Collectibles: Popular Items

There are almost as many kinds of collectibles as there are people, and one of the most popular items is anything related to soft drinks. These can be anything from items created when the beverages were first concocted to recent special bottles or cans or promotional items. Some people specialize in soda machines as well.

Bottles are one of the more common collectibles since they aren't space hogs and are available in an array of styles. The prices also come in in a wide array, which is also wonderful. Most desirable of all, and bringing a higher price are bottles that still contain the product.

Some fans of soda related collectibles specialize in a single brand and there are many Pepsi fans. This drink was created by Caleb Bradham, a North Carolina druggist, in 1893 and originally was called "Brad's Drink." The familiar name was applied five years later. Old and rare bottles are prized but some very recent special editions bring good prices as well, such as an "Elvis" commemorative bottle only a few years old.

Containers that are representative of a style change are of particular worth to collectors, no return bottles and the first cans being examples. Logo changes such as shape, label, or colors are also of particular interest. Several people collect the wood cases that bottles used to be stored in or the cardboard six pack holders with intricate designs on them.

Signs are another popular collectible. These can be outdoor signs made from wood or metal, or indoor display signs of various shapes, sizes and designs, or even murals when whole walls may be removed and sold. Some signs include lighting or clocks and are popular for their functionality. Condition is a huge factor in value and treasured collectibles are wooden signs that were stored indoors before much weathering and still in new condition.

Some people prefer to collect soda machines, and a subgroup of these collect Pepsi machines particularly. They range from simple iceboxes to modern machines. The most valuable of all of these are still in good working order. The price of a soda machine can range from under $100 up through the thousands for the less available models.

Collectibles can be anything ranging from China to sweatshirts. Limited edition merchandise is usually made by soft drink companies and is easy to find online at auction sites or collectible specialists. Glasses and trays are the most affordable items to find and popular too. You can find a soda-related item of anything you can think of that would fit anyone's budget.