We were swamped with calls when we asked for local Coca-Cola collectors to tell us about their collections. Here are just a few:
Phyllis Fox
How long have you been collecting?
Ten or 15 years, 20 years. I worked back in the ’90s for a moving company, and we handled the relocation of Coke employees and I got hung up on it, started collecting.
How many pieces do you have?
I’ve got a lot of the Christmas decoration things, all kinds of different bottles — like the Coke bottle with the radio in it (or) with the umbrella in it. A friend of mine was in Okinawa, Japan, and brought one with the writing from Japan on it. Just all kinds of stuff. I have a puzzle a friend of mine put together years ago.
What’s your favorite piece?
All of them. I have about five different clocks — wall clocks. One is like a baseball game, a couple are round like Coke caps, one that’s a shadow box — a pendulum clock — and one that’s got a clock like an old store.
Wayne Miller
How long have you been collecting?
Since the ’70s.
How many pieces do you have?
About seven or eight bottles, old signs and an antique Cavalier dispenser.
What’s your favorite piece?
The 1953 dispenser from Jack Latimer’s store on U.S. 129; Miller keeps it stocked with longneck beer (the Coke bottles for it are obsolete) that dispenses for a dime. He’ll spot visitors the dime.
Carol Hagood
How long have you been collecting?
Nearly 20 years.
How many pieces do you have?
About 100 items.
What’s your favorite piece?
A Sprite Boy grammar school writing tablet.
Joe Woodall
How long have you been collecting?
Been collecting for 30 years.
How many pieces do you have?
Too many items to estimate.
What’s your favorite piece?
Favorite item is a deck of uncirculated Coca-Cola trading cards.
Jake Carter
How long have you been collecting?
A recent collector (Carter is 14).
How many pieces do you have?
Several items; not sure how many.
What’s your favorite piece?
Can’t name just one favorite thing.
Dan Summer
How long have you been collecting?
Been collecting for about 12 years.
How many pieces do you have?
About 10 antique chest coolers.
What’s your favorite piece?
Can’t name just one favorite item.
Hoyt Brookshire
How long have you been collecting?
Collecting for nearly 30 years.
How many pieces do you have?
Lost count a long time ago.
What’s your favorite piece?
A tie between the Bear Bryant, Babyland and Vidalia Sweet Onion commemorative bottles.
Andrew Williams
How long have you been collecting?
My uncle was executive supervisor at the Coca-Cola plant in Concord, N.C., and it kind of leaned over on us. ... My aunt, her and her husband years ago were designing prototypes for Coca-Cola and if Coca-Cola liked them, they would assign the patent to it. ... I remember going, when I was age 3 to about 7, going to the Coca-Cola company in Concord. My mom’s twin brother was executive supervisor; he had his own office and he would give us tours and stuff.
How many pieces do you have?
Two articles now — (one is) a six-pack from 1899, the bottles with the cork in them. These are very small. ... it also has advertising package, with all the dates in thick cardboard with individual dates. Then I have a Coca-Cola and Mickey Mouse serving tray. It’s got Mickey’s ears and capital letters, and it says "Nationwide tour brought to you by Coca-Cola." It’s to celebrate Mickey’s 75th birthday. This is all the stuff I have so far.
What’s your favorite piece?
I like the bottles. I found them in Gwinnett County at another lady’s house that I had talked to. They have a patent on the magnet that holds the tray up for display; that’s with (the set).
Jim and Pat Benson
How long have you been collecting?
Ten or 12 years. The bonus room above the garage is loaded, plus there are boxes in the basement filled with more items.
How many pieces do you have?
Fifty or so of Coca-Cola signs, framed pictures. ... The bonus room has Coke lights on the ceiling, pictures, plaques and all kinds of little doodads. There’s an old drink box, a bunch of little clocks — stuff all over the place.
What’s your favorite piece?
Either a telephone or a cookie jar, one or the other.
Compiled by
Michelle Boaen Jameson
and Kristen Morales