Life, 1906-12-13 · page 28 of 28
Life — December 13, 1906 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a full-page advertisement for P.B. Ale, brewed by Bunker Hill Breweries in Boston. The ad features a cheerful, rotund character dressed in colonial/18th-century clothing (tricorn hat, breeches), designed to evoke American Revolutionary heritage and suggest tradition and quality. The copywriting emphasizes that the ale contains "only pure malt and hops" and boasts "eighty-five years' experience" in brewing—appeals to purity and longevity common in early 20th-century product marketing. The phrase "Oh be Jolly" combines patriotic Americana imagery with the promise of good cheer. There is no political satire here. This appears from *Life* magazine's advertising section (note the printer's mark at bottom), reflecting pre-Prohibition beer marketing when ale was marketed as wholesome and strength-giving rather than frivolous.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
and all frft-class grocers papier 165 Duane St. New York Drink P B Ale If you are an ale drinker and know that good, pure ale gives strengh e e as well as satisfaction to the man who drinks it, then drink P. B. Only pure malt and hops go into the brew. Eighty-five years’ experience goes into the brewin8. A success recognized and patronized by every lover of good ale. In bottles or on draught. Brewed at BUNKER HILL BREWERIES, Boston, Mass. Press of Reveteis Mrotpers, Mew Fork comicbooks.com