c.1950s Paul Bunyan Beer Advertising Poster Mid-Century Folk Art Lumberjack

Date: c.1950s
Artist: Unknown (a.t.?)
Size (in): 27 x 21
Size (cm): 68.5 x 53.5
Condition: A-
Linen backed: Yes

The Wisconsin Brewing Company of Waukesha found the perfect advertising mascot to sell their beer in the giant lumberjack and folk hero Paul Bunyan whose character originated in the oral tradition of North American loggers and was later popularized by writer William B. Laughead in a promotional pamphlet he produced for the Red River Lumber Company in 1916.

The bewhiskered and flannelled Paul Bunyan with a mighty double bit ax slung over his shoulder towers over the land, big enough to wrap the weather around his shoulders and take it with him. A giant glass of Paul Bunyan beer floats in space, the perfect repast for whatever superhuman labors the day may require. The artists is unknown but initials signed in the image look to be “a.t”. This poster, produced in the mid 1950s, has now been professionally linen backed for archival preservation, is in excellent condition and would be the "piece de resistance" of even the most elaborate of mancaves.