A glass of Coca-Cola is held by Hilda Clark

Date

c. 1890

Description

Creator of the image: Unknown
Date of the image creation: c. 1890
Medium: Chromolithograph
Person depicted: Hilda Clark

This 1890s’ advertisement depicts a model sitting at a table and posing with a dainty glass of Coca-Cola, while dressed in antiquated attire. Hilda Clark (1872–1932) was the first in a series of smartly dressed young women whom the company used to advertise their products. She was the advertising ‘face’ of Coca-Cola until February 1903. She appeared marketing items ranging from calendars and tin serving trays to advertising signs and trade cards.

Founded in 1886, the soft-drink company combined kola nuts and cocaine to create their bubbly beverage. They purposely misspelt kola with a ‘c’ to force an alliteration that was an intentional marketing tactic. Since the days of quaint models, misspelt kola and cocaine, the corporation have been at the forefront of advertising strategies. Over a century later, Coca-Cola have expanded massively. Their products can be found in 200 countries, with $42 billion in sales and consumers downing a staggering 1.8 billion company beverages per day. The corporation has become a compelling symbol of American culture and consumerism.

The photograph is held by the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division

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