Posted 6 years ago
Jasonholli…
(1 item)
Can anyone help me with this, I can not find any info or photos on this particular one. I do not have the lid, but looking for any idea on value and rarity
Cherry Smash dispenser | ||
| RCassano's loves35 of 58 |  |  |
That would be an unusual find, since all of Fowler's Cherry Smash dispensers were either white ornate globes or ruby red glass. I haven't seen any that were clear. John E. Fowler bought the Arlington Brewery (Rosslyn, VA) in 1920, at the height of prohibition and started manufacturing Cherry Smash syrup. In 1933, when prohibition ended, he attempted to re-open the facility as Dixie Brewing Co., but never could get it going. The building was torn down in 1958 and replaced by a hotel. There are references, however, that Fowler patented Cherry Smash as early as July 1915. There is a reference in the "Annual Report of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia" as to Fowler registering Cherry Smash in 1909, as well as "Lemon Drop".
Fowler continued to produce Cherry Smash for another 30 years out of Richmond, VA. He apparently franchised the product in the 60's. This is sort of a convoluted history, but Fowler apparently registered the trademark with various States at different times.
Unfortunately, like you, I haven't located any dispensers that match with yours. The absence of the name Fowler suggests this might have been a dispenser used by one of the franchisees in the 60's. I could be completely off, though.
The bottom of the container does have fowlers name on it. I really appreciate all of your info!!
Ok, so can you provide more detailed photos ? You can post up to 4, and try to rotate them upright. Nice find. I was stymied by the patent dates in the early 1900's and then references to the product and patentee as late as the 60's. That means Fowler would have had to live into his 90's ? Like I said, sort of a convoluted and confusing history on this one.
There are a few more photos, can't get a good visible pic of where it says property of John e Fowler unfortunately. You may be able to make it out on the photos though
And the back side looks exactly the same minus the nozzel
Just a little more info, as well as "property of John e Fowler" on the bottom it also has Rosslyn, Va. And I do appreciate all your assistance.
Looks like you've got an original. Probably a later version of the dispenser. Very nice. The clear glass isn't as common as the ornate dispensers, so that might be a bit rare.
Welcome to C.W. :) great find!
If anyone knows a website or place I can contact to find value I would appreciate it.
I don’t know values on these but I would think not having the lid would be a huge decline in value. Unless someone out there has a lid:)
There is a Facebook group called picks of the week, good luck :)
There is another Facebook group vintage soda collectibles.
Ty Trey, I sent a request to join vintage soda collectibles
Your welcome and glad I could help.
This type of syrup dispenser did not have a lid. You would insert a inverted one gallon syrup jug in the top, separated by a large rubber gasket or O-Ring.
https://search.aol.com/aol/image?q=fowler+cherry+antique+soda+fountain+syrup+dispenser&s_it=img-ans&v_t=loki-keyword#id=568&iurl=https%3A%2F%2Fs-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com%2F736x%2Fa8%2F3e%2F75%2Fa83e75b1f96473114ad84c6f816a038c--beer-dispensers-soda-fountain.jpg&action=click
The Cherry Smash dispenser you have does not have a lid. The syrup was sold in gallon bottles, and was simply inverted into the dispenser.
No gasket or O ring was required the dispenser used the same principle as the old chicken watering devices. I have one of those dispensers along with the bottle.