Kovels’ Top 20 list of antiques and collectibles is based on the results of hundreds of thousands of searches that took place on Kovels.com. During June 2015, collectors found prices for:
1) Fenton glass
4) Bavaria
6) Wedgwood
7) Delft
8) Coca-Cola
9) Dinnerware
10) Hull pottery
12) Stove
13) Banks
14) Pepsi-Cola
15) Lamps
16) Haeger pottery
17) Trunks
18) Belleek
19) Satsuma pottery
20) Scales
It’s been a great year for antique advertising. Colorful signs with eye-catching graphics command lots of attention from collectors. Prices for large advertising signs, enameled metal signs and die-cut cardboard advertising are all up.
Readers of Kovels’ Top 20 lists know that Coca-Cola advertising (No. 8) is consistently sought after by collectors. Several major collections of Coca-Cola advertising have been sold that included some rare, old pieces. A 1900 Coca-Cola calendar in mint condition sold for $210,000 at a Pennsylvania auction, setting a record price. It pictured a woman reading a letter and holding a glass of Coke.
Coke advertising is an art form that traces the style and fashions of American life over the past 125 years, from the late 1880s, when Coke was first served, to the present. Many Coke pieces can be dated from the fashions and slogans. Collectors often specialize in a particular type of Coca-Cola collectible. They look for bottles, bottle carriers, openers and coolers, serving and tip trays, glassware, calendars, clocks, radios, thermometers, toys, signs of all kinds, and much, much more. But beware, there are many fake and fantasy Coca-Cola items being sold.
This die-cut cardboard display sign is from the 1920s and pictures a stylish woman in an oversized wicker chair enjoying a “delicious and refreshing” Coke. The sign, now framed, is 35 inches high by 25 inches wide, and was meant to stand on the floor with its easel back. It effervesced at a James D. Julia auction, selling for $11,850.
Find prices of more Coca-Cola collectibles in the free online price guide at Kovels.com.
I have a round Coca-Cola thermometer, has both Fahrenheit and celcius and the sprite boy. I have found a lot online similar but this one says assembled in Mexico. All the ones I have found all say Ohio or U.S.A on them. Looking for approximate value. Very good condition and working. Thank you.