From Dennis Tacke : FOR SALE - a metal (tin?) 21 3/4" X 18" black and white Richardson Root Beer menu board in excellent condition. I am asking $60.00 plus shipping.

From Lee & Mary Miller : I have a 6-pack of Pepsi bottles from the 1994 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The bottles are full and come with the carrier. Anyone interested in them, contact: Lee @ 5112 Irving Blvd, N.W., Albuquerque, NM 87114 or query by E-mail.

From Larry Brown : I have several clear Nehi Seltzer bottles for sale. My asking price is $70 for one, and a better price can be arranged for multiple purchases. Buyer is responsible for shipping charges. Money orders only. Anyone interested can check out my feedback on eBay before contacting me, or placing an order.

From Dan Seale : I have several of these bottles that came from the ocean around Guam. Coca-Cola wanted all of the Army and Navy personel to have a Coke when they got to Guam, but the Dept. of Army wouldn't allow a city name to appear on the bottom of the bottle. They thought the Japanese could trace shipments that way, so Coca-Cola made clear bottles without the name of a city on the bottom. These are very nice bottles from Guam, as well as a part of WWII history. If interested, E-mail me. Thanks.

From Mix International  : Three new bottle offers this week: $3 each + shipping - reserve your bottles now!!   I have the last two of the 2003 NASCAR bottles and the Hot August Nights 2003 bottle.  I do have a few full sets of all 13 NASCAR bottles - a set of all 13 bottles is $32.50 + shipping of $15.  You can of course combine these offers with your ebay purchases, etc. and save!!

    --NASCAR 2003 - #45 - Kyle Petty--
    --NASCAR 2003 - #15 - Michael Waltrip--
    --Hot August Nights 2003--

Finally, many people have contacted me lately looking for an up-to-date list of all 2003 8oz Coke bottles!!!   A complete list can be found on bottleworld.com - the list is updated daily as new bottles are released and added, etc. - be sure to check in regularly (click on advanced search and choose "Brand"=Coca-Cola and "Year"=2003.)   If you know of anything that is missing or have more information on any bottle, please be sure to submit it.

The list is copied <<here>> - where you can click on the links to go to bottleworld for more information on each bottle.

From Blair Matthews, Editor of Soda Pop Dreams Magazine : Our new publication "The Soda Spectrum Series" is ready and for sale now!! Our first edition is DEDICATED TO COCA-COLA BOTTLES & COKE BOTTLE COLLECTORS! 32 pages of the best info for commemorative bottle collectors. Pre-order your copy before Sept. 15 for only $4.95 US funds including postage. Visit http://www.pww.on.ca/soda-mag.htm for details.

Also if anyone else has bottles or other soda-related items to offer, E-mail and let us all know.

From Geo De Angelo : I am looking for any pictures or advertisement ads for the discontinued Aspen Soda made by Pepsi. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

From Ted, thesodastand.com : I am looking for a Coca-Cola Legal Sea Food - Celebrating 50 Years, 8-ounce bottle. Email me with information and/or cost.

From Rick Humphreys : I am looking for four elusive brands - and any help is greatly appreciated. They are: FAN TAZ from Memphis, Tenn. soda & bottler; DIXIE FLIP from Salem, Va., soda; AFRI KOLA, Atlanta, Ga., soda; and MATTAY COLA from Detroit, Mich., soda made by Stroh's Brewery during Prohibition.

From Jim White : I am looking for the following ACL's from Joplin, Mo.: Mission with Joplin, Mo. on the front label, Hollywood, Keen red and white without root beer on the label, Cleo Cola (Queen). Call 417-451-4786 or by E-mail. 

From Mike Bryant : $REWARD$ Will pay top dollar for a 30 BELOW acl soda from San Diego, California. Also want other San Diego area bottles - embossed or acl. Contact by phone: (858) 581-2787 or by E-mail.

Do you have a particular item, or items, that you have been looking for a long time to complete part of your collection, or something you want - but have not as yet been able to find? Send it so all of us can help you look. You never know where it may turn up! E-mail it to My Missing Item

From Michel Houche, France : Here are photos of the very latest "special" bottles issued in France. These bottles are 500 mL plastic bottles with plastic wrap. These are the very first French Coca-Cola bottles (less or equal 500 mL) issued with this technology. It is a commercial sale with "Coke Up to You" - one bottle with Cinema pictures and the other with music pictures. << Click here >> to see the photos that Michel sent.

New bottles or cans, or anything soda, in your area ?
Please send the info so all of us can know @ Whats New

SEPTEMBER 13  -  ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA 
Los Angeles Historical Bottle Club’s Annual Show & Sale (Sat. 9 AM – 4 PM, early admission 8 AM) at the Arcadia Masonic Temple, 50 W. Duarte Rd., Arcadia, California. INFO: John Swearinger, PH: (805) 492-5036 or Don Wippert, PH: (818) 346-9833.

SEPTEMBER 13  -  EAST HAMPTON, CONNECTICUT
Yankee Pole Cat Insulator Club’s "On Golden Pond 2003" Annual Swap Meet (Sat. 8 AM – 3 PM) at the home of Larry & Mary Emmons, 68 Long Crossing Road, East Hampton, Connecticut. INFO: John Rajpolt, PH: (203) 261-1190, E-mail: rajpolt@earthlink.net or Larry Emmons, PH: (860) 267-8584. 

SEPTEMBER 13  -  MILLERSBURG, OHIO
Western Reserve Insulator Club's Show (Sat. 9 AM - 3 PM) at the Holmes Co. Senior Center, 224 N. Clay St., Millersburg, Ohio. INFO:  JOHN HOVANEC, PH: (440) 237-2242, E-mail: wric@clubs.insulators.com or Tom Nelson, PH: (330) 674-2391, E-mail: tnelson@hlbc.com.

SEPTEMBER 13  -  OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA 
Prairie Signals Insulator Club’s 6th Annual Swap Meet (Sat. 7:30 AM – 2 PM) in conjunction with the Oklahoma Museum of Telephone History, 800 N. Harvey, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. AM. INFO: Sandy Ellison, 11825 Lanceshire Circle, OKC, OK  73162, Email: Diamonds4me@att.net

SEPTEMBER 13  -  PORTERVILLE, CALIFORNIA
Merzoian Brother's 4th Annual Tailgater (Sat. 8:30 AM - ?) at the home of Mark Merzoian, 22593 Ave. 112, Porterville, California. INFO: Bob Merzoian, PH: (559) 781-6319, E mail: bobmerzoian@mac.com or Mark Merzoian, PH: (559) 783-8759, Email: memerzoian@ocsnet.net.

SEPTEMBER 13  -  FRACKVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA
Coal Cracker Bottle Club’s Schuylkill County Bottle Show (Sat. 10 AM – 3:30 PM) at the Black Diamond Antique Complex, at Schuylkill Mall, Route 61 (I-81 exit 124A, Frackville, Pennsylvania. INFO: Jody Farra, PH: (570) 462-1190, -1942, E-mail: doghaus1@ptd.net or Mar Porambo, PH: (570) 462-4999, E-mail: nudinbrg@ptd.net.

SEPTEMBER 13-14  -  KIRTLAND, OHIO
Ohio Bottle Club’s 35^th Annual Show & Sale (Sun. 9 AM – 2 PM, early admission Sat.7 PM – 9 PM) at Lakeland Community College, Route 306 (1/4 mile south of I-90), Kirtland, Ohio. INFO: Robert Smith, PH: (440) 285-4184, E-mail: rts2ride@adelphia.net or Tim Kearns, PH: (440) 285-7576, E-mail: tkearns4@aol.com.

SEPTEMBER 13  -  SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH  
Annual Utah Antique Bottles & Collectibles Show & Sale (Sat. 9 AM – 1 PM, early admission 8 AM) at the Redwood Multipurpose Center, Salt Lake City, Utah. INFO: Bob Campbell, 1123 E. 2100 S., Salt Lake City, UT  84106, PH: (801) 467-8630 or Rick Holt, E-mail: rckholt@netscape.net.

The Mid-South Chapter of the Coca-Cola Collectors Club is holding their annual Septemberfest in Elizabethtown, Kentucky September 17 through 20, 2003. Events will include brunch, silent auction, swap meet, and room hopping. For more information, please contact Earlene Mitchell, 6250 New Hope Church Road, Paducah, KY 42001. Septemberfest will be held at the Holiday Inn, Exit 94, Hwy 62 & I-65 in Elizabethtown. 

The 8th Annual Kansas City Antique Bottle and Breweriana Show will be held at the American Legion Hall, 499 SW Highway 7, Blue Springs, Missouri on September 20th, 2003 from 9am to 2pm. For more information, contact H. James Maxwell, 1050 West Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64145-1216, Phone: (816) 942-0291 (eve); (816) 942-6300 (days); E-mail: HJMesq@kc.rr.com. 

This year's theme for the Coca-Cola Days in Atlantic, Iowa is "Still Delivering the Real Thing!" The events planned for September 25 through 26 will include a BBQ, silent auction, swap meet, children's parade, golf tournament, social hour and banquet. Recommended hotels are Super 8 Motel, Hwy 71 & Hwy 6, 712-243-4723; Econo Lodge, I-80 & Hwy 71, 712-243-4067; and AmericInn, Hwy 173 Exit 54 in Elk Horn, IA, 712-764-4000 or 800-634-3444. For more information, please contact Kathy Holden, 207 SE Diehl, Des Moines, IA 50315-5227.

From Denise Ritchey, 2003 Barn Sale Chair, Camden, Ark. : BPW Barn Sale is always the last Saturday in September, this year September 27, 2003. Hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Our web site is www.bpwbarnsale.org. It is a juried show so the quality of the crafts is high. We have over 150 craft booths, food vendors, children's activities, and free entertainment. It is held inside the city limits on a beautiful old home place - Oakland Farm - owned by descendants of the Tate family. It grew up around the Tate Barn which is listed on the National Historic Register. Booths are set up under a grove of centuries old oak trees there. Admission is free. On-site parking is $3.00 per car. There is a free shuttle service from off-site locations. Many other events have grown up around the event. BPW co-sponsors an Antique & Classic Car Show at the nearby Camden Fairview High School. It had more than 100 entries last year and includes hourly door prizes; a DJ; and trophies. There is also a Kansas City sanctioned BBQ Cookoff sponsored by Camden Area Leadership. Other events include: a golf tournament at the Camden Country Club; a downtown flea market; pancake breakfast; fish fry; spaghetti supper.

8th Annual HOOISER CHAPTER Soft Drink Swap Meet will take place Sunday, October 5, 2003 at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds, 1401 Teal Road (State Road 25), Lafayette, Indiana from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Admission will be: $1 adults, Children 12 and under free. This show will be held in conjunction with a large outdoor flea market. Contact: Don Burkhalter, 1137 E Main, Delphi, IN 46923; Phone: (765) 564-2402; or Jeff Cummins, PO Box 387, Clear Creek, IN 47426; Phone: (812) 876-9076. For table rentals, please send to: The Hoosier Chapter, PO Box 387, Clear Creek, IN 47426. Sponsored by Hoosier Chapter of the Coca Cola Collectors Club.

The Annual Beach Party sponsored by the Old Dominion Chapter of the Coca-Cola Collectors Club will be held October 16-18, 2003 at the Sandcastle Oceanfront Resort Hotel in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Events will include a welcome party, auction, swap meet, social hour, banquet and room hopping. For more information, please contact Greg Dail, 1204 Masters Row, Chesapeake, VA 23320, Phone: (757) 547-4918 or coke1sthe1@aol.com. The hotel number is 1-800-233-131 and its website: www.sandcastle-vabeach.com. 

The Arkansas & Oklahoma Chapters of the Coca-Cola Collectors Club are hosting a Swap Meet at the Settle Inn (800-677-6906) in Branson, Missouri October 23rd through 25th. For information, E-mail Ken Cottrell at: beartul@earthlink.net, or call (918) 357-3067. Mention the Coca-Cola event when making reservations to get the special room rate of $65.

If you would like to view the full 'events calendar,' I now maintain  < click here>.
Any new events  in your area? E-mail it so all of us can know, to: Upcoming Events

My first of the printed edition of The Soda Fizz Magazine is here, and ready to mail - only need to get the postage. As with my first issue of B&E, there are apparently some software issues to settle with the printers. So, I ask patience regarding this until I get it worked out. It seems that they said I sent too high a quality of photographs. Imagine that! But it still turned out ok, and is full of info that I hope everyone enjoys. But do remember, keep the comments, ideas, stories, newspaper clippings, photos of your collections, etc., coming. This is what the magazine is for - the longer things that do not fit in the free e-zine.

And remember that the print edition, as always, carries completely different information than this, E-mailed, version does. I will post the table of contents of the new issue by next week's Fizz.

It has come to my attention regarding someone who requested an offer of Little Tom bottles be made in the "Up for Grabs" section. One of my most faithful readers, and also someone I have traded bottles with many times in the past, was interested in getting a portion of these bottles - sent his money - but never got the bottles, nor his money refunded. Since he made payment, none of our emails to the party have been answered. I hate it when something like this happens, and would like to take this opportunity to bring it up now. This is the only instance I know of this thing happening, but once is still one too many. If the name with the "ad" is an unknown one, please feel free to email me for any references I may have regarding them. And also, request references from them before sending money, especially a large amount.  And like the person who offered the siphon bottles above, see if they have eBay feedback to check out. It never hurts to ask. 

Until next time, Happy Collecting! CokeGirl

by Michael M. Elling

Two little known South Carolina Chero-Cola bottles were recently offered on eBay. One is from the prolific Camden bottler who issued many different brands and flavors as a Chero-Cola bottler, and the other is Barnwell, about whom little is known. 

Both bottles have the distinctive "Angled Script" lettering style in service from 1913 to 1914 (see photo). As a straight-side paper label bottle, bottlers expected the bright yellow/red/blue paper label to carry the brand in the market place. 

Once the label was gone, however, these bottles are difficult to distinguish as a brand. The flourished letters are exaggerated in a poor way that made them unrecognizable in a dark wet soda cooler of a period grocery store.

This problem was corrected in 1915, when the same lettering was simplified into "Block Letters" that are easier to see and read. The block letter paper label bottle continued in service up to 1923, when a smaller, meaner, unique 6-ounce proprietary twist bottle was released. With it, paper labels were no longer needed.

Readers are asked to check their collections, and let us know if there are any other early Chero's of this vintage from South Carolina bottlers.

If you have a soda-related subject that you would like to see here as an "FYI" article, or have information you yourself would like to contribute, don't be shy, send it to: FYI Idea