Working with private collectors and public institutions to license menus from the late 19th century to the 1970s, Cool Culinaria is a website that turns beautiful vintage menu designs into prints, posters and t-shirts.
Bringing together a large collection of menus from the golden age of American design and dining—from the 1930s to 1960s—the founders of the website believe that these menus are “museum-worthy works of art”.
Often featuring vibrant colors and attention-grabbing images of food, the menus are not only advertising tools for the establishments they represent, but also reflect the social and cultural circumstances of their respective eras.
From night clubs to coffee houses and fast food drive-ins, these menus are a visual fest for anyone who is interested in graphic design, pop art or social history—view more of them over here, where you can also buy prints of your favorite designs.
[via Smithsonian]