Pepsi-Cola Co., Encyclopaedia Britannica and Container Corp. of America (TIME, Apr. 30, 1945 et seq.) had all tested and proved the publicity value of fine art. Last week a Manhattan liquor importing firm, Renfield Ltd., was preparing to enter the same field in a small way with a traveling exhibition of twelve oils by the late, lusty, American-scene Painter George Luks.
All twelve paintings were black, white, grey and brown recollections of Manhattan gin mills and restaurants that Luks patronized shortly after the turn of the century: Luchow's, Paddy the Pig's, Mouquin's, Carey's...