Object Timeline

1946

  • Work on this object began.

1956

  • Work on this object ended.

1991

  • We acquired this object.

1993

2012

2016

2025

  • You found it!

Sidewall (USA)

This is a sidewall. It is dated 1946–1956 and we acquired it in 1991. Its medium is machine-printed paper. It is a part of the Wallcoverings department.

Cocktail papers appeared shortly after the end of Prohibition in 1933. This design is typical of the genre, with its whimsical personifications of cocktails. The drinks shown in this design include a Pink Lady, Sidecar, Manhattan, Scotch & Lime, and a Stinger. Printed in bright colors on a metallic copper background this would definitely add some amusement to the home bar.

This object was featured in our Object of the Week series in a post titled Cocktail wallpapers.

This object was donated by Suzanne Lipschutz. It is credited Gift of Suzanne Lipschutz.

Its dimensions are

Overall: 132 x 52 cm (51 15/16 x 20 1/2 in.)

Cite this object as

Sidewall (USA); machine-printed paper; Overall: 132 x 52 cm (51 15/16 x 20 1/2 in.); Gift of Suzanne Lipschutz; 1991-89-110

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18637613/ |title=Sidewall (USA) |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=11 February 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>