Advertising

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.

The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token during the second half of the 19th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token during the second half of the 19th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and tokens.
Obverse: Image of a wagon. Legend: HERMAN HAAS, CHEYENNE, WYO. TER./ DEALER IN AGRICULTURAL IMPLMENTS/ AGT. FOR THE SCHUTTLER WAGON
Reverse: Image of a factory. Legend: THE PIONEER WAGON WORKS OF THE WEST/ ESTABLISHED 1843/ PETER SCHUTTLER CHICAGO
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 19th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1629
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1629
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this discount token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this discount token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens.
Obverse: The legend reads: THIS MEDAL GOOD FOR ONE DOLLAR ON EACH TWENTY DOLLARS PURCHASED AT 142 & 144 STATE ST CHICAGO.
Reverse: The legend reads: GRAND CENTRAL ONE PRICE CLOTHING HOUSE 142 & 144 STATE ST, CHICAGO.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1495
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1495
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and tokens.
Obverse: Bust of Lady Liberty facing left. Her headdress reads “E.Lyon.” Legend: E. LYON./ 424 BROADWAY NEW YORK.
Reverse: Eagle with shield, holding arrows in one talon and a branch in the other. Legend: MAGNETIC POWDER & PILLS/ FOR INSECTS & RATS.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1529
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1529
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens.
Obverse: Profile image of a standing horse. The legend reads: FAMOUS SCUFF- PROOF HORSE HIDE.
Reverse: The legend reads: EISENDRATH GLOVE COMPANY/ 173 WEST MADISON STREET/ CHICAGO ILLINOIS.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Eisendrath Glove Co.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1533
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1533
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token around 1852. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token around 1852. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens.
Obverse: Bust of Professor Johnson facing right. The legend reads: PROFESSOR JOHNSON 317 BOWERY/ 1852.
Reverse: Image of an eagle with shield, gripping arrows in one talon and an olive branch in the other. The legend reads: UNITED STATES/ STARCH POLISH.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1852
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1480
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1480
On one side of this circular wooden token is a blue image of a wheel with text reading "ROTARY INTERNATIONAL" in the color of the wood. Above the wheel blue text reads: PLANO, TEXAS. On the other side black text reads: TUIT.Currently not on view
Description
On one side of this circular wooden token is a blue image of a wheel with text reading "ROTARY INTERNATIONAL" in the color of the wood. Above the wheel blue text reads: PLANO, TEXAS. On the other side black text reads: TUIT.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2009.3071.825
catalog number
2009.3071.825
nonaccession number
2009.3071
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token during the second half of the 19th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token during the second half of the 19th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce various consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and tokens.
Obverse: Wagon. Legend: MFR. OF FARM, FREIGHT, & SPRING WAGONS/ FIRST PREMIUM PARIS 1867 PHILADELPHIA 1876/ GEO. A. LOWE. AGT. SALT LAKE CITY.
Reverse: Image of a factory. Legend: THE PIONEER WAGON WORKS OF THE WEST/ ESTABLISHED 1843/ PETER SCHUTTLER CHICAGO.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 19th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1626
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1626
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token during the second half of the 19th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token during the second half of the 19th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens.
Obverse: Image of a wagon. Legend: C.H. DODD & CO. PORTLAND OR./DEALERS IN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS/ AGT. FOR THE SCHUTTLER WAGON.
Reverse: Image of a factory. Legend: THE PIONEER WAGON WORKS OF THE WEST/ ESTABLISHED 1843/ PETER SCHUTTLER CHICAGO.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 19th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1635
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1635
This circular wooden token has black text on one side that reads: MICROGRAFX CHILI COOK OFF 90. It shows a black image of a chili pepper. The other side has a black outlined circle with an image of two chili peppers inside, one of which is steaming.
Description
This circular wooden token has black text on one side that reads: MICROGRAFX CHILI COOK OFF 90. It shows a black image of a chili pepper. The other side has a black outlined circle with an image of two chili peppers inside, one of which is steaming. Around the outer edge of the circle black text reads: PEOPLE'S CHOICE VOTING TOKEN.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1990
ID Number
2009.3071.824
catalog number
2009.3071.824
nonaccession number
2009.3071
On one side of this circular wooden token are two red rings with a red image of a chili pepper in the center.Red text reads: MICROGRAFX CHILI COOK-OFF VOTING TOKEN. On the other side are two red rings with a red image of a bison in the center.
Description
On one side of this circular wooden token are two red rings with a red image of a chili pepper in the center.
Red text reads: MICROGRAFX CHILI COOK-OFF VOTING TOKEN. On the other side are two red rings with a red image of a bison in the center. Red text reads: ONE WOODEN NICKEL 5c. On the edge is written in pencil: COMDEX 11/93.
Compare 2009.3071.826 and 2009.3071.827.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1993
c 1993
ID Number
2009.3071.826
catalog number
2009.3071.826
nonaccession number
2009.3071
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens.
Obverse: Image of a water fountain. Legend reads: ONE GLASS SODA.
Reverse: Image of an eagle with shield, holding arrows in one talon, and an olive branch in the other. Legend reads: F. ECKSTEIN JR./ COR. FOURTH & MAIN STS.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Eckstein, Jr., F.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1512
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1512
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token during the second half of the 19th century. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token during the second half of the 19th century. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and tokens.
Obverse: Image of a factory. Legend: THE PIONEER WAGON WORKS OF THE WEST/ ESTABLISHED 1843/ PETER SCHUTTLER CHICAGO.
Reverse: Image of a wagon. Legend: MFR. OF FARM, FREIGHT, & SPRING WAGONS/ FIRST PREMIUM PARIS 1867 PHILADELPHIA 1876/ SMITH&KEATING, ACTS. KANSAS CITY Mo.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 19th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1618
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1618
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens.
Obverse: ONE DOLLAR WILL BE PAID FOR 99 OF THESE TOKENS BY THE UNION STORE NO 185 6TH AVENUE NEW- YORK.
Reverse: COMPETITION DEFIED WITHOUT ANY EXCEPTION IN FANCY AND STAPLE DRY GOODS BY THE UNION STORE OF A .WISE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1479
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1479
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens.
Obverse: Image of a lion’s head. The legend reads: Lion.
Reverse: Image of a Popsicle on a stick, the stick reads “Popsicle Patented.” The legend reads: POPSICLE/10 ICLES/EASY TO EAT.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1496
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1496
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this souvenir coin in 1965. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this souvenir coin in 1965. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, and coins.
Obverse: Bust of P.T. Barnum facing right.
Reverse: Image of an eagle. The legend reads: The Annual Barnum Festival/ 1965/ BRIDGEPORT CONNECTICUT YANKEE COIN CLUB/ COIN-O-RAMA
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1965
depicted
Barnum, P. T.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1612
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1612
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token during the second half of the 19th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token during the second half of the 19th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens.
Obverse: Image of a large factory. Legend: THE PIONEER WAGON WORKS OF THE WEST/ ESTABLISHED 1843/ PETER SCHUTTLER CHICAGO.
Reverse: Image of a wagon. Legend: JOHN J. MAXEY. DENVER , COL./DEALER IN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS/AGT. FOR THE SHUTTLER WAGON.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 19th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1620
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1620
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens.
Obverse: Image of a stove with pots and pans on top. The legend reads: 1863/ GOOD SAMARITAN.
Reverse: The legend reads: KETCHAM & BARKER/ DEALERS IN HARDWARE STOVES & TIN WARE/ TOLEDO OHIO.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1503
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1503
On one side of both of these circular wooden tokens are two red rings with a red image of a chili pepper in the center. Red text reads: MICROGRAFX CHILI COOK-OFF VOTING TOKEN. On the other side are two red rings with a red image of a bison in the center.
Description
On one side of both of these circular wooden tokens are two red rings with a red image of a chili pepper in the center. Red text reads: MICROGRAFX CHILI COOK-OFF VOTING TOKEN. On the other side are two red rings with a red image of a bison in the center. Red text reads: ONE WOODEN NICKEL 5c.
Compare 2009.3071.826 and 2009.3071.827.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c1993
ID Number
2009.3071.827
catalog number
2009.3071.827
nonaccession number
2009.3071
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token around 1959. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token around 1959. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens. This token was included in packets of cigarettes vended from Nedicks locations in New York.
Obverse: Profile of a man facing right. Legend : EAT BETTER FOR LESS/NEDICKS NICKEL
Reverse: REDEEMABLE FOR A/ 5¢ PURCHASE OF FOOD OR DRINK IN NEDICKS STORES/BEFORE DEC. 1959.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1959
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1481
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1481
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token during the second half of the 19th century. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token during the second half of the 19th century. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce various consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and tokens.
Obverse: Image of a wagon. Legend: MFR. OF FARM, FREIGHT, & SPRING WAGONS/ FIRST PREMIUM PARIS 1867 PHILADELPHIA 1876/ THOS C. CARSON ACT. IOWA CITY IA.
Reverse: Image of a factory. Legend: THE PIONEER WAGON WORKS OF THE WEST/ ESTABLISHED 1843/ PETER SCHUTTLER CHICAGO.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 19th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1622
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1622
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens.
Obverse: The legend reads: BARKER & ILLSLEY HARDWARE/ NAILS & STOVES/ 277 STATE ST CHICAGO.
Reverse: Floral wreath around the rim. The legend reads: BUSINESS CARD.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1500
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1500
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token around 1863. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token around 1863. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens.
Obverse: Image of a walking elephant wearing shoes. The legend reads: STRAIGHT'S ELEPHANTINE SHOE STORE/ 398 BROADWAY/ 1863.
Reverse: The legend reads: REDEEMED AT MY SHOE STORE/ 398 BROADWAY ALBANY N.Y.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1863
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1540
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1540
This advertising badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the middle of the 19th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This advertising badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the middle of the 19th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, coins, and campaign medals. John Robbins was using the imagery and iconography of George Washington to advertise his store.
Obverse: Tintype photograph of George Washington.
Reverse: Text reads: JOHN D. ROBBINS, TOYS, Fancy Goods, and FIREWORKS, 37 John Street, N.Y.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 19th century
depicted
Washington, George
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1173
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1173
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens.
Obverse: Image of two parasols. The legend reads: MANUFACTURER OF SUNSHADES & C./ CHEAP FOR CASH.
Reverse: The legend reads: HENRY B. FUSSELL/ NO. 2 N. FOURTH ST N.W. CORNER OF MARKET ST. PHILADELPHIA.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1510
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1510

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