Delicious and Refreshing

One of the most popular antiques and collectibles categories is Coca-Cola. Invented in 1866 by John Pemberton as a health drink, the Columbus pharmacist probably had no idea that he would be starting one of the most recognizable brands in the world.

Pemberton sold his first five-cent drink of syrup and carbonated water in Jacob’s Pharmacy in Atlanta. Another pharmacist named Asa Candler bought into Pemberton’s company and bought him out the following year. By 1891 sales of the carbonated drink had increased dramatically and Candler left the pharmacy business to devote his full time and attention to marketing his new product. Pemberton’s former partner joined Candler in creating the Coca-Cola Company the following year.

In 1899 independent bottling companies were licensed to bottle the new soda. In the early 1920s the company trained soda fountain operators how to follow the strict standards to ensure the quality of each drink and began producing the six-pack cartons so folks could take Coke home with them. By the 1930s Coke had begun building plants in France, Canada and other foreign countries. Self-serve soda fountains were introduced at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair.

During World War II Coke wanted every service man to be able to enjoy a Coke. Sixty-four plants were built as close to combat areas as possible, and the folks in uniform enjoyed over five billion bottles of Coke for a tasty reminder of home. In 1955 Coke introduced soda in cans for military personnel in Japan but this “new” container didn’t catch on until the 1960s.

Diet Coke, the top selling diet soda in the world, was introduced in 1982. The company made a terrible mistake in changing the formula for Coke in 1985 and introduced “new Coke,” which the public widely rejected until the company reversed the decision and brought back “classic” Coke eight months later. Coke was even specially packaged to go into space with the astronauts aboard the space shuttle fleet.

I know this was the super condensed history of an American icon, but there is just so much information out there, especially in the whole area of collectibles. Some things that were once considered rare are not so rare since the internet came along. There are now so many items for sale daily. It is probably one of the most overly produced collectible also. The most valuable items will come from the 1970s and earlier.

Youngsters back in the day would check the bottoms of the Coke bottles to see where they came from as the bottling city was printed on the bottom and most cities of decent size had their own bottling plant. They would also pop the cap and pour a pack of peanuts into the bottle and enjoy their 10-cent Coke!

Happy Collecting!

Jillinda Falen has been buying and selling antiques for over 31 years and is a licensed REALTOR and estate liquidation specialist. You can contact her via the Houston Home Journal or email at jcfalen@gmail.com.

HHJ News