Posted 10 years ago
Majdotkool
(2 items)
I believe these are old store window posters designed @ the early 1900's. They are not photos, but appear to be printed on a multi-color press. They were made to advertise Stroh's Beer. I collect lots of Stroh's Beer items, but have not seen these before.
Has anyone ever ran across these posters before. Do you have any info about them? Many thanks.
I believe these are litho prints put out by the brewery. A lot of breweries put these out to be hung in the bars. If they are original and not reproductions they can be worth big bucks!
Thanks. Is there an easy way to tell if they are originals or re-prints?
Both are in quality frames with museum quality glass and acid free board backings. They are on old looking/feeling heavy paper and appear to have the printers fingerprints on the back of the paper.
The framing is a good sign that someone took care of them but at the same time they may have thought they were originals too. Distinguishing an original from a reproduction is very hard to do these days with advanced printing techniques. The fingerprints on the back are a good sign that it's original too. is there any other markings on the lithos? Look around the edges for printer cut marks and registration marks. Also take a magnifying glass and look closely at the image to see if there is a moray pattern over the image. Where did you say you acquired them from again?
I do not find any printer cut marks or registration marks on the paper. I'm not certain what a Moire' pattern is, but I think it would be a fine crosshatched pattern visible with a magnifier on the print. I do not see that pattern. The girl, more so than the boy does have some type of a pattern, but an old print shop owner thought they were done on a 3 color offset printer? The pattern on the girl is not crosshatched at all, more like fine lines in a pattern that forms the picture. On the boy they are much less noticeable, but the boy is using a darker coloring. So I guess the mystery continues. Thanks for your reply
Well from my opinion and my background in beer collectibles and vintage poster collecting I believe that you have 2 original pieces here. Everything you have told me points to an original lithograph print. :)
Now what are they worth? I'm not sure. I have never come across these lithos before. I will keep my eye out for you and if I come across any or meet anyone who might know anything about them I will let you know.
Just out of curiosity, where did you acquire them from? And how long have you had them?
These are very beautiful pieces and someone would be lucky to have them in their collection.
Thanks for the reply,
They are quite stunning to me also. I acquired them on an online auction along with other pre-pro era items. Some old brass serving trays, etched beer glasses, old safety matches and the like. I think the fellow may have been selling off his father's collection. I have had them for several years now and since I retired have them hanging on my barroom wall. As I stated before, a printer said they were made on a 3 color press, so I just assumed they were not lithos, which I would think would be printed from an engraving of some kind, but I know very little of such processes. Any help/thoughts would be appreciated.
I'd say they are reproductions,based on the sheen to the paper,the fact the product (bottle graphics) are cut off (this was never done-your products were the most important part!) and they look much smaller than traditional stone lithographs.
Most brewery lithos were BIG and the depth of color was something to behold.They also had plenty of "breathing room" around the image,and wouldn't be trimmed so tightly with a paper border.
Would they/could, they have been reproduced on a 3 color offset printing press as was suggested, or do you think they were reproduced by photography? If so, when do you think they were reproduced, recently, or earlier. Were reproductions ever used as store displays? Thanks for the reply.
No so sure they are repros. Chromo-litho technique was used around the turn of the century and created a very high sheen and brilliant colors. Done on cardboard but never on thin paper. I would take them to a printing or poster professional for an answer. If authentic you have yourself some valuable items. Good luck.
Just another thought...I have been watching pre-pro items on ebay for many years and have not seem these. Typically reproductions come up for auction several times over a period of months or years. If someone took the time and expense to reproduce these posters they would certainly be selling off a handful of copies over time, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
Thanks for your input. I'm still also puzzled by these. I know there was a model train company that produced two rail cars with the same images. One on each car, but, unfortunately, they have gone out of business. If you ever hear any more info on these please post a comment. Many Thanks.
Also own this "Strohs" pic... Had picture for years and just now checking out info...any updates on your research?
Thanks for your comment. Do you have the Boy, Girl or both? I'd be curious to see if the fingerprints on the back of mine match any fingerprints your prints might have. They both show up in a book about Detroit brewers "Brewed in Detroit" by Peter H. Blum. His copies came from the Stroh's Beer archives. Other than that the mystery continues. Where/how did you you obtain yours?