Wednesday, July 6, 2011

7 Up "United We Stand" Set Complete

In 1976, 7 Up released a bicentennial 50-can "United We Stand" set where each can represented one of the states.  On the front of the can was a picture of the state and on the back was a strange looking design on a white background.  Each can also had a number on it, and when the cans were stacked in a pyramid in the right order (instructions were printed on the back of can #1), the back of the cans showed a large picture of Uncle Sam.  Sweet.

7 Up Illinois can
In my eBay auction adventures, a few of the lots of "older" cans I bought had some of these commemorative 7 Up cans.  I ended up with a total of 34 of the 50 cans and had no motivation to complete the collection.  First, I didn't want to have to track down each can I was missing.  And as the number of cans I needed got smaller, I figured it would be harder to find those particular cans.  Second, the cans aren't cheap.  I have seen some complete sets sell for $50 or more, but I don't want the set that badly!  And to buy individual cans can be expensive because of shipping & handling.  A can may sell for only $1 but you could pay $3-5 s&h.  Too expensive to buy 16 cans that way.

Uncle Sam wants 7 Up
...until I poked around on Craigslist a couple of weeks ago.  Was anyone selling soda cans locally?  What did I find?  A complete set of the 7 Up cans for $20.  I emailed the seller and asked if he'd take $15, he replied, "Yes."  It took a couple of weeks to get our schedules to line up, but I met him just this morning and we made the transaction.

I asked where he got them and he said he is a beer memorabilia collector and found this set at one of the conventions he attended.  He is now clearing out some space and selling some things and this is one of those items.  My plans, throw my partial set on eBay to cover the cost I paid for the complete set.  See how this works?

The cans are very dusty, apparently they sat in a garage or attic for some time, but I clean all my cans anyway before adding them to my collection.  So this weekend I'll be hunched over the kitchen sink cleaning fifty 7 Up cans from 1976.  I've had worse weekends.

Complete set waiting to be cleaned

33 comments:

  1. hi,
    I will be putting up this "United We Stand" Set up on Ebay except I have them before they were turned into cans. So I have the entire labels so how much do you think they are worth?

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  2. There are complete sets of "United We Stand" cans on eBay right going for $50, $100, $200, $400, etc. I think a realistic price is in the $50-100 range, depending on the condition of the cans. I've seen tin can "flats" (before they're rolled into cans) go for $3-15 each. I've never dealt in flats, so I don't know if they are worth more or less than the finished cans. I'm no expert on can values, but I would start high (maybe $150). If they sell, great. If not, list them at a lower price. If you can't get what you want for them, wait a while and try again later. Good luck! If anyone else can give better advice, please post.

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    1. would you be interested in a complete set that I have. I can send photos. They are in mint condition, with tabs. They are from a former employee that worked at canning distributor.

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  3. hi, thanks for the advice. Nobody bought them though, does anyone know someone interested in them. I have 65 of the flats.

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  4. Try posting at these two forums:

    http://www.therustybunch.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=40

    http://canmuseum.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=sodatrade

    They can also give you a better idea of what your flats are worth. Good luck!

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  5. Hi, I have a 7 up can that is a 8000 rpm tachometer.Never used.All origanal and in great shape.Can anyone tell me the value?Thanks

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  6. Would you be interested in a complete set with the tabs still on them? And! How much would you be willing to pay?

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  7. Hi! I'm Kenny & I'm not a collector,but I have all 50 America's turning 7up cans...it must have been a store display because they are all unopened & empty with no holes punched in them would anyone like them? gtbwi@yahoo.com

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  8. Hello

    I have a whole set of the 1976 bicentennial 7 up cans in mint condition. have all the states made.

    Would like to sell for $400.00

    Volleyballcrazy10@gmail.com

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  9. I have the full set of cans with tabs still on them and quite a few extras never been displayed. I used to deliver 7up in the early seventies and all the employees got a set as a gift. I am looking to sell them If anyone is interested please drop me an email @ willems@marshfield.k12.wi.us thanks

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  10. have an unopened and empty 7up ( uncola era ) for sale if someone is interested.
    chas.walters2@verizon.net

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  11. This is amazing! I found the Idaho one on the side of the road while I was jogging today.

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  12. This is amazing! I found the Idaho one on the side of the road while I was jogging today.

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  13. I had the entire set back then. Had donated the set to a non-profit for an action and the janitor had thrown the can collection out. Figured back then the collection could have gotten at least 25 to 50 dollars. Mainly as a donation to the college. It was fun collecting the 50 states.

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  14. Hi, I remember these as a kid. I came across some at a rummage sale yesterday. A complete set and a box of extras. Does anyone trade for extras that I may have ? I need 12 more to complete another set.
    Just curious. Two sets are neater than one!

    jamesfero61@gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. I have the entire set but 2 are dented. Wondering if you have them? 27 Nebraska & 28 Nevada

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    2. Hi Paul,
      I have the entire collection. Thanks for checking though.

      Delete
  15. Hi, I remember these as a kid. I came across some at a rummage sale yesterday. A complete set and a box of extras. Does anyone trade for extras that I may have ? I need 12 more to complete another set.
    Just curious. Two sets are neater than one!

    jamesfero61@gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. Hey I have a complete set that r dusty but not dented if your interested I would take 50 bucks for the whole set

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  16. Hey everyone! I have the complete set clean and all 50 states! Just was asking if anybodies interested in buying them? Asking $300, otherwise I'll keep em for the next 50yrs... Bncl916@yahoo.com. thanks!

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  17. I know nothing about collecting soda cans, but with other media (especially coins), cleaning is frowned upon. Does that not apply to cans?

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  18. July 17, 2018. Have complete set, 2 stacking instruction sheets, no tabs. little dusty. Asking $200.00. Make me an offer. You pay shipping. peaceofmind58@hotmail.com

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  19. Have a set of cans just curious of the value . Tenn. Is actually printed upside down.

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  20. I just picked up the complete set at an auction. Didn't realize what I had till I got home. The owner left a note in it. Haven't taken them out of the plastic yet.

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  21. I am missing a few cans from the United we stand collection, anyone have extra if I can get the numbers or know a good place to find them?

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  22. I have a complete set airtight with no holes or soda in them !!!

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  23. I have the complete set in awesome condition with tabs complete and no holes poked in them. They have never been filled and are clean. They have been on a shelf in the office since they were made and look great. If anyone is interested email me at miller4two@gmail.com and make an offer. I can provide pics if needed. Thank you

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  24. Also to last post on the set I forgot to add that my name is John Jones.

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  25. I have a complete set of united we stand
    7up cans Mint condition for sale.
    200.00 or best offer

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  26. cdbrown1334@aol.comMarch 22, 2023 at 2:06 PM

    I have a complete set of the 50 states cans. Never had soda in them and never been opened. Got them from a 7up employee. Still in the big box they came in. Contact me if you are interested. $300.

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  27. I have a busch can never opeaned that u open with a church key and they just had 3 breweries

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  28. I have a set of these cans which are in perfect condition. I’ll take $500 for them. I don’t personally know anyone else that has them.

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