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When Dr. John Stith Pemberton created a cool and refreshing drink in Atlanta, Georgia on May 8, 1886, who would have known that he was producing one of the most well-known products in the world? When he sold his creation at his soda fountain, he named it because he thought the two C's would look good together, thus giving birth to Coca-Cola signs.

Coca-Cola history is rife with advertising slogans, campaigns, and artwork. Each generation added their own twist to the beloved drink's marketing story. From the original sprightly delivery boy to Santa Clause, from celebrities to polar bears, Coca-Cola has created a world of highly prized collectibles that are sought around the world.

The original creator of Coca-Cola's Santa Claus was Haddon Sundblom, who drew him drinking from the iconic bottle. This image was used consistently for more than 30 years, dating back to the 1930's. It still appears today on Christmas ornaments, billboards, signs, and other promotional material.

The soft drink from Atlanta and its red stripe have spawned many memorable slogans and jingles through the years. The Christmas advertisement with races singing together over the beverage, the computer generated polar bears and Santa toasting happy children with "The Friendliest Drink on Earth" are only a small percentage of the enduring images associated with the beverage.

From time to time different famous celebrities have been associated with the Coca-Cola campaign. Their contribution in making this drink popular among the masses cannot be overlooked. Spoke-animals also had a major role to play. In 2003, polar beers were introduced in the campaign and the concept was a big success. People just loved them.

The vast amount of advertising that the company produced over the years has led to a huge amount of collectible material being available. Coca-Cola has become a product which transcends generations and has inspired many collectors. Die-hard collectors insist on signage from all eras to be in mint condition. There are even books published on the values of these hot collectibles.

If you are looking to start a collection, start small. Decide on one area or timeframe. Then, focus your efforts on finding items that fit your category. Use online auction sites and forum boards to meet other collectors to set up a support network. Scour flea markets and garage sales for hard to find Coca-Cola signs.

Coca-Cola has become a worldwide symbol of refreshment. The signs the company has used throughout its history represent the happy feeling that its loyal customers feel. Whatever the sign, it will be worth something to someone because it inspires happy emotions of friendship and refreshment.