Vintage Schweppes 50-unit phone card – Indian Tonic retro ad
AFW - Antique France Worldwide
Visual Description
This smart card telephone card features a bold and colorful advertising illustration on its main side. The visual highlights a yellow can of "Schweppes Indian Tonic" placed on the forehead of a smooth, tanned female face, tilted backward, with an open mouth. On the right, the word "Réfrigérateur." (Refrigerator.) is displayed in yellow in a cut-out typographic style, reminiscent of 1990s advertising collages. The bottom left corner displays the inscription "TELECARTE 50," indicating a capacity of 50 usage units, typical of French telephone cards of this period. The golden electronic chip, characteristic of these cards, is clearly visible on the left, with a directional yellow triangle next to it.
The graphic design is distinguished by a minimalist yet impactful composition, playing on the contrast between the clean white background and the advertising elements. The Schweppes can, easily identifiable by its black logo on a yellow background, occupies the central and upper part of the visual. No other text or logo appears on the visible side, apart from those already mentioned.
The card is presented on a golden satin fabric, which highlights the shiny and smooth appearance of its surface. No major defects are visible on the photographed side: the chip appears intact, and no chips, scratches, or significant signs of wear are observable in the image.
The format of the card is typical of French smart card telephone cards from the late 20th century, with rounded corners and a glossy finish. The advertising design, associated with the Schweppes brand, gives this piece a distinctive retro style, very representative of marketing campaigns from the late 1990s to early 2000s.
The inscription "TELECARTE 50" and the electronic chip confirm that it is a model intended for telephone use, now a collector's item, particularly for lovers of old advertisements and iconic beverage brands.
Condition
Used item sold as is, without guarantee of functional use. The visible side has a clean and well-preserved appearance, with no apparent defects on the chip or the visual.
Did you know? Smart card telephone cards were introduced in France in 1983 by France Télécom. They enjoyed great success in the 1990s, with highly sought-after limited advertising editions. Advertising visuals, like that of the Schweppes brand, were often used to promote iconic brands and are now considered graphic testimonies of their era.
AFW Reassurance
Careful packaging and fast shipping are ensured by a professional seller. We pay particular attention to the presentation and protection of each item shipped.
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