Coke Thermometer

acls · May 25, 2011

I picked this up in the early 1980s at the monthly flea market here in Memphis. I was hoping someone here might know something about this thermometer. I am assming it was new when I bought I bought it, but I am not sure? Anybody familiar with these? age? value? anything else?

acls · May 25, 2011

Base...

epackage · May 25, 2011

$26.55....You're correct on the age....Jim

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-COCA-COLA-DONASCO-THERMOMETER-TIN-BOTTLE-/200609204577?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eb53d8961

celerycola · May 25, 2011

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-COCA-COLA-DONASCO-THERMOMETER-TIN-BOTTLE-/200609204577?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eb53d8961

The acl Cokes with "Coke" on the neck and Coca-Cola on both sides were the first acl Cokes in the early 1960's. If this is from the 1980's it must be a repro.

epackage · May 25, 2011

There are 3 on e-bay now , one is claimed to be from the 1950's and they're asking $95, the other two which are exactly the same are both unbid on at $9....I didn't even search coke thermometer just the Donasco Name...

This is from another site on Coke...

I WAS LEAD TO BELIEVE THAT THE ROBERTSON VERSION WAS THE ORIGINAL VERSION MADE IN THE 50'S AND 60'S. KEEP IN MIND THAT IT'S AN A.C.L. LABELED BOTTLE NOT AN EMBOSSED. A.C.L. BOTTLES WERE INTRO'D AROUND 1955-56 AND REPLACED EMBOSSED BOTTLES COMPLETELY BY THE EARLY 60'S OVERALL.

I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT WHILE THE DONASCO VERSION IS NOT SO MUCH A REPRO, BUT A NEWER VERSION (70'S-80'S) OF THE ROBERTSON ORIGINAL. ANY DONASCO BOTTLE THERMOMETER I'VE SEEN IS ALWAYS PRACTICALLY MINT. I HAVE SEVERAL THAT I BOUGHT BACK IN THE EARLY 80'S IN THEIR ORIGINAL BOX.

THE THERMOMETER IN QUESTION DOES NOT EVEN SHOW UP IN THE PETRETTI 12th EDITION UNDER THERMOMETERS (ROBERTSON OR DONASCO).

SODAPOPBOB · May 25, 2011

ACLS ~

My 2-cents worth ...

Personally worded definitions: Re: Coca Cola Collectibles.

1. Original: Self explanatory for the most part. Can usually be determined by various means.

2. Reproduction: Intentionally reproduced. Not necessarily intended to deceive.

3. Fantasy Item: Often produced - licensed - distributed by The Coca Cola Company.

4. Fake: Attempt to pass off reproduction/fantasy item as original.

5. Vintage: Often confusing. Can mean either original as well as reproduction/fantasy.

I did some additional research and discovered that one of the companies who were licensed by and made original tin thermometers for Coca Cola was a company by the name of "Robertson, Inc." You can Google the name and find lots of refrences for them, as well as the many other products they made.

The thermometer shown below is from e-bay and is an example of a Robertson, Inc. product, which is described as vintage. Notice the difference between it and your Denasco thermometer. Especially the hanger flange on top. The name Robertson is located on the bottom. It has "Coke" on the neck.

E-bay link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Coca-Cola-Thermometer-Sign-Coke-Soda-Antique-/350279533576?_trksid=p4340.m1374&_trkparms=algo%3DPI%26its%3DC%26itu%3DUCC%26otn%3D5%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D179360280017344624

SPBOB

acls · May 25, 2011

When I researched this online I ran into the same problems you guys are having. Like you pointed out epackage, ebay isn't very helpful because the listings seem to give a lot of conflicting info. Bob- my Donasco actually has a flange that I bent down to hang it and "Coke" on the neck. Mine is identical to the Robertson except for the company name identification. I did read online last night that Donasco was licensed by Coke in the 70s to reproduce some of their items. I was hoping someone could confirm or deny this. Thanks for the efforts fellas. Maybe someone will know for sure.

digdug · May 25, 2011

I think yours is an authorized repro from the 1980's. The newer ones show the Celsius reading as well as Fahrenheit (like yours)
The older 'original' ones only had Fahrenheit on it.

SODAPOPBOB · May 25, 2011

acls ~

The following is not to suggest that your particular Coca Cola thermometer is an original 1950s or 1960s item. I honestly can't say one way or another in that regard. It appears to be a reproduction, but very likely made by the same company who at one time also made originals.

By Googling variations of ...

Denasco Inc. - Denasco, Inc.Tin Sign Company - Denasco Signs - Denasco Thermometers, etc; etc.

... I discovered that Denasco, Inc. was in fact around in the 1950s/60s and was a manufacturer of various tin products. They also made products for Royal Crown Cola - Teem - and numerous others.

Below is a copy/pasted comment I found that may help in some regard. See if it connects in any way with your thermometer. And please let us know if the back side of yours is unfinished tin or a greenish color like the example shown below.

Thanks,

SPBOB

Copy/Pasted Comments ...

Here is a vintage advertising thermometer featuring a Coca Cola bottle. These were often found hanging in the local gas station or supermarkets. Originally had a glass thermometer but it broke (though I still have it) Stands 17 inches tall x 5 inches wide at the middle of the bottle. Made by Donasco Co. in the U.S.A. This is an Original and NOT a reproduction. Probably from the 1960's. The older Coca Cola signs have Coca Cola in red on the top of the bottle cap and the numbers are also in same brown color as the cola. Condition is very good except for the broken glass thermometer and a tiny bit of rust on the bottle cap and a few pit spots on the back and white part around the glass thermometer.

[ Back side of Denasco sign described above ]

SODAPOPBOB · May 25, 2011

P.S. ~

My personal conclusion is that you have ...

A "reproduction" thermometer made by an "original" company.

SPBOB

Coke Thermometer

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