Schlitz Class 1946, Princeton (paper Label) 20th Reunion Can

Schlitz Princeton 1946 Reunion Can

The Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company produced this commemorative paper label beer can for the undergraduate Class of 1946's 20th reunion at Princeton University. Custom-labeled reunion cans represent a storied chapter in collegiate breweriana, stemming from a long-standing tradition at Princeton where alumni classes commissioned custom drinkware and memorabilia for major milestone gatherings.

Background and Heritage

Princeton's tradition of custom reunion cans began in the late 1930s and continued for decades. Major American breweries, including Milwaukee's Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company, coordinated with alumni committees to supply custom cans for class tents and the annual alumni P-rade. For milestone gatherings, class organizers often commissioned specialized paper labels affixed over standard brewery cans to mark their specific anniversary.

Design Features

This can highlights the Class of 1946's 20th reunion milestone. The applied paper label features event-specific collegiate typography and imagery celebrating the returning class alongside the classic Jos. Schlitz identity. Unlike mass-market commercial cans, these commemorative paper-label issues were produced in limited quantities intended solely for alumni attending the festivities in Princeton, New Jersey.

Collector Context

College reunion cans form a dedicated focus area within breweriana collecting, with Princeton University commemoratives standing as the most extensive and widely cataloged collegiate run. Variations exist across different graduating classes and reunion years, showcasing the evolving design themes of individual classes. Cans from milestone celebrations like the Class of 1946's 20th reunion remain notable artifacts linking mid-century American brewing with collegiate reunion culture.