Schmidt & Hoffmann Vintage Lager Beer Poster, 1880
Authentic artwork
The artwork we print is faithfully restored from the original source - usually a museum, auction house or private collection.
We never replace, redraw or invent the artist’s work using generative AI.
Restored in our London workshop from the original 1880 artwork and printed to museum-grade archival standards. Full description
The Collector’s Offer
Choose two eligible works and receive 20% off both. Choose three and the lowest-priced one is complimentary, a maximum saving of 33%.
Mix and match eligible standard maps and fine-art prints. No code is required; the offer is applied automatically at checkout.
Standard made-to-order configurations are included. Bespoke sizes, personalised designs and commissioned work are excluded.
Need delivery to different addresses? Contact us before ordering.The Collector’s Offer
Choose two eligible works and receive 20% off both. Choose three and the lowest-priced one is complimentary, a maximum saving of 33%.
Mix and match eligible standard maps and fine-art prints. No code is required; the offer is applied automatically at checkout.
Standard made-to-order configurations are included. Bespoke sizes, personalised designs and commissioned work are excluded.
Need delivery to different addresses? Contact us before ordering.
Restored in London • Printed and framed in Australia
Authentic artwork
The artwork we print is faithfully restored from the original source - usually a museum, auction house or private collection.
We never replace, redraw or invent the artist’s work using generative AI.
Restored from the original 1880 artwork and printed to museum-grade archival standards. Full description
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Gift message & custom finish
If you want to add a gift message, or a finish (jigsaw, aluminium board, etc.) that is not available here, please request it in the "order note" when you check out.
Every order is custom made, so if you need the size adjusted slightly, or printed on an unusual material, just let us know. We've done thousands of custom orders over the years, so there's (almost) nothing we can't manage.
You can also contact us before you order, if you prefer!
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Schmidt & Hoffmann Lager Beer, created by the American lithographic firm Wittemann Bros. in 1880, centres its sales pitch on a jovial,...
Continue readingSchmidt & Hoffmann Lager Beer, created by the American lithographic firm Wittemann Bros. in 1880, centres its sales pitch on a jovial, moustachioed drinker raising an elaborately decorated beer stein. Framed by a stone arch and dressed in a feathered hat and dark cloak, the figure has the theatrical presence of a character stepping onto a stage. Saturated reds, cool blues and emphatic lettering turn a simple brewery advertisement into a carefully orchestrated display of conviviality.
The poster belongs to a period when commercial lithography was transforming the appearance of American advertising. Breweries and other growing businesses could promote themselves through richly coloured imagery rather than relying on letterpress announcements alone, making their names and products instantly recognisable in crowded public settings. Wittemann Bros. specialised in the eye-catching pictorial language demanded by this expanding consumer culture: character, colour and typography work together here as an early form of polished visual branding.
A closer look
The composition is divided into two strongly defined zones. Above, the drinker fills the pictorial field, his illuminated face and raised stein enclosed by the curve of the masonry behind him. The arch gives the shallow setting a sense of depth, while its muted greys and browns allow the warmer tones of the costume to advance. A bright feather cuts across the darker hat, and red-and-white buttons punctuate the black cloak in a lively sequence of small accents.
The stein is the most conspicuous object in the man’s hands. Its cool blue body, embellished with pale ornament, stands apart from the reds and earthy browns around it. His fingers curl carefully around the vessel, and soft shadows across his cheeks and moustache lend the figure an unusually rounded, personable presence for an advertisement. Even the stonework receives subtle tonal modelling, ensuring that the character appears to occupy a setting rather than float against a decorative ground.
Typography supplies the poster’s second performance. “SCHMIDT & HOFFMANN” commands the upper section in stylised capitals, while “LAGER BEER” dominates below in broad blue lettering. The smaller line at the foot identifies the brewery at the corner of Ansel and Hough Avenues in Cleveland, Ohio. This hierarchy is deliberate and efficient: the brewery name establishes identity, the oversized product wording delivers the message, and the address anchors it to a specific local business. A narrow cream border contains the competing colours and details.
Context and significance
Late nineteenth-century beverage advertising frequently sold more than the drink itself. It constructed an atmosphere of sociability, abundance and good humour around a brand, often using memorable figures who could communicate those qualities before the wording had even been read. The smiling drinker in this poster performs precisely that role. His raised vessel functions as both product display and welcoming gesture, transforming the formal brewery name into something immediate and human.
Seen today, the design offers a vivid record of Victorian-era commercial culture in the United States. Its combination of pictorial storytelling, decorative costume, local address and forceful type reveals how sophisticated brewery promotion had become by 1880. Wittemann Bros. balances illustration and information with particular assurance: from a distance, the figure and blue lettering seize attention; at closer range, the patterned stein, highlighted buttons, feather and shaded masonry reward a more attentive look.
Choosing the right size and finish
Artwork can feel intimate at smaller sizes and dramatically more architectural at larger ones. Use the room preview, model image and size guide to see how the proportions and scale will work in your space.
If you need an exact size, specialist framing or help planning a larger display, ask our workshop for advice.
The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this art print.
Where personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, or one considered visual detail. See examples of personalised artwork.
Choose Original to retain the colour and character of the source artwork, or Aged for a warmer, more antique appearance. See examples of our Aged artwork.
Every piece is produced to archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte art paper. Choose an art print, framed art print or framed canvas using the finish options above.
Framed art prints use crystal-clear optical acrylic for excellent clarity, lower weight and safer delivery than glass. Each piece arrives professionally framed and ready to hang.
Selected artworks can be produced at statement sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). Custom sizing and specialist framing are also available. If the exact option you need is not listed, contact our workshop.
This artwork is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The work is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present an art print without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas art and explore the differences between my different finishes.
Schmidt & Hoffmann Lager Beer, created by the American lithographic firm Wittemann Bros. in 1880, centres its sales pitch on a jovial, moustachioed drinker raising an elaborately decorated beer stein. Framed by a stone arch and dressed in a feathered hat and dark cloak, the figure has the theatrical presence of a character stepping onto a stage. Saturated reds, cool blues and emphatic lettering turn a simple brewery advertisement into a carefully orchestrated display of conviviality.
The poster belongs to a period when commercial lithography was transforming the appearance of American advertising. Breweries and other growing businesses could promote themselves through richly coloured imagery rather than relying on letterpress announcements alone, making their names and products instantly recognisable in crowded public settings. Wittemann Bros. specialised in the eye-catching pictorial language demanded by this expanding consumer culture: character, colour and typography work together here as an early form of polished visual branding.
A closer look
The composition is divided into two strongly defined zones. Above, the drinker fills the pictorial field, his illuminated face and raised stein enclosed by the curve of the masonry behind him. The arch gives the shallow setting a sense of depth, while its muted greys and browns allow the warmer tones of the costume to advance. A bright feather cuts across the darker hat, and red-and-white buttons punctuate the black cloak in a lively sequence of small accents.
The stein is the most conspicuous object in the man’s hands. Its cool blue body, embellished with pale ornament, stands apart from the reds and earthy browns around it. His fingers curl carefully around the vessel, and soft shadows across his cheeks and moustache lend the figure an unusually rounded, personable presence for an advertisement. Even the stonework receives subtle tonal modelling, ensuring that the character appears to occupy a setting rather than float against a decorative ground.
Typography supplies the poster’s second performance. “SCHMIDT & HOFFMANN” commands the upper section in stylised capitals, while “LAGER BEER” dominates below in broad blue lettering. The smaller line at the foot identifies the brewery at the corner of Ansel and Hough Avenues in Cleveland, Ohio. This hierarchy is deliberate and efficient: the brewery name establishes identity, the oversized product wording delivers the message, and the address anchors it to a specific local business. A narrow cream border contains the competing colours and details.
Context and significance
Late nineteenth-century beverage advertising frequently sold more than the drink itself. It constructed an atmosphere of sociability, abundance and good humour around a brand, often using memorable figures who could communicate those qualities before the wording had even been read. The smiling drinker in this poster performs precisely that role. His raised vessel functions as both product display and welcoming gesture, transforming the formal brewery name into something immediate and human.
Seen today, the design offers a vivid record of Victorian-era commercial culture in the United States. Its combination of pictorial storytelling, decorative costume, local address and forceful type reveals how sophisticated brewery promotion had become by 1880. Wittemann Bros. balances illustration and information with particular assurance: from a distance, the figure and blue lettering seize attention; at closer range, the patterned stein, highlighted buttons, feather and shaded masonry reward a more attentive look.
Choosing the right size and finish
Artwork can feel intimate at smaller sizes and dramatically more architectural at larger ones. Use the room preview, model image and size guide to see how the proportions and scale will work in your space.
If you need an exact size, specialist framing or help planning a larger display, ask our workshop for advice.
The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this art print.
Where personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, or one considered visual detail. See examples of personalised artwork.
Choose Original to retain the colour and character of the source artwork, or Aged for a warmer, more antique appearance. See examples of our Aged artwork.
Every piece is produced to archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte art paper. Choose an art print, framed art print or framed canvas using the finish options above.
Framed art prints use crystal-clear optical acrylic for excellent clarity, lower weight and safer delivery than glass. Each piece arrives professionally framed and ready to hang.
Selected artworks can be produced at statement sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). Custom sizing and specialist framing are also available. If the exact option you need is not listed, contact our workshop.
This artwork is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The work is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present an art print without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas art and explore the differences between my different finishes.
Many of our maps and art prints are chosen as thoughtful gifts for homes, offices, studies and meaningful places.
Choose a framed option for the easiest ready-to-hang gift, or choose an unframed print if the recipient may prefer to select their own frame.
We make orders locally in 24 countries around the world, so gifts can often be produced close to the recipient. This helps them arrive faster, travel more safely, and avoid customs or import duty surprises.
- We can deliver directly to the recipient
- Framed pieces arrive ready to hang
- Unframed prints are carefully packed in a strong protective tube
- Almost every order is made locally, for faster, safer gifting
- 90-day returns give the recipient time to decide
If you are not sure what to choose, please contact us. We can help you pick the right map, size, finish or delivery option.
Most orders are made locally and delivered in around 2–3 working days, depending on the product, size and destination.
We print and frame maps and artwork in 24 countries around the world, so your order is usually made close to you or your recipient. That means faster delivery, less time in transit, and no customs or import duty surprises.
Personalised and customised pieces usually take an extra 1–2 working days, because we prepare your design and send it to you for approval before printing.
Very large framed orders can take a little longer, as they need extra care in production and delivery.
Every order is carefully packaged: unframed prints are sent in a strong protective tube, while framed pieces are securely packed with protective materials around the frame.
If you need your order by a particular date, please contact us before ordering. We’ll check the best production route and delivery option for your location.
Express delivery is available at checkout for most countries. Next-day delivery is available in the UK, US, Singapore and the UAE.
Your order is covered by our 90-day returns policy and 10-year guarantee.
Our standard frame is a gallery-style black ash hardwood frame, with a simple, modern look. It is approximately 20mm (0.8in) wide. You can also view some lovely customer photos of framed maps and art.
We use super-clear acrylic glazing, also known as Perspex or Acrylite, instead of traditional glass. It is lighter, safer, and has lower reflectivity, giving the artwork a clearer, cleaner appearance.
Six standard frame colours are available at no extra cost: black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white, and antique gold. Custom framing and mounting/matting is also available for customers looking for something more specific.
Most maps, art prints, and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced wooden box frame, and then float the piece within a wooden outer frame. The finished result is beautifully presented, with no glazing between you and the artwork.
All frames are supplied ready to hang, with either string or brackets fitted to the back. Very large frames will include heavy-duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
We can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag, and other materials.
If you would prefer to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read our size guide before ordering.
We work with interior designers, hospitality businesses, property professionals, offices and corporate buyers on individual pieces and larger coordinated projects.
This artwork can be adapted for a particular wall, room or project, and our workshop can help coordinate the dimensions, material and framing before production.
- Exact, oversized and made-to-measure dimensions
- Custom framing, mounting and alternative materials
- Coordinated pieces for several rooms or locations
- Art personalisation, to adjust the colour and style of the piece
- Art and framing guidance from our workshop
- Local production for projects around the world
Every restored art print begins with the original artist’s work—never an AI-generated replacement.
Our London studio works from carefully selected source material from museums, libraries, archives and private collections. We restore age-related damage, faded colour and imperfect reproduction while preserving the artist’s composition, brushwork, line, texture and period character.
We do not use generative AI to redraw, reinterpret or invent the artwork. Digital restoration is used only to recover and reproduce the original work as faithfully as possible.
Once restored, the master artwork is prepared for your chosen size and finish. Your piece is then printed and, where selected, framed close to its delivery destination.
Our giclée art prints use acid-free 200gsm archival matte paper and fade-resistant pigment inks for a rich, museum-quality finish. Framed art prints use crystal-clear optical acrylic and arrive ready to hang.
Framed canvas and specialist cotton-rag editions are also available. Learn more about our materials and finishes.
We’ve been restoring and producing maps and art prints since 1984, and we stand behind every piece.
Every order is covered by our 10-year guarantee and damage-free delivery guarantee. If your piece arrives damaged, we’ll replace or remake it free of charge. If anything else isn’t right, contact our workshop team and we’ll put it right promptly.
See our returns and refund policy for full details.
