This colorful Vess Cola “Contains No Caffein” embossed tin sign helps date the age of the sign with the 5 cent price notation. Soda was typically sold for a nickel from the late 1940’s through the late 1950’s. The sign is interesting because it was unusual for a soda at this time to not include caffeine, subsequently it is very…
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One of the familiar sites in the city of St. Louis years ago was the Pevely Dairy delivery wagon which would go from neighborhood to neighborhood delivering the companies dairy products. On the side of the wagon was advertising for their products. In many historic photos, it shows the company’s slogan “Baby First” was on…
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The Antique Advertising Expert In Country Living Magazine! What an honor! Country Living Magazine included many of my vintage soda collectibles in their July/August 2015 issue! Check out their interesting article, “Thrill of the Hunt”: A Soda Pop Collector’s Guide. You can look at some of the soda finds from “crates to coolers to syrup dispensers, bubbling…
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Andrew-Lohr Bottling Company Lithograph, 1900 This shining lithograph advertisement was designed for the successful soda manufacturer Andrew Lohr Bottling Company, circa 1900. I found this gem of a piece at a Pennsylvania auction last year. As a historian and collector, I think it’s an ideal example of how soda companies during this era featured Victorian…
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DIAMOND WEDDING WHISKEY SELF-FRAMED TIN SIGN, 1910 A beautiful Victorian woman is featured on this antique advertising tin sign for Sloman’s Diamond Wedding Pure Rye Whiskey, circa 1910. The whiskey was produced by August Baetzhold in Buffalo, New York. I think it’s interesting how many of the early distilleries and breweries highlighted beautiful woman in…
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Heim Brewery in East St. Louis, IL This Reverse-on-Glass Corner Sign is from the Heim Brewery in East St. Louis, Illinois, Circa 1905. The sign’s glass is reverse painted red with brilliant gold lettering outlined in black and reads, “Heim Beer Made in East St. Louis.” It’s fascinating to see an identical Heim Beer corner…
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Faust Blend Coffee with Devil Trademark, C.F. Blanke Coffee & Tea Co., 1889 – 1940 Some of my favorite antique advertising collectibles are from the C.F. Blanke’s Faust Blend Coffee brand. One of the reasons I like this brand is its trademark devil character and the reference to a famous 1800’s German play called “Faust”.…
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Breweriana Blowout XVI, Belleville, IL, Saturday, April 4, 9 am – 3 pm Free Admission at 9 am. Early Admission at 7 am is $20. There’s no better place to add to your collection than at a Breweriana show. Stop by the Breweriana Blowout XVI on April 4, 9 am – 3 pm at the Belle-Clair Fairgrounds…
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Wagner’s Old Time Beer Charger “Friends”, Forest Park Brewing Co. 1910 I’m happy to share this unique Forest Park Brewery Charger Tray made to promote Wagner’s Old Time Lager Beer. This beautiful 16” round charger features a young girl with her face and arms embracing her horse. It is labeled “Friends” on the bottom rim…
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45th Annual Antique Bottle Show, St. Louis, MO, Sunday, March 15, 9am – 2pm Stop by the 45th Annual Antique Bottle and Jar Show this Sunday to see thousands of colorful antique glass and stoneware bottles. Over the past 20 years, I have found hundreds of historic bottles at this show which I’ve added to my…
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