As a brand that has been around for over a century, Coca Cola signs have an incredible amount of history behind them. This makes them an incredibly popular collectors item due to their historic significance, visual allure, material authenticity, and rarity. These vintage Coke signs are the perfect way to add a bit of flair and nostalgia to your home decor. They’re also the perfect gift for any Coca Cola lover in your life.
The first vintage Coca Cola this antique Coca-Cola sign ever created was a painted wall advertisement that was created in 1894. This first-of-its-kind advertisement was created by a local syrup salesman named James Couden who used an order pad and a paintbrush to create the ad on the side of Young Brothers Pharmacy in downtown Cartersville, Georgia.
Since then, Coca-Cola has produced a plethora of different advertising signs for both indoor and outdoor use. Some of these signs have even been designed to be specific to certain holidays or special events. This has resulted in a wide variety of styles and aesthetics that can be found in the collectible market today.
Some of the most notable vintage Coca Cola signs are made of metal, and feature the classic red and white cursive “Coke” script. These types of signs are the holy grail for collectors, and can be worth thousands of dollars in some cases.
While many of these signs can be found at antique stores and flea markets, if you’re interested in getting your hands on one, it’s best to look for them at auctions or online. You can often find great deals on these signs, and they’re the perfect addition to any room in your home.
NBC10 recently covered the story of an old Coca Cola sign that was uncovered in Long Branch, NJ. The sign was buried underneath an adjoining building that was being demolished, and the city has now rescued the vintage Coca Cola sign from its grave. The city worked with a Coca-Cola archivist in Atlanta to determine that the sign dates back to 1910. The slogans “Delicious & Refreshing” and “Relieves Fatigue” along with the color scheme helped them to pinpoint the date.
The signs that were nailed directly onto walls were known as tackers. These early signs were roughly eight-by-eight feet and got straight to the point: “Ice Cold Coca-Cola Sold Here.” In addition, these tackers featured a straight sided bottle that looked more like a hobble skirt than the iconic curved version that we know and love today. The later tin signs featured eyelets built into the corners and sides, which allowed for them to be nailed directly to wood, since nailing through porcelain would have destroyed the sign. These signs also featured the company’s iconic phrase, “The Pause That Refreshes.” These larger tin signs were used on buildings, gas stations, and other locations where Coca-Cola was sold.