Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2020.FIC.004 |
Object Name |
Sign |
Title |
Trenton Old Stock Beer Sign |
Description |
A white and black circular sign, shaped similarly to a pan, with elevated rims. The front of the sign features a black rim and a white base. Around the rim, there is a white inscription that reads, "PEOPLE'S BREWING CO. TRENTON, N.J." The base of the sign has a red and white inscription that reads, "TRENTON OLD STOCK BEER." The words "TRENTON" and "BEER" are written in red, while "OLD STOCK" is written in white. "OLD STOCK" is surrounded by a red circle with horizontal black lines emanating from it. The back of the sign is elevated and completely black. Accompanying the pan is a printed beer label featuring two men and one woman sitting around a table drinking beer, with another woman bringing a pitcher to the table. The individuals are dressed in 17th or 18th century attire, seated in front of a large fireplace and a stone lion carved into the wall, with a large glass window in the background. The label includes the inscription, "TAX PAID AT THE RATE PRESCRIBED BY INT. REV. LAW. Trenton Old Stock Beer. Brewed by the PEOPLES BREWING CO., Trenton, N.J. BOTTLED ONLY AT THE BREWERY. CONTENTS 12 OZ. ALCOHOL NOT OVER 4% BY VOLUME." The words "Trenton Old Stock Beer" are written in red, and the remainder of the inscription is in black. According to the Trenton City Museum, The People's Brewing Company was founded in 1899 through the merger of several smaller brewing companies, with the most notable being the Kuser Family's Trenton Brewing Company. Their flagship product was Trenton Old Stock Beer. During Prohibition, the company barely survived by producing "near beers," but after the repeal of Prohibition, they were able to produce over 100,000 bottles of beer per day. The company was acquired by the Metropolis Brewing Company in 1949, though Trenton Old Stock Beer continued to be produced for several decades afterward. Citations Trenton’s Christmas Past (2022). Trenton City Museum . (2022, December 17). https://ellarslie.org/trentons-christmas-past-2022/#:~:text=For%20many%20years%2C%20Trenton%20Old,owned%20by%20the%20Kuser%20Family. |
Year Range from |
1899 |
Year Range to |
1949 |
Material |
Metal |
Artist |
Unknown |
Diameter (in) |
11.800 |
Condition |
Poor |
Condition Notes |
Overall: Abrasions, corrosion, wear, and accretions throughout. Front: There are abrasions, wear, corrosion, and wear all over. Also, there is a large amount of corrosion on the center near the middle. Back: There is wear, scratches, corrosion, brown accretions, and abrasions all over. |
Inscription Type |
Inscription |
Inscription Location |
Front, Top to Bottom, Left to Right |
Inscription Technique |
Stamped |
Inscription Text |
"PEOPLE'S BREWING CO." Line 1 "TRENTON" Line 2 "OLD" Line 3 "STOCK" Line 4 "BEER" Line 5 "TRENTON, N.J." Line 6 |
Classification |
Business & Commerce Domestic Life/Household Goods |
Subjects |
Metals Metalwork Alcoholic beverages Drinking vessels Beer |
Search Terms |
Metal Sign Trenton Old Stock Beer People's Brewing Company Beer Alchol Red White Black 1899 1949 19th Century 20th Century Kuser Family Trenton Old Stock Beer Sign |
Provenance |
Found in collection |