Long before it was a global pandemic, or a Mexican lager, Corona was a brand of carbonated soft drink produced by Thomas & Evans Ltd in South Wales, and distributed across the United Kingdom.

 

The company was founded in 1880 by grocers William Thomas and William Evans when they saw a market for soft drinks caused by the growing influence of the temperance movement. In the early 1920s Evans decided to re-brand his soft drinks and chose the name Corona. The company saw great success and by the end of the 1930s the factories of Wales were producing 170 million bottles a year! 

In 1958 the company was bought by the Beecham Group, who kept the Corona brand. In 1987 the company again changed hands, coming under the ownership of Britvic and by the late 1990s the Corona brand of soft-drinks was dropped... 

 

This vibrant, vintage enamel sign is likely to date to the late 1950s/early '60s and remains in good condition with punchy colours and a lovely, even surface gloss. There is a patch of enamel loss around the C and to the top of the 'N' of drinks. There's also some light surface scratches and nibbling around the outer edges / mounting holes, but generally this would have to be considered to be a well preserved example of a very topical piece of enamel advertising. 

 

The sign measures 76.5cm wide x 51cm high and can be hung using the original mounting holes. 

 

S/N: #1358