Late 19th - Ricqlès Peppermint Alcohol Advertising Trade Card with Desert Sahara Scene - Vintage French Chromo Collectible

This vibrant advertising trade card from the Late 19th century promotes 'Alcool de Menthe de Ricqlès' with a captivating desert scene. The front illustration depicts two men in North African attire in a desert landscape with palm trees. One man, seated, receives a small bottle from a standing figure, presumably sharing the refreshing peppermint alcohol. The bottom banner reads: 'Quelques gouttes d'alcool de menthe de RICQLÈS dans l'eau contenue dans notre bidon et nous traverserons le Sahara' (A few drops of Ricqlès peppermint alcohol in the water in our canteen and we will cross the Sahara).

The reverse side details the product's accolades, proclaiming '60 ANNÉES de Succès' (60 YEARS of Success) and listing prestigious awards from Lyon (1894), Bordeaux (1895), Rouen (1896), and Brussels (1897). It highlights Ricqlès as 'LE SEUL VÉRITABLE ALCOOL DE MENTHE' (THE ONLY TRUE PEPPERMINT ALCOHOL), touting its benefits for health, hygiene, and refreshment. This colorful chromolithograph is a charming piece of French advertising history, showcasing a blend of commercial promotion and exotic imagery.