Ballantine 1940 - 1965 25th Reunion Can

Ballantine 1940 25th Reunion Can

The Ballantine 1940 - 1965 25th Reunion Can is a commemorative release produced by P. Ballantine & Sons of Newark, New Jersey. Manufactured for the Princeton University Class of 1940 during their 25th class reunion held from June 9 to June 13, 1965, this 16-ounce container holds a distinct place in mid-century breweriana history.

Historical Context

Ballantine maintained a storied tradition of producing custom commemorative cans for Princeton University alumni reunions. With its primary brewing operations located nearby in Newark, Ballantine was regularly chosen to supply commemorative containers for major milestone gatherings. The Class of 1940 celebration in June 1965 marked a quarter-century since graduation, bringing alumni together for campus festivities, banquets, and the traditional parade.

Design and Characteristics

The can features commemorative event typography highlighting the Class of 1940 and the June 9–13, 1965 dates alongside Ballantine's traditional branding, including the iconic three interlocking rings representing Purity, Body, and Flavor. Rather than serving solely as conventional packaged goods, many of these cans were produced open-topped or with modified rims to function directly as drinking mugs during the reunion events.

Collector Significance

Representing a crossover between collegiate Princetoniana memorabilia and vintage breweriana, the can remains a sought-after collectible. Known variations exist among surviving examples, displaying subtle differences in text layout, graphic framing, and rim construction.