Advertising - Overview
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.
"Advertising - Overview" showing 13 items.
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Eagle Insurance Company Fire Mark
- 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 Eagle Insurance Company of Cincinnati, Ohio produced this fire mark in 1850. The oval mark is made of tinned sheet iron and features an image of a flying eagle carrying arrows and olive branches in its talons, with a footer text that reads “INSURANCE CO.” The Eagle Insurance Company operated in Cincinnati, Ohio from 1850 until 1894.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1850
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0455
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0455
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Eagle Insurance Company Fire Mark
- 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 Eagle Insurance Company of Cincinnati, Ohio produced this fire mark around 1855. The oval mark is made of cast iron and features a version of the Great Seal of the United States, with the eagle sitting on the U.S. shield that is over three arrows and an olive branch. There is a banner below that reads “EAGLE INS. Co.” and a second banner reads “CIN. O.” The Eagle Insurance Company operated in Cincinnati, Ohio from 1850 until 1894.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1855
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0456
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0456
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Eagle Insurance Company Fire Mark
- 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 Eagle Insurance Company of Cincinnati, Ohio produced this fire mark around 1855. The oval mark is made of cast iron and features a version of the Great Seal of the United States, with the eagle sitting on the U.S. shield that is over three arrows and an olive branch. There is a banner below that reads “EAGLE INS. Co.” and a second banner reads “CIN. O.” The mark has been painted red. The Eagle Insurance Company operated in Cincinnati, Ohio from 1850 until 1894.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1855
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0457
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0457
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Department’s Insurance Company
- 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 Fire Department’s Insurance Company of Cincinnati, Ohio produced this fire mark in 1837. The rectangular cast iron fire mark features a raised central image of a double-decker hand pumped fire engine. The entire mark has been painted red. The Fire Department’s Insurance Company was established in 1837 when the volunteer fire engine companies in Cincinnati started an insurance company for the benefit of the department. Each fireman could hold only 50 shares personally, and each fire company could hold no more that 1,500 shares though its individual members or by itself. Ten percent of the dividend was given to the Fire Association of Cincinnati to create a fund for the relief of sick or disabled firemen. The company remained in business until around 1848.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1837
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0458
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0458
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Department’s Insurance Company
- 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 Fire Department’s Insurance Company of Cincinnati, Ohio produced this fire mark in 1841. The rectangular cast iron fire mark features a raised central image of a double-decker hand pumped fire engine. The Fire Department’s Insurance Company was established in 1837 when the volunteer fire engine companies in Cincinnati started an insurance company for the benefit of the department. Each fireman could hold only 50 shares personally, and each fire company could hold no more that 1,500 shares though its individual members or by itself. Ten percent of the dividend was given to the Fire Association of Cincinnati to create a fund for the relief of sick or disabled firemen. The company remained in business until around 1848.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1841
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0459
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0459
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Department’s Insurance Company
- 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 Fire Department’s Insurance Company of Cincinnati, Ohio produced this fire mark in 1841. The rectangular cast iron fire mark features a raised central image of a double-decker hand pumped fire engine. The Fire Department’s Insurance Company was established in 1837 when the volunteer fire engine companies in Cincinnati started an insurance company for the benefit of the department. Each fireman could hold only 50 shares personally, and each fire company could hold no more that 1,500 shares though its individual members or by itself. Ten percent of the dividend was given to the Fire Association of Cincinnati to create a fund for the relief of sick or disabled firemen. The company remained in business until around 1848.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1841
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0460
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0460
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Department’s Insurance Company
- 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 Fire Department’s Insurance Company of Cincinnati, Ohio produced this fire mark around 1848. This oblong oval cast iron fire mark features a raised central image of a double-decker hand pumped fire engine, with a border text that reads “FIRE DEPARTMENT/INSURANCE.” The Fire Department’s Insurance Company was established in 1837 when the volunteer fire engine companies in Cincinnati started an insurance company for the benefit of the department. Each fireman could hold only 50 shares personally, and each fire company could hold no more that 1,500 shares though its individual members or by itself. Ten percent of the dividend was given to the Fire Association of Cincinnati to create a fund for the relief of sick or disabled firemen. The company remained in business until around 1848.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1848
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0461
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0461
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Department’s Insurance Company
- 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 Fire Department’s Insurance Company of Cincinnati, Ohio issued this fire mark around 1848. This oblong oval cast iron fire mark features a raised central image of a double-decker hand pumped fire engine, with a border text that reads “FIRE DEPARTMENT/INSURANCE.” The Fire Department’s Insurance Company was established in 1837 when the volunteer fire engine companies in Cincinnati started an insurance company for the benefit of the department. Each fireman could hold only 50 shares personally, and each fire company could hold no more that 1,500 shares though its individual members or by itself. Ten percent of the dividend was given to the Fire Association of Cincinnati to create a fund for the relief of sick or disabled firemen. The company remained in business until around 1848.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1848
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0462
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0462
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
City Insurance Company Fire Mark
- 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.
- This City Insurance Company of Cincinnati, Ohio issued this fire mark around 1849. The mark features a central image of an unusual rowing-type fire engine manned by six firemen. The mark has been painted red with gold trim and highly ornamental edges and painted gold text that reads “CITY INSURANCE CO/CIN.” The City Insurance Company operated from 1849 until 1857.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1849
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0463
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0463
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
- No Image Available
[Trade catalogs from Kemper-Thomas Co.]
- Date
- 1900s
- Company Name
- Kemper-Thomas Co.
- Record ID
- SILNMAHTL_23213
- Data source
- Smithsonian Institution Libraries