Auction 48, Midwinter Masterpieces Auction, February 19th
Thu, Feb 19, 2026 12:00PM EST
Live Auction
Lot 274
Iconic Original 1925 Art Deco Poster: Carlo Biscaretti di Ruffia's "Anisetta Evangelisti Liquore da Dessert" (The Drunken Monkey)
Estimate: $400 - $800
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $5 |
| $50 | $10 |
| $150 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $4,000 | $500 |
| $15,000 | $1,000 |
| $50,000 | $2,500 |
| $100,000 | $5,000 |
escription
This lot features a highly sought-after, original vintage advertising poster for Anisetta Evangelisti Liquore da Dessert. Created in 1925 by the Italian artist Carlo Biscaretti di Ruffia (1879-1959), this iconic image, often nicknamed "the drunken monkey" poster, is one of the most famous and whimsical advertising designs in history.
Artwork and Artist Details
- Artist: Carlo Biscaretti di Ruffia (Italian, 1879–1959), an industrial designer and a founder of the Museo dell'Automobile in Turin, who produced only a handful of posters, primarily for the automotive industry.
- Year: 1925.
- Product Advertised: Anisetta Evangelisti, an anise-flavored Italian dessert liqueur.
- Design: The poster features a striking and humorous illustration of a chimpanzee sitting on a branded wooden crate, gleefully drinking from a bottle against a vibrant yellow background. The bold imagery and Art Deco-inspired style helped the product stand out in a saturated market.
- Printing: The original posters were produced as color lithographs by Lit. Doyen, Torino, Italy.
- Dimensions: W:38in H:52in
Available payment options
Shipping
For shipping assistance, we recommend contacting the following trusted professionals:
UPS Store: Phone 954-963-7134 Email store0288@theupsstore.com website
theupsstore.com/0288
Alternatively, we can provide additional recommendations for third-party shipping
services. All items will be shipped within 10 business days after payment has cleared.
Items must be picked up within 10 business days following the auction. Items not
collected within this timeframe will be placed in storage at a fee of $10.00 per item per day.