No comments about Goldstein's Coca-Cola Collectibles: An Illustrated Value Guide.

1 comments about B.J. Summers' Pocket Guide to Coca-Cola (B J Ummer's Pocket Guide to Coca-Cola).

1. This is a very interesting little book and was the perfect gift for my son, a life-time coke fan and a guy who has everything. Thanks.

1 comments about Coca-Cola: The Collector's Guide to New and Vintage Coca-Cola Memorabilia.

1. i thought it was a great book and i would recomend it to any one who colects coca cola items

No comments about Coca-Cola Memorabilia (The Collector's Corner).

1 comments about Warman's Coca Cola Collectibles: Identification And Price Guide (Warmans Coca Cola Collectibles).

1. This is his latest Coca Cola pricing guide. All pictures are in color, unlike his big book that mixes color and b&w photos. It has helped me with my large CC colection but is far from being as complete as is his 11th volume. It is a good guide. BB

2 comments about Encyclopedia of Coca Cola Trays an Unaut (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. I purchase this book to take to auctions and garage sales. It really helped me find some good deals on some trays. The pictures are very accurate and easy to find.



2. I love this book. I am a collector of the old trays. A must have.!!!

4 comments about The Sparkling Story of Coca-Cola: An Entertaining History Including Collectibles, Coke Lore, and Calendar Girls.

1. I recieved this wonderful book as a Christmas gift. What an enjoyable read! Full of enjoyable tidbits that every Cokeaholic would love to know. From the history of Soda Fountain beginnings to the pop culture icon Coca-Cola has become. The Sparkling Story of Coca-Cola covers it all. A visual feast of historic photographs and illustrations accompany the well written text.



2. The Sparkling Story of Coca-Cola will delight all those who would like to know the origins of the world's favorite soft drink and see many delightful early examples of advertising and promotional materials. One of my favorite museums with a commercial focus is the Coca-Cola Museum in Atlanta. I was prepared to be disappointed with this book, assuming that it would have less material that I found at the museum. Instead, I found The Sparking Story of Coca-Cola to be much more detailed, easier to follow and with higher quality graphics than in the museum.

   The people who will be disappointed in this book are those who want to follow Coca-Cola's progress in detail from 1935 on. The book is a little sketchy for the last 68 years, but wonderfully detailed before that.

   The historical side of the book captures the development of carbonated soft drinks in drug stores from medicinal mineral waters and then connects how the formula for Coca-Cola emerged. Anyone who has wanted to understand about the cocaine and caffeine in the original formula will probably have their thirst for knowledge slaked. There also plenty of educated guesses about what the rest of the ingredients are now.

   The book goes on to explain the transition into distributing the syrup around the country, bottling and supermarket distribution. I found all of these explanations to be thorough, without being dense, and interesting without trying to be cute.

   The illustrations are what really made the book for me. In Coca-Cola's earliest days, the company was a pioneer in mass advertising. Although a fountain glass of Coca-Cola only cost five cents, that was a lot of money when the product first came out. With a sure instinct, the advertising portrayed attractive, healthy upper class young women with the product. These images appeared on trays, calendars and hand-outs. The quality of the reproductions is very fine. You can then see how these illustrations gravitated towards women celebrities and eventually towards ordinary looking young women. During times of trouble, boys were included.

   I also enjoyed the discussions of how Coca-Cola handled the challenges of sugar shortages and the Depression while maintaining its quality image and integrity.
   While many books about a product like Coca-Cola would ignore all competitors, this one has some material on the early soft drink makers like Hires for root beer and Schweppes. There's also some material on the challenge of Pepsi-Cola beginning in the 1930s. These references enriched the book for me.

   Those who are looking for an explanation of the Roberto Goizueta era at Coca-Cola will find little information, except for a discussion of the introduction of the failed new Coke. Bottling development and international expansion similarly lack much information beyond the initiation of both activities.

   So, as you can see, this is more than a coffee table book . . . and less than a complete history. It's just right for those who want to know more about one of their favorite beverages and enjoy the nostalgia of seeing interesting memorabilia from an earlier time.

   After you finish this book, think about other symbols that you relate to that once had a slightly "fast" image. Is that same image involved now? Is the change good or bad from your perspective?

   When you are in Atlanta, all those who enjoyed this book will probably also enjoy the museum there . . . especially tasting the flavors of Coca-Cola products from around the world.




3. This product arrived promptly and in brand-new condition as ordered. It was very nice and I'm sure my aunt-in-law will love it for Christmas.



4. What a delightful book. Coke got a head start on the Varsity Drive-In in terms of Atlanta's historical review, but somewhere in the late 1920's their forces joined and grew to be major influences in the Atlanta market as well as world wide sales. I remember my mother sending me to the A&P in Buckhead in the late 1940's to buy a 6-pack of bottled Coke for 29 cents. It wasn't easy riding a bike and carrying the carton of Coke for nearly a mile ride, but the reward when I got home was well worth the effort. Sizes and advertising changed over the decades. But the taste was always the same until that fateful day when New Coke hit the market. At the time, I was teaching a marketing test at the local community college and half the class could tell the difference between new Coke and Pepsi. They were split down the middle in terms of taste preference. The book is a marvelous read. It takes through the founding pharmacist, the soda fountain and soda jerk era. The impact of the automobile and the constant harrassment by the government and taxation. Those lucky bottlers who started in Vicksberg and Valdosta and then the very lucky bottler who purchased the right to be exclusive bottlers world wide. The influence of the calendars, blotters, outdoor thermometers and even the accepted characture of our beloved American Santa Claus can all be attributed to the magic of coke. So get your hands out of your pocket, order the triology and get to reading. And don't forget to order The Sparkling Stroy that I have reviewed. You can get it for the same price as a 12 pack of Coke,

5 comments about B.J. Summers Guide to Coca-Cola Seventh Edition (B J Summer's Guide to Coca Cola Identification).

1. Pros: Extensive selection of signs and cardboard items with lots of nice colour photos throughout. Many items in this book aren't in Petrettis, so it makes a good companion. All up I am happy with this book and use it regularly to price and check items.
   
   Cons: The book is hoplessely laid out and it can be very hard to find items as it seems there is no logic to the order items are listed or displayed. It seems the entire book is largely made up from the collection of one or two private collections and as such prices can be inflated compared to market values, plus many items are missing simply because these collectors didn't feel they are important enough. As with most other Coca-cola collectors books this one is entirely US centric with very little information on foreign items.



2. We have quite a few old Coke signs and none were in this guide. We were disappointed to say the least.



3. This was a very helpful and informative guide to Coca-Cola collectibles. I would highly recommend it to any serious collector. Full of valuable information.



4. I recently had the opportunity to review another company's Coca Cola collectibles book, they too a well respected publisher of antique and collectibles books and there's no doubt about it, the B.J.Summers Sixth Edition guide has got that one beat hands down. This is a thoroughly beautiful book. Hardcover, thick, glossy stock pages, and fantastic photography highlight this book.
   
   The introduction provides legend keys to the condition as well as the source of the item's value which I think is very important. Summers lets the reader know if the value came from a collector, a completed auction, a dealer, or the author himself. The book then presents 46 different item categories, everything from signs, bottles, calendars and trays, to more eclectic items like Jewelry, no-drip protectors, and ashtrays. There's also a miscellaneous chapter for items that don't fit into one of the other 45 categories.
   
   I was absolutely fascinated by the number of items pictured in the book. With nearly 300 pages and as many as 10 items pictured per page, there are literally thousands of different Coke items pictured. The signage is simply fantastic, particularly those featuring celebrities such as Eddie Fisher and jazz musician Lionel Hampton. In all there are 82 pages of signs alone. Does it picture EVERY Coca Cola sign ever made? Of course not, but what book does? Still even if you have one that isn't pictured, you should be able to find one similar that you can use as a basis for value.
   
   I really enjoyed the section on coolers and those bright, red coolers of days gone by. I remembered the old Coke cooler we used to have back in the early 70's. Like a lot of people, I love the Coke Santa items, especially those great ads by Haddon Sundblom which look great framed and are still very affordable today.
   
   The problems are few and minor. The categories could have been laid out in alphabetical order but instead there seems to be little rhyme or reason to the order. That said, it's still a truly wonderful book that will delight collectors or just plain fans of nostalgia.
   
   Reviewed by Tim Janson



5. I love this book-I am a collector and it is informative, and I love to find the value of my collection.

1 comments about Warman's Coca-Cola Field Guide: Values and Identification (Warman's Field Guides).

1. This is a very helpful book just to keep in the glove compartment or in the vehicle with you when you are out and about looking for that elusive coke item.

5 comments about Petretti's Coca-Cola Collectibles Price Guide: The Encyclopedia of Coca-Cola Collectibles.

1. Alan Petretti has done a one up on his last Coca Cola Collectibles Price Guide. Easier to find items, more color pictures and just an overall informative guide. Each guide just gets better and better. These truly are the encyclopedia of Coca Cola collecting.



2. If it's one big, definitive collector's 'bible' you seek on Coca- Cola collecting, make it the 13th updated edition of the classic Petretti's Coca-Cola Collectibles Price Guide. For over three decades it has proven its richness in providing Coca- Cola collectors with definitive details: this latest edition packs in more color photos, the latest prices, and keys to avoiding fakes and reproductions. All types of collectibles are covered, making this a 'must have'.



3. I bought this book as a gift for my son. He tells me this is an awesome guide with so much information. He said it merits a very high recommendation.



4. This book was purchased for my brother. He is an avid Coca-Cola Collector. He was very impressed with the hardcover book. The picture quality was also very excellent. Any collector would be proud to add this book to their collection.



5. OK - so it's been almost ten years since my post on the last edition and a lot has happened to the Coca-Cola collectable marketplace. My ending comments on the market collapsing and the price points being at those of the guides from the 70's has occurred. But that is not all bad, as there has never been a better time for getting in the market as a COLLECTOR and a person that appreciates the heritage and sheer quality of vintage coca-cola memorabilia. A lot of great pieces are surfacing at more affordable prices and hopefully many new people are getting into the hobby. It is a GREAT time to join-in the fun of vintage Coca Cola memorabilia. So jump on in!
   
   Now for my thoughts on Allan's latest book. First off - thanks Allan for re-issuing a new guide and helping to keep the vintage market going. This book continues to be the ONLY book on the subject, and Allan continues with his pattern of putting out the best collectors guide on any subject around. Pictures are high quality and the coverage (though a bit less than prior editions) is still incredible. For a reference guide - this is THE book you want. As a price guide - it is another story.
   
   Unfortunately - Allan's prices continue to be out of sink with the market - so first and foremost don't rely on them at all. If you have a piece to sell - you'll be a bit disappointed if you think you can get anywhere near the prices in the guide. As always the mint and near mint items continue to maintain their value and in some instance can approach Allan's prices but in general even those items tend to be available at 50% - 60% of the prices in the guide. As for the items below near-mint - those can typically be obtained at 20% - 30% of the guide prices. As of January, 2010 - perhaps more than anything the tray market has really suffered. High quality signs seem to have retained their value the most - perhaps since they also have commercial value for restaurants and bars. Some of the best quality and most affordable merchandise can be purchased at Coca Cola collectors auctions where collectors understand the "real" pricing and are in it more for the thrill of the hunt and the history of the item - then trying to turn a fast buck.
   
   As a collector with a lot of early pieces - it is a bit disheartening that the value of my collection has really taken a hit - but the thrill of the hobby has returned as the ability to purchase at prices not seen for 25+ years makes me search even harder for that once-in a lifetime piece and that is what collecting is really about. There are great pieces still out there - so congratulations to those of you that love the hobby for the sake of the hobby - our time has returned! For those who were in it for the investment - rest assured prices will continue to rise again but understand that they probably will never realize those prices of the late-90's. Perhaps the best thing that has happened is that everyone has come to realize that the "new" collector pieces are junk and they've become so plentiful that no one wants them. As for the "quality" reproduction sign garbage available on eBay that is meant to "fool" people into thinking they have vintage pieces - why purchase a knock-off when you get the real thing at the lowest prices seen in years and have a real piece that has value not only for its imagery but for its age and collectablity. Remember there is nothing like the "Real Thing"....
   
   Comments are always welcome so feel free to email me at conapt@hotmail.com