Billboard over liquor store--Los Angeles c. 1955 - 1956

"Billboard over liquor store--Los Angeles" is a black and white photograph by Robert Frank, taken around 1955-1956. The image depicts a liquor store in Los Angeles, California, with a large billboard advertising "Ancient Age" bourbon whiskey. The billboard's slogan, "If you can find a better bourbon...buy it!", is a classic example of American advertising during the mid-20th century. Frank, a Swiss-American photographer, was known for his candid and often gritty portrayal of American life. This photograph, part of his iconic book "The Americans", captures a moment of everyday life in post-war America. The composition highlights the stark contrast between the bright billboard and the more subdued architecture of the building. The image evokes a sense of both the allure and the alienation of urban life in the 1950s.