A.G. Van Nostrand Bunker Hill Breweries Bulldog Beer Tray
What is it about bulldogs and beer? They appear on so many brands but, unlike the association of goats to bock beer, there's just no apparent reason. Anyway, this is a truly classic New England tray that I'd love to add to my collection. A few nice ones have hit the market in recent years but I have missed out. This Boston tray was produced about 1905 by the Chas. Shonk Co., for A.G. Van Nostrand's Bunker Hill Brewery. Given its 100-plus years of age, it often shows up with considerable crazing, spidering, or cracking of the paint, but nice examples are around. The only other tray produced by this brewery of which I'm aware is a round brass engraved tray, which is not nearly as graphic or desirable as this design.



About A.G. Van Nostrand Bunker Hill Brewery
Having opened under the Van Nostrand family name in 1860 in Charlestown, MA (a suburb of Boston), this brewery had a long existence prior to Prohibition during which they produced a wide range of advertising. Items besides the trays mentioned above included many lithographs, drinking vessels, calendars, tin and die cut signs, pinbacks, openers, playing cards and much more. The brewery operated until Prohibition. While the enterprise was listed as a brewer after Prohibition in 1933 the company never again produced beer and was dissolved in 1934. The company's slogan was 'Oh Be Jolly' and can be found on much of its advertsing. It often accompanied the logotype 'PB' which is believed to represent 'Prize Beauty' or 'Prize Brew'. Brews produced include Van Nostrand PB Lager, Ale and Bock; Bunker Hill Lager and Old Musty Stock Ale.