The Coca-Cola Bottling System: A Collector's Guide Thursday, July 30, 2026
The Coca-Cola bottling system transformed a fountain drink into a worldwide brand while creating one of the most fascinating specialties in advertising memorabilia. This first installment explores the pioneering years from 1894 through 1900, including Joseph Biedenharn's first successful bottling, the Chattanooga entrepreneurs who envisioned a national franchise network, and the legendary one-dollar bottling contract that reshaped the beverage industry. It also explains why these early developments produced the regional bottles, crates, signs, and advertising pieces that collectors pursue today.
