Guinness Is Good For You


One of the most vigorous and keenly contested areas of advertising memorabilia is the market for Guinness collectables. The world famous Irish brewery has produced a plethora of promotional items and bar accessories over the years. Many new items are still being manufactured and there is now an increasing trade in licensed reproductions and out and out fakes - so be careful. Original Guinness memorabilia is what really drives the market however - and there is a huge range to choose from. Collectable items include beer mats, advertising posters, pint trays, bar lamps, fridge magnets, postcards, china figurines, ashtrays, Doctors' Christmas books, toucan birds and much more besides.

Starting prices for this hobby are quite reasonable. A colourful linen tea towel proclaiming 'Lovely day for a Guinness' from the early 60s retails for about $30 - expect to pay slightly more for 50s cardboard signs and advertising placards. 1940s Guinness 'barrel' ashtrays from Minton retail for about $80 in excellent condition whilst the celebrated 50s Carlton Ware range of 'My Goodness - My Guinness' zookeeper figures start retailing at about $150 minimum. The red-faced zookeeper who is constantly harassed by his Guinness-loving animal charges is of course a caricature of John Gilroy himself. Gilroy was the artist and marketing genius responsible for so many of Guinness' immediately recognisable advertisements. Other Gilroy classics include the 'Guinness is good for you' and 'Guinness for Strength' campaigns - wholesome declarations now sadly forbidden by a legion of politically correct officials.

A final quick word about the piece de resistance of any serious Guinness collection. Current guide prices for a boxed set of the famous Carlton Ware Guinness flying toucans are unrealistically low - such is the furious nature of the market these days. If you don't know this wonderful set, it contains a trio of distinctive toucans bearing pints of Guinness on their over-sized beaks - each bearing the 'My Goodness - My Guinness' legend. Expect retail prices for original sets to begin at about $800. Modern reproductions are available for about $100 - but if you can possibly afford it try and locate the originals - they are a marvellous investment.