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.

This circular button has white text on a black background that reads: Take No Prisoners January 1989. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: T.S.- Eppley Comdex Fall '88.
Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has white text on a black background that reads: Take No Prisoners January 1989. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: T.S.- Eppley Comdex Fall '88.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1988
ID Number
2009.3071.425
catalog number
2009.3071.425
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has white text on a red background that reads: You ought to be in pixels Computerworld.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has white text on a red background that reads: You ought to be in pixels Computerworld.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1989?
ID Number
2009.3071.537
catalog number
2009.3071.537
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This square button, designed to look like a 3 ½” floppy diskette, has a red background with white text that reads: "Spectrum, The Better Diskette" / Memory Media Products / Tustin, California / U.S.
Description
This square button, designed to look like a 3 ½” floppy diskette, has a red background with white text that reads: "Spectrum, The Better Diskette" / Memory Media Products / Tustin, California / U.S. 1-800-228-0438 / CA 1-800-228-9699 / EUROPE +41 22 734 73 59 / Spectrum diskettes are / made in the U.S.A.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c. 1989
ID Number
2009.3071.554
catalog number
2009.3071.554
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This square button has white text on a teal background with white side borders. It reads: Microsoft OS/2 NOW.Currently not on view
Description
This square button has white text on a teal background with white side borders. It reads: Microsoft OS/2 NOW.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1987
maker
IBM
ID Number
2009.3071.010
catalog number
2009.3071.010
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has white text on a green background that reads: Let's Get Technical. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: WCS 12/82.
Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has white text on a green background that reads: Let's Get Technical. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: WCS 12/82.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1982
ID Number
2009.3071.435
catalog number
2009.3071.435
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This rectangular button has a white background with an image of the United States made up of computer monitors, with one screen colored in blue. Blue text at the top reads: I'm one in a million!
Description
This rectangular button has a white background with an image of the United States made up of computer monitors, with one screen colored in blue. Blue text at the top reads: I'm one in a million! Black text along the bottom, next to a red Mitsubishi logo, reads: MITSUBISHI MONITORS. The reverse reads: "Fall CDX '88" in black permanent ink.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1988
ID Number
2009.3071.647
catalog number
2009.3071.647
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has black text on a white background that reads: Let's Interoperate! It also has the Racal Interlan black and red logo. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Networld 2/89.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has black text on a white background that reads: Let's Interoperate! It also has the Racal Interlan black and red logo. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Networld 2/89.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1989
ID Number
2009.3071.056
catalog number
2009.3071.056
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This square lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The black background has a gold border and text running diagonally; colored in segments of red, yellow and pale green and outlined in gold. It reads: OS/2.
Description
This square lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The black background has a gold border and text running diagonally; colored in segments of red, yellow and pale green and outlined in gold. It reads: OS/2. The reverse is of gold-colored metal and reads "Spring 8 9" in black permanent ink. The clasp is gold-colored metal.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1989
ID Number
2009.3071.693
catalog number
2009.3071.693
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This lapel pin is in the shape of the continental United States and has a butterfly clutch clasp.The yellow background is outlined in black.
Description
This lapel pin is in the shape of the continental United States and has a butterfly clutch clasp.The yellow background is outlined in black. Red text reads "Tandon" is above black text that reads "Working Together..." The reverse is of silver-colored metal and reads "CDX 11/89" in black permanent ink. The clasp is dark gold-colored metal.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1989
ID Number
2009.3071.709
catalog number
2009.3071.709
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has blue text on a white background that reads: I've Got Your Number? In black text are the numbers 2326. At the bottom of the button is the Morton Management logo.
Description
This circular button has blue text on a white background that reads: I've Got Your Number? In black text are the numbers 2326. At the bottom of the button is the Morton Management logo. The attached blue ribbon has an image of an old computer and white text that reads: GigaRak Morton Management. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Networld 2/90.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1989
c 1990
ID Number
2009.3071.491
catalog number
2009.3071.491
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has black text on a white background that reads: McMax. The word McMax has a blue underline mark below it. It has a black Nantucket logo.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has black text on a white background that reads: McMax. The word McMax has a blue underline mark below it. It has a black Nantucket logo.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1989
ID Number
2009.3071.246
catalog number
2009.3071.246
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has white text on a light blue background. It reads: I Do It SIDEWAYS with My IBM PC. Further text reading "SIDEWAYS" runs from the top to the bottom of button and is printed sideways. Other text reads left to right.
Description
This circular button has white text on a light blue background. It reads: I Do It SIDEWAYS with My IBM PC. Further text reading "SIDEWAYS" runs from the top to the bottom of button and is printed sideways. Other text reads left to right. Text written in black permanent marker on the reverse side of the button reads: '87?.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1987
maker
IBM
ID Number
2009.3071.006
catalog number
2009.3071.006
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has red text on a white background that reads: telebit!modems. A mark on the reverse reads: NW Boston '89.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has red text on a white background that reads: telebit!modems. A mark on the reverse reads: NW Boston '89.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1989
ID Number
2009.3071.223
catalog number
2009.3071.223
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has white text on red background that reads: I'm getting TWISTED. Transition Engineering. Ethernet. Twinax. Coax. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Comdex Spring 89.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has white text on red background that reads: I'm getting TWISTED. Transition Engineering. Ethernet. Twinax. Coax. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Comdex Spring 89.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1989
ID Number
2009.3071.315
catalog number
2009.3071.315
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has white/blue text on a white/blue background that reads: 50 MHz Accelerator IIx. DayStar Digital. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: MacWorld Boston 8/89.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has white/blue text on a white/blue background that reads: 50 MHz Accelerator IIx. DayStar Digital. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: MacWorld Boston 8/89.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1989
ID Number
2009.3071.331
catalog number
2009.3071.331
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has yellow text on a teal background that reads: MicroPhone II. It has an image of a microphone in a yellow square. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: MacWorld Boston 8/89.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has yellow text on a teal background that reads: MicroPhone II. It has an image of a microphone in a yellow square. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: MacWorld Boston 8/89.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1989
ID Number
2009.3071.300
catalog number
2009.3071.200
nonaccession number
2009.3071
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
The background of this round button has an image of a racing driver in a red Formula 1 car. White text reads: Formula SCSI POWERED BY FUTURE DOMAIN. A mark on the back reads "Networld Boston '89" in black permanent ink.Currently not on view
Description
The background of this round button has an image of a racing driver in a red Formula 1 car. White text reads: Formula SCSI POWERED BY FUTURE DOMAIN. A mark on the back reads "Networld Boston '89" in black permanent ink.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1989
ID Number
2009.3071.641
catalog number
2009.3071.641
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This square button has blue text on a white background that reads: Watch out for the Dragon. It has an orange dragon tail in the upper left corner. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Fall CDX '88.Currently not on view
Description
This square button has blue text on a white background that reads: Watch out for the Dragon. It has an orange dragon tail in the upper left corner. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Fall CDX '88.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1988
ID Number
2009.3071.447
catalog number
2009.3071.447
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has white and blue text and a white background. A red and blue circle is in middle of button. The button also has the Mindscape logo and five red stars.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has white and blue text and a white background. A red and blue circle is in middle of button. The button also has the Mindscape logo and five red stars.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1985
maker
unknown
ID Number
2009.3071.032
catalog number
2009.3071.032
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has pink text on a black background that reads: La Cie. Cirrus Disk Drives. Made in Oregon, USA. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: MacWorld Boston 8/89.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has pink text on a black background that reads: La Cie. Cirrus Disk Drives. Made in Oregon, USA. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: MacWorld Boston 8/89.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1989
ID Number
2009.3071.360
catalog number
2009.3071.360
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has blue text on a green background that reads: I'm A No-Nonsense Guy. In white text along the border it reads: Alloy Computer Products, Inc. PC-PLUS: The NO-NONSENSE Network. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: '87?
Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has blue text on a green background that reads: I'm A No-Nonsense Guy. In white text along the border it reads: Alloy Computer Products, Inc. PC-PLUS: The NO-NONSENSE Network. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: '87?

Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1987
ID Number
2009.3071.434
catalog number
2009.3071.434
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has purple text on a yellow background that reads: Microsoft Word for Windows. Above the text is a purple and green image of a window. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Comdex 11/89.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has purple text on a yellow background that reads: Microsoft Word for Windows. Above the text is a purple and green image of a window. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Comdex 11/89.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1989
maker
Microsoft Corporation
ID Number
2009.3071.288
catalog number
2009.3071.288
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This rectangular button has blue text on a grey background that reads: JetForm Enterprise-wide forms solutions. It has a red square, a yellow triangle, a blue circle, and purple dots.
Description
This rectangular button has blue text on a grey background that reads: JetForm Enterprise-wide forms solutions. It has a red square, a yellow triangle, a blue circle, and purple dots. Along the left edge is a green wavy design.
JetForm Corp., of Indianapolis, IN, developed JetForm, a form design application.
References: [last accessed 2019-08-07]
InfoWorld, September 30, 1991
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c late 1980s
ID Number
2009.3071.202
catalog number
2009.3071.202
nonaccession number
2009.3071

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