Collector Focus - Michael Van Laere

We generally devote our Friday blog post to a specific artifact or exhibit at the World of Coca-Cola.  This week, I was inspired by the Collectors Corner in the Pop Culture Gallery. We have done several Collector Focus blog post the past few months and from the comments we have received, I can tell that the readers appreciate the stories of how and why some people make Coca-Cola collectibles a hobby.

I first noticed Michael Van Leare when I saw some photographs he posted to facebook.  The photos certainly stood out, it is not everyday that you see photos of a 10,000 can collection being packed in boxes to be shipped half way around the world.  But that is what Michael was documenting as he and his wife moved form Virginia to Thailand. We e-mailed Michael with some questions about his collection.

What made you first start to collect and why cans and not bottles?  Oh the blasphemy, I actually started with a Pepsi pop art set in the US.  After that, I noticed other nice designs, Coca-Cola being a leader in this area.  I collect cans because of the design and commemorative bottles were just not as common in my area.

What other reasons do you have for collecting?  To meet collectors from all over the world, online and offline.  It is nice to be able to meet face to face and see other peoples collections.  Also, when you assemble your display wall of cans, as many collectors do, I love to see the evolution in the design of the can.

What are your favorite cans?  My favorite are because of the story behind the can, where I found it, was is a good bargain, the person who gave it to me, etc.  Others I love because of the design.  The newest or complete sets are always the most popular.

Micheal's website, CanPedia is a goldmine of photos of cans from around the world, but I wanted to show you some of the photos of the move that first caught my eye.

Carver's Country Kitchen and Coca-Cola

Returning to our ongoing theme of Coca-Cola and food we have a real treat for you this week.  Carver's Country Kitchen is an incredible restaurant that is housed in a grocery store around the corner from Coca-Cola headquarters in Atlanta.  While the building has stood for decades, Sharon and Robert Carver opened their restaurant in 1992 and have been serving fantastic Southern food ever since. 

We asked the Carvers if they would let us make a few videos and blog about their menu and the decor and they were thrilled - but we had to be there when they cooked the food at 6:00 AM.  Our dutiful staff set their alarms a little earlier than usual and arrived at the grocery to film.  The first thing you noticed was the amazing smell of the Coca-Cola ham which you could smell as you approached the store.  The second was how gracious and welcoming the Carvers were during the whole process.  Sharon had some wonderful insights about her cooking and Robert regaled us with stories as he peeled the potatoes for that day's serving of mashed potatoes (no powdered stuff served here!).

I hope you enjoy the video as much as we did filming it and keep reading to catch the next one where Sharon shares her Coca-Cola Cake recipe.  If you are ever in Atlanta during the week, make sure to stop by and try some ham and cake. 

What Does That Mean?

In the section on the international expansion of The Coca-Cola Company in the Milestone of Refreshments Gallery at the World of Coca-Cola, we have quite a few international posters in a variety of languages.  However, each time I go through the gallery, I inevitably get questioned about what the phrases on two Dutch posters mean in English.  Today, I decided to find out and share it with you.

The one below is a Dutch poster and the phrase "Ik Ook" translates to "Me Too!"

 

This second piece is an original oil painting and according to some web searching, the Dutch phrase "Op Stap" translates to "Move On."  If you have a better translation, please let us know, but this is what I am going with for now.

This Date In Coca-Cola Company History

It’s May 5th and that means Cinco de Mayo, but did you know that 40 years ago today is the also when a former Olympic athlete became the Chairman of the Board at The Coca-Cola Company?   As a young Harvard undergraduate, Paul Austin, competed in the 1936 Olympic Games held in Berlin as a member of the U.S. Rowing Team.  

Austin went on to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II, with a Motor Torpedo Squadron in the Pacific, and eventually came back to the U.S. after his adventures to become the President of Coca-Cola (1962), Chief Executive Officer (1966) and Chairman of the Board (1970). 

The Coca-Cola Company grew dramatically under Austin’s leadership following his belief that The Company, “…should be a good citizen wherever we are.”  Austin retired in 1981, after 30 years with the Company.

Star Wars Coca-Cola Collectible Glasses

"May the force be with you."

Today is Star Wars day on my calendar.  In a play on words from the famous phrase in the movie, May 4th becomes "May the fourth" be with you!  In honor of this auspicious event, I wanted to highlight the original four Coca-Cola Star Wars glasses that were so popular when they were introduced in 1978.

The glasses were used as a cooperative promotion with Coca-Cola and Burger King.  The glasses were given away with the purchase of a drink, one glass per week over a period of four weeks.  The glasses featured artwork on one side and then a description of the characters on the opposite side.  Burger King and Coca-Cola logos were also on the glasses.  It is interesting to note that the description on the glass with Han Solo and Chewbacca features the Wookie more prominently than the swashbuckling hero.

 

As collectibles are concerned, you will not be able to put you kid through college selling the set of four glasses, but they are still a great item that brings back memories of the movies.

Interesting English Sales Aids

Ray, who has been a longtime reader and whose wedding was even featured on our blog, just purchased a very interesting collection of sales aids and employee magazines pertaining to our operations in England in the 1930s.  While we have the employee magazines in the Archives, we did not have any of the sales aids.  As the collection contained multiples of some of the items, Ray generously donated some items for our collection.  These pamphlets and brochures were all designed to introduce the product to the English market and highlight the essential qualities of the product.

"These Cards are Magic" was a numbers trick premium.  It is a tri-fold card that contains perforated cards that have the Coca-Cola logo on the back and a series of numbers on the front.  If you read the instructions, you will note that the "magic" is really just a parlor trick.

The "A New Sensation" booklet is another tri-fold that has sales facts that highlight the purity, taste and touts Coca-Cola as a year round drink. 

Finally, the "It's A Jolly Good Drink" two fold pamphlet reminds me of scenes from a P.G. Wodehouse Jeeves and Wooster book - the illustrations are so evocative of the 1930s time period.