Judge, 1908-06-06 · page 13 of 16
Judge — June 6, 1908 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a beer advertisement, not satire. The Anheuser-Busch brewery uses Otto von Bismarck—the famous Prussian statesman who unified Germany—as a celebrity endorsement. The ad's logic: Bismarck was history's greatest leader, feared by kings and renowned for his power and longevity (died at 89). The text claims his strength came from German food and drink, specifically malt and hops. Therefore, Budweiser beer—which contains these ingredients—made Bismarck mighty and will do the same for consumers. This exploits German-American pride and late-19th-century admiration for Bismarck's military achievements ("iron and blood"). It's crude product placement: great man + beer = buy our beer. The ad ran during a period when German-American communities were significant U.S. consumers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Bismarck OW many living men can squarely stand up and honestly compare them- & ) selves as the equal or superior (in any way whatsoever) to the great Iron Chancellor of the Hohenzollerns, who made Goethe’s dream of Germanic unity a real- istic drama of “iron and of blood?” How many dare declare, “I have greater brain power than he”—“I have a stronger body” —‘I am healthier’—“I have a saner knowl- edge” — “I am more successful” or “I have more force of character’? Bismarck, during his marvelous career, out- witted the most celebrated statesmen of his time; terrified the mightiest kings and em- perors; overthrew and conquered three armed nations; and ruled over the empire he created with enlightened and practical wisdom for nearly half a century, dying at the ripe old age of 89, famous throughout the world as the “Greatest of the Germans.” Now, upon what nutriment was this colossus fed that he grew so mighty; what put the iron into his blood? This we know—that like all Germans he believed in good eating and drink- ing, hence the juices of malt and hops were never absent from his table. Authority—any biography of Bismarck. Budweiser Ts a beer of redoubtable name and fame. Health, strength and vigor glow and sparkle in every glass. Fifty years ago we began to brew it. For fifty years the most fastidious have pronounced it without an equal in any land. It is known from ocean to ocean, from the gulf to the lakes, and wherever Americans go for business or health or pleasure — Budweiser is there. THE KING OF ALL BOTTLED BEERS Bottled Only at the ANHEUSER-BUSCH BREWERY St. Louis, Mo. For Sale at All Hotels, Clubs and Bars comicbooks.com