I think I'm gonna cry...

[pinballdude]

I have collected Coca-Cola memorabilia since I graduated high School in 1975.
I can still remember my first convention at Elizabethtown KY around 1977.
Totally blown away by both the Schmidt Museum and the stuff collectors brought
to sell out of their rooms.  I still try to go to the annual convention there when I can.
The convention has changed since I first went. But the loss of the Schmidt Coke Museum will
change forever the annual Septemberfest hosted by the Mid-South Chapter of the
Coca-Cola Collectors Club.

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/14522988/copy-ky-family-to-sell-massive-coca-cola-collection

I have talked with other attendees and we agree, many of the old time collectors are selling their
collections because their children want nothing to do with the stuff and don't want to deal w/it when
the parents are gone. Also older collector need money NOW with the economy the way it is.

I could go on reminiscing, I miss the good old days!

[SIGNGUY]

I was hoping to get there someday, I guess now I'll just have to fork over the 10 million and buy it all ... wonder if they'll take a check?

[tkaz]

I wonder how much Coke is going to fork over for some of those items that they don't have, it'll be interesting to follow the auctions.

Maybe I could just send them a money order, with a little extra so they can pay my shippers when they show up.

[RC kid]

Wow! I remember visiting the place every time I passed through to visit my parents. What a shame. I haven't kept up much with the old E-town bottling plant. I guess I just assumed they would always be there.

And time roles on.

[MoonDawg]

        The article states they have 30,000 visitors per year. Add up those admission fees and sales of reproduction Coke stuff, subtract operating costs and they still probably rake in a half million dollars in revenue per year as a museum.
        I would think a group of investors would do well to purchase the whole lot and rent the property back from the Schmidts so as to keep the buisness open to the public. In 20 years they break even on their purchase and still own the merchandise which we all know will only appreciate in value.
       

[SIGNGUY]

        The article states they have 30,000 visitors per year. Add up those admission fees and sales of reproduction Coke stuff, subtract operating costs and they still probably rake in a half million dollars in revenue per year as a museum.
        I would think a group of investors would do well to purchase the whole lot and rent the property back from the Schmidts so as to keep the buisness open to the public. In 20 years they break even on their purchase and still own the merchandise which we all know will only appreciate in value.
       

Ok i'm in ... who's with me..?

[loman4ec]

Hell yes. Who all has been there? I stumbled on it on my way to nashville. It was amazing. They actually have TWO Decappers!!!

[rayg]

Never been there, 1st  time I really heard about it,  It sounds like a Coke heaven.  If they sale it all off that will be  hell of a auction!

[Eric]

I was there several years ago...some rare and awesome items... would love to see what the decappers go for.
Their cardboard signs weren't the greatest... a lot of wear on some... but the machines and turn of the century items were outstanding.

[Pat Pixley]

Ok i'm in ... who's with me..?

 Count me in 

[pinballdude]

Their admission fees were NOT that expensive.  I think around $6, maybe less. So that's less than 100 grand.
Figure some had senior discount, then children are discounted. It takes ALOT to run a climate controlled museum.  I heard that this is the first year they went "into the red". I'm sure its the economy. Still an amazing place. I also read it will take a few years to sell it all. So evidently it will not be a three ring auction! LOL. Talking over 80 THOUSAND pieces!!  I was once told the museum only held about 1/10 of the entire collection.  Bill Schmidt used to make a point to attend the Septemberfest convention and would pay big $$ if you had a piece he wanted. Probably a tax write off.
Damn, sure wish I had won Powerball or MegaMillions!!

[ciawarrior]

If I can just win the damn Lotto

[BrianS]

Haven't been there but it looks unbelievable.  Just curious what you others guys experience regarding the next generation.  My kids love this stuff and are already joking about who gets what when I'm "out of the picture".  They actually like to go antique malls and search for cool old stuff.  Hate to see such a great collection broken up, but I have to think that it will only lead to more interest from future generations as this great stuff is passed on to new owners.

[Funtronics]

Wow what a sad thing to see get parted out. Surely someone will step up to the plate and buy it as a whole and try and keep it open. How many members are on this sight, and how much would that be apiece. 10 million divided by ?

[msanborn]

  10000000/1075= $9302.32  per person

[Ltransam]

I'm in For $10.000 

[Pat Pixley]

Darn       I just checked my Lotto Numbers I only got four numbers and there all ondifferent lines 

[loman4ec]

Here are a few more pictures. It is well worth going to see this collection. In the first pic is a cooler I have never seen. It is Porcelain and the green fading to white is so nice. I have never seen anything like it. Also in the second pic is the same model cooler that Glen (Moondawg) did a while ago. Its bigger than I thought it was. They also have a sign collection that is amazing. Check out the neon sign/clock in the third pic. I think it is one of the best signs I have seen. I bet it goes for big $$$. The 4th pic is of an original soda fountain that they got out of an old drug store. Its amazing. Its in a room that you can rent for functions and the fountain is fully operational and they have a soda jerk there when you rent the room to serve your guests.

[loman4ec]

sorry about the cooler pic being on its side. I keep truning it but it goes right back when I attach it??

This is something that was really cool to. Its an original very early bottler that was for the straight sided bottles.

Check out the huge signs in the third pic. I have never seen some of these and its amazing that they survived since they are so big. Its easy t put a small sign away in storage and forget about it for 40 years but not a 10' or bigger sign

The 4th is of a machine I have never seen. It looks like an old GE or Frigidaire fridge. Has anyone ever seen one?

[dr galaga]

Wow! Looks like a cool place!
Blair Mattews, the editor of Spda Spectrum, posted this yesterday, "Without a doubt, Jan Schmidt was my favorite person to interview. She gave 2 hours of her time so that I could write the most detailed story ever compiled for a magazine about the Schmidt Family."
I wonder which publication he will put this in (he has a few).

[vend_dr]

They also have 1 of 2 known quart Coca Cola cone top cans - the other is in the Coca Cola archives in Atlanta.

[loman4ec]

WOw thats cool I didn't know that one. They do have a great collection of early straight sided bottles

Also the decapper is the coolest machine I think I have ever seen. Its really a great idea to have two and to have the door off of the one. Otherwise it would be really hard ti understand what it does.

[David D]

I'm really kicking myself, we just drove past this on a trip to Florida last week, I saw the sign on the road but was rushing it and figured maybe next time.... guess not.