Spotlight on Your Collection
This page is an opportunity to highlight a member’s collection, as they explain how they got into it as a child (just like Obelix, our famous gallic character)
Would you like to share your collection? Contact us!
The first guest in this series: Bastien F.
How did your passion for Coca-Cola memorabilia begin?
I started collecting at a fairly young age, particularly during the 1998 World Cup. At the time, Coca-Cola had released cans featuring the players, and I thought that was really cool. So I started, on a small scale, keeping these items without necessarily thinking I’d turn them into a real collection.
Then, the real turning point came in 2006, with the release of the first aluminum bottles at Christmas. I was immediately attracted by their shape and design, which I found to be original, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to display. From there, I really started a more serious collection, following the various releases, such as Coca BlāK, or the Daft Punk and Mika special editions.
But beyond the objects themselves, it’s also the entire world of the Coca-Cola brand that has always drawn me in. Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve been drawn to their marketing, especially the Christmas ads featuring Santa Claus, which I looked forward to every year. I also took part in promotional campaigns, for example by collecting bottle tabs to get gifts. Ultimately, this passion developed gradually, shaped by childhood memories, an appreciation for design, and an interest in the brand’s world.
Do you have a iconic piece in your collection?
There isn’t just one iconic piece for me, but rather several that each hold a special meaning. I’ve always loved “hunting” for Coca-Cola aluminum bottles, especially the rarest ones. This quest is really part of the fun of collecting. Among them, some pieces are even more special, like prototypes I’ve managed to find that I’ve never seen in other collectors’ collections, which makes them unique in my eyes.
I also have a soft spot for bottles from unusual countries. For example, I own a 750-milliliter bottle of Coca-Cola from Cuba, which is quite rare. It has significant historical value, since Coca-Cola is no longer produced there due to tensions between the United States and Cuba. This bottle therefore represents a bygone era, which gives it a very special symbolic value.
Ultimately, what makes some pieces “iconic” isn’t just their rarity, but also the story they tell and the joy I felt in finding them.
How do you find and select the items for your collection?
I use several methods to expand my collection. First, there are online classifieds sites, where you can sometimes find rare items. Even though competition is fierce—many collectors are on the same hunt as I am—you can still make some great finds.
But to get items from the other side of the world, the most important thing is still your network. Thanks to social media, I’ve been able to connect with other collectors in different countries, such as Korea, Thailand, Canada, Mexico, and the United States. With some of them, friendships have developed: they sometimes come to visit me in France, and I’ve also had the chance to visit them abroad. These exchanges are invaluable, both on a personal level and for the collection. Coca-Cola conventions are also very important events. They give enthusiasts a chance to get together, exchange ideas, chat, and sometimes even find some truly rare items. Finally, I also check out auction sites, which remain another great source for unearthing specific items.
Ultimately, collecting is both a search for objects… and a human adventure filled with meetings and sharing.
What specifically interests you about the Coca-Cola world?
What attracts me to Coca-Cola is a combination of factors. First, there’s the brand’s visual identity, particularly its iconic red color, which is instantly recognizable. Second, I love the fact that it’s a brand with a rich history—one that’s been around for over a century and has managed to evolve while retaining its unique character.
There’s also the design of the products and all the marketing work that has been developed over time. Coca-Cola is a brand that has always been innovative and offered original creations, which naturally attracts collectors.
But beyond all that, there’s a much more personal dimension. This brand is tied to childhood memories, like the simple act of drinking a Coke or waiting for the Christmas commercials featuring Santa Claus and the bear. These are images that leave a lasting impression and create a special attachment to the brand.
Ultimately, it’s this blend of aesthetics, history, and personal memories that makes Coca-Cola so appealing to me.
What kinds of Coca-Cola items do you collect today?
I started out collecting cans, particularly those from the 1998 World Cup. Those were really my first items, and they helped me get my foot in the door of this world.
Starting in 2006, I then focused on aluminum Coca-Cola bottles. They became the centerpiece of my collection and the main focus of my research for several years. I really loved their design, their variety, and the fact that they were easy to display. Unfortunately, Coca-Cola recently stopped producing this type of bottle, which is a bit of a disappointment — I really hope they bring them back someday.
More recently, I’ve expanded my collection to include vintage glass bottles, ranging from the brand’s early days through the 1990s. What I particularly enjoy is the idea of finding bottles from different countries, with the ultimate goal of having one from every country in the world. I also love the fact that, from one country to another, the name “Coca-Cola” can be written in different alphabets, yet remain instantly recognizable and highly visual—it’s something I find fascinating.
At the same time, I’m also interested in a wider variety of vintage Coca-Cola items, such as coolers or metal advertising signs. And among my future projects, I’d really love to acquire a vintage Coca-Cola refrigerator, which would be a standout piece in my collection.
Do you have a memorable story or experience related to your passion?
Yes, I’ve had several pretty memorable experiences thanks to this passion. For example, one day I received a somewhat surprising message from a collector in Venezuela who told me he was visiting Paris and wanted to meet other enthusiasts. I agreed, without really knowing what to expect, and in the end he showed up with some superb bottles from his country. We had a great time chatting, and it remains a pretty memorable experience.
Thanks to social media, I’ve also been able to meet collectors from all over the world. I’m thinking in particular of a Thai collector I’d been chatting with online: when I went to Thailand with my wife, he picked us up and showed us around Bangkok all day, taking us to the city’s most iconic spots. It was an incredible experience.
Today, I’m also in regular contact with collectors from Korea, Canada, and Mexico. With some of them, real friendships have developed, and we continue to exchange items very regularly.
Ultimately, Coca-Cola is much more to me than just a collection of objects: it’s above all a story of encounters, and these encounters are truly global.
What are your plans for the future with this collection?
Recently, I made a major life change by leaving Paris to settle in the countryside, and that also inspired a new project related to my collection. My goal is to finally create a room dedicated entirely to Coca-Cola, a space where I can display all my items.
Up until now, the enjoyment has been somewhat frustrating: it mostly consisted of receiving a package, unboxing the item, and then carefully storing it away. It was a pleasant moment, but ultimately quite brief.
With this project, I hope to be able to fully enjoy my collection on a daily basis. Displaying my items will allow me not only to showcase them, but also to realize the scope of the collection I’ve built up over the years.
It’s a new phase for me: moving from a “hidden” collection to a visible, living collection that I can truly appreciate and eventually share with others.