This gorgeous creature with a flower crown, friendly smile and a large butt decorated with a ribbon was the figurehead of the Hippopotamus Hamburger joint – also known as the Hippo Burger – in San Francisco. This establishment opened in 1950 and closed in 1987.

The walls of the restaurant were also decorated with this hefty and whimsical character, designed by the children’s artist and famed puppeteer nicknamed Wolo. Born in Berlin in 1902, the artist’s full name was Erhardt Anton Wolff George Trutzschler.

After emigrating to the US after WW1, he pursued a career in art, becoming the San Francisco Chronicle’s caricaturist in 1931, sketching celebrities and people he observed on the streets of the city for his daily I Saw You column.

The Hippo Burger restaurant was created by restaurateur Jack Falvey and his wacky hamburger creations were much loved by generations of San Franciscans. There was the Cannibal Burger with raw ground beef, the Cantonese Burger with canned lychee and – most of all – the Hamburger Sundae which included ice cream. There were 50 different types of hamburgers available.

During the day the Hippo Burger was a family-friendly spot – generations of San Franciscan kids had their birthday parties there – and at night – it stayed open till 3am – it was crammed with hungry people coming out of local clubs and bars.

After an admirable 37 years in business, the Hippo Burger closed.

This image of the hippo with a flower crown is from the 1960s when Flower Power was the slogan used as a symbol of passive resistance and nonviolence and was rooted in the opposition movement to the Vietnam War.

Gallery quality Giclée print on natural white, matte, 100% cotton rag, acid and lignin free archival paper using Epson archival inks. Custom printed with border for matting and framing.