Advertising

Ivory Soap Ad

Advertising is meant to persuade, and the themes and techniques of that persuasion reveal a part of the nation's history. The Museum has preserved advertising campaigns for several familiar companies, such as Marlboro, Alka-Seltzer, Federal Express, Cover Girl, and Nike. It also holds the records of the NW Ayer Advertising Agency and business papers from Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Carvel Ice Cream, and other companies. The Warshaw Collection of Business Americana comprises thousands of trade cards, catalogs, labels, and other business papers and images dating back to the late 1700s.

Beyond advertising campaigns, the collections encompass thousands of examples of packaging, catalogs, and other literature from many crafts and trades, from engineering to hat making. The collections also contain an eclectic array of advertising objects, such as wooden cigar-store Indians, neon signs, and political campaign ads.

Topic: Advertising

Button, Mannequin is Coming!

This square button has black text on a teal background that reads: Mannequin is Coming! It has an illustration of a face. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: CDX '90.Currently not on view
Description
This square button has black text on a teal background that reads: Mannequin is Coming! It has an illustration of a face. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: CDX '90.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990
ID Number
2009.3071.402
catalog number
2009.3071.402
nonaccession number
2009.3071

"Fast Colors" mutoscope movie poster

Red posterboard with painted advertisement for mutoscope motion picture "Fast Colors"; an attached photograph shows two men in blackface pretending to be royaltyCurrently not on view
Description
Red posterboard with painted advertisement for mutoscope motion picture "Fast Colors"; an attached photograph shows two men in blackface pretending to be royalty
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
PG.76.87.23
catalog number
76.87.23
accession number
2008.0095

(Red Cross) Is You & I With Every (Heart) And (Dollar) Pin

Pin shaped like a flag. The flag is brown with white print and red symbols.
Description (Brief)
Pin shaped like a flag. The flag is brown with white print and red symbols. Symbols and text read “(Red Cross) Is You & I With Every (Heart) And (Dollar).”
The American Red Cross was one of the major organizations that conducted relief work during World War I.
Much like the use of military insignia to identify its wearer (by association with an organization) and his/her achievements, these pins and buttons were meant to be worn by Americans on the home front during World War I to show their membership in an organization and/or their contribution to a particular war effort, such as the United War Work Campaign. The pins and buttons displayed the wearer’s patriotism and generosity and undoubtedly also served to prompt others to become similarly involved in the various war efforts.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
maker
Manee Company
ID Number
2006.0098.0394
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.0394

Philadelphia Contributionship Fire Mark

Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number.
Description (Brief)
Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
The Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire issued this fire mark for policies 334 and 335 to Jacob Cooper for four properties, at numbers 118, 120, 122 and 124 on Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1755. The fire mark consists of the company’s symbol cast in lead showing four hands clasped at the wrist painted red, attached to a varnished shield-shaped wooden backing. The Philadelphia Contributionship was established in 1752, becoming the first successful fire insurance company in America. Benjamin Franklin was one of its founding members. The Contributionship began as a mutual insurance company and this concept is represented by its “Hand in Hand” fire mark. The Philadelphia Contributionship is still in operation.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1755
maker
unknown
ID Number
2005.0233.0344
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0344

Typescript for Bob Newhart routine "Abe Lincoln vs. Madison Avenue"

Typescript for the Bob Newhart comedy routine "Abe Lincoln vs. Madison Avenue." The script is typed on three pages of typewriter paper in black ink.
Description (Brief)
Typescript for the Bob Newhart comedy routine "Abe Lincoln vs. Madison Avenue." The script is typed on three pages of typewriter paper in black ink. Newhart wrote the sketch in 1960 for his stand-up comedy act at Houston's Tidelands nightclub; that act was recorded and released as The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart, a popular and acclaimed comedy album that went on to win Newhart two Grammy Awards.
The routine consists of an imaginary conversation between Abraham Lincoln and a Madison Avenue advertising executive. In talking through Lincoln’s upcoming Gettysburg Address, the ad man advises the sixteenth president on his image (“Abe, would you leave the beard on?”), suggests jokes and merchandising tie-ins, and bats down Lincoln’s speech revisions. The ad man’s insincere platitudes, prioritization of style over substance, and obsession with focus group testing poke fun at the popular perception of the advertising world’s asinine commercialism. His frustration with Lincoln’s earnest and thoughtful intelligence, out of its historical context, reads like relatable frustration with a coworker who just doesn’t get the point of a collaborative project. Meanwhile the sketch’s irreverent and ahistorical representation of Lincoln’s dithering deflates the mythology around the venerated leader. The routine even ends with the ad man suggesting that Lincoln “take in a play,” suggesting he may have been responsible for the president’s assassination at Ford’s Theatre. Newhart wrote in his 2006 book I Shouldn’t Even Be Doing This that he was inspired to write the monologue by a 1957 study of the advertising world, The Hidden Persuaders, “which talked about the danger of PR men creating images in presidential campaigns to the degree that you were voting for a personality rather than a leader’s ideology.”
Bob Newhart changed the face of American comedy in his six decade-long career as a stand-up comedian and film and television actor. Newhart’s genial, halting, square delivery obscured a sly, subversive, and quietly revolutionary form of satire. Eschewing the more aggressive and controversial style of “sick comic” contemporaries like Lenny Bruce and Mort Sahl, Newhart’s deadpan, stammering, straight man persona allowed him to subtly excoriate social mores, crassness and greed, hypocrisy, and the absurdities of modern American life. His debut comedy album The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart became first comedy LP ever to hit number one on the Billboard charts, first (of two) comedy album to win a Grammy for Album of the Year, and Newhart became the only comedian to ever win a Grammy as Best New Artist. He began acting in film and television, including two acclaimed and long running sitcoms, The Bob Newhart Show (1972-1978) and Newhart (1982-1990). Newhart has continued to play small roles and make guest appearances into his 90s, including a recurring guest role on The Big Bang Theory that won him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 2013. Newhart won the 2002 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, has been inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame, and earned a 1962 Golden Globe award for Best TV Star as well as his three Grammy Awards in 1961.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1960
around 1960
Associated Name
Lincoln, Abraham
maker
Newhart, Bob
ID Number
2023.0059.01
accession number
2023.0059
catalog number
2023.0059.01

Button, DESQview / X. Raising DOS to the Power of X

This blimp shaped button has orange text on blue blimp that reads: DESQview / X. Raising DOS to the Power of X. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Fed Meiro '92 8/5/92.Currently not on view
Description
This blimp shaped button has orange text on blue blimp that reads: DESQview / X. Raising DOS to the Power of X. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Fed Meiro '92 8/5/92.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
ID Number
2009.3071.488
catalog number
2009.3071.488
nonaccession number
2009.3071

On Location Lapel Pin

This L-shaped lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp and a black background. Text reading "ON LOCATION" follows the L-shape. "ON" is in purple; "LOCATION" is in red. The reverse is black plastic and reads "MWB 8/90" in black permanent ink.
Description
This L-shaped lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp and a black background. Text reading "ON LOCATION" follows the L-shape. "ON" is in purple; "LOCATION" is in red. The reverse is black plastic and reads "MWB 8/90" in black permanent ink. The clasp is of gold-colored metal.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990
ID Number
2009.3071.724
catalog number
2009.3071.724
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Mips Keychain

This keychain consists of a silver-colored metal ring and chain. Attached to the chain are two identical spherical terrestrial globes, with each continent colored in a different color.
Description
This keychain consists of a silver-colored metal ring and chain. Attached to the chain are two identical spherical terrestrial globes, with each continent colored in a different color. These are also attached to a white plastic oval tag with black text that reads "THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS." The word "mips" is in the center next to a black and white logo. The back of the plastic bag reads "CDX 4/92" in black permanent ink.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
ID Number
2009.3071.812
catalog number
2009.3071.812
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Advertising Button

This square button has white text on a black background that reads: DON'T LOSE CONTROL 1-800-LAN-USER. It also has a red and white logo for NMI. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: NW 2/90.Currently not on view
Description
This square button has white text on a black background that reads: DON'T LOSE CONTROL 1-800-LAN-USER. It also has a red and white logo for NMI. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: NW 2/90.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990
ID Number
2009.3071.050
catalog number
2009.3071.050
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Meade Brothers' Daguerreotype Gallery

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1853
described
Meade Brothers
ID Number
PG.77.104
catalog number
77.104

Advertising Button, PC Computing

This square button has black text on a red background that reads: Winner. Intel SatisFAXtion Modem/400. Intel Corp. It includes the PC Computing logo and the words MVP 1992. In black and gold is a cartoon of an 'Oscar' statue.
Description
This square button has black text on a red background that reads: Winner. Intel SatisFAXtion Modem/400. Intel Corp. It includes the PC Computing logo and the words MVP 1992. In black and gold is a cartoon of an 'Oscar' statue. A mark on the reverse reads: Comdex 11/92.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1992
ID Number
2009.3071.069
catalog number
2009.3071.069
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Progress Button, #1 in the Last Three Datapro User Surveys

This circular button has red and black text on a white background that reads: Progress. #1 in the Last Three Datapro User Surveys. Fourth Generation Language and Relational Database A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: CDX '90.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has red and black text on a white background that reads: Progress. #1 in the Last Three Datapro User Surveys. Fourth Generation Language and Relational Database A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: CDX '90.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990
ID Number
2009.3071.502
catalog number
2009.3071.502
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Button, Don't Let NetWorld Pass You By

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1987.3128.080
nonaccession number
1987.3128
catalog number
1987.3128.080

"Price Reduced" mutoscope movie poster

Blue posterboard with painted advertisement for mutoscope motion picture "Price Reduced"; two attached photographs show a scene from the movie - a group of women crowding a roadside clothing stand that is having a saleCurrently not on view
Description
Blue posterboard with painted advertisement for mutoscope motion picture "Price Reduced"; two attached photographs show a scene from the movie - a group of women crowding a roadside clothing stand that is having a sale
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
PG.76.87.14
catalog number
76.87.14
accession number
2008.0095

Advertising Button, Corporate Computing

This circular button is the ninth of ten in a series of Corporate Computing campaign buttons from 1992. Red and Blue text on half-white, half-blue background reads: Covers All the Platforms. The button also has Corporate Computing Logo and four white stars on blue background.
Description
This circular button is the ninth of ten in a series of Corporate Computing campaign buttons from 1992. Red and Blue text on half-white, half-blue background reads: Covers All the Platforms. The button also has Corporate Computing Logo and four white stars on blue background. A mark in black ink on the reverse side of the button reads: PC Expo 6/92 NY 10/10.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
maker
unknown
ID Number
2009.3071.031
catalog number
2009.3071.031
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Button, Publishers' VGA. Willow Peripherals Inc.

This circular button has green text on a white background that reads: Publishers' VGA. Willow Peripherals Inc. In the center is a green image of a caveman with a camera and printouts. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Comdex Spring '89.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has green text on a white background that reads: Publishers' VGA. Willow Peripherals Inc. In the center is a green image of a caveman with a camera and printouts. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Comdex Spring '89.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1989
ID Number
2009.3071.386
catalog number
2009.3071.386
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Outdoor scene of corn rows

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1960s
photographer
Uzzle, Burk
ID Number
PG.72.12.040
accession number
2003.0044
catalog number
72.12.40

Advertising Button, Lotus, MarketPlace

This circular button has black text on a bright orange background that reads: Lotus MarketPlace. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: PC Expo '90.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has black text on a bright orange background that reads: Lotus MarketPlace. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: PC Expo '90.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990
ID Number
2009.3071.123
catalog number
2009.3071.123
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Button, I Tried J-Mouse

This circular button has black text on a blue background that reads: I Tried J Mouse. It has a grey image of a J computer key with a computer mouse symbol.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has black text on a blue background that reads: I Tried J Mouse. It has a grey image of a J computer key with a computer mouse symbol.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990s
ID Number
2009.3071.379
catalog number
2009.3071.379
nonaccession number
2009.3071

McDonald's Brown Bag

This large brown paper bag with McDonald’s® golden arches advertising was copyrighted in 1995 by McDonald’s® Corporation. “Proud partner of [the Olympics]” appears on one side of the bag.
Description
This large brown paper bag with McDonald’s® golden arches advertising was copyrighted in 1995 by McDonald’s® Corporation. “Proud partner of [the Olympics]” appears on one side of the bag. The bag does not say “the Olympics” but rather has the 5 rings logo of the Olympics in its place. This bag was used to distribute McDonald’s® food products.
The McDonald’s Corporation is one of the most recognizable hamburger restaurants in the United States. As of 2011, the McDonald’s Corporation and franchisees were operating in 119 countries with 1.9 million employees, making it the 4th largest employer in the world.
In 1940, Richard (Dick) and Maurice (Mac) McDonald opened the first McDonald’s Bar-B-Q drive-in restaurant in San Bernardino, California. In 1948, the brothers redesigned their menu, centering on the 15 cent hamburger. In 1954, Ray Kroc, a Multimixer (milkshake machine) salesman, became interested in the McDonalds brothers’ high volume restaurant. He worked out a deal with the brothers to be their franchising agent and opened the first franchise location in Illinois the following year. Under Kroc’s direction, the company grew to become the giant we know today.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2002-06-18
ID Number
2012.3045.10
catalog number
2012.3045.10
nonaccession number
2012.3045

Perrygraf Clipper Cargo Dimensional Weight Computer Circular Slide Chart

This instrument consists of two pieces of blue and white rectangular cardboard, riveted together at the corners. It is marked with a circular logarithmic scale of weight in pounds that ranges from 1 to 250. Inside this is a scale of lengths from 50" to 10".
Description
This instrument consists of two pieces of blue and white rectangular cardboard, riveted together at the corners. It is marked with a circular logarithmic scale of weight in pounds that ranges from 1 to 250. Inside this is a scale of lengths from 50" to 10". A white disc attached below that scale has a scale of heights from 5" to 30" and a scale of widths from 30" to 6". A paper indicator is attached on top of the disc. It contains a scale of densities in cubic inches per pound from 300 to 200 and three steps of instructions. This slide chart is marked: CLIPPER CARGO (/) DIMENSIONAL WEIGHT COMPUTER. It performs the same function as 1996.3029.01.
Unlike the other object, a rectangular piece of white cardboard slides inside the instrument to also permit readings of conversions from kilograms to pounds on the front and readings of pounds to kilograms on the back. This part of the chart is marked: WEIGHT CONVERTER. The bottom of the chart is marked: PAN AMERICAN, with LEADERS IN AIR CARGO on the front and SPACE CAN BE RESERVED on the back. The back also has an advertisement: CLIPPER CARGO (/) Reduces Pilferage (/) Reduces Damage (/) Reduces Inventory (/) Extends your working capital!
The lower left corner of the front is marked: Slide-Chart Copr. 1957, (/) PERRYGRAF Corp., Maywood, Ill. The lower right corner is marked: *T.M. Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. Perrygraf was a very successful producer of promotional slide charts. In 1968, the company was sold to Nashua Corporation and moved to Los Angeles, Calif.
Reference: Walter Shawlee II, "The Wonderful World of Slide Charts, Wheel Charts, and Perrygrafs," Sphere Research Corp., http://sphere.bc.ca/test/perrygraf.html.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1957-1968
maker
Perry Graf Corporation
ID Number
1996.3029.02
nonaccession number
1996.3029
catalog number
1996.3029.02

Wrigley DoubleMint Gum Display Box

This is a counter top type display box for Wrigley’s Doublemint chewing gum. The box contains twenty simulated, five stick, gum packages. Wrigley’s introduced Doublemint in 1914, the third flavor produced by after Spearmint and Juicy Fruit.
Description
This is a counter top type display box for Wrigley’s Doublemint chewing gum. The box contains twenty simulated, five stick, gum packages. Wrigley’s introduced Doublemint in 1914, the third flavor produced by after Spearmint and Juicy Fruit. The name “Doublemint” came from the double distillation process used in producing the mint flavor and spawned a popular advertising campaign around the “Doublemint Twins” in 1956.
date made
1948 - 1949
maker
William Wrigley Junior Company
ID Number
1992.3217.03
catalog number
1992.3217.03
nonaccession number
1992.3217

Button, You should have it so good. Maxtor

This circular button has a black background with white text on purple box that reads: You should have it so good. Maxtor. In the center of the purple box is a green circle with red triangle. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Fall CDX '88.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has a black background with white text on purple box that reads: You should have it so good. Maxtor. In the center of the purple box is a green circle with red triangle. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Fall CDX '88.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1988
ID Number
2009.3071.356
catalog number
2009.3071.356
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Campbell Kid

date made
1914
referenced
Campbell Soup Company
ID Number
DL.61.0505
catalog number
61.0505
accession number
67366
collector/donor number
38-L

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