SMC Discussion Areas

Soda Machines, Coolers & Dispensers => Pre 60's Machines & Coolers => Topic started by: HowDueYouDue on November 22, 2015, 02:14:35 pm



Title: Wooden Coke Cooler
Post by: HowDueYouDue on November 22, 2015, 02:14:35 pm
Came across one of these in an antique shop yesterday.  Looked like this but was green (owner said it was original paint).  As I have never seen one before, appreciate any info anyone has on it. Thank you


Title: Re: Wooden Coke Cooler
Post by: ajf5577 on November 22, 2015, 02:25:31 pm
There is one of these in Nugrape on ebay right now. They want $650.00. It'd make a nice coffee table.


Title: Re: Wooden Coke Cooler
Post by: Eric on November 22, 2015, 03:32:32 pm
These are neat and have their place in collections... especially if you collect early soda pieces from the 20s-30s... there are a few other wooden models
that are out there... Crush had one similar to this...


Title: Re: Wooden Coke Cooler
Post by: MoonDawg on November 22, 2015, 04:33:13 pm
       Here is the Nu Grape cooler.
  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Nugrape-Soda-Wooden-Ice-Chest-Cooler-Rare-/201323538756?hash=item2edfd16944:g:eYgAAOSweW5VH1mH  (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Nugrape-Soda-Wooden-Ice-Chest-Cooler-Rare-/201323538756?hash=item2edfd16944:g:eYgAAOSweW5VH1mH)
        So, if indeed the first ice cooler was a wooden wine barrel sawed in half, there must have been more than a few furniture makers offering their ideas as to how to build a merchandise display that will preserve ice. We have pretty extensive information on most of the metal coolers ever produced but it seems this wooden era was skipped. I'm curious about what wood they chose, how it was insulated, how the liner was formed and sealed, was each painted and stenciled to order? For obvious reasons there are not enough survivors to study.

    


Title: Re: Wooden Coke Cooler
Post by: Eric on November 22, 2015, 04:59:59 pm
The couple older coolers I've seen in person had a metal liner.. Yeah shame there isn't much info.. I do see
a lot of folks taking plastic coolers and building wooden exteriors for the decks and patios...
kinda cool...


Title: Re: Wooden Coke Cooler
Post by: Eric on November 22, 2015, 05:14:57 pm
Here's one that sold at a Morphy auction in 2014 for $3000... said it was 40" wide
This was the same model as the Orange Crush I saw... little shelf and all.
No date just said early/primitive wooden ice cooler.


Title: Re: Wooden Coke Cooler
Post by: MoonDawg on November 22, 2015, 05:37:24 pm
         The logical pioneers of a hinged lid cooler would have been the icebox manufacturers of the day,
 but I see no similarities in craftsmanship.



Title: Re: Wooden Coke Cooler
Post by: Eric on November 22, 2015, 06:09:37 pm
HowDueYouDue if you go back to look at it check the bottom for markings.. the NuGrape on ebay has a stamp on the bottom
all I could make out was Baltimore, MD and  """"" Box Co. can't read the wording above Box Co.
But these two coolers look like the same maker.


Title: Re: Wooden Coke Cooler
Post by: ajf5577 on November 22, 2015, 06:49:53 pm
I have a hybrid. It's an oak framed Whistle cooler with a tin tub insert. It has a metal tub for the ice. Regular wooden lids. It dates to the mid 20's. I'll post pics next time that I'm over there.

I have seen those like the Morphy picture in Coca Cola, OC, and all least one other. Must have been a standard manufacturer in the early 00's and teens. Coke was mass produced in bottles starting around 1896.
Are there OC bottles pre dating the 1920 ribbed design?


Title: Re: Wooden Coke Cooler
Post by: HowDueYouDue on November 22, 2015, 06:50:39 pm
If I go back I will look it over.  The one I saw had sliding wood doors and galvanized inside. Didn't look like the one a t Morphys. Thank you all for the info.