This is an advertisement poster circa 1880 for Cordial Old Tom Gin distilled by Boord & Son of London and apparently distributed in the USA by Du Vivier & Co of New York.
Gin is an alcoholic beverage whose flavour comes primarily from Juniper berries. The name 'Gin' comes from either the French 'genièvre' or the Dutch 'jenever' both of which mean Juniper. There have apparently been various forms of gin over the years and Old Tom Gin was a slightly sweetened version that was popular in the 1700's in England (so long before this advert). It was a cloudy drink back then and only became the clear liquid known today when distillation methods improved.
I love this postcard but remember dogs and cats should never drink alcohol! (And nor should humans in my opinion.)
Old advertisement posters were wonderful little pieces of art, often underestimated. I am glad we can enjoy them nowadays thanks to the postcards!
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen that poster before, nor heard of Old Tom Gin. It's attractive even if a little bizarre.
ReplyDeleteWhat a charming poster postcard! I've never heard of Old Tom Gin. lol It's quite fun that they used a cat to represent the drink.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this one. Happy PFF and Happy St. Patrick's Day! (grin)
I love the old poster postcards. Such fun art! Happy PFF!
ReplyDeleteI wonder what a drunken cat can do.... ;-)
ReplyDeleteThat cat certainly looks relaxed. Cats were used in a lot of turn-of-the-century advertising, soap, clothing, thread, - so why not gin.
ReplyDeleteGreat chair that the cat is lounging in. Not a gin drinker myself.
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