Monday, March 14, 2011

Object of the Day: An Unusual Black and White Whiskey Ad, 1952

One doesn’t really consider whiskey to be “balanced.” At least, it’s not something I ever think about. To me, it seems that whiskey might work against balance, but Blackie and Whitey claim differently, and terriers don’t lie.


This is one of three vintage ads that I purchased in Louisiana several years ago. More so than being a fan of whiskey, I’m a fan of terriers—particularly those of the Scottish and West Highland White variety. The long-standing brand of Black and White Whiskey utilized a Scottie and a Westie as their mascots for decades. The two dogs found themselves in a variety of cute situations wherein they could effortlessly extol the virtues of their sponsor’s spirits.

These advertisements, designed for print in magazines, were quite adorable and exuberant in only the way an ad from the 1950’s could be. The terriers add a pluck and innocence to this whiskey-fueled propaganda which makes it seem as wholesome as a glass of orange juice.



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