Welcome to KocaNola.com...

KocaNola.com is an Internet site dedicated to the process of
gathering, preserving, and sharing historical information about
Koca Nola.  Much of the information and material accumulated
thus far has been obtained thanks to the strong and much-
appreciated support of a core group of advanced collectors
and researchers who have generously responded to
advertisements placed in hobby publications.  By broadening
communication about this initiative to the world wide web, we
are expanding our search and reaching out to all collectors and
historians across the continent.

MISSION STATEMENT

Our ultimate objective is to support and promote the
collection, preservation, study, documentation, display,
communication and sharing of information about everything
related to Koca Nola.
 In the short term we will continue to
gather as much information as possible prior to the planned
2008 publication of
A Heads-Up On Koca Nola, the book (with
price-value guide) I am currently researching and writing.  
Longer term we will continue to gather and present
information, with this web site serving as a centralized
repository and source of information for anyone having an
interest in Koca Nola.

WHY KOCA NOLA?

Of the 150+ Coca-Cola copycat soda brands known to exist
during the first two decades of the Twentieth Century, Koca
Nola was remarkable for three reasons:

  • Koca Nola was one of six major brand name sodas first
    marketed in embossed bottles utilizing Hutchinson's
    Patent Spring Stopper (Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola, Celery-
    Cola, Ala-Cola, and Moxie were the others);

  • Although it is well-documented that the syrup of other
    major brand name sodas contained cocaine at some
    point, the Koca Nola Company was one of very few soda
    bottling firms indicted and found guilty of adulteration
    (corrupting, debasing, or making impure by the addition
    of a foreign or inferior substance in a product); and

  • Confirmed as having 44 franchises in 15 states and DC
    (and counting), the Koca Nola Company was probably
    one of the most successful of all the early copycat soda
    brands.  It is this author's conjecture that during the
    company's 1906-1909 heyday, Koca Nola was one of the
    top five selling soda brands in the United States.

WHERE TO FROM HERE?

Please check out the accompanying pages to learn more about
my background, the history of Koca Nola, how you can help,
and how to contact us.  After you've reviewed that
information, we encourage you to:

  • Add this site to your list of favorites and check back
    frequently for project updates, including information
    concerning publication of the Koca Nola book;

  • Please contact us for free appraisals of Koca Nola bottles
    and/or related go-with items (note: send photos with
    descriptions, not the actual items!); and  

  • Do not wait for someone else to submit information.  If
    you have any information related to Koca Nola, please
    contact us as soon as possible.  Your help is needed!    

KOCA NOLA NEWS FLASH:
Check the "WANTED" section on the How You Can Help page
for details about
$100 rewards for Koca Nola bottles!

© 2008, Heads-Up Publications
PRESERVING KOCA NOLA'S HISTORY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
This beautiful golden
yellow Koca Nola
Hutchinson soda
bottle is from
Philadelphia, PA.  
The embossed
lettering has been
painted to make it
easier to read.  
(Photo: R. J. Brown)
Heads-Up Publications                           Charles David Head, Prop'r.
New Koca Nola Quart Discovered!
July 3, 2008




















This very attractive, previously uncatalogued, Koca Nola quart
is currently listed as eBay 220251873039 (a big THANK YOU
to the seller for providing additional photographs and granting
permission to post the illustrated image).  This aqua, crown
top is 11.5" x 3.5" and embossed J. ESPOSITO / Koca Nola /
(U.S. flag) / 706 FULTON ST. / PHILADA. in a round plate
mould, with REGISTERED near the front base.  The back is
embossed BOTTLE NOT TO BE SOLD.  What a great find!