HIRES ROOT BEER ~ vs ~ VERNOR'S GINGER ALE

[SODABOB]

However ...

This doesn't mean that Charles Hires wasn't doing any advertising in 1876. It just means he wasn't advertising root beer in 1876 (at least not that I've been able to find so far)

Philadelphia Inquirer ~ April 18, 1876

(Which was about three weeks before the Exhibition opened on May 10, 1876)



The Times ~ Philadelphia ~ November 24, 1876

(Which was about two weeks after the Exhibition closed on November 10, 1876)




Footnote:

Notice the two different addresses ...

1. 41 North Front Street
2. 123 North Front Street

(I do not presently know if Charles Hires had more than one location in 1876 or if he just relocated from time to time)

 

[SODABOB]

Lastly (for the time being) ...

If the February 5, 1876 newspaper article isn't referring to Charles Hires, but instead is referring to some other "successful manufacturer of root beer in Philadelphia," then we might have to consider the possibility that any history written about Hires Root Beer having been first introduced at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition might be a myth. The main reason I say this is because I cannot find a (time-period) publication from 1876 to support the claim. Of course, just because I can't find something doesn't mean it isn't true, but I'd sure like to find some type of time-period document from 1876 to put my investigative mind at ease. That general rule applied to Vernor's Ginger Ale and I think it should also apply to Hires Root Beer.

(To be continued - eventually)

 

[SODABOB]

Quick Reminder ...

Nowhere in the 1906 Hires Trademark does it mention 1876. But it does mention 1877 ...



[FONT=&amp]Word Mark HIRES ROOT BEER AND ROOT-BEER EXTRACT
[ AND THE DRY INGREDIENTS FOR MAKING ROOT BEER ].

FIRST USE: 1877 . FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 1877

Filing Date November 4, 1905
Registration Date June 26, 1906

Owner (REGISTRANT) CHARLES E. HIRES COMPANY,

THE CORPORATION PENNSYLVANIA 210, 212 AND 214 NORTH BROAD STREET PHILADELPHIA PENNSYLVANIA


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First Use Anywhere	Wednesday, August 1, 1877

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https://trademarks.corporationwiki.com/marks/hires/71014320


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[SODABOB]

Wednesday, August 1, 1877

 

[SODABOB]

I intend to continue investigating Hires' Root Beer vs Vernor's Ginger Ale, but here's where things stand at the moment regarding ...

"The earliest time-period publications I can find"

Hires' Root Beer Package = 1877



J. S. Vernor / Ginger Ale = 1884

 

[SODABOB]

Perseverance paid off and I just found this - which clarifies where the August 1, 1877 date came from. It came from Charles Hires own declaration!

Original Trademark Document ~ 1906

Save & Zoom to Read

(Page 1 of 2)



(Page 2 of 2)



(Cropped from Page 2)

"since about August 1, 1877"



Footnote: But no mention whatsoever of 1876

 

[SODABOB]

To reiterate ...

Hires 1906 Trademark Document

"since about August 1, 1877"



Vernor's 1911 Trademark Document

"since about January 1st, 1880"

 

[SODABOB]

Hence, I rest my case regarding ...

"Hires Root Beer vs Vernor's Ginger Ale"

(Until such time if/when something presents itself to refute the Trademark documents)

To reiterate ...

Hires 1906 Trademark Document

"since about August 1, 1877"

View attachment 175892

Vernor's 1911 Trademark Document

"since about January 1st, 1880"

View attachment 175893

 

[SODABOB]

And, yes, this means I'm calling into question the claims that state Hires Root Beer was first introduced at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania!

 

[SODABOB]

New Investigation ...

1. Does the medal on this Hires label say ...

Merit and Diploma ~ World's Fair ~ 1867

2. If so, there should be documentation to support it