1948 ~ Cowboy's Dream
"The Cowboys Dream" (originally titled "The Sleeping Cowboy"), was the first of four prints commissioned by the Arizona Brewing Company to advertise A-1 Beer. It has become one of the world's most celebrated works of Commercial Art. An exhausted cowboy is stretched out with his head cradled on his saddle and his hat down over his eyes. In the sky a cloud in the form of a lady riding a white horse is seen. The cowboys branding iron, which is tied to his saddle has branded A-1 on the vision in the sky.
In 1949 this painting won the blue ribbon advertising award at the annual convention of the SBC, which was the largest brewers organization in the world. During the convention in Chicago "The Cowboys Dream" was acclaimed as one of the finest pieces of multicolored lithography ever introduced into the field of beer advertising.
In 1949 this painting won the blue ribbon advertising award at the annual convention of the SBC, which was the largest brewers organization in the world. During the convention in Chicago "The Cowboys Dream" was acclaimed as one of the finest pieces of multicolored lithography ever introduced into the field of beer advertising.
1949 ~ Black Bart
"Black Bart" (originally titled "The Barber and The Bandit") was the second of the series. In the picture the outlaw "Black Bart" is about to get a shave from a cross eyed barber with a straight edge razor in his hand. There is a wanted poster on the wall with "Dead or Alive on Black Bart". "Black Bart" doesn't trust the barber with the razor so he has his hand on his gun. There is an A-1 advertising sign on the wall along with one for Cal Boice for Sheriff. Cal Boise was Sheriff of Maricopa County in Arizona at the time.
1950 ~ The Dude Lady
"The Dude Lady" was the third of the series. She is a whimsical caricature of an overweight cowgirl twirling and jumping through a rope. She has the attention of some A-1 beer drinking cowboys. This print was the least popular in the series because it was considered offensive.
1951 ~ The Quartet
"The Quartet" (originally titled "Poker Flats") was the fourth of the series. In the picture there are four cowboys singing outside the "Poker Flat Saloon" with A-1 painted on the swinging doors. There is a wanted poster for "Black Bart" Dead or Alive and in the background "Black Bart" is sitting on a donkey under a street light. There is a coyote howling with "The Quartet" singers.
Lon Megargee painted three more prints intended to advertise A-1 Beer. However, the Cowboys Dream, Black Bart, Quartet and Dude, were the only prints reproduced in print form by the brewery.
Lon Megargee painted three more prints intended to advertise A-1 Beer. However, the Cowboys Dream, Black Bart, Quartet and Dude, were the only prints reproduced in print form by the brewery.
Check out www.a-1beerprints.com for more information on the prints and on Lon Megargee or to order reproduction prints.
