1930s "The Lions" soda bottle

[Canadacan]

Yea I just looked again...I'm a 100% certain!....You can tell by the shadow. I zoomed in and checked by manipulating the contrast and it's a definitely an S.It was simply overlooked back in 2010 and strange he never mentioned it? It's the first Canadian bottle I've seen BY SGC...all my others are BY IPG.....that mat be a really really tough bottle to acquire.

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

I think the biggest mystery of all regarding this discussion pertains to the 1906 connection, and especially to the 1906 Brussels connection. Other than what it says on the bottles themselves, I can find no indication that Lions mineral water nor the Van brothers were in operation in 1906. And yet we cannot deny the 1906 date is obviously connected in some way. As I said earlier, something definitely took place in Brussels in 1906. While searching for clues I discovered one of the most often mentioned brands of mineral water to receive an award in Brussels in 1906 was a brand from Serbia called "Bukovicka Banja," which is an historic spa that's still in operation today. I couldn't find a picture of one of their bottles, but I did find the attached ad that kept popping up during many of my searches. Somewhere on the label it apparently says something about their 1906 Brussels award. And even though I have done an exhaustive search to try and find out what type of exhibition or convention took place in Brussels in 1906 to account for the awards, I have yet to find anything to explain it. I'm convinced the 1906 date related to the Lions mineral water is legitimate, but unfortunately cannot find anything to substantiate it other than what it says on the bottles themselves. [ Bukovicka Banja Mineral Water ~ Serbia ~ Exact date unknown but most likely early 1900s ]

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

P.S. If you do a simple Google search using the words Bukovicka Banja Brussels 1906, it will pull up a seemingly endless list of references, most of which say ... "Bukovi?ka mineral water won its first quality awards as early as 1906, in Brussels and later on in 1907, in London." I have only tapped into a handful of the listings, but one of them might have more details as to what went on in Brussels in 1906.

 

[Canadacan]

Yes very interesting Bob!...I went back into the directory archives last night and was able to confirm the other years listings, I only had from 1924- they were at 1955 Commercial st. ....the other years for this address 1921,22,23 inclusive to 1926. The earliest listing 1920, 1502 Venables st.....same address as the newspaper advertisement.I just can't locate any earlier listings.Well here is a theory...the Van Bros....Dutch obviously brought the brand to Canada?...from? That is a remote possibility....and would explain the Brussels medal 1906 claimed on the bottle.

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

CC In the directories you are referring to, are there any first names for the Van brothers?

 

[Canadacan]

1920 list this : Van Henry C.- of Van Bros Van Herbert- cider mfg. No listing for either names in 1919....I would assume these are the brothers.

 

[Canadacan]

And this for 1921......... [attachment=0697_Vancouver_Pag...Van bros. 1921.jpeg]

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

CC: Thanks for the names. I have a subscription to Ancestry.com and found what might be both of the brothers who were listed as residents in Vancouver in 1921. The only problem is, I would have to pay more and upgrade my subscription to "International" status in order to see any details. All it showed me was a snippet with ... Henry Van ~ Born 1881 ~ 40 years old in 1921 ~ Vancouver, B.C. ResidenceHerbert Van ~ Born 1884 ~ 37 years old in 1921 ~ Vancouver, B.C. Residence

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

P.S. But these might not even be the right Van's because it would mean ... Henry was 25 years old in 1906Herbert was 22 years old in 1906 ???

 

[Canadacan]

Well those ages and years seem to make sense to me because the company ceased to exist past 1951...so old Henry would have been 71. The directories don't always list all the info... but jumping ahead to 1929, Henry C. cider mkr. is listed but I don't see his brother.Those ages for 1906 also make sense for them to have won an award in Brussels for their mineral water. Going on the theory I mentioned.I did come across a Lions Bottling works in B.C.???.... Grand Forks BC 1900-1914 Greenwood BC & Rossland BC 1900-1905 Could be a real stretch if there is any relation at all....but never say never right![]I was looking last night at that Brussels info but did not come up with anything at all..in fact I think I hurt my brain!..lol[]