Bottle, Soda
Object number2016.136.2
Retailer
Roma Bottling Works Company, Inc.
Mediumglass
Credit LineGift of Jody Oelschlager
DescriptionGreen glass bottle, with raised striped line design, and embossed text on front, back ,and bottom of bottle.DimensionsHeight x Diameter: 7.625 × 2.25 in. (19.4 × 5.7 cm)Marks"ROMA / BOTTLING WORKS CO. / PITTSBURGH, PA. / CON. 6 1/2 FL. OZ. "
"GOLD MEDAL BEVERAGES".
Text on bottom reads "RBW", with the letters intertwined.
Historical NotesRoma Bottling Works was founded in Pittsburgh by Joseph Sardini, an Italian immigrant around 1907. The company was in operation until the early 1970s at which point they auctioned off the belongings. Now the old factory are loft condos at the corner of Colwell/Our Way and Vine Street in Uptown. It appears from early newspaper sources that Joseph, born near Tuscany in 1880, operated a store prior to opening Roma, but that he had to declare bankruptcy and auction off the items from his store in 1905. Sardini first delivered his soda products to local grocery stores via horse and wagon. The company expanded and by the 1950s had 35 employees and 10 delivery trucks. Jacob’s son Ugo became involved in the business after graduating from South Hills High School. Roma was known for their “Skipper” soda line.
Related person
Joseph Sardini
Subjects
On View
Not on view
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