Red and Black Jax cans

[bradflinders]

I just acquired a small collection yesterday. In the collection were these 2 Jax cans. I thought they were both the same but on closer inspection one is IRTP and the other is not. I didn't know this can came without the IRTP statement. Photos are below.

[Longhorn Mike]

That is correct. There are three variations on the red & black cans. The first can, IRTP with "no arm" and Drink right above the J in Jax. Also, the left end of the J is horizontal, not on an angle. The second variation in the IRTP with an arm with Drink up near the top with the end of the J at an angle. The third variation is the same as the second, but is not IRTP.

I my opinion, the hardest version is the "Arm IRTP", followed by the "Arm non IRTP". The easiest seems to be the no arm version. The late Howard Jones from Houston came across a large number in 1+ condition with either the top or bottom cut out back in the late 80's.

- Mike

[jwcans]

Brad, Are you kidding me? What, you've been in Texas for a week, and already found these? Someone posted earlier ( I think Ed , or Dan ) you were a can magnet?

[Rockbob]

Man those are great. I just picked one up myself, it should clean up though.

[stringsx24now]

The red/black combo is very visually striking, reminding me of the red/black Grain Belt cones.
These Jax cans, while I know can be available, don't get up north in any great quantities, and certainly makes it tough if one tries to get all the different varieties. That is what makes this website so cool.
Any idea of what the two cans at the beginning of this thread would go for in their condition now?

[Longhorn Mike]

I am guessing around $300 or so.

- Mike

[Matt Menghini]

The paint holds up pretty good on those cans so I think that there are a lot of decent copies around of outdoor cans. But in thinking about this, I'm pretty sure I have not seen much in the way of clean indoor copies. I suspect that a clean indoor copy would be pretty tough and pricey? Who can shed some light on that? Matt

[Dixie Dave]

The red and black Jax with no IRTP statement was only on the market for a few weeks, given that the IRTP statement was required on cans filled before March 1, 1950. Ads in the Times Picayune show the yellow stripe Jax can that followed the black and reds as early as April 15, 1950. I'm not sure if information is available for how many cans Jax filled in that time period, but it can't be that many.

I can't figure out the first appearance of the armed IRTP cans, because the 1949 ads I can find show only bottles. One does show the can but it's too dark to tell if it has the arm or not. I know that neither of the armed cans are common. The "armless" can is far easier to find, and even it is relatively tough.

It looks like May 15, 1948 is the earliest mention of Jax in cans. Surprisingly, Jax didn't make a big deal in ads when they finally brought cans out. 1948 ads only talk about bottles or draft, though grocery ads list the cans as available.

[Tom Hoefer]

Let me agree with Dave. My research is exactly the same as his. The Yellow Stripe version appeared in ads in April 1950. The first reference to Jax beer in cans is in June 1948.

The non IRTP is the toughest, the armless is the easiest and all are probably a bit over-rated. We find the red and black Jax cans pretty frequently in Louisiana and Texas dumps. I can't speak to their availability in indoor condition, but as dumpers they are not difficult. The Dixie cans are way more difficult to find in dumps than any Jax cans.

[mattski323]

Nice find!

[CMD]

Is there an "armless" non IRTP ?

[Longhorn Mike]

Is there an "armless" non IRTP ?

No. All of the "armless" cans are IRTP.

- Mike

[Brent Gesland]

Here is my can that I acquired just last yr.....Really like this can. The graphics and color scheme on this Jax flat is just awesome

Brent G.

[Summitcan]

some can merchant just posted one in advertise : )

[Wheaton]

One of the neatest looking cans in the hobby. I have a side collection of cans with MS tax lids, and Dixie Dave hooked me up with a cool dumper Jax with intact tax lid.

That's a label design I never get tired of seeing.

[Dixie Dave]

Let me agree with Dave. My research is exactly the same as his. The Yellow Stripe version appeared in ads in April 1950. The first reference to Jax beer in cans is in June 1948.

The non IRTP is the toughest, the armless is the easiest and all are probably a bit over-rated. We find the red and black Jax cans pretty frequently in Louisiana and Texas dumps. I can't speak to their availability in indoor condition, but as dumpers they are not difficult. The Dixie cans are way more difficult to find in dumps than any Jax cans.

The armless cans do turn up in older dumps if you look hard enough. Not super-common, but not super-tough. Armed cans are still pretty tough. I've got a couple of cases of armless ones but maybe one of the armed ones if that many. Dixie cans are a lot harder to find than Jax, I'll agree, especially 45's.

[CMD]

Brad I got this can from another collection you bought some years back

Best $25 I ever spent !

Dan

[Brent Gesland]

This MINTY can below just sold on ebay for $650.00 last week...Sweet can. The one I have (pic above) is grade 1ish with some issues but I spent a fraction of the cost on the MINT one.

My question to you guys did this can sell to high or maybe to low??

Brent G.