Notger Apéritif c.1926 by Samuel Colville Bailie | Vintage French Aperitif Advertising Poster

Notger Apéritif – A Joyful 1920s Beverage Advertising Poster by Samuel Colville Bailie

Bring the convivial spirit, theatrical charm, and bold color of 1920s European advertising into your home bar, dining room, restaurant, or hospitality space with Notger Apéritif, a striking 1926 vintage beverage poster by artist Samuel Colville Bailie.

The composition features a jovial eighteenth-century-inspired attendant stepping energetically forward from a deep black background. Dressed in a brilliant golden-yellow coat with scarlet cuffs and trim, the smiling figure balances a tray of filled glasses in one hand while proudly presenting an enormous bottle of Notger Apéritif in the other.

The character’s delighted expression, raised eyebrows, flushed cheeks, and open-mouthed smile immediately communicate hospitality, celebration, and good humor. His forward-moving pose gives the impression that he is enthusiastically delivering both the featured beverage and the promise of a lively social occasion.

The attendant’s costume is richly theatrical. A long yellow coat flares outward as he moves, revealing a blue lining and red-edged waistcoat. Knee breeches, white stockings, buckled shoes, ruffled cuffs, and an old-fashioned hairstyle evoke the elegance of an earlier European court or grand household.

In his extended left hand, the attendant balances a silver serving tray containing four delicate stemmed glasses filled with amber-colored apéritif. Their warm golden contents visually connect to his yellow clothing and suggest the drink’s role as a beverage served before dining or during social gatherings.

The oversized bottle held against his chest is the central commercial object. Its dark glass, gold neck, fruit-decorated label, and clearly visible “Notger” name ensure immediate product recognition. Orange-colored fruit on the label introduces a suggestion of citrus or botanical flavor without requiring a detailed setting or additional copy.

Bailie’s decision to enlarge the bottle nearly to the length of the attendant’s torso reflects a classic strategy of vintage advertising. The exaggerated scale communicates importance, generosity, and abundance while allowing the product packaging to remain legible from a distance.

The black background eliminates every unnecessary detail and gives the figure the appearance of performing under a theatrical spotlight. Brilliant yellow, orange-red, blue, white, amber, and gold emerge with exceptional intensity from the surrounding darkness.

Large “Notger” lettering anchors the bottom of the poster in warm orange-red with a golden outline. Beneath it, the French word “Apéritif” clearly identifies the type of beverage. The simple typographic arrangement balances the elaborate character above and reinforces the product name.

Created in 1926, the design reflects the confidence and immediacy of Art Deco-era commercial advertising. Its limited palette, isolated mascot, bold typography, oversized product, and strong silhouette allow the message to be understood instantly.

At the same time, the historical costume introduces a sense of heritage and tradition. This contrast between an old-world attendant and modern graphic presentation suggests that Notger Apéritif combines time-honored hospitality with contemporary style.

This museum-grade reproduction makes an excellent focal point in home bars, cocktail lounges, dining rooms, kitchens, restaurants, French or Belgian-inspired cafés, private clubs, hotels, tasting rooms, game rooms, and maximalist gallery walls. It also makes a distinctive gift for bartenders, mixologists, apéritif enthusiasts, hospitality professionals, and collectors of vintage beverage advertising.

Why Collectors Love This Print

• Reproduces a colorful 1926 Notger Apéritif advertisement
• Features artwork by Samuel Colville Bailie
• Presents a jovial attendant in an elaborate eighteenth-century-inspired costume
• Includes a serving tray holding four glasses of amber apéritif
• Features an oversized Notger bottle with decorative fruit imagery
• Uses movement and expression to communicate hospitality and celebration
• Displays a brilliant yellow, orange-red, blue, white, and black palette
• Isolates the character against a dark background for maximum visual impact
• Preserves the original French-language “Notger Apéritif” branding
• Demonstrates the bold product exaggeration of 1920s advertising
• Appeals to collectors of liquor, apéritif, hospitality, and European poster art
• Creates a lively focal point in bars, restaurants, and dining rooms
• Complements Art Deco, theatrical, vintage, maximalist, and eclectic interiors
• Makes a memorable gift for bartenders, restaurateurs, and cocktail enthusiasts
• Preserves the personality and charm of historic beverage advertising

Available Print & Display Options

• Fine Art Prints – A versatile unframed option for custom framing and traditional gallery presentation
• Framed Fine Art Prints – Professionally presented for an elegant, ready-to-display appearance
• Gallery-Wrapped Canvas – A dimensional canvas format with the artwork wrapped around the edges
• Black Floater Frame Canvas – A seamless dramatic presentation that integrates with the deep black background
• White Floater Frame Canvas – A crisp contrasting option that emphasizes the golden costume and dark bottle
• Brown Floater Frame Canvas – A warm finish suited to bars, libraries, restaurants, and traditional interiors
• Natural Floater Frame Canvas – A lighter organic presentation for kitchens and transitional spaces
• Metal Prints – A sleek contemporary format that intensifies the saturated costume and high-contrast design

Every display option preserves the animated attendant, historic bottle label, filled apéritif glasses, theatrical costume, and bold Art Deco-era typography. Choose the material and presentation that best complements your décor, collection, or hospitality interior.

Artwork Details

• Title: Notger Apéritif
• Artist: Samuel Colville Bailie
• Date: 1926
• Original Purpose: Commercial apéritif and beverage advertising
• Language: French
• Product: Notger Apéritif
• Subject: Costumed attendant presenting an oversized bottle and tray of drinks
• Style: Art Deco-era advertising, theatrical character illustration, and vintage European commercial design
• Primary Colors: Black, golden yellow, orange-red, blue, white, amber, and gold
• Notable Imagery: Oversized bottle, fruit label, serving tray, stemmed glasses, buckled shoes, ruffled cuffs, and courtly costume
• Recommended Spaces: Home bars, cocktail lounges, dining rooms, kitchens, restaurants, cafés, private clubs, hotels, tasting rooms, and game rooms

Disclaimer

This artwork is a Museum Grade Reproduction of a Historical advertising poster. It is not the original 1926 poster and is offered as a decorative fine-art reproduction. Minor variations in color, cropping, texture, and visible age-related characteristics may occur depending on the selected size, material, and display format.

Yesterday’s Posters is an independent seller and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Notger Apéritif, Samuel Colville Bailie, or any associated company, estate, institution, or rights holder.