New arrival: A Nupoint small mechanical pencil circa 1921-1925. Samuel Kanner introduced the ‘Nupoint’ brand in 1921 and changed the name to ‘Presto’. The one we have was part of a set, the matching fountain pen is missing from the case.

• 1 quart Blackberry juice (Single serving ½ ounce)
• 1 quart bottle grape juice (Single serving ½ ounce)
• 1 pint lemon syrup (Single serving ¼ ounce)
• 4 1/2 pounds granulated sugar (LEAVE OUT!)

Dissolve the sugar in the fruit juices at the boiling point, strain, and when cool add the lemon syrup. Especially good for use in phosphates — 8 ounces, 5 cents

Modern version, just add the liquids in a large enough container… No need for the Sugar.

Add 1 ounce of the syrup to a glass with a small amount of ice. Shake, then strain into a 10 ounce glass ½ full of shaved ice. Add carbonated water to fill.

– The Soda Fountain. The Dispenser’s Soda Water Guide. 1909

I’m Jason R. Merrill, the proprietor and curator of Blackbird Finery. We are a men’s haberdashery, purveying antique and vintage gentelmen’s accessories (along with other antique odds & ends). For our purposes ‘Antique’ means any item over 100 years old and ‘Vintage’ is over 50 years.

We also research and present antique soda fountain formluas from period sources. Hopefully here we will be able to do so on a more regular basis.