Johnnie Walker Merchandise figure - Plastic - 1950-1960

The Icon: The "Striding Man"
The logo was originally drawn in 1908 by the cartoonist Tom Browne. The story goes that he sketched it during a lunch with Walker's directors on the back of a menu card. It depicts a "Dandy," inspired by the fashion of the Regency era (top hat, red coat, boots, monocle).

Dating and Material
Based on the finish, the gloss, and the red plastic base, this figurine appears to date from the 1950s or 1960s.
• The Slogan: The text on the label "Born 1820 - Still Going Strong" is the brand's most famous slogan. 1820 refers to the year in which John Walker opened his grocer's shop (where he began blending whisky).

The walking direction (Nice detail!)
If you look closely, you’ll see that your little figure walks to the left. This is an important feature for dating.
• Originally the Johnnie Walker man always walked to the left.
• In 2000 the logo was redesigned and mirrored, so that it walks to the right. The marketing idea behind this was that walking to the right is associated with “progress” and facing the future.
• Because the figurine leans to the left, it is guaranteed to be a vintage piece from before 2000.

Note: the average-sized whisky bottle is shown only to illustrate the size of the item.