F.G. Hopkins St. Jo. Mo. – Bogardus Glass Ball

From F. G. Hopkins

St. Jo. Mo.

Bogardus Glass Ball Patd Apr 10. (Year Missing)

Captain Frank G. Hopkins, Saint Joseph, Missouri

Medium Amber Target Ball

Provenance: Ex: Ralph Finch Collection, American Glass Gallery

This target ball is referred to as the “Bogardus St. Joe ball.” The ball is amber and totally quilted except for a smooth glass circle about 1-½” inches in diameter on the base. Within that circle, in typography forming another circle, is embossed ‘FROM F. G. HOPKINS, ST. JO. MO.’

There are also small letters, in a tight circle around the neck embossed ‘BOGARDUS GLASS BALL PATD APR 10’ with an obliterated year. We are aware of at least two base-embossed, ‘C. BOGARDUS’ GLASS BALL PATd APR 10th 1877’ balls so the date was probably 1877 (see example below).

The 2-¾” diameter glass ball has an embossed quilted diamond pattern and a sheared mouth. It was probably made in the mid to late 1870s. This variant is one of only three known, and arguably the rarest of the various Bogardus molds. This ball would have been ordered by Captain Frank G. Hopkins for his sporting and gun shop in Saint Joseph, Missouri.

Frank G. Hopkins

Frank G. Hopkins was born in 1839 in Norwich, Chenango County, New York. He headed west at the age of 21 and settled in Saint Joseph, Missouri. Just prior to his arrival he married Minnie Bishop in Spring Grove, Iowa in 1860. They had four children. Hopkins would next reach the rank of Captain in the Forty-fourth Infantry Volunteers during the Civil War.

Hopkin’s first years in business in Saint Joseph after the war were spent as an architect and a city clerk. He then entered the sporting goods and gun business sometime around 1870 and was known as a prize-winning gunner in tournaments. For example, in 1880, Capt. F. G. Hopkins managed and participated in the Nebraska State Sportsmen’s Association tournament where Capt. A. H. Bogardus and his son Eugene were present along with many other regional sportsmen. Remember, Hopkins has “Bogardus” embossed on his target balls.

F. G. Hopkins was the only concern in Saint Joseph who engaged in the manufacture of guns. In 1872, he employed seven hands at $20 per week and turned out 500 guns. That effort resulted in up to $20,000 in sales. With sporting goods, he sold a large assortment of beautiful skates and pocket knives, which he advertised as being perfect for Christmas gifts. With his skates, he said anyone can “cut a circle” or “write his name on the ice.”

fine Scott breech-loading shotgun, No. 12 gauge, choke bore, to come off as soon as forty chances are taken at $2.50 each. The gun is an elegant one, the property of Justice A. Saltzman. Its original cost was $125, and it has not been to the hunting fields half a dozen times. The list is at Capt. Hopkin’s gun store.”

Frank G. Hopkins

In 1879, Hopkins conducted a raffle for a special shotgun. Advertising stated that it would be a raffle for a “fine Scott breech-loading shotgun, No. 12 gauge, choke bore, to come off as soon as forty chances are taken at $2.50 each. The gun is an elegant one, the property of Justice A. Saltzman. Its original cost was $125, and it has not been to the hunting fields half a dozen times. The list is at Capt. Hopkin’s gun store.”

In the early 1880s, Frank G. Hopkins changed direction in business and was a coal agent for the Missouri Valley Coal Co. in Saint Joseph. He transitioned in 1877 when he was actually taking coal orders from his gun shop. The company advertised that they were miners and dealers in all kinds of hard and soft coal. Winters can be long and cold in northern Missouri.

Hopkins was also involved in many city matters as he was at one time a circuit clerk of Buchanan County, served for several years as a member of the school board, and at the time of his death on April 23, 1899, was the park commissioner.

See these other Bogardus balls in the museum Target Ball Gallery:

Bogardus’ Glass Ball Pat’d Apr 10 1877

Bogardus ‘D’ Glass Ball Patd Apr 10th 1877

Bogardus’ Glass Ball (Without Patent Date)

Bogardus Glass Ball – 8 (Within Diamond Panel)

Bogardus’ Glass Balls – Stolberger Glashutten A.G.

Primary Image: The Bogardus St. Joe ball imaged on location by Alan DeMaison, FOHBC Virtual Museum Midwest Studio

Support Primary Image: Auction Lot 772: “FROM F. G. HOPKINS / ST. JO. MO.” (around base) – “BOGARDUS GLASS BALL PATD APR 10.” (small letters around shoulder), Target Ball, America, 1877 – 1890. Medium amber, quilted diamond pattern, 3-piece mold, rough sheared mouth, dia. 2 ¾”, near mint; (a little washable interior residue; a ¼” area of the rough sheared neck missing —likely occurred during manufacture). One of only three known, and arguably the rarest of the various Bogardus molds. – The Ralph Finch Collection of Target Balls, Traps and Shooting Ephemera, An Absentee Auction in Six Parts – 2017-2019, John Pastor and American Glass Gallery

Support Image: “FROM F. G. HOPKINS / ST. JO. MO.” (around base) – “BOGARDUS GLASS BALL PATD APR 10.” – Jeff Wichmann and American Bottle Auctions

Support: Reference to the American Glass Gallery, The Ralph Finch Collection of Target Balls, Traps and Shooting Ephemera, An Absentee Auction in Six Parts – 2017-2019

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