It has certainly been an exciting summer! Exciting digs, great antiquing finds, and new
friends in the hobby have made it quite memorable. I decided to end the summer with a bang, and
go to Brimfield for the first time. For
those who are unfamiliar, it is essentially the largest yard sale in New England. A few
thousand dealers set up along a 1/2 mile stretch of road, and many more
populate the large adjoining farm fields.
With limited time, I spent close to 6 hours, and almost got through the
entire setup. By the end of the day my
backpack was filled to the brim (insert pun here) with great deals.
My first RI find of the day was an exciting one. Hidden under a table with some dirty common
sodas was a Sum-Ade Bottling Company
Providence, RI ABM crown top. Brand
new unlisted companies like this are getting ever-harder to turn up. While sustaining considerable damage, it was
a must-have at $1.
The first bottle dealer I came across I knew from the bottle
shows. He always has something decent,
and a nice Otis Clapp & Son in
amber kept his RI bottle streak intact.
This 4-3/4” has a glass stopper, making it an unlisted color.
Also on his table was an elusive Central Falls Bottling Co. Central Falls, RI quart crown top. This company created the Kerona brand, which
became one of the most successful sodas in RI.
A version is listed, but this one had different embossing.
I was quite weary when I came to the halfway point of the
Brimfield show. Determined to be
thorough, I crossed the road and began part 2.
I was quickly rewarded with a Geo.
S. Wilcox Providence, RI crown top soda.
While listed, this was an ABM version, and the listed one is handmade.
My favorite (and most exciting find) of the show was a
completely unlisted blob. Hiding under
yet another table was a N. Lachance
Manville, RI blob soda. The only known
sodas from Manville are from the Manville Bottling Co., so this was a brand new
bottle. I have to say I’m rather fond of
the names for the bottler and town.
