Busacca Gallery

A rare original antique advertising poster illustration featuring ice cream sodas and sundaes. Printed in the lower right corner: "Copyright 1909, Saalfield Pub. Co., Akron, O." Silkscreen printed on canvas. This poster may be of interest to collectors of vintage ice cream advertising. Condition good. The vintage poster is framed. The Size is 29 1/2 x 20 1/4. Advertising posters featuring ice cream sodas and sundaes emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a vibrant response to the booming soda fountain culture in America. These posters often showcased indulgent, frothy beverages and creamy sundaes in an effort to attract customers to ice cream parlors, drugstores, and soda fountains—popular social hubs of the time. The invention and mass popularity of these treats were directly linked to the wider availability of ice and refrigeration technology, as well as innovations in dairy production. Advertising illustrators used bright colors, idealized imagery, and enticing typography to romanticize these desserts, reflecting the era’s fascination with modern luxuries and leisure. Many posters were printed using lithography and, later, silkscreen on canvas, enabling mass distribution while retaining rich visual detail. Often, ingredients like soda water, syrups, fresh cream, and fruit toppings were either implied visually or celebrated directly in the ad text, appealing to both the senses and the public's growing trust in branded food products during a time of increasing awareness about food safety and purity. These posters were as much about selling a lifestyle as they were about promoting a product, blending artistry with early consumer psychology. Ice cream has a rich history all around the world, but it emerged in America in the late 1700s. Back then, it was considered a delicacy enjoyed only by the wealthiest of the nation. However, by the mid-1800s, with the invention of early refrigeration methods and a commercial push from the dairy industry, ice cream became more widely available, continuing to rise in popularity as technologies advanced. The oldest American ice cream parlors date back hundreds of years and have witnessed the evolution of ice cream from its unexpected origin as a luxury novelty food to a widespread sweet treat for everyone. You'll notice the origins of sweets go back to pharmacies. That's because pharmaceutical soda fountains were an integral part of the invention of sodas and desserts like ice cream sundaes. According to one story, even the banana split was invented by a pharmacist in 1904.

🍨 The Birth of the Soda Fountain Pharmacy In the late 1800s, pharmacies weren’t just places to fill prescriptions. Many had soda fountains, which became social hubs where people could grab a treat, relax, and socialize. Why did this happen? Pharmacists were already skilled in mixing chemicals and flavors for medicinal tonics. Carbonated water was believed to have health benefits, so it made sense to sell it at pharmacies. This evolved into adding flavored syrups, then ice cream, and voilà—the soda fountain era began. 🥤 From Tonic to Treat Root beer, sarsaparilla, and phosphates (acidic drinks made with flavored syrups) were early favorites. In 1874, the ice cream soda was reportedly invented (some say in Philadelphia, others in Evanston, IL). As ice cream became more popular and affordable, pharmacies started offering it in sundaes and floats. 🍒 The Ice Cream Sundae Origin Story There are several cities that claim to have invented the ice cream sundae, often involving soda fountains: In the 1890s, blue laws (laws banning Sunday sales of soda) meant pharmacists couldn’t sell soda water—but they could still sell ice cream with syrup. Thus, the “Sunday” (later spelled “sundae”) was born—a scoop of ice cream topped with flavored syrup and maybe a cherry. 🏪 Iconic Era: 1920s–1950s During this golden age: Drugstores with soda fountains were the community hangouts, especially in small towns. Think Woolworth’s, Rexall, or Walgreens—they all had counters serving milkshakes, sundaes, and burgers. Pharmacists were local celebrities who could whip up a remedy or a root beer float. 🎬 Pop Culture & Decline These pharmacy soda fountains show up in classic movies and TV: Think of the vibe in Pleasantville, Leave It to Beaver, or Back to the Future. By the 1960s, though, fast food chains and supermarkets started to take over. Pharmacies became more clinical, and soda fountains slowly faded out. ☕ A Few Survivors Some nostalgic spots still exist—like: Brent’s Drugs in Jackson, Mississippi (opened in 1946) Edgar’s Pharmacy in Alabama Dublin Pharmacy in Georgia These places keep the tradition alive, often blending modern pharmacy with retro diners.