1940s Phosferine Tonic Wine Ad – Vintage British Health Print Ephemera

1940s Phosferine Tonic Wine Ad – Vintage British Health Print Ephemera

A rare wellness-themed relic from mid-century Britain — ideal for collectors of vintage medicine advertising, tonic wine history, and public health ephemera.

Measurements: approx. 3 3/4 x 2 5/8  inches
Dates: n/a
Condition: In decent condition, please see images. 
Internal notes: QC passed

Picture a quiet parlour in 1940s Britain. A woman gently raises a small glass of tonic wine to her lips, the phrase “Health is Wealth” echoing in her thoughts. The air is still but purposeful, shaped by post-war resilience and the deeply personal pursuit of wellness. This original advertisement for Phosferine Tonic Wine is more than promotional — it’s a visual affirmation of hope and healing, encouraging individuals to care for themselves amid stress and hardship.

Printed for licensed chemists, wine merchants, and general stores, this advertisement likely dates to the late 1930s or 1940s, when tonic wines were widely marketed as restorative health solutions. Measuring approx. 3 3/4 x 2 5/8 inches, it blends confident typography with a minimalist illustration of a woman admiring her glass — underscoring the product’s position as a comforting ritual for both body and mind. The accompanying phrase “a beverage that will do you good” reflects the era’s sincere, if medically unregulated, wellness campaigns. Ads like this formed the backbone of popular pharmacological culture during the first half of the 20th century.

For collectors of vintage British medicine ephemera, health & wellness advertising, or social history paper collectibles, this piece holds exceptional value. It represents a moment when health was marketed not through glamour, but through quiet dignity, reassurance, and daily ritual. By preserving items like this, we honour not just the artwork — but the personal histories and lived experiences behind every promise of wellbeing.