It took me a while to figure what exactly the product that Wührer made was, having seen mostly references to beer on the web, which seemed unlikely (Hey kids, get liquored up and trade these nifty cards with your friends). Just didn't seem quite right.
The clue to the product is really on the back (or front depending on how you look at it). I believe the product was boullion cubes. Brodo is Italian for broth, and Brodo di Manzo is beef broth. Turns out that Wührer expanded its product line over the years to include other things like soup and soft drinks. Tune in tomorrow for more.
It is essentially an advertisement for something called Alice in Wonderland Days - a promotion I know nothing about. Doubly odd since Alice wouldn't be re-released theatrically for another three years, and there was certainly nothing new at the park related to Alice. It appears that the promotion consisted of parades and photo ops, but beyond that I have no idea. If anyone has details on what this promotion was all about, I'd love to hear from you!
What I wouldn't give for an Art Corner postcard with an Alice theme.
Here we have Disneyland postcard D-5...again. And guess what, there are still other D-5s out there that have nothing to do with Alice!
One thing you get used to when looking for Disneyland postcards, is that the numbering system is extremely frustrating, as you'll see shortly.
This postcard is from a very early series of Disneyland postcards. In fact, according to Disneyland the Nickel Tour by Bruce Gordon and David Mumford, it is from the second series of postcards to be sold! The first series featured mostly concept art of the yet-to-be-built park, and this is from the first series to sport actual photographs of Disneyland it all its glory.
By the way, if you don't have a copy of Disneyland the Nickel Tour, and you are in any way interested in Disneyland or Disneyland postcards, it is a must. It can be a little hard to find, and these days it is also a little pricey, but an invaluable book.
To commerate that occasion I present to you a rather odd piece of Disney Alice ephemera. This is a British postcard featuring Alice characters - drawn loosely in the style of Tenniel - by an artist named Mendoza. The card was made by Leslie Lester Ltd., of Hurstpierpoint, Sussex (say that three times fast).
I hear you saying 'but Matt, that doesn't look Disney at all', and you'd be right, it doesn't look Disney - but it is. On the back is this notice.
My guess is that either this was based on concept art or that Disney had tied up the rights to Alice somehow that necessitated the license as stated on the back.
Card was made by Crome & Goldschmidts, and it appears as though this company was in existence until at least 1987, and may still be in existence.
I believe our heraldic friend on the left is actually the White Rabbit, and unless I miss my guess, there has NEVER been a March Hare walkaround character at the park - at least I've never seen one or even a photo of one. Other than the glaring error, this is a very cool postcard, featuring my favorite incarnation of Alice, with natural hair and knee socks. Scary rubber head Mad Hatter I think is probably best left in the past.
The Mad Hatter is truly frightening.
I've also found a few postcards to go with it, would love to find a brochure or program.
Unfortunately the vinyl is a little scratchy so there is some static.
As you can see from the postmark, this was mailed from Amsterdam on Feb 17, 1960.
My German is not what it used to be, so other than Walt Disney Productions and Alice in Wonderland, I'm at a loss as to what this says on the back. Hans?
This art was used a lot in various different products all over the world, most notably a dye transfer that was available at Disneyland's Art Corner, although with more of a bluish tint than what we see here. I have another postcard from the same maker that is postally used with a postmark of 1960 that I'm posting tomorrow, hence the assumed date on this example.
I always loved the upside-down goldfish bowl.
