Speed Ball Co


Company Names, addresses, dates1:
  Speed Ball Co, 148 E Capitol (1910)

Notes:
The only year I see this company listed in directories is 1910. Ads that say "Have you tried speed ball? A delicious drink. At all soda fountains" appears in the Washington Post from February to May of 1908.
A bottle was found the Stabler-Leadbeater apothocary in Alexandria that said "speed ball" on it, and it had a picture of a baseball. So maybe the name is a reference to baseball. The newspaper ad below also shows a picture of a baseball on it.
It may have also been a "pick-me-up" type drink. An ad in the 19-June-1911 Washington Post said "Have a glass of speed ball. Free at our fountain Monday and Tuesday. Try it for that tired feeling".

Bottles:

speed_01 book # 653
Amber 8.5" BIM crown top bottle embossed:
front: SPEED BALL / COMPANY / WASHINGTON, D.C. / REGISTERED
It also has 3 evenly spaced protruding dots on the front & back shoulders. These are likely Air Venting Marks.



Other Items:
speed_03 This is a 1.25" x 1.75" ad that appears to be cut out of a newspaper, although I don't know what newspaper or what year it was from. The ad says:
Delicious Refreshing / DRINK / SPEED BALL / 5c. / At All Soda Fountains Also In Bottles


1 Boyd's Directory for the District of Columbia (various years)


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This page last updated on November 6, 2023.