Dig reports:
4-29-10 - Finally got back into Philly for a dig at the end of April. This time, hooked up with my first ever privy digging partner, Marty Jenson, along with Roger T. It had been awhile since I dug with Marty, since he had hurt his leg last fall and was laid up awhile.
So we had a hole lined up that was in a good area, the "deep" area, the deepest area in all the US. This is where most holes go 30 feet, and I've been in some that we measured with a tape at 38 feet. We had three bodies and only one day. Could we do it, especially being out of "Philly shape?" And if we could, would we hit? I was more worried about the first part, the physical side and time limits. This area was one of the best I've dug. In Philly, if a hole goes more than 30 feet, it usually was not dipped effectively, meaning you usually get 2 to 5 feet of layer or more. It's also a 100% pontiled area. So I was less worried about whether it would be a good hole, and more worried about whether our three old bodies were up to the task.
The good news was that I am the proud new owner of a tripod setup, courtesy of Chris Rau from Baltimore. Thanks Chris for the fine craftsmanship. This was the tripod's maiden voyage on what would be a fairly challenging hole. The other good news was that the weather was springtabulous! High temp was about 70, sunny.
To make a very long story short, the tripod was a daysaver. We used the double rope bucket method to get down about 15-18 feet in fast time, without using the tripod. It was mostly ash with none of the usual major impediments like cap stones, etc (Philly holes have a knack for all dishing up something unexpected.) The guys were starting to burn out and I sensed we were still only half way down. No bottles up to this point, but some pontiled era redware shards and bits kept us hoping. The tripod was set up just after lunch, and after getting the hang of the clip and three bucket rotation (2 in the hole, 2 up top) to keep things moving, we started sailing. More important, the guys got a breather on their backs.
This hole eventually went 32 feet and we finished backfilling just at dusk. We were lucky. The hole was mostly ash. I had taken the head lamps and lanterns, expecting a late night. But no need. But the bad news was that it never turned age. Remarkably, the 3-4 foot layer started out about 1880 and finished at about 1870. Much of it was broken, including a GIANT cathedral pickle with the top busted. That was probably Civil War era, a late throwaway. WE did get 33 aqua pony sodas, mostly common Johnstons. A couple smooth based green O-Briens. Three umbrella inks. An embossed cone ink and a few odds and ends. But nothing pontiled. Given the depth, this probably was a newer hole rather than being dipped. I scrubbed the bottom and there wasn't a single older shard. So we'll need to do more work on this lot and see what else is there, hopefully an older pit.
Pix from the dig, plus my share of the bottles.
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1-2-10 - Was able to hit some privies with Alan and friends several times this fall, right up until the December 20th 2 foot snowstorm. Got a nice yellow foral pattern spittoon in the pick on that December dig. Earlier in the fall we hit some nice barrels that barely touched pontiled age, but a few decent Civil War period items came to light, including a S B G cathedral pickle that I landed, and some of the other items were Saratoga type mineral waters and early Wilmington medicines. I really appreciate Alan's perseverance in getting honest permission digs and his extended network of capable diggers (John, Doug, Chris, etc), since my old digging crew is not very active anymore. Looking forward to even more digging in 2010!
Pix from the fall... me in the hole, and a tri-pod used for deeper pits.
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8-23-09 - Been getting out digging more this summer than in many recent summers. Although the heat is now on, it's been reasonably cooler and wetter overall and so the ground has not gotten rock hard and bone dry this year - in fact, most pits are wet like in spring.
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8-4-09 - Been getting out in Wilmington with Alan Rash and friends. Also back in Chester with Marty Jenson. A few pics....
Training the next generation - two 10 year olds in the hole.
Pizza hits the spot, especially after a bust dig.
Tons of dig experience here! Doug taking a rare water break.
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7-19-09 - Part of my set-up at the Shupp's Grove Bottle Fest
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4-15-08 Digging in Chester with Marty Jenson and my son.
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3/9/08
*Rant Alert* Unfortunately, permissions are getting much tougher because..... some really LAME digging crews are once again leaving holes open in our region! A few years back there was a spate of this happening in Philly and now once again I'm getting reports of open holes being found in Philly and Wilmington. What the f*$@??? The authorities have even been involved. We are one accident or bad news story away from seeing things shut down! This is a safety issue people - kids and pets are in those lots. Thanks to all the respectable diggers out there who have been backfill ing these holes when they're found. I've done this myself, always fearful of who is watching, worried whether angry neighbors will come out with guns or knives thinking it was us (this happened in Philly years ago). I've dug over 400 privies and take pride in always leaving a lot better than found, and I will only dig with people who have the backbone to clean up after themselves. If I find out who is leaving these holes sloppy and open, rest assured, I will expose you to the bottle community.
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3/5/08
Baltimore Report. Another fine show from those Baltimore Bottle Club folks. Thanks Baltimore Club!! The weather was fine too. Did you catch me at J21? I sold OK, and bought OK. Nothing fabulous mind you, but I'm always happy when I pick up some new pontiled Philly names I don't have. Thanks to Todd V. and others, I was able to add 4 new examples this year, albeit most had damage of some sort. The Baltimore show seems to be the only venue anymore where I can expect to come home with something for me each and every year, without spending a fortune in an auction. On balance, other dealers seemed to think the crowd was down a bit, likely due to the economy. It seemed to me like the high end stuff was slow selling, and the less expensive stuff sold well. But that is just from my perspective since I don't have much high end glass and the big spenders don't rush me at J21. It's always nice catching up with everyone and getting those dig updates - lots of new crews are working now along with most of the old regulars, albeit intermittent like me.
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Some past digs....
