Johnnie Walker Advert Description
Publication: The Illustrated London News
Date: April 19, 1924
Title: Born 1820 – Still Going Strong
Visual Description:
The advert features an illustration set outside “The Falstaff” in Canterbury, part of the “Literary Spirit Series.” Johnnie Walker, depicted in his signature Victorian-era outfit with a top hat and cane, is conversing with the Shade of Falstaff, a character from Shakespeare’s plays. Falstaff is depicted as a large, jovial man with a mug in hand, dressed in Elizabethan attire. The background shows the historical inn and city gates, emphasizing the literary and historical context.
Caption/Text in the Advert:
“Born 1820
—Still going strong!”
Main Text:
“The ‘FALSTAFF,’ Canterbury. Originally built to accommodate travelers who had arrived at the gates of the city too late at night and found them shut. The name and image were adopted by Elizabethan dramatists when widely popularized in Shakespeare’s plays.
Johnnie Walker:
‘We have no city gates nowadays, but the law shuts the houses of refreshment at a set hour.’
Shade of Falstaff:
‘They did these things better in my day.'”
Company Information:
John Walker & Sons, Ltd., Scotch Whisky Distillers, Kilmarnock, Scotland.
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Welcome to The Whiskey Wash Vintage Johnnie Walker Advert Archive
This archive presents a collection of over 100 adverts for Johnnie Walker, spanning from the 1910s to the 1960s. It captures a dynamic period in global history, marked by profound political and social changes, including two World Wars, the Great Depression, the rise and fall of empires, and the dawn of the Cold War. These events profoundly shaped societal attitudes and lifestyles, mirrored by the mid-20th century movements like the civil rights struggle, decolonization in Africa and Asia, and significant technological and cultural advances, reflecting a world rapidly evolving in its complexity and interconnectedness.
The impact of these global events on whisky production, advertising, and commerce was substantial. Resource scarcities and economic challenges during the World Wars and the Great Depression necessitated innovations in marketing and production efficiency. Following the war, the economic boom, increased global affluence, and the expansion of mass media enabled whisky brands like Johnnie Walker to engage a broader audience through increasingly sophisticated advertising campaigns. This era also witnessed the ascension of consumer culture and branding as pivotal elements of commerce, with companies using evolving advertising techniques to cultivate brand identity and foster loyalty in a competitive market.
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Johnnie Walker has not only been a frontrunner in the whisky industry since its establishment in 1820 but has also played a pivotal role in shaping the advertising world. These adverts offer more than just a glimpse into the brand’s history; they serve as a mirror reflecting societal changes, evolving marketing trends, and the artistry of generations past. From classic artwork to memorable slogans that have stood the test of time, Johnnie Walker’s global influence is undeniable.
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