WHEN I SAW this vintage advertising signage recently at the August Schell Brewing Company Museum in New Ulm, I had to wonder, “What were they thinking?”
But I expect that back in the early 1900s, peddling beer in this manner was socially-acceptable. Can you imagine the uproar, though, if this occurred today, and rightfully so?
What you can’t read in this photo are the words directly under the girl’s image: “A Lady of Quality.” That really got me. Again, I’m certain such word choice was not considered inappropriate for that time period.
I wonder what the public will think years from now about some of our current-day ads. I’m not talking Schell’s advertising. I’m talking advertising in general.
Will anyone wonder, “What were they thinking?”
© Copyright 2010 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
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