Old Crow Sour Mash Sign, W. A. Gaines & Co., Frankfort, KY. Circa 1900

Featured is a rather interesting tin sign from the Old Crow Sour Mash Whiskey Brand, made by the W.A. Gaines Company.  The W. A. Gaines Company started in 1868 in downtown Frankfort, Kentucky and remained in business until the start of prohibition.  The use of rats crawling over the sour mash whiskey bottle baffles me, and probably will not be emulated by anyone anytime in the near future.  What gave the Gaines Company the idea of using rats on a consumable product is rather interesting in itself.