Friday, February 13, 2009

Pabst Okay Special

Well, which is it? Is it really special, or is it just - okay? It was marketed about 1910 in Chicago, probably as a cure-all tonic as one was supposed to take it three times a day for an indefinite period of time.

It does have 22% alcohol, I can see that. Which definitely puts it in the Vitameatavegemin category.


Image from NMAH (National Museum of American History), which is part of the Smithsonian.

A Special thank you to Michelle and James Nevius of Inside the Apple, who pointed me (and now you) to this amazing poster for Pabst Okay Special. The Pabst people got into a spot of trouble with the then-new FDA for this, not surprisingly.

10 comments:

Da Old Man said...

22% alcohol?

Woohoo!!!!

That will cure whatever ails you.

Brian said...

If it has the sweet taste of Blue Ribbon with the kick of moonshine, I'm in!

Michelle and James Nevius said...

Check out the poster at:
http://www.goantiques.com/scripts/images,id,1571039.html

Supposedly cured gonorrhea and "gleet" (a symptom of gonorrhea).

Evidently, it was also an early target of the FDA, which was just getting its teeth back then.

Lidian said...

Da Old Man - It was a cure all I am sure!

Brian - I was wondering if these were the Pabst Blue Ribbon people...but it looks like they were in Milwaukee, and a bit later in time.

Michele Cameron Drew said...

I STILL love Lucy!

Rebecca said...

Nobody could pull it off like Lucille Ball. I so enjoy the old TV shows!

Lidian said...

Michelle and James - Thank you so much! I will go look at that right now, that's fascinating.

Michele - So do I!

Rebecca - Lucy was the best, she really was. Vivian Vance too.

Lidian said...

Michele and James - Have just put a link to the poster and to you, in the post - again, many thanks!

Michael said...

Now a swig or two of Pabst Okay Special would certainly make my blogging days and nights deliriously enjoyable. In fact, my readers could probably use a reliable "brew that is true" themselves. In any case (or cask), one should never Drink and Surf...but I digress.

Lucy's "Vitametaveggvvegg..."(whatever) skit was one of the funniest moments in television history. She was indeed a unique talent...an irreplaceable gem.

Lidian said...

Michael - I have never had a Pabst, so I will take your for for it!

And I agree, Lucy was one of a kind.