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These rare “thank you” cards are specifically designed for customers who have purchased beer from Old Crown Brewing Co. in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Featuring the Centlivre Brewing Co. brand and a theme of breweriana, these cards are a unique way to show appreciation for the beer enthusiasts who support the company. With a country of origin proudly marking the United States, these cards add a touch of American-made charm to the collector's breweriana assortment.
These items are vintage brewery promotional "thank you" cards issued by the Old Crown Brewing Corporation of Fort Wayne, Indiana, from the mid 1960’s to about 1972.
Historical Background
The brewery originally operated for nearly a century as the C.L. Centlivre Brewing Company. In 1961, after a brief corporate merger, the business was rebranded as the Old Crown Brewing Corporation, and the plant's operations were sold directly to its workers. On July 1, 1961, it officially became 100% employee-owned, a milestone proudly highlighted on both of these cards.
Employees used these specific cards as personal marketing materials. When workers bought items at local businesses, they would hand these out to say, "Since I supported your business, please support mine by asking for Old Crown at the tavern or grocery store." The lower card features the printed signature of Joe Wheeler, a prominent local figure who helped coordinate the worker buyout.
