Blueprints of Imagination for Burgermeister Beer
Before Paul Stanley’s animated Burgermeister displays came to life, they began as carefully crafted concept sketches. His original drawings for Burgermeister Beer captured far more than character designs—they mapped out movement, proportions, lighting, and mechanical action, serving as the creative blueprint for the elaborate animated displays that would later promote Burgie Beer in stores throughout the West Coast. Each sketch reflects Stanley’s unique ability to combine artistic imagination with practical engineering, transforming simple ideas into unforgettable advertising experiences.
Today, these Burgermeister sketches are among the most fascinating pieces of Paul Stanley’s artistic legacy. They offer a rare behind-the-scenes look at his creative process, revealing how iconic characters and imaginative concepts evolved from pencil and paper into handcrafted mechanical masterpieces. More than preliminary drawings, they stand as works of art in their own right, preserving the vision of one of America’s most influential designers of animated advertising
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Created for Coca-Cola during the golden age of animated advertising, the Coca-Cola Clown is a whimsical example of Paul Stanley’s talent for turning an ordinary store display into a miniature performance. Designed to stop shoppers in their tracks, the colorful clown combined playful character design with mechanical motion, bringing the Coca-Cola brand to life in a way a traditional sign never could. Handcrafted, animated, and created for in-store promotion, surviving examples are now rare reminders of a time when advertising was not simply seen—it moved, entertained, and became part of the experience.
Created for Hamm’s Beer in an era when store displays were designed to move, entertain, and capture attention, the Hamm’s Beer Bear Helicopter is a playful example of Paul Stanley’s talent for combining character, motion, and imagination. Featuring the beloved Hamm’s bear piloting his own helicopter, the animated display brought the brand’s fun-loving personality to life and gave shoppers a reason to stop and watch.
Handcrafted for retail promotion, surviving examples are rare reminders of a time when beer advertising was more than something hanging on the wall—it was a show.
Created for Mother’s Cookies in an era when animated store displays brought brands and characters to life, the Mother’s Cookies Cowboy is a playful example of Paul Stanley’s ability to turn a familiar character into a captivating in-store attraction. With his colorful Western styling and mechanical movement, the cowboy was designed to catch the eye of shoppers and bring personality to the Mother’s Cookies brand. Handcrafted for retail display, surviving examples offer a rare glimpse into a time when advertising did more than promote a product—it moved, entertained, and made people stop for a closer look.
Rare Finds
This collection features rare items that tell stories of breweries long gone but never forgotten.
Sketches
Explore classic sketches that defined an era and still spark nostalgia among enthusiasts today.
Mechanical Displays
Explore the animated masterpieces that brought brands to life through motion, craftsmanship, and imagination.
Advertising Art
Original advertising art pieces show how brands captured attention with bold, creative designs.
Paul Stanley Sketch Artwork
Every remarkable mechanical display began as a simple idea on paper. Paul Stanley’s original sketches offer a fascinating glimpse into the creative process behind his animated advertising masterpieces. These hand-drawn concepts reveal how characters, movement, composition, and mechanical elements were carefully planned long before a display ever came to life. More than rough drawings, they are the blueprints of imagination that laid the foundation for some of the most memorable advertising displays of their time.
Today, these original sketches are valuable historical artifacts that showcase Paul Stanley’s exceptional artistic talent and inventive mind. They provide a rare opportunity to trace the evolution of his ideas—from the first pencil strokes to the finished animated displays that delighted shoppers across America. Whether complete concept drawings or quick design studies, each sketch tells part of the story of an artist who blended creativity, engineering, and showmanship into a truly unique form of advertising.
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Step inside the Paul Stanley Museum and relive this golden era of history.