Frame Size (H x L): 29.5” x 32”
Textile Size (H x L): 18.5” x 21”

Offered is an antique crochet textile with the following message sewn therein: ALCOHOL IS NO LONGER KING. The message is separated into rows, in which “AL” is in the first row, “CO” is in the second row, “HOL” is in the third row, “NO” is in the fourth row, “LONGER” is in the fifth row, and “KING” is in the sixth row. The upper right corner includes a wine glass, and the lower left corner includes a whiskey bottle.

The message of this textile is in reference to the passage of 18th Amendment. The 18th Amendment was ratified on January 29th, 1919, and stated the following:

Section 1. After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all the territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.

Section 2. The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

The National Prohibition Act was enacted to carry out the 18th Amendment’s intent. Wayne Wheeler of the Anti-Saloon League drafted the bill, and in it, he clarified the meaning of “intoxicating liquors” and provided penalties associated with the 18th Amendment. The National Prohibition Act is often times referred to as the Volstead Act, named after Andrew Volstead who managed the legislation and who was the Chair of the House Judiciary Committee.

The 18th Amendment and the National Prohibition Act were repealed in 1933 by the 21st Amendment. Some states continued statewide prohibition after 1933, but by 1966, every state had abandoned their prohibition efforts. Since then, alcohol controls have been managed at the local level.

Conservation Process: This textile was hand sewn to cotton fabric, and both were hand sewn to a mounting board. To prevent the black dye in the cotton fabric from seeping into the textile, it was first washed in a standard wash and then in a dye setting wash. The textile is positioned behind Optium Museum Acrylic.

Frame: This offering is in our Large Distressed Black and Gold Frame.

Condition Report: This textile include some yellow staining. The stains appear darker in the photo than they do in person. In person, the only notable stains are on the “L” in “HOL” and in the upper right corner. And even those stains are only visible upon a close examination.

Collectability Level: The Great – Perfect for Rising Collectors
Date of Origin: 1919-1933