Collecting Coca-Cola Memorabilia
Coke Collectibles Number in the Hundreds
The popularity and sheer volume of coca-cola collectibles makes them fun to collect, but an easy target for fakes and reproductions.
Coca-Cola is one of the most widely advertised products in the history of American manufacturing, and if the possibilities for collectors are almost unlimited, so is the potential for misleading the novice with fakes and reproductions.
Coca-Cola History
Pharmacist J.S. Pemberton developed the formula for Coca-Cola in 1886, and for the past 122 years coca-cola advertising products have hit the streets in record numbers and quantities. The Coca-Cola Company has mounted some of the most successful advertising campaigns not only in this country, but all over the globe.
Santa Claus by Coke
From the very start, the company projected an image of wholesomeness and patriotism. Early print advertisements featured beautiful women, adorable children, and winsome teenagers; some simply enjoyed a refreshing glassful, and for others it’s a much needed thirst quencher and energizer during wholesome American pursuit such as “motoring”, swimming, golfing, diving, or skating. Coca-Cola advertising was so ubiquitious, that Santa Claus, as he is pictured today, was the result of a 1931 Coke campaign designed by illustrator, Haddon Sunblom, who modeled the “jolly old elf” after himself. From 1931 to 1966, Sunblom’s Santa was the star of Coca-Colas seasonal advertising, and to this day influences the American idea of Santa Claus.
Coke Collectibles by the Score. . .
Coca-Cola advertising items and memorabilia include:
- combs
- bottles & bottle carriers
- mirrors
- knives, forks, cutlery sets
- calendars
- thermometers
- checker sets
- T-shirts, caps & uniform shirts
- Olympic pins, pin backs & medallions
- night lights, strings of lights & bicycle lights
- door knobs
- syrup cans
- dolls, figurines & stuffed animals
- fans
- ice picks & bottle openers
- puzzles
- signs & die cuts
- mugs, cups, glasses, bowls & plates
- yo-yos
- toy trucks, planes & telescopes
- cookie jars, salt & peppers
- napkin holders
- sheet music
- clocks
- playing cards
- coolers & vending machines
- radios
- ashtrays
- bats
- bingo cards
- rulers
- key chains
- blotters
- syrup jugs
- jump ropes
- menus & menu boards
- trays
Authentic Coke Trays
The trays are the biggest single category, with at least 47 versions manufactured over the years. The oldest trays are not surprisingly, the most valuable, with the 1897 Victorian lady tray known to have sold for as much as $12,000. While it’s not difficult to find most of the trays, people used them, and wet glasses of refreshing Coke created lots of rust. Mint condition trays are unusual, and command high prices. Prices for the common trays from the 1950’s and later have fallen substantially, for example, a 1950s Menu Girl tray has a stated worth in a collector book of $60 , but sold recently on eBay for under $10.
Reproduction Coke Trays
During the 1970s when Americana was a popular decorating motif, Coca-Cola issued reproductions of some of their most popular early trays. These reproductions will be marked as such on the backs. In the 1980s, they did the same, in honor of their 100th anniversary. While these are authentic, Coca-Cola issued trays, they are considerably less valuable than their antique and vintage counterparts.
Source:
- Schroeder's Antiques Price Guide, 15th Edition, Collector Books, 1997
