Gallery 6
Updated Apr. 27, 2001.
Welcome to the Pfeiffer Can and Carrier Gallery.
Any image marked
was
added during the last update. Thanks to Leon Hampton and Gary Bauer for help
in dating!
CANS 1902 - 1935: They didn't make cans! "6-Pack" - This cool 6-pack
holder is for rare Famous Beer 12-ounce squat bottles! View
2
Cans seem to be the most popular with collectors.
Can collecting became popular in the 70's, so only cans made before then are
really worth some money. See the FAQ for
more information on collecting.
1935 - 1951: The "IRTP" era.
"WWII Olive Drab Can" - Sorry for the less
than stellar image quality on this one, but these cans are very difficult to photograph.
Here is another example that shows some great detail: Example
2. This is the first type of Pfeiffer can made! These cans were made during World
War II for our troops overseas. To learn more, visit the
History Section for more info. These cans go for over $400 each! Example
3.
"IRTP Johnny Can"
- IRTP Yellow cans are very rare (and all are white shoes.)
First made in 1946, this can changed very little through the 50's. In fact, even after
1951, the cans still had a copyright of 1933 on them. This has led
to some incorrect dating. All the yellow cans (even the ones
below) are flat-tops.
1951 - 1960's: Pfeiffer's Strongest Years.
Mid 1960's - 1970's: Associated and G. Heileman era's.
"Yellow Johnny Fifer Cans" - There are said to be 14 varieties of the Yellow Johnny Pfeiffer
cans. The three
variations shown are the easiest to distinguish. The first,
"White Pants w. White Shoes" (this
one from about 1952) and the second, "Blue
Pants w. Black Shoes", are fairly common. You can even find some that are
"air filled" - made for display only. The middle can is a super rare
"transition can" with Blue Pants and White Shoes. Only a handful have
been found in Northern Michigan - none in good shape. One theory is that these
transition cans were made by a different can company to cover during a steel strike.
All of the other variations are very minor. Production stopped in 1955.
"Gold
'Famous Beer' Can"
- Johnny next
appeared on these gold cans in 1955. Because of the metallic finish on these cans,
examples in good shape are hard to find. Image courtesy of Collumbine Collectables.
"Scenic
Cans" - The "s" was
dropped from Pfeiffer's and a new product unveiled in the early 60's
with Scenic Cans. 7 Cans are shown here
from the 9 can set. Some, like
the
"Sail Boat" and
"Pike Cans",
are more rare than others. But even though other cans like the
"Sail Boat #2",
"Deer",
"Ore Boat",
"Salmon" and
"Geese Cans" are easier to find, NONE of these cans are common!
Also, check out this unrolled Pike
can!
"Premium Beer"
- 1962 saw the introduction of a more simplified, yet attractive Premium
can.
These cans are my favorite. There
are said to be four variations of this can. The most common variation has
no writing at the bottom of the
red circle. The second most common variety has
"From the Great Lakes Country" written in the circle. Somewhat rare
are the cans that have "From the Water
Wonderland" written on them. Finally, the rarest of this design are the
zip top cans with no writing.
"Premium Beer" Happy Mug Can
- This is the final variation of the Premium Beer line.
Finding these with bright coloring is difficult and they tend to go for about $30-40 depending on condition. Was beer marketed to kids back in those days?
"Extra
Special" - This can is so rare, that many collectors thought it not to
exist until recently. A few labels from bottles have appeared as
well. This can often sells for more than the Olive Drab can above.
"Gallon-Sized Pfeiffer" - 64 ounces of
Pfeiffer Goodness produced by the Associated Brewery. Also known as "Party Sized"
Pfeiffers, these cans were not made for one person to consume (although my an old
"Team Pfeiffer" friend, Dennis K., once drank a gallon - 4 quart bottles - in
one night!) Here is a "Side View".
"G. Heilman Cans" - Probably the most common
Pfeiffer cans. With slight variations, these cans
were made of steel and later aluminum. This exact design was produced by the
Pfeiffer Brewing Company (although NOT in Detroit), the Associated Brewery and
finally the G. Heileman Brewing Company. Of these, the Pfeiffer made cans are
the rarest.
CARRIERS and CASES
You've got all these cans and bottles, where are you going
to put them?
"Wooden Crate" - This relic was built for holding
a case of Pfeiffer bottles! I would guess that it is from slightly after
Prohibition.
"50's Yellow Carriers" - This is how all the
yellow Johnny Fifer cans were sold. In cardboard 3-pack holders. Sometimes, two of the
holders would be connected giving birth to the Pfeiffer
6-pack! Another example: View 1,
"View 2" and
"View 3". Thanks Jim!
"Scenic Can Holder" - Someone was selling this
a while back as a part of a set. I don't think they knew what they had on their
hands! Made to hold the Scenic cans mentioned above.
"GIQ Case" - This 70's G. Heileman case was for holding the large GIQ bottles. GIQ were about the size of a modern day 40oz.
"12oz. Case"
- This
90's G. Heileman case was for holding 12 ounce, longneck bottles.
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