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Posted By: TimG Early Coca-Cola porcelain sign info - Fri Mar 09 2018 05:11 PM
I know this isn't exactly gas related, but need a little info on an early porcelain coca cola sign that I found while digging in an old turn of the century bottle dump in Nashville. I have searched through thousands of pictures on google and ebay, but can't find one that is exactly the same. I'm hoping someone can give me a little info on age and value.

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Posted By: TimG Re: Early Coca-Cola porcelain sign info - Fri Mar 09 2018 05:45 PM
The back of the sign is odd looking.

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Posted By: cggas Re: Early Coca-Cola porcelain sign info - Sat Mar 10 2018 02:18 AM
Cool old sign, but being that there is only about 1/2 of the sign there & the condition of the 1/2 you have value is minimal...... imo $50...or less. Chris
Posted By: TimG Re: Early Coca-Cola porcelain sign info - Sat Mar 10 2018 05:14 AM
I appreciate your input and opinion. I would be inclined to believe that if someone could show me another one with the same design. I have seen similar ones, but the font they used for the word "DRINK" was different, also the overall design is somewhat more primitive looking.
Posted By: TimG Re: Early Coca-Cola porcelain sign info - Sat Mar 10 2018 05:42 AM
This is the closest I have found so far. Found it on petrojoe.com

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Posted By: Loyd Pierce Re: Early Coca-Cola porcelain sign info - Sat Mar 10 2018 02:18 PM
Tim welcome to OLDGAS! Not a cola guy but the bottling plant at 407 Craighead St. in Berry Hill maybe be able to help date your sign,or direct you where to go for answers.Their phone is 615-383-6230.
They are on the corner of craighead and bransford ave. Craighead runs from 8th ave. to 4th/ nolensville rd.
Posted By: coltex Re: Early Coca-Cola porcelain sign info - Mon Mar 12 2018 02:39 PM
It's a cut off sign dug out of a landfill or septic tank. It has NO collectible value other than someone who wants to decorate the outside of a garage or something. I would say $20 if you are lucky and find that guy. Dates pre WW II (1930's-40's)
Posted By: TimG Re: Early Coca-Cola porcelain sign info - Mon Mar 12 2018 03:30 PM
Wondering how a 1930's to 40's sign was buried underneath bottles from 1900-1910? All these bottles came from the same hole, and the sign was at the bottom.

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Posted By: TimG Re: Early Coca-Cola porcelain sign info - Tue Mar 13 2018 10:12 AM
Originally Posted by coltex
It's a cut off sign dug out of a landfill or septic tank. It has NO collectible value other than someone who wants to decorate the outside of a garage or something. I would say $20 if you are lucky and find that guy. Dates pre WW II (1930's-40's)

According to the Coca-Cola history that I can find, after 1931 it would say "REG.U.S.PAT.OFF" under the TRADE MARK. Mine only has "REGISTERED". Very unlikely it is 1930-1940.

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Posted By: jecos Re: Early Coca-Cola porcelain sign info - Tue Mar 13 2018 02:18 PM
You are correct that this is a very early piece. Yours and slight variations (mainly in the "drink" font) like the petrojoe example were made from 1910-1920 (earlycoke.com - you need a subscription to see the info). Unfortunately not much value but still a neat find.
Posted By: coltex Re: Early Coca-Cola porcelain sign info - Tue Mar 13 2018 06:34 PM
that is funny. Hopefully you can figure out the age.
Posted By: TimG Re: Early Coca-Cola porcelain sign info - Wed Mar 14 2018 05:27 AM
Originally Posted by jecos
You are correct that this is a very early piece. Yours and slight variations (mainly in the "drink" font) like the petrojoe example were made from 1910-1920 (earlycoke.com - you need a subscription to see the info). Unfortunately not much value but still a neat find.

I'm thinking the sign was thrown out between 1910-1915. Likely it was used for a while before it was trashed. My best guess is 1903-1908. Still haven't even seen an image of one that is the same. Would like to see it complete.
Posted By: jecos Re: Early Coca-Cola porcelain sign info - Wed Mar 14 2018 06:42 PM
Well maybe you have good reason to believe its pre-1910, and the 1910 I mentioned is just an estimate. At any rate, here's a couple links to nice examples that sold at Morphys a couple of years ago:

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/44960251_stunning-1915-20-coca-cola-porcelain-sign

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/44959332_1915-20-coca-cola-three-color-porcelain-sign

There were 3 versions of this sign, to my knowledge, that varied slightly in the "drink" font and the number of bolt holes and pattern. Your version had the smallest font size and did not have bolt holes on the sides, like the examples in the links. As far as value they're all about the same - but condition is key.
Posted By: TimG Re: Early Coca-Cola porcelain sign info - Wed Mar 14 2018 09:55 PM
Thanks for the info, jecos. The second link looks like the one. This thread may now die in peace.
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