Featured: Premium-quality soda fountain and soda pop signage plus the largest-ever offering of extremely rare Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola bottles, including prototypes and unique examples
DENVER, Pa. – On August 18-20, Morphy’s will serve up the latest edition of a perennial collector favorite: their colorful Soda Pop, Advertising & General Store Auction. With a production timeline that starts in the late 19th century, the three-day lineup is highlighted by a tremendous selection of rare antique Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola bottles, and premier soda fountain memorabilia from a time when the local soda shop or drug store was the place where everyone gathered to socialize over light refreshment.
In their earliest days, soda pop brands were fiercely competitive marketers, providing lavish ceramic syrup dispensers and vibrantly colorful advertising signs to establishments where their products were sold. Examples of those innovative promotional items – including more than 650 lots of Coca-Cola memorabilia – will be the objects of their own effervescent competition at Morphy’s, in a 1,780-offering that also includes signage publicizing ice cream, chewing gum and sweets; tobacco, alcoholic beverages, coffee and much more. Adding entertainment value to an already exciting array of goods, the sale also features 42 classic radios, including Bakelite and Catalin productions; and more than two dozen gum-vending machines.
Bubbling to the top layer of auction highlights is a Hires Root Beer “Munimaker” salesman’s sample dispenser. It is realistically constructed from marble, glass and nickel, with a zinc liner and coils inside, just like its full-size counterpart. Its globe, which is emblazoned “Drink Hires / It is Pure,” is clean and undamaged. This incredible piece of soda pop history has been graded 8.75+ out of 10 and is estimated at $30,000-$60,000.
Every Coca-Cola collector knows the circa 1914-1916 single-sided cardboard sign depicting a Dutch boy in wooden clogs, running with an oversize stick of Coca-Cola Peppermint Pepsin Gum cradled in his three-dimensional articulated arm. Morphy’s is pleased to offer a large-size version of this sign, measuring 24½ inches tall by 18¼ inches wide, and in Excellent 8.25 condition. Extremely desirable, this sign is expected to make $20,000-$40,000.
The experts at AGS (Authentication & Grading Service) carefully examined a circa-1933 Coca-Cola double-sided porcelain sign with a Christmas bottle graphic and filigreed top and concluded it would be very difficult to find a better example. Marked Tennessee Enamel Mfg. Co. Nashville, this 24½inch by 21¾-inch sign is crisp and beautiful, and comes to auction with a $10,000-$20,000 estimate.
For those Coke collectors who like exotic and foreign-market productions, there’s a circa-1931 Coca-Cola celluloid pocket mirror made expressly for the Mexican market. Its Spanish-language message, which appears above a young woman in a semi-sheer minidress, holding a bottle of Coke, translates to “Drink Coca-Cola / Delicious and Refreshing.” The only known example of its type, the mirror’s coloration is bright and immaculate, earning it a high grade of 9.0. The pre-sale estimate is $6,000-$12,000.
The auction features a parade of elegant beauties whose hairstyles and clothing choices reflect the Gilded Age aesthetic, which carried over into the first decade of the 20th century. One notable example is a large and impressive circa-1905 Pepsi-Cola cardboard sign with the image of “Miss Pepsi-Cola” holding an early soda fountain glass. The message says “Drink Pepsi-Cola / Delicious / Healthful,” for the price of 5¢ “At Founts” or “In Bottles.” The sign measures 27¾ inches by 34¼ inches, and its condition is a strong 8.5. Estimate: $10,000-$20,000
Another prized lot with a “pretty lady” graphic is an extremely rare circa-1908 Pepsi-Cola serving tray with the image of a woman with upswept hair delicately holding a Pepsi-Cola flare glass. With a script logo and the tagline “Refreshes – Invigorates,” this attractive and vibrantly-hued tray is AGS-graded 8.7 and estimated at $6,000-$12,000.
The August 18-20 auction also includes the largest selection of extremely rare and early Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola bottles ever to appear at auction. Many are one-of-a-kind or prototypes, coming from bottlers all over the United States. For example, this sale may represent the first time many soda pop collectors will have ever seen a “Pepsi Pepsi Pepsi” bottle. Embossed 18 times around its circumference with the brand name “Pepsi-Cola,” the bottle is thought to have originated in Greenville, South Carolina. Assessed in 8.0 condition, this fascinating survivor is estimated at $6,000-$9,000.
A stunning example of a reverse-painted and foil-under-glass sign reading “SODA FOUNTAIN & CONFECTIONS” would suit any soda pop display, no matter which beverage brand a collector may favor. The field is clean and the glass is undamaged. Measuring 64 inches by 28 inches in its later custom-made frame, the sign is graded 9.0 and estimated at $4,000-$12,000.
A fine-looking salesman’s sample barber chair from Theo A. Kochs is immediately notable for its mindboggling attention to detail. This faithful scale-model re-creation has red leather cushions, white porcelain, and chrome construction, just like its life-size counterpart. The company name is de-embossed onto both footrest sections. The chair swivels back and forth, but it does not lift when the hand pump is used. Assessed in 8.75+ condition, this small-scale treasure is estimated at $15,000-$30,000.
A country store collection is not complete without at least one high-quality spool cabinet. Morphy’s upcoming auction can help with that, as it includes an elaborate circa-1890 Brainerd & Armstrong 2-piece spool cabinet whose unusual design incorporates a decorative marquee and a clock. Standing 77¾ inches tall, it is carved from walnut wood with all-original applied tule (bullrush) accents, door fronts and pull handles, with two interior compartments. It is one of only a few known examples of two-piece pull spool cabinets. In VG condition, its estimate is $4,000-$8,000.
The Monday through Wednesday August 18-20, 2025 Soda Pop, Advertising & General Store Advertising Auction will be held live at Morphy’s gallery, 2000 N. Reading Rd., Denver, PA 17517, starting at 9am Eastern Time. All forms of bidding will be available, including absentee, by phone and live via the Internet through Morphy Live. For questions pertaining to any item in the auction, to reserve a phone line, or to discuss consigning to a future Soda Pop, Advertising & General Store auction at Morphy’s, call 877-968-8880, email info@morphyauctions.com. Visit Morphy’s online at www.morphyauctions.com.
CAPTIONS:
All images courtesy of Morphy Auctions
1006 –
https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/OUTSTANDING_1931_COCA_COLA_POCKET_MIRROR-LOT639432.aspx
Outstanding circa-1931 Coca-Cola celluloid pocket mirror made for the Mexican market, the only known example of its type. Bright and immaculate, graded 9.0. Estimate: $6,000-$12,000
1041 –
Excellent circa 1914-1916 single-sided cardboard sign depicting a Dutch boy in wooden clogs running with an oversize stick of Coca-Cola Peppermint Pepsin Gum cradled in his three-dimensional articulated arm. Large-size version of this sign, 24½in tall by 18¼in wide. Condition 8.25. Extremely desirable. Estimate: $20,000-$40,000
1206 –
Exceptional circa-1933 Coca-Cola double-sided porcelain sign with Christmas bottle graphic and detailed filigree across top. Marked ‘Tennessee Enamel Mfg. Co. Nashville.’ Size: 24½in x 21¾in. AGS-graded 94 and a difficult example to improve upon. Estimate: $10,000-$20,000
1450 –
Large and impressive circa-1905 Pepsi-Cola cardboard sign with the image of ‘Miss Pepsi-Cola’ holding an early soda fountain glass. Message says ‘Drink Pepsi-Cola / Delicious / Healthful’ with the price of 5¢ ‘At Founts’ or ‘In Bottles.’ Size: 27¾in x 34¼in. Condition: 8.5. Estimate: $10,000-$20,000
1462 –
Extremely rare circa-1908 Pepsi-Cola serving tray with graphic of woman holding Pepsi-Cola flare glass along with script logo and ‘Refreshes – Invigorates’ tagline. Vibrant, with nice color throughout the field. Size: 11in x 13¼in. AGS-graded 8.7. Estimate: $6,000-$12,000
1511 –
https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/PEPSI_COLA_PEPSI_PEPSI_PEPSI_GLASS_BOTTLE-LOT639521.aspx
Glass Pepsi bottle embossed 18 times around its circumference with the brand name ‘Pepsi-Cola.’ Thought to have been from Greenville, South Carolina. Height: 7¾in. Condition 8.0. Estimate: $6,000-$9,000
2068 –
Hires Root Beer ‘Munimaker’ salesman’s sample dispenser. Made from marble, glass and nickel, with a zinc liner and coils inside, just like its full-size counterpart. Globe at top, which is emblazoned ‘Drink Hires / It is Pure,’ is clean and undamaged. Incredible piece of soda pop history. Size: 4¾in x 4¾in x 8in high. Condition 8.75+. Estimate: $30,000-$60,000
2264 –
https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/SODA_FOUNTAIN___CONFECTIONS_GLASS_SIGN-LOT642473.aspx
Stunning example of reverse-painted and foil-under-glass sign reading ‘SODA FOUNTAIN & CONFECTIONS.’ Field is clean and glass is undamaged. Presented in a later custom-made frame. Size: 64in x 28in (framed). Condition 9.0. Estimate: $4,000-$12,000
2307 –
Circa-1890 Brainerd & Armstrong 2-piece spool cabinet with marquee and clock. Carved walnut with all-original applied tule (bullrush) accents, door fronts and pull handles, with two interior compartments. One of only a few known examples of two-piece pull spool cabinets. Height: 77¾ in x 31½in wide x 17in deep. VG condition. Estimate: $4,000-$8,000
2374 –
https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/THEO_A_KOCHS_SALESMAN_SAMPLE_BARBER_CHAIR-LOT638696.aspx
Beautifully-detailed salesman’s sample barber chair from Theo A. Kochs, with red leather cushions, white porcelain, and chrome construction. Extraordinary attention to detail. Company name de-embossed onto both footrest sections. Chair swivels back and forth, although it does not lift when hand pump is used. Size: 8¼in x 12½in x 16in. Condition: 8.75+. Estimate: $15,000-$30,000
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