From Richard Mix, Mix International : I am selling off some old ACL soda bottles   Many with Indians, multi colored logos - some unique ones... Watch my spot on eBay for the listings in the current and  future weeks. --ebay--click here to see Mix International auctions--

From Gene Wolf : I worked as a Senior Systems Analyst for Coca-Cola in Atlanta Georgia from 1982 until 1985. In that time New Coke was introduced, they tore down the old headquarters building and Coca-Cola celebrated its 100th anniversary. When the old headquarters building was torn down, Coca-Cola presented employees with a commemorative brick taken from the original headquarters building. I have placed the brick I received on E-bay. I have other one of a kind Coke items that only a Coke employee would receive and only a packrat like myself would keep. For example, in 1984 Coca-Cola instituted a new retirement plan. They initiated the new plan with an announcement presented to each employee in a pop-top can, removable lid, with the plan details sealed inside. I have the original can, unopened. I seriously doubt there are many (any?) in that condition. If anyone is interested in seeing the brick, please check this link, or E-mail me with any other questions.

From Stephen Glover : I have available a large collection of Coca Cola memorabilia in the Houston Texas area, such as: framed coke girl prints, light fixtures, boxes, bottles, dolls, bar mirrors, stuffed toys, posters, etc. Is there a local dealer that might be interested? (Some photos are >>here<<.

From Gary Ross : FOR SALE: ACL, full Coca-Cola bottles - most are "common" but do have some "premium" and 10-ounce talls. These bottles are extras that I have started collecting around 1995.  The commons are cheap, but do need to move them. Premiums are for trade or sale at book value. If interested, check out the list uploaded >>here<< or email for any additional information.

From Joe Morales : Please take a moment and visit my eBay auctions: Black Cat Trading. Thank you.

From Argentina : Argentina bottles for sale, particularly soda bottles. Contact by E-mail. Website is: http://www.botellas.8k.com but is not in English, however Google translated it for me, and I've included that link >>here<<.

From Erik Esakson : Dealer sized lot of commemorative Coke bottles for sale (1990-2001). Approximately 2500 bottles (about 100 cases). Most bottles are high end commons ($6-15 range). This is a great business opportunity. I will sell them for a tiny fraction of their value, the per bottle average price won't be much over the original retail price. I can deliver free to the Great Get Together in February or can palletize it for shipment to you. Please contact me for more details. Thanks!

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

From Mike : I am looking for any old soft drink thermometers for my collection. Contact Mike Thompson, 1004 Redbank Road, #K-1, Goose Creek, SC 29445; PH: (843) 569-0434 or E-mail.

From Argentina : I buy antique torpedo and marble bottles. Contact by E-mail.

From Jim White : WANTED: Green-glass Jimbo ACL 12-ounce soda bottle from Pittsburg, Kansas. Contact: Jim White, 412 Geyer Road, Neosho, MO 64850; PH: (417) 451-4786 or E-mail.

From Paul : Any lists of items for sale, please send. Thanks! 

From Sandy Montero :  I am looking for a gold-tone Coca-Cola metal watch. I have found the gold plastic watches, but they seem to discolor quickly. Does anyone know if there are metal ones out there? 

From Sam : I am looking for Zill's Best Soda, Hill's Beverage Company, Rapid City, S.D. bottles.

From Liss Michini : WANTED - straight-sided Coca-Cola bottles from: Atlantic City and Newark, N.J.; Kansas City and Clinton, Mo.; Albertville, Guntersville, Sheffield, Bessemer, Breweton, Dadeville, Demopolis, Frisco City, Gadsden, Jasper, Lineville, Nostasulga, Sylacauga, Tuskegee and West Blocton, Ala.; Amory, Belzoni, Biloxi, Houston, Leland, Clarksdale, Corinth, Sardis, Holly Springs or Tupelo, Miss. Also wanted to buy seltzer Coca-Cola bottle from any city in Miss. or Ala., except Montgomery, and any city in La. except Monroe. (Note: corrected email address for Liss.)

From David Kapsos : WANTED: bottle caps from Fox Head, Red Fox, Silver Fox and Fox Spring. The cap must have a illustration of the fox head on it. 

From Liss Michini : WANTED - straight-sided Coca-Cola bottles from: Atlantic City and Newark, N.J.; Kansas City and Clinton, Mo.; Albertville, Guntersville, Sheffield, Bessemer, Breweton, Dadeville, Demopolis, Frisco City, Gadsden, Jasper, Lineville, Nostasulga, Sylacauga, Tuskegee and West Blocton, Ala.; Amory, Belzoni, Biloxi, Houston, Leland, Clarksdale, Corinth, Sardis, Holly Springs or Tupelo, Miss. Also wanted to buy seltzer Coca-Cola bottle from any city in Miss. or Ala., except Montgomery, and any city in La. except Monroe. (Note: corrected e-mail address.)

From Matt Dempsey: WANTED: I love Lemmy and Squeeze ACL soda bottles and would like to purchase or find information about, or get photos of, rare versions of these two brands. Also wanted green glass Nehi ACLs. Contact by E-mail or Phone: 615-297-7732.

From Rick Humphreys : WANTED - Any FAN TAZ info or items. Looking for anything on dispensers, fobs, bottle openers, pumps, serving trays OR anything else. 

From Rob Epstein : WANTED - bottle of FLASH, manufactured /distributed by a small soft drink company that went out of business in New York in the late 1930s. The bottle is slim, dark green, with a lightning bolt emblem on the label. Contact: Rob Epstein PH: (301) 770-5060 or by E-mail. 

From Doug McCoy : WANTED - a 16-ounce Coca-Cola hobbleskirt from 1955 or 1956. Contact: Doug McCoy, 2851 Milford View, Marietta, GA 30008; Phone: (770) 435-9138 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 Constance L. Hays: I wanted to let your members know about my book about Coca-Cola (The Real Thing : Truth and Power at the Coca-Cola Company)  that is being published by Random House and will be in bookstores on Feb. 3, 2004. The book discusses the history of Coca-Cola with particular attention paid to the bottlers. There is a chapter on New Coke that focuses on the nostalgia for old Coke memorabilia, among other things, which I thought might be interesting to collectors. An image of the book is currently on Amazon.com as well as barnesandnoble.com. (The most thorough reviews are on Barnes and Noble, but the lower price is at Amazon)  Many thanks, Constance.

From Steve K : Coca-Cola is considering a promotion in Canada for the 2004 Olympics.  The prize (one of three) would be $2500 weekly for one year, or $10,000 monthly for one year.  Prize entry would be from purchase of 12-packs of Coca-Cola or Minute Maid.

Coca-Cola has announced that it will open its an online music store on Monday, offering more than 250,000 downloadable tracks to British music fans.  The site, located at www.mycokemusic.com, will include artists such as Robbie Williams, the Darkness and Madonna. There will also be exclusives and pre-release tracks from artists including George Michael, the Stereophonics and Lemar.

The Coca-Cola Company has introduced a new Diet Coke with Lime drink in the US. The company also announced that it had reformulated is Diet Coke with Lemon, by making the lemon taste “lighter.”  The new product is available nationwide in 20-ounce and 2-liter PET bottles, 12 oz cans and 8 ounce glass bottles. The Coca-Cola Company also plans to introduce the new Diet Coke with Lime in Canada in March 2004. (I am drinking it now, as I prepare the Fizz.)

According to the Coca-Cola India Division President Sanjiv Gupta, the India Division will expand its marketing and other operational support into Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. This south Asian division will now include six countries including India, Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

Coca-Cola has launched Vanilla Coke in Malaysia. Advertising campaign will be based on the theme "Reward Your Curiosity." Vanilla Coke will be available in 325ml cans, 500 ml and 1.5 litre PET bottles. Vanilla Coke is the latest addition to the Malaysia Coke family of Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Light, and Coca-Cola Light Lemon.

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

JANUARY 24  -  ANDERSON, CALIFORNIA
Superior California Bottle Club's 28th Annual Show & Sale (Sat. 9 AM - 4 PM) at the Shasta County Fairgrounds, Anderson, California. INFO: MEL HAMMER, PH: (530) 241-4878 or PHIL MCDONALD, PH: (530) 243-6903.

JANUARY 24  -  ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA
Pennsylvania Antique Bottle, Breweriana & Advertising Winter Show & Sale (Sat. 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM, early admission 8 AM) at the Merchant’s Square Antique Mall, 12^th & Vultee St., Allentown, Pennsylvania. INFO: MARK ZEPPENFELT, 4881 Cypress St., Wescosville, PA  18106, PH: (610) 391-0271, E-mail: uuubuy@aol.com.

JANUARY 24 – 25  -  ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA 
Suncoast Antique Bottle Collectors Association’s 35^th Annual Show & Sale (Sat. 9 AM – 5 PM, Sun. 9 AM – 3 PM) at the National Guard Armory, 3601 38^th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, Florida. INFO: GEORGE DUEBEN, P. O. Box 11001, St. Petersburg, FL  33733, PH: (727) 393-8189 or CHRIS CUBE, 10193 64^th St. No., Pinellas Park, FL  33781, PH: (727) 541-5229.

The Great Get Together is the largest annual Coca-Cola Collectors gathering on the west coast. The next convention will be held at the Piccadilly Inn, University in Fresno, California from February 12-15, 2004. Events will include regular and silent auctions, swap meet, banquet, breakfast and room hopping. For registration, please contact Patti McKernan, 7581 N 6th Street, Fresno, CA 93720. The Piccadilly Inn, University is located at 4961 N. Cedar Avenue, Fresno, CA 93710. Phone number: 1-559-224-4200. 

The 13th annual Tex-Fest will be held at the Radisson Hotel in Richardson, Texas from Feb 12-14, 2004. Events will include welcome banquet, bingo, auction, swap meet and room hopping. For registration, please contact the Lone Star Chapter, PO Box 631097, Irving, TX 75063. The hotel is located on Central Expressway (I-75) at Campbell Road in Richardson, Texas. Phone number: 1-972-644-4000. For more information about the Tex-Fest, please contact: 1-972-475-7428.

The 21st annual Ohio Winterfest will be held at the Holiday Inn in Zanesville, Ohio from February 25-28, 2004. Events will include Longaberger tour, Coke Bingo, silent and regular auctions, scavenger hunt and room hopping. For registration, please contact Juanita Merritt, 1601 Shrine Road, Springfield, Ohio 45504. The Holiday Inn is located at I-70 at exit #160, 4645 East Pike, Zanesville, OH 45701. Phone number: 1-937-324-8586.

The Dr Pepper Convention will be held March 10-13th, 2004 at the Waco Convention Center in Waco, Texas. The Courtyard by Marriott, across from the convention center, will be the hotel for members, room hopping, seminars and registration. Friday night will be the Club's auction, and on Saturday, the show and silent auction will be held. For hotel information and reservations, call (254) 752-8686. Other information, contact: CHARLES BRIZIUS (Chairperson), 4040 North Central Expressway, Suite #600, Dallas, TX 75204 or DOYLE BAILEY, E-mail: dpbottleman@yahoo.com. 

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

The time has come for the shows to start back up. I can't stress how important it is for collectors to support the clubs - without active members and support, they cannot survive - and their shows are vital to the hobby. Please plan to attend any and all shows that are within your areas. Not only may you find the item you've been searching for at a price you can live with - you will meet fellow collectors (and dealers) face-to-face. THAT is something that eBay can never give you.  Here you'll not find added postage and handling fees, no eBay fees to pay or Paypal fees to take off - plus you'll have the opportunity to "haggle.". I've enjoyed every show I've ever attended - but mostly, I have enjoyed them for the people I got to meet - the old friends I got to see again, and the new friends I got to make.

Also, one other thing I'd like to add is this: Lately, I've noticed more and more empty booths in the antique malls - where bottles used to be.  There isn't an antique shop in a 100-mile radius of where I live that I am not on a first-name basis with the people who work there - no matter how many bottles I buy off eBay.  I also know most of the dealers in those shops that carry the types of bottles that are most dear to my heart (and shelves).  There can only be one reason for their demise - and is that what we want to see ?  I do not want to see our collecting world fall down to online auction sites only.  

For example, there is one show dealer who always has a offering of Orange Crush items that awes even me - but he doesn't have a computer - and probably never will.  But, the items he has to offer are worth the drive to the shows he attends.  And he is only one example.  Ralph Van Brocklin, president of the FOHBC, states that he divides his buying/selling opportunities between shows and the online auctions.  In my humble opinion, I think that is a healthy way to look at it - healthy for the collector and healthy for the clubs.

Also, if you are not a member of a local bottle club - and would like to be - you can contact me and I will try and put you in touch with someone local to you who can give you a hand, and show you how you can help keep the hobby alive and well, and encourage young collectors.

Do remember the EXPO in Memphis in August. It will be here before we know it. In the past week, I found out that as part of the EXPO, several things were being arranged (besides our meeting, that is). The week prior to our EXPO is Rock'n'Roll week, with emphasis on Elvis. A tour of Graceland has been planned, as well as a DJ and 50s style dance after the Banquet. Other goodies are going to happen, so be sure not to miss it.  We are going to have some serious fun! (And a big thanks to Gene Bradbury for planning the EXPO as its chairman.)

LAST NOTE: The printed edition of The Soda Fizz Magazine went out in the mail this past week.  It turned out well (seems my software conflict issues have been solved on the printer's end) and I have some extras - if anyone would like a sample issue, please send your name and postal address.  Also, if anyone has an upcoming show and would like to place PSBCA (and or FOHBC) brochures on your table, DO let me know also.  All help is greatly appreciated.  (It is my goal to increase the PSBCA membership significantly this year, 2004.)

Until next time, Happy Holidays and Happy Collecting!

By: Erika Ayn Finch (North County Times)

SAN MARCOS ---- Though more than 60 years have passed since Marya Kovrig held up a glass bottle of Coca Cola and smiled for the camera, it's easy to see the same mischievous grin as she talks about her days modeling for the beverage company.

"After I posed, I never paid much attention to it," Kovrig, 81, said as she sat in the kitchen of the San Marcos home she shares with her daughter. "We got $50 per photo if they were used and I think we spent $49 on the same day we were paid."

Kovrig worked as a model for Coca-Cola during the early 1940s.

Her face can be seen on tin trays, posters, books, cards and mugs. Her most popular pose, that of the "Menu Girl" ---- a fresh-faced young woman wearing a dark blue hat and holding a Coke in one hand and a menu in the other ---- can be found on memorabilia all over the world. Some of the trays sell for upward of $150.

"I go to antique shows and see myself sitting on the ground," Kovrig said. "You can go into any antique shop and find me hanging in a corner so now I am an antique."

Kovrig said she was photographed in about 10 different poses and then the poses were "silk screened," or manipulated, onto different backgrounds with different props and sometimes even different clothes.

Another one of her famous poses, the "Yes Girl," shows Kovrig sitting on the beach in a bathing suit while a young man hands her a Coke.

In other versions of the picture, Kovrig wears a bikini and only the man's hand can be seen.

"I don't know why they call it the 'Yes Girl,' " Kovrig said with a twinkle in her eye. "I was wearing a one-piece and we weren't even on the beach."

In fact, the photos were taken quite a distance from either coast. Kovrig modeled for the pictures in Chicago where she was living at the time. She had been staying with a friend on Oahu when they decided to return to Chicago for a visit. The pair arrived in Chicago on Dec. 6, 1941, the day before Pearl Harbor was bombed.

Unable to return to the islands, she decided to take classes at the University of Chicago. While attending college, a Coca-Cola representative approached her.

"I was well-instructed by my parents not to go with strange men," Kovrig said. "So my singing teacher said he would go with me."

Kovrig posed under the name "Pat Campbell" because "that's what all the models did."

She spent time onstage at the Chicago Civic Opera where she even had the opportunity to play the title role in "Carmen" for one performance.

She said posing for the pictures was nothing, even when she was occasionally recognized.

"I was used to things like that so it was no big deal," she said. "I have never been embarrassed. I have always been a trial to my family."

Most of the pictures were not widely published until the 1950s.

Pictures of Kovrig carrying a basket full of Coke bottles, riding on a horse and sitting in a boat appeared all over, even on large signs above soda fountains. Kovrig said six women posed for the photos in Chicago but most of their names were never recorded so they have been lost to history.

Kovrig went on to receive her doctorate in earth science. She worked at the University of Chicago until she married a Marine and had two children and one stepchild. Her husband passed away in 1980.

Though she came from a strict Irish-Catholic upbringing, Kovrig said her parents did not object to her brief modeling career. She said she did not ask for their advice and she still takes pride in her independence.

"When I was not quite 2 years old and living in Chicago, I sat down in the middle of the train tracks and I wouldn't get up," Kovrig said. "Cars stopped and finally a policeman picked me up. I just started out that way. I have never conformed."

A Thank You to Dr. Cecil Munsey for sending this article.

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