Vernors Ginger Ale 150th B-Day

SODABOB · Jul 21, 2017

P.S.

The earliest mention of James Vernor in connection with Ginger Ale that I can find in the Detroit newspapers still stands at 1884 ...

Detroit Free Press ~ June 28, 1884

Vernor Ginger Ale Ad DFP June 28, 1884.jpg

Footnote:

I continue to challenge myself (and everyone else) to find a time-period reference (other than the 1911 Trademark that says "About January 1st 1880) that's earlier than 1884 and connects James Vernor in any way, shape or form with Ginger Ale. And if someone does find an earlier time-period account, my offer to send them a free "ACL BOOK" still stands.

"Time-Period" = Actually published between 1866 and 1880, and not from one of the later so called historical accounts.

SODABOB · Jul 21, 2017

Speaking of various Vernor historical accounts, here's one of the better examples. And, yes, I continue to challenge the 1866 claim. Despite the fact that James Vernor was considered by many to be an upright and honest man, I still believe the 1866 date refers to when he started his first drug store and not when he developed and first sold his celebrated ginger ale. I honestly believe the dates got tangled together somehow and that once the 1866 date was connected with ginger ale that it never got untangled, at least not until now.

Note:

This is a PDF file that is user friendly and can be printed, etc. The Vernor story starts on Page 3 and continues through Page 6. It then jumps to Page 24 for its conclusion. There is a typo at the beginning that says 1886 but should be corrected to say [1866]

The Pharmaceutical Era ~ January 1922

http://books.googleusercontent.com/...BAQnqlEhj10eyKM3C3s00eV-2aveOoSZMXKVDRuQPMMxA

SODABOB · Jul 21, 2017

P.S.

When I said the PDF file was "user friendly" that also includes the ability to Copy/Paste. Here's a copy/pasted portion from page one of the Vernor story. This might shed some light on those who believe that Soda Fountains in drug stores were commonplace in the early to mid 1860s ...

"Early Ideas About Soda"

"To comprehend in a full measure the success of James Vernor, it is necessary to revert back and picture the conditions of the drug business and soft drink trade when he was laying the foundation for his reputation and fortune. There are very few living who can visualize the dress and habits of the people and the commercial conditions in 1866. The drug store was largely an emporium for the sale of patent medicines, paints and window glass. Very few stores, even in the large eastern cities, had soda fountains and these were only operated during the summer months."

hemihampton · Jul 21, 2017

Good Detective work Bob. LEON.

iggyworf · Jul 21, 2017

Bob, the link seems to have been broken. It comes up error?

SODABOB · Jul 25, 2017

iggyworf said:
Bob, the link seems to have been broken. It comes up error?

Iggy / Rich

Try this link. The PDF version can be accessed from the task-bar options ...

https://books.google.com/books?id=4...ernor pharmaceutical era January 1922&f=false

VernorsGuy · Jan 16, 2019

It’s been quite a while since I posted anything. I recently bought another very early Vernor’s paper label bottle. The glass is different than ones I have posted here before. Previously, we collectively decided the earliest “marked” Vernor’s bottle was one that was embossed only on the bottom with Vernor’s Ginger Ale. It did not have the VGA logo. This new purchase has nothing except a couple of 1’s. Take a look at the photos.

Here are are my three full label diamond-label Vernor’s bottles, circa 1911:

The bottom of all three. The new purchase is in the middle.

The one on the right has a newer label and much more embossing. So, here are the top of the left two bottles:

I have previously admitted to not being a bottle expert. However, to my eye, both of these bottles look like the top was applied later. The seam stops before the bottom lip. Here are the bottoms of the two pictured above:

The one on the left has been posted here before. The one on the right is my new purchase. Hopefully you can make out the two number 1 s on the bottom. One is in the center and the other above it to the left.

Any thoughts on this? The two numbers are not lined up with each other. But, maybe it identifies a company or an era.

Any help is appreciated. Thank you!

Keith

iggyworf · Jan 17, 2019

Excellent bottles! thanx for posting them. I have never seen a Vernors bottle like that one, with those number markings on the bottom. They seem to be very faint. could it be just a 'stock' kind of bottle that they used back then?

SODABOB · Jan 17, 2019

Keith

Good to hear from you again. Its been almost two years since any of us posted to this thread. I can't recall if we discussed this previously, but I wouldn't be surprised if some of your bottles were made in and imported from Europe, especially from England. Particularly those with an applied finish/closure. The so called "slop over" aspect I see on at least one of your bottles is generally an indication the bottle is of European origin. (Notice where I placed a red arrow on the center bottle). If I were to thoroughly research the origin of your bottles that have an applied finish/closure and feature the "slop over" I would take a close look at European bottles made between circa 1905 and 1920. Another thing I would do is to see if you can find a reference where James Vernor might have had contact with European bottle makers and/or European producers of ginger ale. Based on what I know about the subject, it appears that ginger ale originated in Europe. Following are some attachments that might shed some light on subject.

Your bottles with red arrow pointing to "Slop Over"

Vernor Ginger Ale Bottles Keith Forum.jpg

Sample of applied finish/closure with "Slop Over"
From Sha.org

From Sha.org. Notice mention of "ginger ale"

SODABOB · Jan 17, 2019

P.S.

Any bottle with an unusually "long neck" might also be an indication of a bottle made in Europe.

Vernors Ginger Ale 150th B-Day

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