Pepsi-Cola Pin-Up Advertisement (Gardening Theme)
Vintage commercial print (offset lithograph) on cardstock or paper • Unsigned; produced for Pepsi-Cola by a commercial illustration studio, likely in the style of Elvgren or Sundblom
Style & Movement
Golden Age Illustration / Mid-century Pin-up Art
Medium & Technique
Offset lithographic printing; commercial illustration using a blend of gouache and airbrush techniques for the original master
Creation Period
Circa 1940-1945
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 36 inches; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A smiling blonde woman in red overalls and a sun hat kneels in a vegetable garden holding a Pepsi bottle. A white picket fence, tomatoes, and cabbage are visible in the background, symbolizing American domesticity and the 'Victory Garden' motif of the WWII era. Includes the 'Double-Dot' Pepsi logo and '5 cents' price point.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; shows visible signs of age including surface scuffing and frame wear
Estimated Market Value
$300 - $600 USD
Auction Estimate
$250 - $450 USD
Provenance History
Likely a point-of-sale display or calendar top from a general store or soda fountain; subsequent private collection acquisition
Art Historical Significance
Represents the intersection of mass-market consumerism and WWII-era domestic propaganda. The use of the 'Double-Dot' logo is a key chronological marker for Pepsi collectors, as it was phased out in the early 1950s.
Notable Features
Features the rare 'Big 12 Oz. Bottle' and 5-cent price text; 'Double-Dot' logo variation (a colon between Pepsi and Cola).
Condition Issues
Notable paint loss and chipping on the black wooden frame; minor surface scratches on the print; potential fading from UV exposure; moisture rippling at the bottom edge.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional reframing with acid-free matting and UV-protective glazing; humidity control to prevent further paper rippling.