EARLY ROYAL CROWN GINGER ALE PAPER LABEL

[iggyworf]

That's cool. I also checked out all the sanborn maps of the area. And was going to post them, but went to the cottage for the weekend. Just got back.

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

Rich / iggy I'm surprised there isn't more information available for the various locations that Claud Hatcher occupied and built. You'd think historians in Columbus, Georgia would be all over that sort of thing. Speaking of a lack of information, the same can be said for the Melo line of flavored beverages. About the only thing I can find for it are brief entries in the various histories we've seen, most of which state it was introduced in 1923. But because there are bottle caps, then I have to believe there are also some paper labels for it. It would have been too early for acls and they must have identified it in some manner. If there are Melo Grape and Melo Orange paper labels out there, they must be super rare. Even though most of the histories say Melo was introduced in 1923 and developed into Nehi around 1924, the earliest ad I have been able to find is from ... The Davidsonian ~ Davidson, North Carolina ~ November 23, 1922 I wasn't sure about the word "Pre-Eminent" but discovered it means "Superior, unequaled quality"

 

[iggyworf]

Yeah, I was never able to find anything on 'Melo' when I looked. That would be great to find a label or bottle cap.
Hey did you ever see this ebay listing?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121593564384?_trksid=p2060353.m1431.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
I bid on one just to add it to the early Claud Hatcher royal crown label for display. He even added the brand 'Melo' in his brief description of RC history.

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

Speaking of historical side notes, did ja know that John Stith Pemberton, inventor of Coca Cola, also had roots in Columbus, Georgia where he did his first experiments? It's ironic that two of the top colas, namely Coca Cola and Royal Crown Cola, both had beginnings in Columbus. Pemberton is even buried in Columbus!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Pemberton

According to Coca Cola historian, Phil Mooney, Pemberton's world-famous soda was "created in Columbus, Georgia and carried to Atlanta."

~ * ~


The Pemberton house is a historic landmark in Columbus, Georgia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pemberton_House_(Columbus,_Georgia

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

Rich: I've seen those Chero-Cola labels but haven't bought one, yet. They seem to be readily available, which, in a way, just adds to the rarity of our ginger ale labels.

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

Speaking of Chero-Cola paper labels ... Currently on eBay ~ Ends tomorrow ~ Bid $750 ~ or Buy It Now for $1,000 http://www.ebay.com/itm/271868669014?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT (Cool label but I think I'll pass on it - Too much denaro in my opinion)

 

[iggyworf]

WOW! That's a very cool label, but you are right. 750 is way to much scratch for me. Do you think its worth that much? I have never seen that one before.

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

All things considered, I can't image even an advanced Chero-Cola collector with deep pockets paying more than about $200 for such a label. I think the seller was just testing the waters and that it will eventually be relisted at a lower price. But its definitely cool, especially with the Union eagle on it. That's no doubt a carry-over from the Union Bottling Works that was established around 1905. He's probably right in that it dates from around 1912-1914. It might even be the very first Chero-Cola label.

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

Included here are a couple of Royal Crown related bottles that recently sold on eBay ... The first one was brought to my attention by member iggyworf/Rich and is a green glass, paper label, Royal Crown Ginger Ale that sold for $20. It was made by Owens-Illinois but I'm not certain if the digit is a 1 or a 7 but my guess is that its a 1 for 1931. The second bottle is an embossed Union Bottling Works bottle from Columbus, Georgia that sold for $31 which, as we know, was established by Claud Hatcher around 1905 and was the forerunner for Chero-Cola and Royal Crown. I would likely have bought this bottle if not for the nasty chip on the lip.
EBay Royal Crown Ginger Ale

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Royal-Crown-Soda-Bottle-Green-Partial-Label-9-1-tall-ginger-ale-/331660457472?hash=item4d3880f600&nma=true&si=4hUc54qdefW5JXgYRJpTMcDO1kU%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Ebay Union Bottling Works

http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNION-BOTTLING-WORKS-COLUMBUS-GA-BOTTLE-BECAME-CHERO-/301744625707?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=AwbLD33sRm2J6102AxJjJeTDN4c%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
[Attachments] 1. Royal Crown Ginger Ale2. Royal Crown Ginger Ale Base3. Union Bottling Works

 

[dbv1919]

I like the green, looks like a 31 to me.