Vernors Ginger Ale 150th B-Day

[SODABOB]

Question:

Without having to reread this entire thread, does anyone recall off the top of their head when James Vernor's 219 Woodward Avenue address changed to 235 Woodard Avenue? Or was James Vernor's original drug store address always 235 Woodward Avenue?

In answer to my own question, I came up with ...

About 1870

​I'll explain later where I came up with that date.

 

[iggyworf]

P.S.

In the event I find an earlier reference on any given topic, I will be sure and post those as well. And should anyone else find something to clarify or refute something I find, I will humbly stand corrected and say as much if/when such a reference is found. This isn't about me being right - its about searching for and hopefully finding facts if they exist to better our understanding and appreciation pertaining to the hobby of soda bottle collecting and soda bottle related topics.

That's a good way to put it. I agree totally.

 

[hemihampton]

I have a Question. When did Vernor's start useing that Monogram or fancy design they have? LEON.

 

[SODABOB]

Here's where I found the circa 1870 address change ...

Detroit Directory ~ 1869-1870 ~ 219 Woodward Avenue



Detroit Directory ~ 1871-1872 ~ 235 Woodward Avenue

 

[SODABOB]

Which means, anything with the 235 Woodward Avenue address would date circa 1870-71 or later, to about circa 1896-97 when Vernor relocated to 33 Woodward Avenue.

 

[SODABOB]

Here's the earliest reference I can find that list James Vernor as a florist ...

The Chronicle ~ University of Michigan Periodical ~ Published June 30, 1881

 

[SODABOB]

Keith

I thought you might like these in particular. This first one must have been a pretty big deal because of the detail it goes into describing the floral arrangement. It was even displayed in James Vernor's window ...

Detroit Free Press ~ May 1, 1884



And check out this one about a new floral delivery wagon ...

Detroit Free Press ~ May 10, 1885

 

[VernorsGuy]

I have a Question. When did Vernor's start useing that Monogram or fancy design they have? LEON.

Not sure if I can pinpoint the exact year. But, attached is a photo of an invoice from 1900 that doesn't have the design. Then, we know the bottles referencing the Food and Drug Act of 1906 had the design. The design is a V G A (for Vernor's Ginger Ale) superimposed on one another.

 

[VernorsGuy]

Keith

Question: Do you have any information that says with certainty if there was ever a refund/rebate allowed for Vernor's extract bottles?

I have seen tons of references about Vernor's Ginger Ale refunds/rebates for bottles, but for the life of me I can't figure out if they're talking about extract bottles or carbonated bottles!

The front and back of a rebate card is attached. If you look at the codes on the back of the card it says "50M 5-29". On other Vernor's printed pieces that would mean 50,000 printed in May of 1929.

 

[hemihampton]

Not sure if I can pinpoint the exact year. But, attached is a photo of an invoice from 1900 that doesn't have the design. Then, we know the bottles referencing the Food and Drug Act of 1906 had the design. The design is a V G A (for Vernor's Ginger Ale) superimposed on one another.

Well, to me that's good Interesting info. Because your first Vernor's bottle does not have the Monogram on bottom of bottle (or anywhere else) while the 1906 & after bottles have the mongram on bottle, some on front, some on bottom, some on both front & bottom. I think the no monogram bottle might help prove it predates the 1906 monogram bottle? Opinions? LEON.