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 teal text on a white background that reads: PostScript Software from Adobe. In the center it has the PostScript logo. Around the border the teal text reads: Share the Best.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has teal text on a white background that reads: PostScript Software from Adobe. In the center it has the PostScript logo. Around the border the teal text reads: Share the Best.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1996
ID Number
2009.3071.245
catalog number
2009.3071.245
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has a red background with white text reading: LET'S HAVE A BLAST. The reverse reads: "Comdex 11/89" in black permanent ink.
Description
This circular button has a red background with white text reading: LET'S HAVE A BLAST. The reverse reads: "Comdex 11/89" in black permanent ink. Note that the pin on the button does not have a catch, but rather extends beyond the diameter of the button, creating a sharp edge.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1989
ID Number
2009.3071.649
catalog number
2009.3071.649
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This white plastic frisbee has blue text on top that reads "AGI Computer, Inc. A Subsidiary of Everex Systems, Inc." It also shows a logo consisting of red and blue rectangles. A mark on the inside inner rim reads "PC EXPO '90" in black permanent ink.
Description
This white plastic frisbee has blue text on top that reads "AGI Computer, Inc. A Subsidiary of Everex Systems, Inc." It also shows a logo consisting of red and blue rectangles. A mark on the inside inner rim reads "PC EXPO '90" in black permanent ink. The mark "HUMPHREY FLYER" is printed in the plastic.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990
ID Number
2009.3071.782
catalog number
2009.3071.782
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This square button has a white background with the letters W O R D in red, green, blue, and yellow on a black box . It has the Microsoft logo in the lower right corner.Currently not on view
Description
This square button has a white background with the letters W O R D in red, green, blue, and yellow on a black box . It has the Microsoft logo in the lower right corner.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990s
maker
Microsoft Corporation
ID Number
2009.3071.270
catalog number
2009.3071.270
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This square button has white text on a black background that reads: Save your wails on LANtastic Voice c 1990 Artisoft. It shows a goat yelling into a phone.Currently not on view
Description
This square button has white text on a black background that reads: Save your wails on LANtastic Voice c 1990 Artisoft. It shows a goat yelling into a phone.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1990
maker
unknown
ID Number
2009.3071.047
catalog number
2009.3071.047
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This rectangular button has images of various storage disks in the background with a black and white Seagate logo.Currently not on view
Description
This rectangular button has images of various storage disks in the background with a black and white Seagate logo.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990
ID Number
2009.3071.476
catalog number
2009.3071.476
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has red text on a blue background that reads: InfoWorld. It has a silhouette image of a man in hat and coat standing over an image of New York City. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: MacWorld '87?Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has red text on a blue background that reads: InfoWorld. It has a silhouette image of a man in hat and coat standing over an image of New York City. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: MacWorld '87?
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1987
ID Number
2009.3071.460
catalog number
2009.3071.460
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This red, rectangular tin with yellow design was used to store and market Emily's Ginger Comfits.Sweet treats have been a part of the human diet nearly since the beginning of human existence. The type of treat has changed over time, but human desire for sweetness has not.
Description
This red, rectangular tin with yellow design was used to store and market Emily's Ginger Comfits.
Sweet treats have been a part of the human diet nearly since the beginning of human existence. The type of treat has changed over time, but human desire for sweetness has not. Candy can be hard or chewy, may or may not contain chocolate and can be sweet or sour. Sugar cane was introduced to Europeans when crusaders brought the substance back from the Middle East, and it was with these Europeans that sugar gained its highly prized status as an art form and a gift to be given away on special occasions. A status that persists to this day when a suitor gives their beloved chocolate for Valentine’s Day.
At one time, small family owned confectionary shops dominated the American landscape. Opening a candy making business was a relatively low cost investment, all one needed was a kitchen and a basket to sell their treats from on the street. As demand grew, they could grow their business. Today, many of these small businesses have been absorbed into large corporations who command a much greater market power.
ID Number
1990.0018.015
catalog number
1990.0018.015
accession number
1990.0018
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Ashton-Tate
ID Number
1987.3128.085
nonaccession number
1987.3128
catalog number
1987.3128.085
This circular button has black text on a white background that reads: Quantum PC Desktop Video Editor. In the center is an image of an Egyptian god. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Spring Comdex 91?Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has black text on a white background that reads: Quantum PC Desktop Video Editor. In the center is an image of an Egyptian god. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Spring Comdex 91?
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1991
ID Number
2009.3071.394
catalog number
2009.3071.394
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has white text on a blue background that reads: IDS Range Rider LAN Monitors. It also has a white image of a cowboy riding a horse. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: NW 2/90.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has white text on a blue background that reads: IDS Range Rider LAN Monitors. It also has a white image of a cowboy riding a horse. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: NW 2/90.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990
ID Number
2009.3071.057
catalog number
2009.3071.057
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has black text on a yellow background that reads: I'm in Online Access. In the center is a black typographic display of a smiling face.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has black text on a yellow background that reads: I'm in Online Access. In the center is a black typographic display of a smiling face.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2009.3071.197
catalog number
2009.3071.197
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has a white background with purple text that reads: "The Hi Res People.” The NewGen logo is in a blue circle at the bottom. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: "PC Expo NY 6/92."NewGen Systems Corp.
Description
This circular button has a white background with purple text that reads: "The Hi Res People.” The NewGen logo is in a blue circle at the bottom. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: "PC Expo NY 6/92."
NewGen Systems Corp. of Fountain Valley, CA, were makers of laser printers.
Reference: [last accessed 2019-08-14]
PC Mag Nov. 24, 1992, p. 127, 191, 205-206. (review of NewGen Systems laser printers)
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
ID Number
2009.3071.549
catalog number
2009.3071.549
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This rectangular button has a black background with white text that reads: "The Future's Power Delivered Today.
Description
This rectangular button has a black background with white text that reads: "The Future's Power Delivered Today. NEC RISC Solutions for Windows NT.” In the center of the button is an image of an NEC computer component emerging from a computer chip base, surrounded by other computers seemingly moving away. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: "Comdex Spring 5/93."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1993
ID Number
2009.3071.578
catalog number
2009.3071.578
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has a purple background with white text that reads: "DON'T PANIC! FEDERAL EXPRESS."Federal Express, now known as FedEx, is a package delivery company that was founded in 1973.
Description
This circular button has a purple background with white text that reads: "DON'T PANIC! FEDERAL EXPRESS."
Federal Express, now known as FedEx, is a package delivery company that was founded in 1973. On their first day, the 389 employees and 14 planes delivered 186 packages to 25 east coast US cities. Today, they have over 650 aircraft, thousands of trucks, 300,000 employees, and they deliver 3.6 million packages daily to more than 220 countries and territories.
References: [Last accessed 2019-07-24]
https://about.van.fedex.com/our-story/history-timeline/history/
http://www.fedex.com/cv/about/company-info/40th-anniversary.html
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2009.3071.630
catalog number
2009.3071.630
nonaccession number
2009.3071
Concrete Ammunition / Second Line Defense. American World War I poster by artist Gerrit A. Beneker, 1918. Depicted is an African American man pushing a wheelbarrow through a construction site. Printed on reverse is a propoganda leaflet.
Description
Concrete Ammunition / Second Line Defense. American World War I poster by artist Gerrit A. Beneker, 1918. Depicted is an African American man pushing a wheelbarrow through a construction site. Printed on reverse is a propoganda leaflet. In the first section, titled "Work or Fight," workers are encouraged to build an Army Supply Base in the best possible time. In the second section, titled "This is War War," workers are told that "working a ten hour day in the hot sun... takes guts"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
ID Number
AF.74266M
catalog number
74266M
accession number
291785
This white plastic form of kaleidoscope is a teleidoscope (e.g. it has a clear, open view lens). It is conical in shape with a round eyepiece and base. Within the base is a clear plastic lens with a hexagonal pattern that distorts the image being viewed through the eyepiece.
Description
This white plastic form of kaleidoscope is a teleidoscope (e.g. it has a clear, open view lens). It is conical in shape with a round eyepiece and base. Within the base is a clear plastic lens with a hexagonal pattern that distorts the image being viewed through the eyepiece. A white sticker attached to the main body has red text that reads: Changing the way you look at Windows. The sticker also has a logo on it in red, white and gray, with white text on gray rectangles that reads: CORPORATE SOFTWARE.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2009.3071.796
catalog number
2009.3071.796
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This plastic retractable ballpoint pen has a purple barrel with other parts colored in green, pink, and yellow. Dark blue text on the purple barrel reads: PCWEEK.Currently not on view
Description
This plastic retractable ballpoint pen has a purple barrel with other parts colored in green, pink, and yellow. Dark blue text on the purple barrel reads: PCWEEK.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2009.3071.769
catalog number
2009.3071.769
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has yellow text on a blue background that reads: I Took the Tek Color Challenge. It has an image of a rainbow colored bird, green hills and an orange sun. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Comdex 6/90.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has yellow text on a blue background that reads: I Took the Tek Color Challenge. It has an image of a rainbow colored bird, green hills and an orange sun. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Comdex 6/90.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990
ID Number
2009.3071.469
catalog number
2009.3071.469
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has white text on a dark blue background. It reads: I HAVE OS/2 2.0. Text written in black permanent marker on the reverse side of the button reads: 4/92 CDX.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has white text on a dark blue background. It reads: I HAVE OS/2 2.0. Text written in black permanent marker on the reverse side of the button reads: 4/92 CDX.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
maker
IBM
ID Number
2009.3071.007
catalog number
2009.3071.007
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This keychain has a white plastic circular hub with a discolored white circular sticker that has blue text reading "Panasonic Office Automation" and a blue "OA" logo.
Description
This keychain has a white plastic circular hub with a discolored white circular sticker that has blue text reading "Panasonic Office Automation" and a blue "OA" logo. Four metal split rings are attached to the hub with plastic fasteners, which can be individually detached from the hub by releasing a spring-loaded catch on the reverse.
The measurements include the split rings.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2009.3071.813
catalog number
2009.3071.813
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This rectangular button has a white background. Text in black reads: IBM C Set/2 It'll Change Your Perspective on Application Development. The button also has an image of a rainbow and clouds and grass. Text written in black ink on the reverse side of the button reads: 92.
Description
This rectangular button has a white background. Text in black reads: IBM C Set/2 It'll Change Your Perspective on Application Development. The button also has an image of a rainbow and clouds and grass. Text written in black ink on the reverse side of the button reads: 92. Another mark reads: Printed in Canada.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
maker
IBM
ID Number
2009.3071.018
catalog number
2009.3071.018
nonaccession number
2009.3071
"The Battle of the Sewing Machines" was composed and arranged by F. Hyde for the piano, and was published in 1874 by Wm. A. Pond & Co. of 547 Broadway, N.Y., N.Y. The lithograph by R. Teller of 120 Wooster St., N.Y., N.Y., illustrates a "battle" of sewing machines.
Description
"The Battle of the Sewing Machines" was composed and arranged by F. Hyde for the piano, and was published in 1874 by Wm. A. Pond & Co. of 547 Broadway, N.Y., N.Y. The lithograph by R. Teller of 120 Wooster St., N.Y., N.Y., illustrates a "battle" of sewing machines. The Remington "army" is marching towards the fleeing Singer, Howe, Succor, Weed, and Willcox & Gibbs sewing machines. The soldiers are riding the Remington treadle machines like horses and are carrying Remington rifles. The Remington No. 2 sewing machine had just come out to market in June 1874. The family treadle machine with a drop-leaf table and two drawers would have cost $75.00.
On the top left of the sheet music, a woman is pictured sewing on a Remington machine in the Remington office at Madison Square, New York. In the right box is featured the Remington Works of Ilion, N.Y. The music consists of 11 pages, with such subtitles as: "Howe the battle began"; "Advent of all the best machines"; "Song of the Sewing Machine Man: 'How Can I Leave Thee'"; "Triumph of the Remington Sewing Machine," and "Home Sweet Home."
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1874
referenced
Remington Sewing Machine Company
composer
Hyde, F.
publisher
William A. Pond & Co.
lithographer
Teller, R.
ID Number
1991.0130.01
catalog number
1991.0130.01
accession number
1991.0130
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
unknown
ID Number
2017.0103.0005
accession number
2017.0103
catalog number
2017.0103.0005

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