Old brands never die -- they just fade from view until someone figures out a way to capitalize on the nostalgia for them.
If you live in New England, or are passing through, you may encounter Narragansett Beer. No, not the original; that brew debuted in 1890 and virtually disappeared after being acquired but neglected by mega-brewer Falstaff Brewing in 1965. The brand was reborn in 2005, after Mark Hellendrung, the former director of regional beverage maker
Nantucket Nectars, led a group of investors that bought back the beer from Falstaff.
Auction specialist Racebrook last year said it was selling 50 "classic American brands" it had acquired over the years, including Handi-Wrap, Victrola, Braniff International and Shearson.
"In recent years, there has been renewed interest in branding that evokes nostalgia," said John Cuticelli, Racebrook's chief executive. "These brand names have been, and will become again, globally recognized by consumers."
Click ahead for snapshots of 10 talked-about brands that trigger happy memories and remind us of "back in the day."
