Here is a Anheuser-Busch Black and Tan Sign from the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association located in St. Louis, MO. This Anheuser-Busch Black and Tan Sign is from between 1901 to 1905 and is in excellent condition for it’s age.
This Anheuser Busch Black and Tan Sign was made by the Chas W. Shonk Company located in Chicago, IL. It is made of embossed tin and is approximately 12″ high in size.
The graphics on this pre-prohibition era Anheuser Busch Black and Tan Sign sign are of two African black children reading a newspaper, and newspaper reads “Black & Tan”. The two black children represent the style of American Porter known as Black and Tan. Today, graphics and similar images like this sign can be perceived as racist; but at the time when this sign was made by Chas W. Shonk Company in the early 1900’s era it was the norm and a way to get the attention of patrons and sell products. Advertisers definitely do not make signs like this anymore!
There are two other variations of this sign, the only difference being different sizes, while the other has slightly different graphics and was made by Kaufmann & Strauss located in New York, NY; click here to view the other AB Black and Tan Beer variation.
