Collecting Soda Fountain And Ice Cream Collectibles And Memorabilia

Loving Those Old Fashioned Soda Fountain Collectibles

Baby boomers and others are really enjoying re-creating the look of an old fashioned soda fountain or ice cream shop with collections of vintage drugstore or luncheonette furnishings, ice cream collectibles and vintage advertising from the 40s and 50s. While the birth of the soda fountain began in the early 1920s, this post focuses on collectibles of later decades.

Prices Are Competitive For Ice Cream Collectibles

Because ice cream and soda fountain collectibles are eagerly collected by so many different types of buyers including vintage paper collectors, soda pop collectors, ice cream enthusiasts, 1950s collectors, home decor buyers etc., the prices for these cherished nostalgic treasures continues to climb.

It is truly a delight to discover 1950s or earlier cardboard signs, dishes, equipment, furnishings, ephemera etc. And buyers beware..there are a lot of reproductions in this area of collecting. In fact there is an entire industry devoted to 1950s soda fountain and diner replicas.

Beginners should consider reading more about these collectibles and consult collector's groups and avid buyers and sellers who may be able to offer some guidance. If you grew up in the 1940s and 1950s it may be easier for you to remember some of these popular collectibles. I have a little edge on the topic, because I was born into a soda fountain family.

Collecting Soda Fountain Collectibles Are in My Genes:
My Dad Was A Soda Jerk

Perhaps it's in my genes...soda fountain collectibles that is... ...my dad was a "soda jerk". That is the correct way of describing the young person who worked in a neighborhood drugstore or luncheonette and made ice cream sodas.

Old Fashioned Egg Creams

Legend has it that my dad met my mom while cranking out "Lime Rickeys"
"Old Fashioned Egg Creams" , sundaes, malteds, ice cream soda's and more . In fact as the story is told, my dad was smitten with my mom and he added an extra cherry to her ice cream soda. That might of been the beginning of a high maintenance relationship.

Dad Was In The Fiz Biz

Not only was my dad in the fizz biz, but so was the rest of his side of the family. We come from a long line of soda jerks. My dad moved onto to own restaurants and others in the family eventually traded in their aprons for college degrees. While my dad and his dad rolled up their sleeves and scooped ice cream, I prefer to write about my scoops.

Collecting Ice Cream And Soda Fountain Collectibles

I love how much variety you will find in the area of Ice Cream Soda Fountain collectibles....there is so much to hunt for including: old soda fountain advertising, memorabilia, menus, store signs, die cut signs, ice cream glasses, banana split dishes, sundae dishes, advertising tins, candy racks, ice cream scoops,malted machines, mixers, dispensers, ice cream soda spoons, trays, ice cream cone holders, ice cream cartons, photos, postcards, cookbooks, etc.


Soda Fountain Stools

Look at these GREAT ice cream bar stools right out of the 1950s and in marvelous shape. I have walked by them several times (at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford ) seriously considering them for my kitchen. I think they would look great as stools for my Center island. I'm ready to funk up my kitchen with a blast from the past.

And who knows I may even carry the red theme a little more into the kitchen. It's time to have some fun!

Where To Find Soda Fountain Collectibles

You never know where you are going to find soda fountain collectibles so keep an open mind. While visiting Griswold Street Antiques in Glastonbury, Connecticut, I spotted some wonderful ice cream soda glasses and sundae dishes. The wonderful die cut sign of the ice cream sundae shown at the top was discovered at http://www.etsy.com/shop/inkpainter. The malted sign (shown with sandwich) is from the collection at http://www.the-forum.com. The Chocolate Soda Fountain Malted Float die Cut sign (very bottom photo) is from the collection at http://www.ecrater.com/p/6090781/chocolate-soda-fountain-malted-float

Besides hunting for stuff at your favorite shops and flea markets, you can also search online (see below). By the way, when searching online you might use terms such as "vintage soda fountain collectibles", "ice cream collectibles", "old drugstore", "vintage soda fountain advertising" ice cream parlor collectibles".

Resources On Soda Fountain And Ice Cream Collectibles

Learn More:

Books

"Ice Cream Collectibles" by Ed Marks, Schiffer Books

"Drugstore & Soda Fountain Antiques" by Douglas Congdon-Martin , Schiffer Books

“Ice Cream Dippers” by Wayne Smith.

"Sundae Best: A History of Soda Fountains", by
Anne Cooper Funderburg ,The University of Wisconsin Popular Press.


Collector Groups

Ice Creamers Collectors Group

Iantiqueonline.com

Museums

http://www.drugstoremuseum.com/sections/level_info2.php?level_id=3&level=1

http://www.drugstoremuseum.com/sections/level_info2.php?level_id=47

Background- History Of Soda Fountain Collectibles

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soda_fountain

http://inventors.about.com/od/sstartinventions/a/soda_fountain.htm

http://www.suite101.com/content/the-origins-of-the-soda-fountain-a39021

http://antiques.lovetoknow.com/Antique_Ice_Cream_Scoops

Where to Buy Ice Cream And Soda Fountain Collectibles

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=soda+fountain

http://www.etsy.com /search_results.php?search_query=soda+fountain+collectibles&search_type=vintage

http://iantiqueonline.ning.com/

http://www.gameroomantiques.com/SodaFountain.htm

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=soda+fountain

http://search.rubylane.com/collectibles/,id=1.30.5.html

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.