October Fall Classic
Lot 1128a:
Description
RARE! This Galena Red Stripe Beer ‘On Tap Here’ advertisement as a fantastic, early piece from the historic Fulton Brewery of Galena, Illinois, advertising a beer with a legendary past. You would be hard pressed to find another example like this anywhere. This piece, with its bold, striking design in red and black, embodies the pre-Prohibition era, claiming the beer was “Good Since 1833.” The actual Red Stripe brand, however, gained prominence later after the Galena Brewing Company was founded in 1929, developing a trio of lagers: White, Blue, and Red Stripe. This sign promotes the Red Stripe, which would become the most significant. Sadly, Galena Brewing faced financial difficulties and was forced to close its doors in 1938, but not before selling the Red Stripe name and recipe to two British investors. These investors famously took the brand to Jamaica, where it was later reformulated into the pale lager that became the world-famous export we know today. This piece represents the critically important American origin of that global brand. Included with the framed sign is a separate print depicting the Fulton Brewery Galena, Illinois building, M. Meller Proprietor. The sign’s condition is fair, showing considerable age and wear typical of a piece displayed in a saloon, including significant moisture or liquid staining, particularly a prominent brown ring stain, creases, and discoloration of the paper. The frame shows minor surface scratches consistent with its age. The included print is in very good condition. The piece, as framed, is H 17″, W 12.5″, D 1″. Print is H 11”, W 17”. See photos.
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