Cross & Co. Vancouver B.C. 1894-1963

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Canadacan

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Just wanted to share the bottles I have up to date before my new ones arrive[:)]. I don't have the very earliest bottles but I will post pictures of them in this thread at some point. The date range on the first three bottles is approximate except for the most recent of the embossed which is dated 1945 and the earliest is a BIM. The 6.5 oz bottle I assume were flavor and syrup bottles...note the green one has the Registered Priof top!I will also layout a location time line.. and hope to solve a bit of a mysterious thing regarding the earliest information about Cross & Company. [attachment=20141120_091016_resized.jpg]
 

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Canadacan

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Here is a photo of the earliest Black Bear Brand bottles,showing front and back of the bottle known as the standing bear. [attachment=A36_MS031_PairBlac...ancouver_1 (1).jpg] [attachment=A36_MS031_PairBlac...ancouver_2 (1).jpg]
 

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Canadacan

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The location time line is shaky to me because I could not locate information for 1894,95. I believe the company was listed as Vancouver Soda Water Works in 1896...the owner? seems to be Cross D. Gavin.It's not until 1899-1900 that the name Cross & Co. appear in the listings.You may have noted that that little torpedo shaped bottle has MIEKLE BROS. & C0MPANY LTD. on it?...well best I can tell they has a business relation of some kind no doubt about that as they also amalgamated in 1908.So Cross operated as Vancouver Soda Water Works from 1894-1899,1900.....where dose this 1894 come from?The 1959 soda bottle with the blue ACL!....all this information may be written in some book...Pioneer soda companies of BC or something like that?..but I don't have it and have no idea what information it contains. Vancouver Soda Water Works 1894?-1899 Gore Ave. Vancouver BCCross & Co. Ltd. 1900 - 1906 503 HornbyCross & Co. Ltd. 1907 - 1912 1067 RichardsCross & Co. Ltd. 1913 - 1922 38 Lansdown Ave East.Cross & Co. Ltd. 1923 - 1963 38 East 4th Ave Pictured below is the still standing! location from 1923 - 1963 on 38 East 4th Ave. [attachment=Cross & Co. -1923-...t 4th Ave. -2.jpg]
 

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CanadianBottles

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I never knew there was a relation between Cross & Co. and Vancouver Soda Water Works, that's interesting. If they're the same Black Bear Brand, that is, and I'm not sure of that. Vancouver Soda Water Works is a really confusing company that goes back earlier than 1894, back to when they were owned by Murchinson and Derraugh (might have spelled those wrong, the bottles only say M&D) in the early 1880's. I never made the association between the two Black Bear Brands (mostly because I don't own any Meikle Brothers bottles, they're crazy expensive).
 

Canadacan

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Yes it is very interesting stuff hey. Well Murchison & Derraugh Vancouver is shown 1888-1890 and then all in one this is shown -Vancouver Soda Water Works (M & D) Calley & Co. Ltd. Vancouver BC 1886-1908Now have a look at this!?...I know it's a little bit tiny lol.....it's from 1899. [attachment=0572_Vancouver_-_N.._Page_035 Cross.jpeg] But Cross was mingled in there , must have been more that business dealing maybe a partnership or he was a majority share holder, and if you look at my ACL it does show since 1894.That pair of Black Bear Brand's sold for $900
 

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Canadacan

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Here is early photo from the City of Vancouver archives showing Vancouver Soda Water Works, Meikle Bros. circa 1900.I will assume this is the location 719 Gore Ave. 1886 - 1908...I have not researched if they had any other addresses.I figured it would be appropriate to show this considering the ties they had Gavin Cross-Cross & Co. and besides the subject matter is superb! As far as the date given (1900)... IMHO I think it's a little earlier than that. [attachment=Vancouver soda wat...os. Circa 1900.jpg]
 

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Canadacan

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sunrunner said:
nice history ,great research.
Thank you sunrunner1...I'll be adding some more photos and interesting facts that I also recently discovered.
 

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