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Rare Early McDonald's Menu and Photo.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:300.00 USD Estimated At:500.00 - 700.00 USD
Rare Early McDonald's Menu and Photo.
SOLD
Winning Bid Undisclosed
This item SOLD at 2023 Feb 25 @ 12:52UTC-8 : PST/AKDT
All items are sold as is. Contact Van Eaton Galleries for condition reports and shipping information. 21% Buyer's Premium for all lots.
(McDonald's, 1940-43) An extremely rare historic photo and early menu from the original McDonald's restaurant in San Bernardino California. On May 15, 1940, brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald opened their Famous Bar-B-Q restaurant in San Bernardino. In 1948 they redesigned and rebuilt the restaurant, streamlining the menu to nine items. With the success of their "Speedee Service System," the McDonalds began franchising in 1953, and came to the attention of Ray Kroc in 1954. Kroc took their name and system to global success, virtually inventing fast food. Very little survives from the pre-1948 McDonald's. This lot features a photograph of a large event held at the first restaurant in 1940. This may be either the grand opening of McDonald's, or a local annual celebration called "Calico Days" which occurred at the same time of year. The original sign is visible out front, as a large crowd in western clothes enjoys food and live entertainment. This lot also contains a menu dated April of 1943 listing fountain drinks and sandwiches served at the time. Notably, the menu has pencil annotations striking off all but nine items, in line with the 1948 "Speedee Service System" menu. The photo measuring 14.5"x7.5" is in very good condition, with light toning, corner pinholes, and a name written on the bottom edge. The 8.5"x5.5" menu is in good condition, with edge wear and spotting, pencil marks, and paper retention on back corners from scrapbook mounting.