Pre-Prohibition Era
Showing 21–29 of 29 results
Harper Whiskey Vitrolite Sign
Here is a Harper Whiskey Vitrolite Sign from the I. W. Harper Distilling Company located in Louisville, KY. This Harper Whiskey Vitrolite Sign is from the early 1900’s era and is in good condition for its age.
This sign was made by the Vitrolite Sign Company that was a sister company to Meyercord Company located in Chicago, IL. It is approximately 20″ by 26″ and is made of painted milk glass.
Note: The top left and right corners have cracks and repairs.
Robert Smith Match Holder
Here is a Robert Smith Match Holder from the Robert Smith Ale Brewing Company located in Philadelphia, PA. This Robert Smith Match Holder is from between 1896 to 1901 and is in great condition considering how old it is.
It is made of lithographed painted metal and was made by the Chas. W. Shonk Company who was located in Chicago, IL. The advertising on this matchbox holder depicts the Robert Smith Ale Brewery “Tiger Head Brand” graphics and promotes their products of Ale and Stouts. Match holders like this would have been displayed on the bar top or on tables inside of a tavern or saloon; a matchbox would have sat between the 2 prongs. Patrons could light their cigars and pipes and discard the used matches into the tray.
Schwarzenbach Beer Tray
Here is a Schwarzenbach Beer Tray from the Schwarzenbach Brewing Company located in Hornell, NY. This pre-prohibition era Schwarzenbach Beer Tray is from between 1895 to 1920 and is in fair condition considering how old it is.
This tray is approximately 13″ and was made by American Art Works located in Coshocton, OH. The graphics on this tray display a stock scene of a red stag or deer with lettering around the rim that reads “Schwarzenbach Brewing Company” and “Hornell, NY”.
It appears that the lettering around the rim may have been painted over at some point. This was a common practice during prohibition as it was not only illegal to produce, sell, and consume alcohol but it was also illegal to have anything that advertised or promoted it; so people would paint over the advertising on a lot of these trays.
This would be a great tray candidate for restoration. Should you be interested, we are happy to refer you to one of our trusted restoration professionals.
This would be a great tray candidate for restoration. Should you be interested, we are happy to refer you to one of our trusted restoration professionals.
National Brew Tray
Here is a National Brew Tray from the National Brewing Company located in Steelton, PA. This pre-prohibition National Brew Tray is from the early 1900s era and is in fair condition considering how old it is.
This tray is approximately 13″ wide by 13″ high and was made by the Meek Company located in Coshocton, OH. The graphics on this tray depict a victorian woman toasting a small tasting glass of beer; while the artwork on this tray is a stock scene produced by Meek Company.
Brass Glennon’s Beer Sign
Here is a Glennon’s Beer Brass Sign from the Jos. H. Glennon’s Brewing Company located in Pittston, PA. This pre-prohibition Glennon’s Beer Sign is from the early 1900’s era and is in very good condition for it’s age.
It is approximately 26″ wide by 14" high and is made of heavy brass with stamped lettering. Signs like these would have been displayed on the side of a tavern or saloon to advertise Glennon’s Beer to patrons. During the time, brass was the ideal metal of choice for outdoor advertising signs in that it would not weather or rust.
Birkenstock Brewers Lunch Pail
Here is a Birkenstock Brewers Lunch Pail from the John Birkenstock, Sunrise & Sunset Brewing Company located in Allentown, PA. This pre-prohibition era Birkenstock Brewers Lunch Pail is from between 1890 and 1898 and is in excellent condition considering how old it is.
It is about the size of a standard lunch kettle and is made of tin with an embossed lid. The Embossing on the lid reads “Compliments of John Birkenstock Brewer & Bottler Allentown, PA”.
Lunch pails like this one were basically the working man’s lunch kettle from back in the day and would have also served as a beer growler to transport beer back home; click here to check out my blog article about the Evolution of the Beer Growler from what was once just a lunch pail for the working class.
Briggs High Hop Ale Sign
Here is a Briggs High Hop Ale Sign from the T. Briggs & Company located in Elmira, NY. This pre-prohibition era Briggs High Hop Ale Sign is from between 1870 to 1920 era and is in excellent condition considering how old it is.
It is approximately 14″ by 6″ and is made of embossed metal with a chain hanger. The advertising on the sign probably suggests that their product was some kind of an India Pale Ale with a higher ABV (alcohol by volume) than tradition ales produced at the time.
Continental Scotch Ale Sign
Here is a Continental Scotch Ale Sign from the Continental Brewing Company located in Philadelphia, PA. This pre-prohibition era Continental Scotch Ale Sign is from the early 1900s era and is in excellent condition considering how old it is.
It is approximately 12″ by 16″ and is made of metal with lithography printed graphics. The graphics depict a patriot soldier at camp with a large labeled bottle of Continental Scotch Ale. Originally, this sign would have been displayed in a wooden frame. Signs like these would have been displayed inside of a tavern to advertising Continental Brewing Company products including beer, ale, and porter along with other styles too.
Yuengling’s Beer Match Safe
Here is an early Yuenglings Beer Match Safe from the D. G. Yuengling Brewery located in Pottsville, PA. This pre-prohibition Yuenglings Beer Match Safe looks to be from the late 1800s to early 1900s era and is in excellent condition considering how old it is.
On the front it displays the text “Yuenglings Beer Porter Ale Pottsville, PA”. While on the back there is an eagle insignia representing the brewery’s logo with a Latin phase “E Pluribus Unum” which translates to “Out of Many, One” which is also the motto of the United States suggested on July 4, 1776.