Lot # : 1539 - COCA-COLA CHEWING GUM STORE DISPLAY COUNTER JAR

SHIPPING AVAILABLE > The Coca-Cola Chewing Gum line was introduced around 1903 by The Coca-Cola Company. This initiative was spearheaded by the company’s desire to extend the brand's reach into other products that could capitalize on its widely recognized name. Chewing gum was particularly appealing because it was a popular product at the time, associated with refreshment and breath freshening, similar to the qualities promoted by Coca-Cola soda. An antique Coca-Cola Chewing Gum clear glass jar, notably a rare collectible from the early 20th-century era when the Coca-Cola Company ventured into the chewing gum market. The jar stands 8.75 inches tall to the wide flange mouth, with an additional 1.75 inches added in height when the glass lid is in place, making the total height approximately 10.5 inches. The body of the jar measures 4.75 inches square, featuring gently angled corners that add to its classic design. One side of the jar is embossed with cast relief lettering in stylized script, reading COCA-COLA CHEWING GUM. The embossed design features the iconic Coca-Cola script, reflecting the company's branding. The clear glass construction allows a view of its interior, characteristic of display jars intended to showcase products on store counters. This type of jar would have been used to store and display chewing gum pieces in retail settings, aligning with early 20th-century merchandising practices. The jar includes a glass lid, which is topped with a decorative pattern of raised circles around a central dome. The lid fits snugly into the wide flange mouth, preserving the jar's contents ~ The cover is likely not the original and suffers from chipping to the lower rim ~ The mouth of the jar and the outside rim of the cover are ground, however tape has been applied by the prior owner so as not to aggravate the ground surface. These jars were produced during the brief period when Coca-Cola explored the chewing gum market around 1903 to the 1920s. This example is particularly notable for its preservation, retaining both the jar and lid, which were typically prone to damage or loss over time. As Coca-Cola shifted its focus back exclusively to beverages, these chewing gum jars became rare, making this an invaluable piece of Coca-Cola memorabilia. CONDITION REPORT > Note specifics above relative to the lid ~ Otherwise, the jar is a remarkably well preserved example. History Relative to Coca-Cola Chewing Gum Coca-Cola Chewing Gum represents an intriguing chapter in the history of The Coca-Cola Company, dating back to the early 20th century. This venture into the chewing gum market was an attempt to diversify the company's product offerings beyond its famous soft drink, which had already gained immense popularity. The Coca-Cola Chewing Gum line was introduced around 1903 by The Coca-Cola Company. This initiative was spearheaded by the company’s desire to extend the brand's reach into other products that could capitalize on its widely recognized name. Chewing gum was particularly appealing because it was a popular product at the time, associated with refreshment and breath freshening, similar to the qualities promoted by Coca-Cola soda. The gum was initially marketed as Coca-Cola Gum or Kos-Kola Gum (sometimes stylized as Kos-Kola), leveraging the association with the Coca-Cola name to attract consumers. It was promoted as having a refreshing flavor, similar to the beverage itself. The strategy was to appeal to consumers who already enjoyed the soda, offering them a new way to experience the brand. Coca-Cola’s chewing gum was packaged in various forms, including individual pieces and small packs, and it was sold in stores using glass jars or countertop display containers. These jars, often embossed with the Coca-Cola name, were a central feature of store displays. Such jars were designed to be visible to customers, encouraging impulse purchases as they sat on counters in pharmacies, candy shops, and general stores. The jars were typically made of clear glass, allowing the colorful gum pieces to be seen inside, which added to their appeal. The embossed script on the jars, such as "COCA-COLA CHEWING GUM," used the classic logo, helping to reinforce the brand identity even as the product moved beyond the traditional soda fountain. The Kos-Kola variation of the gum is one of the more noted aspects of this product line. It is believed that this name may have been chosen to avoid direct trademark conflicts while still benefiting from the recognizable association with Coca-Cola. Some advertisements and marketing materials from that era highlight the Kos-Kola gum, further emphasizing its link to the refreshing qualities that Coca-Cola soda was known for. Despite the strong brand recognition, Coca-Cola’s entry into the chewing gum market faced several challenges. The chewing gum industry was already competitive, with established brands like Wrigley and others holding significant market shares. The soda giant found it difficult to gain the same traction with gum that it had achieved with its beverage, possibly because the gum's flavor and the product’s differentiation from competitors weren’t strong enough to secure a lasting foothold. Moreover, the focus on the core soft drink business remained paramount for Coca-Cola, and over time, the company decided to concentrate its resources on expanding its beverage production and distribution. As a result, the chewing gum line was phased out, with most sources indicating that Coca-Cola Chewing Gum disappeared from the market by the 1920s. Today, Coca-Cola Chewing Gum jars, advertising materials, and packaging are considered rare collectibles. The glass jars that once held the gum are highly sought after by collectors, as they represent a unique and lesser-known part of Coca-Cola’s history. These items offer a glimpse into the company’s brief but notable attempt to expand beyond beverages and into other consumer products. The historical significance of Coca-Cola Chewing Gum lies in its reflection of the company’s early efforts to explore new markets and capitalize on its brand power. Although the gum itself did not become a lasting part of the Coca-Cola legacy, it stands as an example of the company's willingness to innovate and adapt in its early years, even if those innovations sometimes fell short of the success of its flagship product.