Dr Pepper Commemorative Bottle Appraisal

Vintage Dr Pepper Nebraska Cornhuskers vs Oklahoma Sooners Commemorative Bottle

This item is a clear glass Dr Pepper bottle, likely a commemorative or promotional piece, featuring a colorful applied ceramic label (ACL) that details the historical football rivalry between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Oklahoma Sooners. The bottle has a standard soda bottle shape with a narrow neck, widening shoulders, and a cylindrical body that tapers slightly towards the base. The base shows a distinct green tint typical of older glass manufacturing. The dominant design elements are screen-printed directly onto the glass. The top portion of the label features the iconic 'Dr Pepper' logo in white script within a red heart shape, visible on multiple sides of the bottle. Below this, prominent text reads 'NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS' in white, followed by 'VS' in red, and 'OKLAHOMA SOONERS' in white, all set against a red background with a white outline. The main body of the bottle is adorned with a list of game scores between the two teams, presented in two columns. The scores are printed in red and white against a white background, with years ranging from 1964 down to 1943. An early entry, '1964 OU 17-7', is clearly visible. At the very bottom of the label, 'DEPOSIT BOTTLE' is printed in red, indicating it was part of a returnable bottle program. The bottle appears to be in good vintage condition, with the glass free from obvious cracks or significant chips. There may be some light surface wear consistent with age and handling, but the printed labels appear largely intact with good color retention. The general aesthetic and 'deposit bottle' marking suggest an age from the mid-20th century, likely commemorating a significant anniversary or period in the football rivalry before widespread use of disposable packaging. Its unique combination of a popular beverage brand with a specific sports rivalry makes it a collectible item.