February 23, 2026

The World of Churchill Collectables

by Brian Krapf

CHURCHILL WARTIME GINGER BEER ADVERTISEMENT

A popular wartime prime minister like Winston Churchill should have expected his image to be used for advertising. Churchill appeared in wartime ads for products ranging from food to radios to paper bookmarks and ink blotters. This use of Churchill’s image in advertising was not new; he also appeared in various ads and on promotional giveaways when he was First Lord of the Admiralty during the Great War.

This Canadian-printed wartime advertisement for O’Keefe’s Ginger Beer pictures Prime Minister Churchill and also includes a solicitation to buy war bonds. It is quite large and measures 27 x 40 inches. An easel mount on the back allowed it to be displayed in a pub or restaurant. Ginger beer is nonalcoholic and can be enjoyed on its own or as a mixer for cocktails. Whether Churchill ever drank O’Keefe’s ginger beer raises the question of whether he used any of the products his image advertised and promoted.

O’Keefe’s started as Victoria Brewery in Toronto in1865 made their ginger beer as well as alcoholic beers and ales. The brewery later became Carling O’Keefe. In 1989, the company merged with Molson Coors. Today, O’Keefe’s ginger beer can still be purchased, along with Carling Lager and Carling Black Label.

The originals of this wartime easel-backed poster are rare and difficult to find. There are known reproductions which are smaller and have a glossy finish.