BIG CHIEF SODA BOTTLES ~ EARLIEST & LATEST ~ EMBOSSED & ACLs

[SODAPOPBOB]

Michael I hear what you're saying and took all of that into consideration before starting this thread. And even though I said this is a free-for-all, my main focus is to draw out bottles like the one Lisa posted, which is a new one for me, but especially to try and find ... 1. The earliest and latest embossed Big Chief2. The earliest and latest ACL Big Chief It's one thing to assume the earliest embossed Big Chief is dated 1925, but something altogether different to actually find one with that date on it. I currently have about 50 Big Chief ACLs, but only one embossed example. Speaking for myself, because the embossed bottles seem to be abundant and for the most part affordable, I am considering adding a number of the embossed bottles to my collection, which is also part of the reason I started this thread so as to see what others had. Thanks for the input - it is very much appreciated. And, yes, I'm known as SODABOTTLEBOB on TreasureNet. But here is where I usually hang my hat because TreasureNet doesn't necessarily focus on soda bottles and just lumps everything together under "Glass."

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

P.S. We're not likely to see ads like this on TreasureNet nor on very many other websites. I am posting them exclusively on AntiqueBottles.net. This is just one of many I intend to post as this thread progresses. From ... Mt Vernon Register-News ~ Mt Vernon, Illinois ~ July 3, 1953

 

[LisaTammy]

I love this thread. Here in the U.P. of Michigan I have dug up so many different varieties of sodas, a few of which are embossed. I never realized they had that many brands of soda back then. Bye the way Bob was Mountain Dew a Southern thing when it first started I can dig one here for nothing.Lisa

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

Bye the way Bob was Mountain Dew a Southern thing when it first started I can dig one here for nothing.Lisa

Lisa Mt Dew originated in 1948 in Tennessee, which by most accounts is considered the upper south. There is a great deal of information on the Internet about the history of Mt Dew, with one of the best examinations being compiled by forum member Morbious_fod. Here's the link to one of his many interesting articles ... http://www.tazewell-orange.com/dewlegndpart1.html By the way, exactly what did you mean when you said "I can dig one here for nothing"

 

[LisaTammy]

Means I can't type LOL. I meant I Can't dig one here for anything.Lisa

 

[sunrunner]

I've found them in nj but they were not old enough at the time . dug one in ohio and wile snorkeling found one in Florida .

 

[M.C.Glass]

I have one Big Chief embossed like the 1925 patent. It's an OI bottle made in Oakland, CA in 1941. It has Twin Falls, Ida on the bottom. Not the earliest or latest, but she's a beauty.

 

[sandchip]

Great stuff, especially the root beer stand. Merchandising at its best.

 

[iggyworf]

MCglass your bottle looks mint, like it was never used. Beautiful!!

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

Thanks to everyone for your participation thus far.

The 1941 bottle that MCglass posted is a good example of just how long they continued using the same style. If I could find one like it issued in 1925-1926 and in near mint condition, I'd probably buy it.

So far, the earliest date I have been able to find for an embossed Big Chief is this one currently on eBay. The seller doesn't know it, but if he's reading the numbers properly, his bottle was made by the Graham Glass Company in 1928. Unfortunately, the pictures he posted are so poor that its hard to see what the bottle looks like let alone the condition it's in. But based on his description, it doesn't appear to be in that great of shape, especially at his asking price of $31.49. This goes back to what I was saying about patent dates vs. issue dates. It would be nice if sellers knew more about the bottles they were listing, but I suppose we've all been down that road before and its likely not to change. Its especially comical to see a listing saying a bottle is from the 1920s or 1930s and then see a picture of the base showing it's an obvious 1940s bottle.

Here's the seller's description and link to the listing ...

"This is a vintage Big Chief 8 inch Aqua Soda bottle. It is from Sedalia Mo. It says COCA COLA BOTTLING CO.6(orG)28 3784E SEDALIA MO. It is in nice condition with very few abrasion marks on it. Any questions please email."

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-BIG-CHIEF-AQUA-8-in-SODA-BOTTLE-SEDALIA-MO-/291208825157?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43cd660945


The first picture is, of course, of the bottle, and the second image is of the Graham Glass Company date codes. Notice near the bottom ...

G ++ Heel? All Plants Coca Cola 1927 Porter (1996:4)

Also notice what the ++ represent

Note: The bottom sentence of the codes did not copy completly, but it says ...

+
+ Frequently, the "E" and "G" are separated in the coding (e.g. 1865E G25).