Antique Soda Fountain Sodawater Syrup Advertising Box, The Murray Co Boston Mass
Item History & Price
Another item from Country Artifacts, Great Northern Liquidation, Springfield, Vermont.
Antique Soda Fountain Apothecary Soda Water Syrup Flavors Wooden Advertising BoxVery nicely marked on the ends: 6 - 1/2 Gal. Jars, The Murray Co. Sodawater Flavors, The Two Little Smiling Men, The Murray Co. 209-211 State St, Boston, MassA shipping label is affixed to one end over the above markings: Merchandise Fourth Class Mail, From: Providence Wholesale Drug Co., 295 Harris Avenue, Provi...dence, R.I., and with the following written on it: MARITARIAN or MARKARIANOverall dimensions: 17-1/2" long x 11-1/2" wide x 11-1/4" highCondition is excellent for its age, with exceptionally clear markings on the ends, a removable shipping label, and a great patina. It has various marks, scars and other signs of about a century of wear, consistent with its age as shown.About The Murray Company, Soda Water, and Soda Fountains (research results):I was able to find clear evidence that this company was in business as early as 1903, and as late as 1918 based on reports found in pharmaceutical magazines and period advertising. They may have started before 1903 since I found a soda water trademark filed with the US Patent Office in 1900 and used since 1899 by Milton E. Murray, the company founder. I didn't find anything after 1918, so it appears that the heyday of the company was in the period leading up to World War One.I found in their advertising and industry reports that the company produced and were sole agents for various soda water flavors, fruit juices, concentrated syrups, and also some soda fountain accessories (in 1909 they sold The Boston Holder, a universal soda fountain glass holder). Their flavors included: peach, pineapple, strawberry, lemon, cherry, grape, orange, and raspberry. In 1905 their fine specialty was Zenith Ginger Ale Extract. In 1907 they were agents for Vineland Grape Juice.Soda water, a.k.a. carbonated, bubbly, or fizzy water, is water into which carbon dioxide has been dissolved, making it effervescent. Examples are sparkling mineral water, club soda, seltzer water, and tonic water.Carbonated water was first made as far back as 1740, was first documented in 1772, and first produced commercially in 1781 (all in England). The Murray Company's trade mark found on this box is a nod to the early introduction of soda water. It depicts "The Two Little Smiling Men", which are two English Red Coats enjoying drinks from soda fountain dispensers flanked by tigers. The company also produced this image in color on serving trays and other items given out as advertising. In the United States, carbonated water was known as soda water until World War II, due to the sodium salts it contained, added as flavoring and acidity regulators to mimic the taste of natural mineral water. It was called "two cents plain" during the Great Depression, because without the addition of three cents worth of flavored syrup, it was the cheapest drink at soda fountains.The soda fountain began in Europe, but achieved its greatest success in the United States, starting about 1806 in New Haven, Connecticut, and quickly spreading to New York City, Baltimore and Philadelphia.In their heyday (late-19th to the mid-20th Centuries), soda fountains flourished in pharmacies, ice cream parlors, candy stores, dime stores, department stores, milk bars and train stations, where a soda jerk served carbonated beverages, ice cream, and sometimes light meals. The soda jerk's fountain generally dispensed only unflavored carbonated water, to which various syrups were added by hand.In 1905, The Murray Company demonstrated their extensive capabilities at the National Association of Retail Druggists annual convention by supplying and running the big Puffer Company Constellation fountain, which amounted to some 50 feet of soda fountain dispensers and apparatus, also innovative for eliminating wood in its manufacturing in favor of marble (or onyx and other similar stones), and nickel plated metals for sanitary reasons so that the fountain always smells sweet.The Providence Wholesale Drug Company was formed in 1909, so that provides a maximum age for this box. That company lasted until approximately 1992.To keep shipping costs to a minimum, we will simply wrap this item with commercial shipping stretch wrap and ship it unboxed. If you would like to pay to have it shipped boxed, please message us for a shipping quote.Unpacked weight & size: 4.8, 17x11x11Packed weight & size: 5, 17x11x11Package Notes & Ref: 8I39, 15#:Note: If we are offering free shipping with this listing, free shipping only applies to the contiguous 48 United States. Please email for a shipping quote to Alaska, Hawaii, US territories, and international destinations.:If for any reason you are unsatisfied with your purchase, I offer a money back guarantee. This can be a full or partial refund (depending on the severity of the problem). In many cases you may not even need to return it. Please contact me through eBay's messaging service with a description of the issue and I will respond as soon as I see it.:Please also note that my liability for product defects is limited to the purchase price plus shipping. I am not responsible for the installation, training in the use of, or operation of any item I sell. The buyer assumes all responsibility for safely handling, inspecting and verifying the operational quality of their purchases prior to putting them into service. The buyer expressly releases the seller from any liability arising from the installation or operation of the product.
Antique Soda Fountain Apothecary Soda Water Syrup Flavors Wooden Advertising BoxVery nicely marked on the ends: 6 - 1/2 Gal. Jars, The Murray Co. Sodawater Flavors, The Two Little Smiling Men, The Murray Co. 209-211 State St, Boston, MassA shipping label is affixed to one end over the above markings: Merchandise Fourth Class Mail, From: Providence Wholesale Drug Co., 295 Harris Avenue, Provi...dence, R.I., and with the following written on it: MARITARIAN or MARKARIANOverall dimensions: 17-1/2" long x 11-1/2" wide x 11-1/4" highCondition is excellent for its age, with exceptionally clear markings on the ends, a removable shipping label, and a great patina. It has various marks, scars and other signs of about a century of wear, consistent with its age as shown.About The Murray Company, Soda Water, and Soda Fountains (research results):I was able to find clear evidence that this company was in business as early as 1903, and as late as 1918 based on reports found in pharmaceutical magazines and period advertising. They may have started before 1903 since I found a soda water trademark filed with the US Patent Office in 1900 and used since 1899 by Milton E. Murray, the company founder. I didn't find anything after 1918, so it appears that the heyday of the company was in the period leading up to World War One.I found in their advertising and industry reports that the company produced and were sole agents for various soda water flavors, fruit juices, concentrated syrups, and also some soda fountain accessories (in 1909 they sold The Boston Holder, a universal soda fountain glass holder). Their flavors included: peach, pineapple, strawberry, lemon, cherry, grape, orange, and raspberry. In 1905 their fine specialty was Zenith Ginger Ale Extract. In 1907 they were agents for Vineland Grape Juice.Soda water, a.k.a. carbonated, bubbly, or fizzy water, is water into which carbon dioxide has been dissolved, making it effervescent. Examples are sparkling mineral water, club soda, seltzer water, and tonic water.Carbonated water was first made as far back as 1740, was first documented in 1772, and first produced commercially in 1781 (all in England). The Murray Company's trade mark found on this box is a nod to the early introduction of soda water. It depicts "The Two Little Smiling Men", which are two English Red Coats enjoying drinks from soda fountain dispensers flanked by tigers. The company also produced this image in color on serving trays and other items given out as advertising. In the United States, carbonated water was known as soda water until World War II, due to the sodium salts it contained, added as flavoring and acidity regulators to mimic the taste of natural mineral water. It was called "two cents plain" during the Great Depression, because without the addition of three cents worth of flavored syrup, it was the cheapest drink at soda fountains.The soda fountain began in Europe, but achieved its greatest success in the United States, starting about 1806 in New Haven, Connecticut, and quickly spreading to New York City, Baltimore and Philadelphia.In their heyday (late-19th to the mid-20th Centuries), soda fountains flourished in pharmacies, ice cream parlors, candy stores, dime stores, department stores, milk bars and train stations, where a soda jerk served carbonated beverages, ice cream, and sometimes light meals. The soda jerk's fountain generally dispensed only unflavored carbonated water, to which various syrups were added by hand.In 1905, The Murray Company demonstrated their extensive capabilities at the National Association of Retail Druggists annual convention by supplying and running the big Puffer Company Constellation fountain, which amounted to some 50 feet of soda fountain dispensers and apparatus, also innovative for eliminating wood in its manufacturing in favor of marble (or onyx and other similar stones), and nickel plated metals for sanitary reasons so that the fountain always smells sweet.The Providence Wholesale Drug Company was formed in 1909, so that provides a maximum age for this box. That company lasted until approximately 1992.To keep shipping costs to a minimum, we will simply wrap this item with commercial shipping stretch wrap and ship it unboxed. If you would like to pay to have it shipped boxed, please message us for a shipping quote.Unpacked weight & size: 4.8, 17x11x11Packed weight & size: 5, 17x11x11Package Notes & Ref: 8I39, 15#:Note: If we are offering free shipping with this listing, free shipping only applies to the contiguous 48 United States. Please email for a shipping quote to Alaska, Hawaii, US territories, and international destinations.:If for any reason you are unsatisfied with your purchase, I offer a money back guarantee. This can be a full or partial refund (depending on the severity of the problem). In many cases you may not even need to return it. Please contact me through eBay's messaging service with a description of the issue and I will respond as soon as I see it.:Please also note that my liability for product defects is limited to the purchase price plus shipping. I am not responsible for the installation, training in the use of, or operation of any item I sell. The buyer assumes all responsibility for safely handling, inspecting and verifying the operational quality of their purchases prior to putting them into service. The buyer expressly releases the seller from any liability arising from the installation or operation of the product.
