Vintage original Royal Crown Cola Advertising Sign – Aged Metal RC Cola Display

This is a wonderfully atmospheric advertising piece, with that lovely aged “salvaged sign” look.

Vintage original Royal Crown Cola Advertising Sign – Aged Metal RC Cola Display Panel – Industrial Americana Wall Decor

67 cm wide

30 cm tall

Made from a heavy copper plate rather than thin printed tin, with lovely cut out metal embossed lettering

Maker / Brand History

Royal Crown Cola, better known as RC Cola, has its roots in Columbus, Georgia, where pharmacist Claud A. Hatcher began producing bottled drinks from his family’s grocery business in the early 1900s. His early drinks included Royal Crown Ginger Ale, Royal Crown Strawberry and Royal Crown Root Beer, before the company developed its cola lines. The Royal Crown Cola name became strongly associated with American soft-drink culture, especially in the southern United States.

The drink we now recognise as Royal Crown Cola was reintroduced in 1934, named after Hatcher’s earlier “Royal Crown” drinks, and the company later became known as the Royal Crown Cola Company in the 1950s. RC Cola also has an important place in soft-drink history: it is associated with several industry firsts, including early canned soft drinks and the development of Diet Rite cola.

This sign carries the wording “Royal Crown Cola” and “Reg. U.S. Pat. Off.”, a phrase commonly seen on older American advertising and trademarked brand material. The piece appears to be a vintage-original advertising panel, possibly copper-toned metal, or a treated/painted metal sheet with embossed or etched lettering. It has a fabulous aged surface with oxidisation, darkening, scratches and wear, giving it strong decorative appeal.

A striking vintage Royal Crown Cola advertising sign, full of aged character and industrial Americana charm. The sign features large arched “Royal Crown” lettering above bold “Cola” text, with “Reg. U.S. Pat. Off.” beneath, giving it the look of an early advertising or point-of-sale display piece.

The surface has a warm bronze/coppery tone with deep patination, surface scratches, marks, staining and old fixing holes along the lower edge. The reverse is heavily aged and discoloured, suggesting previous display, storage or workshop use. This is very much a piece for those who love original-looking, weathered advertising rather than pristine reproduction-style decor.

It would look fantastic in a kitchen, bar area, café, games room, shop display, man cave, vintage advertising collection or industrial interior. The mellow metallic colouring gives it a softer, more characterful look than bright modern signage, while the Royal Crown Cola branding makes it instantly recognisable to collectors of soda, Americana and vintage advertising. Displayed with other items illustration only not included

Please note that I cannot confirm the original sign maker or exact production date. It is being sold as a decorative vintage advertising piece with visible age, wear and patina.

Condition

Good decorative vintage condition with clear age-related wear. There are scratches, surface marks, tarnishing, staining, dark patches, rubbing to the lettering, old fixing holes and general signs of use throughout. The reverse is heavily marked and oxidised. These details form part of its charm and aged appearance.