Gentlemen of this interesting community of Weekend Experiences Community:. On Saturday 07 of this month, I was able to attend the tenth International Coca-Cola collectors convention. Only in Argentina, so many different events take place. It is because of things like this that I am in love with this country. We are planning this outing, because everything that has to do with antiques and collections of all kinds attracts my attention. I would be very happy if I could get a big gallery to exhibit items that have history.
Although I am not a big consumer of soft drinks, I think that a Coke once in a while does not hurt. The most interesting thing for me, was to enjoy seeing all the things that each exhibitor had; the sales and purchases, the faces of the excited buyers looking and asking for this or that special edition. The show was not so big, in fact I put a picture of it, but the organization, and everything that had to do with the stands, was what allowed the flow of people, sellers and exhibitors. Some of the objects were unpurchasable, due to their cost and historical value.
The drink was created in 1886 by a pharmacist named John Pemberton. He was initially experimenting with formulas to relieve headaches, and finally obtained a carbonated beverage with extracts of coca leaves and cola nuts. From this mixture the name Coca-Cola was born. Who knew!
This drink was first a syrup to alleviate ailments, but another pharmacist bought the rights and the formula and from there it changed its purpose, as it became a refreshing drink that could not be missing in every family's table.
In 1886, Coca-Cola quickly began its global expansion. In 1942, it was marketed in Argentina, coming from Atlanta, and began to be distributed by Reginald Lee, in his family business, and then spread until today, when it continues to be a successful beverage.
Coca-Cola was also sold as an energy drink, it has had many changes of flavors, to generate exclusive presentations in many or rather, thousands of objects with its beautiful logo. This is the origin of collecting, since it has been very varied and valued by collectors at an international level. That is why these international conventions are held to offer a bit of the history of the most famous drink in the world, even though it has been the most criticized and banned.
This 10th International Coca-Cola Convention was held in the Palermo neighborhood, within the spaces of La Rural located in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires - Argentina. The entrance was free. And it began at 13; 00 M, until 19; 00 pm, on Saturday, October 07.
For me, it is a drink that, due to its high content of aspartame, a sweetener, could be harmful for those who are prohibited from consuming sugar. As with other types of beverages, everything has a limit. As long as its consumption is not abused, everything is fine.
Now I tell you that there were so many photos that I could capture, that I decided to make them as a collage, and thus separate them by content. Because it was not going to work with so many images. I will try to expose in each photo, some of the beautiful content that we could enjoy in this beautiful event. I bought a keychain type bottle opener, and a pen made in 2014. As well as a card holder with the Coca-Cola logo.
In this first collage, you can see two yellow cars, preserved as the first ones that distributed Coca-Cola. Later I was able to see them made to scale, for sale to collectors. Other miniature trucks are also exhibited, as well as a great variety of badges, a photograph of a model family, vintage, celebrating a birthday with their bottles of beverage on the table for the occasion, and in the center of the image, three models of unrepeatable bottles. And the World Cup, the pride of the Argentineans, could not be missing.
The cans and bottles of different flavors, colors and shapes, could not be missing. What amazed me was to see people arriving and asking eagerly if they had a specific model or year, or any other special feature that would add value. The fact is that the variety was immense.
As can be seen, the caps with the Coca-Cola logo were almost all sold out. There were also boxes of cookies, an antique radio, an astronaut and rocket, all with their date of manufacture and reason. There was even a beautiful cap made with soda cans, a thermometer, glasses and napkin holders.
This convention could not miss the white Polar Bear, Coca-Cola's Christmas image. With his red scarves carrying cases of soft drinks, refreshing his throat with the bear cub, in a Coca-Cola vending cooler, and Santa Claus and his magic and the special edition round bottle.
The souvenirs could not be missing, those key rings to open the bottles of very varied designs and some very old and with beautiful logos. Glasses with their brands, cataloged as unique, napkin holders and can holders, small postcard type posters with photos of the beautiful ladies with their hair and beautiful faces of yesteryear, embracing a delicious Coca-Cola.
It is the turn of the gaveras or boxes to transport the bottles comfortably, they were already deteriorated by time, but if they are restored, they lose value. There were even miniature ones, and with unrepeatable flavors. Bottles for gifts, packaged and with an exquisite presentation, tin trays decorated with old photos.
The display of cars and means of transportation was spectacular. In all models, sizes, and colors. The Volkswagen replica in white and red caught my attention. Color of the bear with scarf. You can tell it was made with great delicacy. On the other hand, you will see me showing the cart to transport the skulls and the big yellow truck that was at the entrance. Some trucks and airplanes made of wood, spectacular.
When I arrived I could notice that the space was not very big, but indeed, there were a lot of people. Of course, I arrived very early so I could enjoy everything without stumbling, since there would be no room to walk around in the afternoon. In this last collage, there are the images of some singular advertising; metal trays, cardboard boxes with capacity for six bottles, and some pins and badges. It really was a very nice event, and if it were to be repeated, I would not hesitate to attend. I hope to have taken you by the hand to the 10th International Coca-Cola Collectors Convention, 2023 in Argentina.
