Vess Cola No Caffein Tin Sign, Vess Soda Co., St. Louis, MO. Circa 1945

This colorful Vess Cola “Contains No Caffein” tin sign helps date the age of the sign with the 5 cent price slogan.   This sign is unusual for Vess as it does not use their traditional green color in the advertising piece.

The Vess Soda company was founded in 1916 and was a soft drink brand manufactured in St. Louis, Mo. At that time they primarily distributed their products throughout the Midwest. The Vess trademark name came from the nickname of the original company founder, Sylvester Jones.

Another Vess beverage, Whistle Orange Soda was debuted in 1925. However, the Vess logo was on the other soda flavors.  The company had a difficult time after the Stock Market Crash in 1929 and eventually was sold to Donald Schneebarger. Schneebarger promoted a brand new line of flavors that helped turn the Vess Soda company around. Vess is currently owned by Cott Beverages. Their advertising slogan is still  “The Billion Bubble Beverage”.

Vess flavors include their main cola, cream sodas, fruit flavors, and its orange soft drink, Whistle. Vess-Up is their lemon-lime flavor.