As 2011 comes to a close and we ring in 2012, here’s an interesting piece of New Year’s Eve/Prohibition memorabilia.
This is a poster promoting a New Year’s celebration at a speakeasy.
The soiree was held to ring in 1928.
The location, however, is unknown as the consumption of alcohol was banned at this time in U.S. history.
So only those ‘in the know,’ knew where to go.
My hunch is this flyer is a reproduction.
I base it on condition (nearly flawless) and there’s a copyright (see photo 3).
Unfortunately, I don’t know anything else about it.
If any MVG fans know more please contact us, we’d love to know more.
In the meantime, a happy and healthy New Year to all!
2 Comments
A bigger typography nerd than myself could probably ID the fonts used in the poster and determine if they existed in 1928.
Other sections covered Prohibition’s pervasive influence: how it forced men and women together, did away with drinking as an all-male pastime, and mixed company as well as spirits. Prohibition also gave birth to the speakeasy, of course, which was different from pre-Prohibition saloons. The time was known as the Jazz Age, and the exhibition features several flapper dresses with their beaded fringes. (And it’s neat to see actual flapper dresses and cloche hats from the Twenties, rather than inferior costume knockoffs.) Harlem’s influence on cocktail culture is covered, as is the anti-Prohibition movement as shown by scarves and even needlepoint samplers — apparently prominent members of the W.O.N.P.R. would make these to show their support for the law’s repeal.