1990s My Goodness My Guinness Poster, from Guinness Museum, By Wilk 1958, seal on a ball with man balancing a pint, Wall art decor

This is a mid 1990s poster from the Guinness Museum in Dublin. It shows the zookeeper balancing his pint of Guinness on his nose. A seal looks on balancing on a ball. The zookeeper is trying to outdo the seal. Apparently a clever sea lion started all this for John Gilroy who thought the animal was so smart it could have balanced a pint on his nose. The rest is history.
This is no. 13 in a series from the original artwork by Wilk in 1958.
Artist: Wilk 1958
Printed by: The Guinness Museum, Dublin, Ireland
Dimensions: 23.5 in x 15.5 in (60 cm x 40 cm)

In the 1920s Guinness had a problem. The venerable Irish brewer had been around since 1759—nearly two centuries—but geopolitical events were threatening to render its sales flat. Irish independence had leveled a new import tax on England-bound barrels. Add this to the near total loss of a prohibition-era U.S. market and things were not looking good for the sultan of stout. Guinness needed a marketing strategy—a relatively new concept at a time when legacy brands saw advertising as desperately uncouth. The in-house tagline “Guinness is good for you” was born in 1929 (the first of many touting the beer’s health benefits) but it wasn’t until Guinness tapped London creative agency S.H. Benson that the brand’s first legendary ad campaign would begin. Illustrator John Gilroy was given the account.

I've seen two sizes from the Guinness Museum from the 1990s, some are larger (76x51cm) and on a heavy stock paper, but this one is smaller (60cmx40cm) and on thinner paper, unclear what the difference is to the others, perhaps the Museum printed them in two stocks and sizes. The information at the bottom of both sets of posters is the same.

Because of the age of these posters, there are areas of wear and tear, particularly on the edges. I have done my best to take photos where they are torn or stained. The good news is that when framed, the tears press up well against glass, and edges can be hidden by mats. Any wear picked up from years are part of the vintage charm.

When framed these colourful and detailed posters, with vibrant colours can become a centre piece for any room, to remind us of a simpler time.

These posters are sent as unframed. They will be delivered in a cardboard backed envelope for protection.

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