Bottlecaps
Yes,even these little metal discs have appeal to me. The key here is CORK BACKED (not plastic lined) caps.
The Crown Cork, the first form of bottle cap, was invented by William Painter in 1891. The company making it was originally called the Bottle Seal Company, it changed its name to the Crown Cork to the Crown Cork and Seal Company. The Patent for the bottlecap was granted in 1892, as US patent 468,258.
The Crown Cork was the first highly successful disposable product (it cannot be resealed). This inspired King C. Gillette to invent the disposable razor when he was a salesman for the Crown Cork Company. The company is still in existence today, making a variety of products Cork caps were used on both bottles AND conetop cans. Theres a great feeling that comes with pairing a spout top can with the companion cap!
Coasters
Coasters come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes and styles. It seems like many people collected them when making a trip to Europe, as I've found shoeboxes and collections dated on the back, with the date they got them. Heres a few tips to help you-if a coaster is larger than 4.5 inches, its probably before 1945. Uusally these coasters are pretty thick and may have MADE IN GERMANY in small letters near an edge.
- »Made in the USA by Absorbo Beer Pad Co. Inc. NY
- »Made in the USA by Lion Match Co., INC
- »E.M. Blumenthal & Co. Chicago-Germany
- »Griffin-Rutgers-INC. New York along with Made in Austria (-may have a 1933-34 date next to it)
- »Made in USA by Sherman
- »Kostat Reg U.S. Pat OFF
- »R.G. Fenstermaker Allentown PA
- »Universal Tray & Sign Co. New York
