BIB LABEL ~ WHAT IS IT AND/OR WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

[SODAPOPBOB]

Everything I'm seeing so far is described as a bottle "topper" like the 7up example I posted earlier. The majority of these "toppers" set high on the bottle's neck and were intended as eye-catching store displays. But some were like those shown here that hung down from the bottle's neck like a "bib." Maybe what Charles Grigg and crew called a bib label in the 1920s is what was later called a bottle "topper" ???

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

This is where I read about the placards that hung from grocery store light fixtures From ... The Oshkosh Daily Northwestern ~ Oshkosh, Wisconsin ~ May 27, 1967

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

P.S. Because whoever wrote that article seemed to know specifically what was written on the placards, I have reason to believe that either he or his source must have known what they were talking about. Hence, I feel the Bib-Label placards probably existed and that examples of them might still be around today.

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

Notice in this cropped portion of the 1967 article where it describes the Bib Label placards as being black-and-white. Also notice where it says ... "The placards featured the benefits of the product in counteracting gastric acidity and other internal complaints." I'm not sure when the attached 7up placard was made, but because it uses "Lithiated Lemon Soda" it probably dates prior to about 1936 which is about the time they dropped the term "Lithiated" and shortened it to just 7up. I'm thinking this placard might be a close cousin to the Bib Label placards mentioned in the newspaper article, but was a second generation example after they stopped using the name Bib Label. Notice the placard has a hole in the top for hanging.

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

Check this out - currently on eBay for $1,299.99 http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-1930s-ART-DECO-NUDE-7-UP-TIN-LITHO-SODA-ADVERTISING-SIGN-PIN-UP-ANTIQUE-/201369770932?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ee292dbb4

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

By the way, the eBay sign measures 20" x 10" and is smaller than I previously thought

 

[iggyworf]

Good work Bob. I always kinda thought 'bib label' had something to do with those bottle toppers.That sign is awesome. Would love to have it.

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

I want to focus for a moment on these lines from the "Lithiated Lemon & Limes Soda" bottle cap I posted earlier where it says ... "This was the first 7up crown and used while the 7up trademark was pending."

"Within the Howdy Corporation the product was also referred to as Bib Label Lithiated Lemon & Lime Soda." With particular emphasis where it says "Within the Howdy Corporation" Maybe, just maybe, when the product was first distributed it wasn't called "Bib Label" at all. Maybe "Bib Label" was a sort of nickname within the company and its actual market name was "Lithiated Lemon & Limes Soda" If, as the person says in this reference, this cap was the first 7up crown used while the 7up trademark was pending, then why doesn't it have the words "Bib Label" on it?

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

Notice in these two 7up trademark documents ... 1. There is no mention of "Bib Label" 2. Both say "Continuously used since August 7, 1928" Note: August 7, 1928 is the earliest date I am aware of for anything even remotely related to 7up [ Images courtesy of member Morbious_fod ]

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

The August 7, 1928 date gives reason for me ask ... If, as most references claim, 7up was first introduced two weeks prior to the stock market crash in October of 1929, then how do we account for the official documentation regarding the August 7, 1928 date? The documentation even says the name was used on labels, etc; which leads me to believe there was an actual product being produced at that time. Now I'm wondering if that 1928 product was "Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon Lime Soda" or "7up" ?