Posted 14 years ago
earlycoke
(21 items)
I promised Ray last week that I would upload some images from my collection, so today I walked around and snapped a few. These are photos of one wall of my living room and the fireplace. The fireplace has the posters with the "diminishing logo" that was used in the late 20's. These are some of my favorites. On the walls you will see the large cardboards that were used in the stores from the 30's and 40's. The smaller collection items and trays are housed in turn of the century oak and glass showcases from country stores around the country. The cases create what is called a "micro environment" for the items inside, so it is easier to control humidity level fluctuation, which is very important for the stability of early lithography. I have all the rectangular trays from 1910 - 1948, and many of the earlier trays as well. (I will upload them a little later). The last photo is my small collection of Coca-Cola chewing gum items, the fan, a jar with original label, some gum labels and the two other jar variarions with the "roostertale" tops. The coffee table in the front of the sofa displays early trade cards, menus etc, which I will upload later as well. My kids and their friends call the house :the museum" which I guess is appropriate since I am rather anal about controlling light levels, humidity, and use museum mounting when I frame things. I will upload some more photos of other rooms and cases later. I hope you like. The fun of having collection is sharing it with others who appreciate it too. I will be happy to answer any questions!
Beautiful Collection and I am not a COKE or early advertising guy!
Thank you Scott, I appreciate it. Its fun being able to "share" it with others!
As good as anything we have seen here. Sometimes I envy those of you that can focus on a single area instead of "eclectia" like me. (I just made up that word!) lol
Kudos ! Outstanding!
Thank you Savoychina1, "focusing" is difficult, but I found that after I got a certain amount of coke stuff, when I put other items in with it they just looked out of place!
Ray, the gel lens thing - I noticed as well is a result of no flash, indoors causing a slow shutter speed on the digital camera (and the lens probably needs cleaning!)
I am sure if I wanted that look, I couldn't create it if I tried! Yes I am one of those "obsessed" collectors that have went overboard and filled every room in the house, and because of that collecting is probably the dominant thing in my life. I started collecting when I was thirteen --- I was young like cockacoklakid is now --- and this is where it has all ended up! I download more photosas I take them.
this is some amazing stuff! thanks for sharing
Truly a stunning collection!!! Looks as though between you and Ray all the bases are well covered.
Thank you tommy1002. It has been quite a journey putting it together over the years!~ wouldn't trade the experiences, or the people I met for anything!
earlycoke, I heard you are planning to attend the elizabethtown auctions, do you plan to get some of "good" stuff?
To be honest. Probably not. The things I really want are about the same price as a year of college! Now that I have two kids getting ready for college, that seems more important! But, I guess one never knows. I knew Bill Schmidt for many years, and there are some amazing items in that collection!
Do you know how Bill Schmidt came across all of his items? Was he collecting long before coca-cola, advertising, and signs were popular?
To answer your question cocacolakid97, Bill comes from a family that owned the first bottling plant in the Louisville territory around the turn of the century. Bill owned the plant in Elizabethtown, and began collecting in the early 70's (1972 sounds right) . The original museum was upsatirs in the bottling plant. He had a few things in the family, but most of it was aquired through auctions, the Indianapolis Ad Show, and other collectors. The same as you and I, except he had more financial resources at his disposal. He was a good man. But despite the size of the collection are items that he never had. My wife had her Pemberton bottle on loan to him for several years.
Two more stories: I knew of a person that got tired of replacing the cardboard signs in the store (this was in the 40's) and would stop on a bridge on the way home and toss the boxes of signs in the river. Ok - a box of 25 mint cardboards (good ones) are worth maybe 25 grand now. Another old gentleman I knew worked for one of the plants in Kentucky and went through the plant when they remodeled in the 50's and his job was to throw the stained glass lights into the dump truck below and watch them crash. He did keep one for himself. He said he had sold it to Bill Schmidt. Oh well, it was the chain edge one, and I like the leaf edge one I have better, anyway!
Ray, I have been to the same Cracker Barrel warehouse in Lebanon. The headquarters felt like a college campus, except for the big metal building that the antiques were kept in. I sold them probably about 50 fairly beat up cardboard signs in the early 90's. Neat place. They had a little bit of everything as I recall.
Hi earlycoke,do you often come across reproduction cardboard signs? I have seen a few offered for sale,but hesitate due to a lack of expertise in the cardboard sign dept. Metal signs I can clean & restore if needed,can you restore the cardboard? You have the most amazing collection I have ever seen!! I've only been collecting coke for less than a year,but I hope to have a fraction of the quality signs that you do some day.Looks to me like you have many,many years of college tuition available ,should you need it. I wish I had invested in coca cola signs instead of the stock market,seems much safer and way more enjoyable. I have 2 kids in university also,I feel your pain! Keep-up the great posts, always very informative and knowledgeable!
Hello pickrknows, thankfully there are that not many of the cardboard signs reproduced. Those that are - are easily detected. Always feel free to email me
(earlycoke@insightbb.com) if you have a question about authenticity or value.
I am always happy to help other passionate collectors of older items . . . yes there are very good restoration folks for paper and cardboard, but it is generally not as acceptable in the Coca-Cola hobby yet, as it is in other venues such as movie posters. I have nothing that is restored, but I have researched the topic. I feel that it should only be used for the early and rare items at this point. For example I have a trolley car sign that has never been seen before, but it is in a rough (but restorable) condition. Someday I may have it restored, but right now I enjoy it for what it is. I am glad you like my collection. It is fun to share it with others who appreciate such things. Thank you for the complements. I appreciate them.
EarlyCoke, if you have an image of the trolly car sign, can you email it to me?
This is a beautiful collection, thank you for going to the trouble.
The things we learn, the stories we share!
Great collection, Earlycoke! But the stories you're sharing here...priceless.
I too have trouble focusing on just one collection...another for "eclectia" I guess, savoychina1 :)
Esther110 - thank you for your support. I appreciate the comments!
Thank-you earlycoke, for your offer ,you are an asset to this site! The 2 kids I mentioned are a drain on my coca-cola collecting budget,so perfect condition signs such as yours are a dream for the future,for now I look for affordable . I've learned a lot on restoring the metal signs,need to learn the restoration techniques of cardboard now that I've seen how beautiful they look on your walls. Where is a good source to look for us Canuks to find the vintage cardboard? E-bay? There doesn't seem to be that many avail. for sale in Canada!
They turn up on ebay, and auctions such as Morphys, and local auctions. Believe it or not many of the truck drivers for coke during the late 30's and early 40's insulated the attic walls of their homes with cardboards that they were supposed to deliver to their customers - so a lot of them turn up when people do home renovations. They nearly always have a few nail holes in them, but some are in pretty good shape, since they have never been exposed to sunlight. Ask around. You never know what may turn up.
Wow,that would be an awesome find!! I've been doing reno's for years,found many things but never lucky enough to find any nice signs. I was enjoying not reno-ing for the last while,now I'm thinking I should get back to it! Maybe! I've seen a few come up at auctions,all are in rough cond. I will have to keep looking,thanks for the info!
WOW, many key coca-cola piece. I bet many collectors (besides me) would die to have your collection. Top quality rare items, I can only dream about owning.
Thank you Spriteboy42. Keep dreaming it will happen. Remember this is the result of many years of serious collecting. (and a bit of sacrifice from time to time!)
You will get there, just keep your eye on the ball. You have an amazing start already.
Nice stuff. I dont believe I recall seeing you on here before, so welcome aboard! I enjoy helping young collectors so if you have questions feel free to ask.
Hey Blaine I need help I got these two coca-cola bottles I know nothing about I was hoping someone did, do you know anything about the two bottles I was asking about, their in my lastest bottle post.