Friday, July 16, 2010

Vintage Finds: Soda Pop Bottles



Let's go back in time, shall we? Remember when at the "corner store" there was a gigantic cooler, rectangular or square, metal and the size of grandma's dining room table? They were around waist high, that you could see through the glass top down into the bottles all in little rows for the chute?

And remember when you put your coins in (yes, coins, just a few!) then would watch your bottle come on down through the cooler to your waiting hands?

Remember when....bottles were glass....and the soda inside stayed so COLD...and the sweat on the bottle felt wonderful on your hands on a hot day?


We didn't know it then, but soon we wouldn't see things like this any longer. We just didn't know that they were each little works of modern art.


And some of us saved those beauties...my husband being one of those people.
This is just a part of his collection.

We both come from a long line of "American Pickers"....for real. My grandparents, my parents, both his parents, we just can't help ourselves...we like to save American history.



The graphics are irresistible.




SQUIRT: with swirled and ripply green glass...such curvy bottles!



Some are plainer, utilitarian, but still, they held beautiful colors of soda pop on the inside, so there was no need for much on the outside!




This one has braids...







And Michiganders will recognize this old brand...
something that once was exclusive to us.



Something that was especially present when someone was sick, this bottle with the little elf seemed to be a magic potion when all you could eat was soda crackers, Vernor's Ginger Ale just came to be paired with it when your tummy was recovering.




And who doesn't remember 10, 2 and 4?




I had an older brother who thought Mountain Dew was the greatest, but my dad thought it was "evil". Really, I'm not kidding.








I don't remember this brand, anybody out there know what sort of soda this was? 7-Up-ish? Mountain-Dew-ish?







Here's another Michigan brand...M & S. It's got the picture of both Michigan Peninsulas on the brand and if I remember correctly, it came in many flavors: to my delight.













Having any memories come flooding back? Let me know!






This Squirt label is one of my favorite...



I don't remember this brand; but I am totally lovin' the bottle design and the logo.
It's just plain cute!







This little one is shorter and chubbier than most...







Oh, yuck, how did a Pepsi get into the picture? Where's my COKE?!?



Okay, Pepsi, you've had your chance to shine...now, step off the stage!


Programming note: for all kinds of vintage eye-candy, watch the movie "Catch Me if You Can" you won't be disappointed. It's full of cars, clothing, all of the neat old buildings, and on top of that based a true story, too, embellished just a little, I'm sure.

16 comments:

Becky said...

You are right, Upper 10 was like 7-UP or Sprite. We had friends that would bring in Vernor's when they made a trip north (back to W. Va.). I love Vernor's, but the first drink *always* made me sneeze. Go figure!
Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Becky

Unknown said...

I was getting worried you didn't have SQUIRT, but it is there ... what a great collection. You've got several I've never heard of before. Ahhh! yes! memories of the days when things were simple & enjoyed so much more.

Have a beautiful weekend.
TTFN ~ Marydon

aimee said...

I LOVE these memories!! Oh yes - I would love to have the glass soda pop bottles back:)
Blessings,
Aimee

Cheyenne said...

Yes, these would be awesome to have around again! We found a ton around my great Grandpa's homestead and they are proudly on display in my kitchen. Love 'em! :) Thanks for sharing!

Recycled Cottage & Garden said...

I remember most of those. Now I know why it was impossible to find Vernors down here in TX...didn't know it was a MI brand. We had a local bottler in Wyoming, MI, suburb of Grand Rapids. They made all the fruity type flavors of pop and sasparilla and cream soda too. I just can't remember the name of their company....must eb oldtimer's disease...lol

Nana's Fun Stuff said...

Wow did that just bring back memories from when I was a little tyke!! Made me remember a few more things and just smile. Thanks!!

Jeanette said...

Those bottles brought back a lot of memories! Byt hey! Don't dis the pepsi...my favorite! Coke blah, pepsi yum!!

Bloggin bout my Boys said...

Anyone from Michigan especially the Detroit area remember TOWN CLUB POP....where you would go to a supplier and pick a case of all those funky flavors and take a case of the bright colored sweetness home in a wood crate? My Grandpa and Grandma always had some when I visited and I think the orange pineapple was a fave. We have several of those bottles,Joni and I am inspired to go take a peek at the hubby's collection now!Thanks for the post!

Erin said...

Love them.

Dar said...

Such a fantastic trip down memory lane...I remember and have the Squirt, 7-Up, Nesbitt's Orange, Mt. Dew, Pepsi and I have your Coke bottle. The Patio bottle is so awesome. What a great time this was. Thanks for the memories. I remember my aunt Clara having one of those pop coolers in her ice cream shop.
Have a Cool Drink Weekend

Unknown said...

Mt Dew -- it'll tickle your innards!

My favorite! When I was a kid, it wasn't sold in TN, so every time we visited family in NC, that's all I'd drink. A friend gave me an old Mt Dew bottle a few years ago. It has the hillbilly on it that I remember from my childhood.

Remember when you could return the bottle and they'd pay you a few pennies on the spot? My husband grew up near one of those little country stores, which stored their returned bottles out behind the back. My sweetie--in his wayward youth--would take some of those bottles and turn them in again for the money! Luckily, he has since reformed!

Donna said...

I loved seeing this collection! Wow, sure brought back the memories! We didn't have sodas very often as a kid, but when we did, they were quite a treat!

Molly Betsy @ Star Cottage said...

What a fabulous bottle collection. Thanks for sharing it. Patio and Up town are my faves. Never heard of either of them.

TX Doodler said...

Thanks for the memories...ahhh, nothing like a cold bottle of Coke! This all reminded me of one of my favorite commercials as a girl-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfU17niXOG8

I kept my Bi-Centennial 7up bottle for years. It brought back great memories of the celebrations of that day. At some point I parted with it during a spring cleaning frenzy.

My younglings just discovered a song called "Bottle caps" they sing it constantly. Asked Daddy & me what a bottle cap was & we both were touched that they don't have those anymore. So I bought them cold bottles of Dr Pepper from Dublin TX. (Which is still made with original formula & real cane sugar). They thought they were cool, but not overly impressed. Sigh....

mary your sis said...

When we were travelling a few weeks ago in Hagerstown, MD, we stopped to get gas at a BP Station, (since I think we shouldn't boycott them when they provide so many jobs). Anyway, I went in to buy a snack since it was boiling hot outside. I was pleasantly surprised to find glass bottles of soda. I got a Coke for my hubby and an orange crush for myself. I'd forgotten how slippery glass bottles can be and almost dropped them on the way to the cashier. I'm with you: I just think pop tastes better, crisper, colder out of a glass bottle. We really enjoyed each sentimental sip! I'd forgotten about the M&S Brand and how it filled us with pride to see the logo bearing our own state! Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

Greenmare said...

Nesbit!! Yes! I remember standing in the river drinking a Nesbit orange and holding a bamboo fishing pole! my brother was standing next to me holding a matching pole and a 7up.
my honey remembers glass bottles of coke in his high school, whoever at the table had the one with the city closest to their home town printed ont he bottom had to return all the bottles for their table. :-)