Help with Hobbleskirt ID

[hemihampton]

P.S. / Leon

Even though I found several of the G20 bottles from Detroit, none of them included a photo of the heel-mark - only descriptions. However, I did find this 576 EG 23 from Detroit. If we accept that 20=1920 and 23=1923, then it goes without saying that this bottle is two years later than yours. (Duh ). But it does raise a few questions about your Detroit bottle and others like it ...

1. Where was your G20 bottle made? (I don't know but maybe you and/or someone else does)
2. Why did they add the 576 EG to Detroit bottles in 1923? (Possibly earlier?)
3. Likely the E stands for Evansville - but what about the G?

I can only speak for myself, but unless we find something to explain all of this, I don't think we will ever figure it out on our own.

Bob

my other 1915 Detroit Coke sez 576 EG26. Then my other one has so much case wear at bottom cant read it? I'm guessing Graham 1920 but don't know what plant made it? LEON.

P.S. Did you notice all 3 of my 1915 Detroit Cokes had different bottoms? seemed odd I thought?

 

[SODABOB]

Thanks, Leon

Maybe one of these days someone will be able to figure it all out. I guess all we can do in the meantime is keep on keep'n on and see where the rabbit jumps out next ...

Bob

 

[Ivybriana]

Thanks, Leon

Maybe one of these days someone will be able to figure it all out. I guess all we can do in the meantime is keep on keep'n on and see where the rabbit jumps out next ...

Bob

So the started actually producing and selling the bottles in Nov 2015? That’s what it says here. So then theoretically....a year of Root only manufacturing would end in Nov 2016...which isn’t the end of the year....(you can see where I’m going with this, right???!)

 

[SODABOB]

The part in the newspaper article where it says "made its first appearance on the market in November of 1915" is either a typo on the reporter's part or else they were misinformed. November of 1915 is when the bottle was patented. The bottle wasn't voted on and selected until the Coca Cola convention that was held in Atlanta in January of 1916. I don't know the exact month it was first put on the market, but the earliest reference we have seen is the September 19, 1916 article from Evansville, Indiana where it was described as a "trial bottle." Something I have been looking for that is often quoted is the claim that the Coca Cola Company first sent out the memo to the bottle makers, including Root, that they wanted everyone to submit a new bottle design that was distinctive and would be used as the standardized bottle for Coca Cola. That memo is said to have gone out in 1913, which is what I have been looking for but haven't found yet.

Bob

 

[SODABOB]

Speaking of entries submitted for the new design that was to be voted on, Gary Salb claims that his grandfather submitted this one. Be sure and click on all of the images, especially the video ...

Graham Glass Company

Rare Coca Cola Prototype Bottle Will Appear at the 2014 Findlay Ohio Bottle Show

History and photos of the rare prototype Coca Cola bottle design that did NOT get chosen in the 1916 contest to come up with a bottle anyone would know on sight, or by feel. Tons of links and info.

finbotclub.blogspot.com

Bob

 

[SODABOB]

This is from Cecil Munsey's 1972 book (page 57) that talks about the 1913 letter. Even though original copies of the letter may not still exist, I'm currently looking for one and/or a reference to one from a primary source in 1913. Munsey's account is fairly specific, with names, etc. and is the best clue to finding one of the letters that I am aware of.

Bob

 

[SODABOB]

Reminder: The Coca Cola Co. says the idea for a new bottle was in 1912 and that the letter was sent out in 1914. So, I'm not sure which of the dates is accurate, Munsey's 1913 or Coca Cola's 1914.

The History of the Coca-Cola Contour Bottle - News & Articles

One of the most famous shapes in the world is the iconic contour fluted lines of the Coca-Cola bottle. Check out this story and more news from The Coca-Cola Company.

www.coca-colacompany.com

Bob

 

[SODABOB]

More clues about the letter. This article was published in 1995 and says the letter was sent out in 1913. However, I think they used the Munsey book for that information. This is an example of what I referred to earlier as a "secondary source." I'm hoping to find a primary source between 1912 and 1914.

https://www.in.gov/history/files/7033.pdf

Bob

 

[SODABOB]

Close but no cigar yet. / Earl R. Dean book / Harold Hirch letter? / Secondary source

April 26, 1915?

Bob

 

[SODABOB]

P.S.

I'm not sure when Benjamin Franklin Thomas voiced his request for a new bottle, but it should be noted that he passed away in June of 1914.