1933 Coca Cola Century of Progress Dole Dispenser

Seller:

Donley Auctions

Estimate:

$8,000 - $15,000

Sold Price:

$35,000

Sold Date:

May 01, 2021

Description:

In 1933, Everett Worthington of Chicago Illinois was issued design patent No. 90,744 for a beverage dispensing device which he assigned to the Coca Cola Co. of Atlanta Georgia. Until 1933, if you ordered a Coke at a soda fountain, your server pumped some syrup into a glass and topped it off with cold seltzer. Although Coca-Cola distributed glassware that showed how much syrup to use, the process still tended to make the drink vary widely from place to place, both in flavor and temperature. At the 1933 Chicago World's Fair Century of Progress Exposition, Coca-Cola introduced the first automatic fountain Dispenser, which created a well-blended Coke with the pull of a handle. The Dispenser was packed with ice, making the perfect “ice-cold Coca-Cola.” The machine was manufactured by the Dole Valve Co. of Chicago. The innovation was a huge hit. An advertisement states, “Approximately one of every three at Chicago’s Century of Progress Exposition pause and refresh themselves with ice-cold Coca-Cola. In 1933 more than twenty-two million people attended, and at the soda fountains and refreshment stands within the fair grounds more than six million, five hundred thousand drinks of Coca-Cola were served.” This is the holy grail of Dispensers. It is in overall remarkably very good original condition. It is all there including the removable lid, the carbonated water coils, the mixing valve, and the stainless steel syrup tank with spring assist lid. The inside ice tank is in VG condition with no rust. The Dole Valve Co. mfg. tag is located on the front under the dispensing nozzle. The art deco design of the outside is a combination of cast aluminum and pressed steel with chrome accents. It retains over 90% of it's original paint. There are only a handful of these Dole Dispensers known to exist making this a once in a lifetime opportunity for the serious Coca Cola collectors. Measures 31" tall, 19" wide, 18" deep.

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