Schmidt's Beer Advertising Coaster

This item is a circular beer coaster or mat made of pressed paper or cardboard. The primary color scheme consists of a cream-colored background with red and black printing. The top center of the coaster features the phrase "A La Salute!" in red ink. Below this, there is an illustration of a standing male figure in a white shirt, black pants, and a red sash around his waist and across his chest. He wears a black hat and has a mustache. The figure is holding a basket of grapes and possibly other fruit in his left arm, and a frothy beer stein in his raised right hand. Small red dots are scattered around the illustration. Along the bottom edge of the coaster, in a semi-circular arrangement, is the text "SATISFY YOUR THIRST" in black, and "DRINK Schmidt's BEER" in red and black. There is a circular logo featuring the word "SCHMIDT'S" with a star and hop motif in the center of the semi-circle. The edges appear slightly worn, consistent with age and handling, but there are no obvious tears, creases, or staining visible. The overall condition appears good, and the printing is clear and legible. Given the style of the illustration and typography, this coaster appears to be from the mid-20th century, likely dating to the 1940s or 1950s. The quality of the printing is typical for beer coasters of this era.

I have examined the provided image of the Schmidt's Beer Advertising Coaster. Based on the visual evidence, the coaster appears authentic to the mid-20th century era, likely the 1940s or 1950s, as suggested by the illustration style and typography. The condition, as depicted, appears to be good, with minimal visible wear along the edges typical for age and handling. I do not observe any significant tears, creases, or stains in the image. The printing is clear and legible. In the current market for brewery advertising collectibles, vintage beer coasters generally have a modest value. Comparables for mid-century Schmidt's coasters in good condition typically sell in the range of a few dollars. Demand for this specific design is not exceptionally high, and while not mass-produced in the way modern coasters are, vintage paper coasters are relatively common advertising items. The factor most impacting value here is the condition, which appears good, maintaining its visual appeal. However, without physical inspection, I cannot definitively verify the absence of subtle creasing or staining that might not be apparent in the image, nor can I assess the paper's brittleness or other potential structural issues. For full authentication, ideally, I would need to physically examine the coaster to verify the material and confirm its age and condition firsthand. Provenance documentation, such as proof of origin from a collection, would also add to its authenticity and potential value. Given the observed condition and typical market values for similar items, I assess the value as noted below.