Do you have an old Coca Cola Advertising Calendar?  IF you have one, take some extra steps to preserve it and hang on to it.  Coca Cola calendars strated in the mid 1800's.  This was in a time before radio or t.v., and this was a way for the Coca Cola Company to reach the masses and usually this took place in a pharmacy or drug store, at the Soda Fountain.

The whole idea of a calendar seems basic to us today, and I suppose it was back then too.  But, ask yourself; "What do you do with the calendar when your finished with it?"  You likely toss it in the garbage like most people. 

This is why the old ones are seldom found, and this is why they are so valuable. Condition, as with any collectible, plays a very important factor in the current market value of the item.  Coca Cola calendars are no exception to this rule and the better the condition, naturally the more valuable it is.  Take note however, if you have a calendar from the 1800's and it has a monthly tab sheet (where at the start of the new month you tear off the old month and toss it) and all the tabs are still in tact, you have a treasure.  Even if you a calendar and it just has "December" on the month and the preceeding 11 months are gone, you've still got a treasure. 

Late 1800's was a terrific time to be skipping off to the corner soda fountain, at least in my opinion.  Victorian was the day and today, Victorian items are very much sought after and in high demand.  Calendars are perhaps a specialized collectible and some of the prices for the early ones are just jaw dropping. 

There are many books and guides on the market today to aid the new collector, and us aging one's too, in the authentication of any Coca Cola collectible including calendars.  These same guides will help you estimate a value on your item(s) as well.  Early calendars were very important for any company and usually they were a give a way. 

The earliest Coca Cola Calendars from the 1890's are the type of collectible you rarely see if you see at all on the antique trail.  These calendars can fetch up and over $20,000.00 depending on condition.  Amazing to think about what great grandma and grandpa likely threw away isn't it?  Be on the hunt for these treasures. 

Also, be on the look out for the ever popping up, con-artist who is trying to scam someone.  Today's technology has made it very easy for reproductions of all types to be produced with such accuracy even the most trained eye can error now and again.  Epherma and these paper products are no exception to the rule.  Do use caution when making a decision to buy an old paper item such as these early calendars from Coca Cola.  Know your product, or have it appraised by a professional and get it in writing.  If your buying online, in my opnion an escrow service is money well spent.

Another responsibility when it comes to these old calendars is to know how to preserve them and take care of them.  I can assure you, if you have one of these today, your grandchildren will be blessing you one day!  That rolled up piece of paper may very well buy them a farm one day!  Being a pack-rat isn't such a bad thing after all.  Acid free framing in a frame using UV proctective glass is a good way to preserve paper products as well as some photos.  Spend the extra money to have it done by a reputable professional.  It will be worth the extra investment in the future.