Nicolás Regàs — Anís El Águila and Drinkgod — Vintage advertising graphics — First half of the 20th century

An interesting piece of antique advertising graphics linked to the Nicolás Regàs distillery in Girona, dedicated to promoting two of its historic products: Anís El Águila and the stomachic liqueur Drinkgod.

The composition features two bottles with their original brand labels, situated in the foreground against the silhouettes of two women. The contrast between the definition of the containers and the delicacy of the female figures gives the whole a particular character of an advertising study.

Its small format, framing lines, and use of thin paper suggest a possible connection to the graphic preparation and reproduction processes used by printing presses and advertising workshops of the time.

The history of these brands dates back to the family distillery founded in the 19th century in Pont Major, Girona. During the first decades of the 20th century, Anís El Águila and Drinkgod became two of the company's signature products and appeared together in numerous commercial campaigns.

The piece constitutes an interesting testimony to the history of advertising and the Catalan liqueur industry, especially attractive due to the preservation of the old commercial labels.

Technical sheet

• Author: Unidentified advertising designer.

• Title: Anís El Águila and Drinkgod (descriptive title).

• Company: Hijo de Nicolás Regàs, Girona.

• Chronology: First half of the 20th century (estimated).

• Technique and support: Monochrome graphic composition, likely with photomechanical reproduction and possible drawn strokes, on thin paper adhered to secondary support.

• Dimensions: 12 × 8.5 cm.

• Typology: Antique advertising graphic, possibly preparatory printing material.

• Condition: Yellowing and oxidation of the paper, surface wear, some stains, and weakening of the lighter areas. Retains the legibility of the main commercial labels.

Workshop Note

We are particularly interested in the relationship between this small piece and the industrial history of Girona. The two bottles allow us to recover the commercial image of a distillery that had a prominent presence in Catalan advertising during the first half of the 20th century.

Its nature as possible workshop material, far from a conventional advertising poster, adds documentary interest to the whole. The light bottle on the left and the darker silhouette on the right establish a contrast of tones. The labels, the lettering, and the different shapes of the containers allow us to observe how the visual identity of each product was constructed.