The Bartlett Springs Mineral Water Company was based in Lake County, California. It was a well known mineral water and bath house destination for many northern Californians in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. One of my favorite collectibles from the state of CA are the serving trays which the Bartlett Springs Mineral Water Company…
The use a topless nymph fairy image was perfected by the White Rock Beverage Company in Whitestone, NY as it caught the attention of men and woman alike, and led their mineral water brand to the top in sales. White Rock Beverages is the nation’s oldest beverage company having been established in 1871, by pharmacist H.M. Colver…
Pictured here is a beautiful ceramic syrup dispenser from the Fan-Taz brand from the 1910-1920 era. What makes this dispenser unique from others, is the shape and style. If you look closely you will see the center part has stitching on it which mimics the stitching on a baseball! The brand claims at the bottom…
The Henry Luebbe Soda and Mineral Water Company was a long running business in the heart of wine country in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Hermann Missouri was known for wine production, and in fact, was the leading city for wine sales in the state of MO at this time. What makes this even…
ANDREW LOHR BOTTLING CO IN CAIRO, IL One of my favorite small town soda collectibles is from the tiny town of Cairo, IL. At one time, Cairo was a booming town with a population of over 20,000. After years of decline and unrest, the town now has less than 3,000 residents. However, Cairo has left…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Soda Fountains in Drug Stores In the early 1900’s, the neighborhood drug store with a soda fountain and lunch counter was an important part of small-town America. It was common for hard working folks to take a break and sit around soda fountain counters to socialize and enjoy a drink. It was also a great…