wall had been custom built with shelving to house the collection of milk bottles that Conover had spent his lifetime collecting. Each and every New Jersey dairy bottle was perfectly placed in alphabetical order from A to Z, lined the walls of the entire basement and were even tucked away under the stairs. This was Mark’s Museum; his lifetime’s work and it was obvious how much pride he took in it.

Conover passed away in February and left this collection to his children. Bidding for it is now open online and the sale will take place on April 27 and 28, both sales starting at 11 am with a live broadcast online.

Conover had started collecting as a child when a neighbor in his Atlantic Highlands home began telling him the history of the town they called home. His interest was piqued, and he began to dig for old bottles in an area his neighbor had told him about. That was all it took. A lifetime love was born. He would find old bottles, and then go to the local library to research them. He loved finding out how old the bottles were and the information on where they came from.

As the years passed, he focused more on going to trade shows where he became friends with his fellow collectors, and when the Internet came, he could buy, sell and trade bottles all over the United States. His collection did not just focus on dairy and milk bottles of all shapes and sizes. It encompassed every aspect of dairies. He had a large collection of bottle caps in every shape, size and composition one can think of. He also had binders of ephemera relating to New Jersey dairies, including calendars dating back to the turn of the century, receipts, photos, postcards and much more. There are tools used at dairies, wax bottles, patches and buttons. More than 4,500 bottles will be offered, most having their original tops from that dairy as well as paper sleeves. There are very few duplicates in this collection with some color variations and error bottles. All bottles are in group lots of ten and are still in the order of how Conover placed them on his shelves.

An in-person preview will be conducted on Tuesday April 26, 10 am to 4 pm by appointment only in Monmouth Junction. Local pick-up and most items will ship with their in-house shipping department. For information, www.bodnarsauction.com or 866-349-7378 (toll free).

4500+ New Jersey Milk Bottle Collection • 5000+ Dairy & Milk Related Collectibles!
This sale we are selling the lifetime collection of Mark Conover’s Milk Bottle & other related dairy item collection. This collection features one of the most extensive collections of New Jersey Milk Bottles and New Jersey Dairy Farms with 90% of the collection also having its original tops and some having paper slip on labels!
Leave Absentee Bids or Bid from Anywhere on Our Online Bidding Platforms! 600 Lots Will Be Offered in 2 Days!