Tag Archives: magazine ad

Holy harmonicas, Batman!

1966 magazine ad for the Hohner Marine Band harmonica.

1966 magazine ad for the Hohner Marine Band harmonica.

The first episode of the Batman TV series with Adam West (Batman) and Burt Ward (Robin) aired on January 12, 1966. 

Did you know the harmonica got its start in China? Or perhaps Germany?

Not quite a harmonica.

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Death of a traveling salesman

Magazine ad for Hertz found in the October 9, 1967, issue of Newsweek
Magazine ad for Hertz found in the October 9, 1967, issue of Newsweek

Avis might’ve reached advertising legend status with its “When you’re only No.2, you try harder. Or else.” ad and eventual “We try harder.” tagline, but I gotta tell ya, this 1967 Hertz ad is its own kind of awesome. I never knew it existed before picking up a short stack of old Newsweek magazines at a local flea market this weekend. And the word count in this single print ad? 385.

Avis v. Hertz – a history. 

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Beep beep! It’s a ‘Jeep’.

Print ad for the WIllys-Overland 'Jeep' Station Wagon found in the January, 1947 issue of Holiday magazine.
Print ad for the WIllys-Overland ‘Jeep’ Station Wagon found in the January, 1947 issue of Holiday magazine.

The 1946 Willys Jeep station wagon was the first 2-door station wagon.

This was just seven years after the first Jeep prototype (“Quad”) was delivered to the US Army. It was designed in just 75 days.

The History of the Station Wagon

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Are you into Amelia memorabilia? 

Print ad for Amelia Earhard Luggage from the January 1947 issue of Holiday magazine.

Print ad for Amelia Earhard Luggage from the January 1947 issue of Holiday magazine.

According to online calculators, $600 in 1947 would be $7,781 today (2022).

Five Things You May Not Know About Amelia Earhart, including her own clothing and luggage lines.

15 Fascinating Facts About Amelia Earhart

Let’s learn about crocodile and alligator leather!

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That’s hot.

Print ad for Coty Paris found in the December 1946 issue of Art News magazine.
Print ad for Coty Paris found in the December 1946 issue of Art News magazine.

Introduced in 1923 by François Coty.

The history of Coty.

What the heck is dusting powder?

Of curious note is that they show the range of prices from high to low instead of low to high like many of us these days are more used to. Perhaps to help seal the deal it was high-end stuff.

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Ah-h-h, man… there’s real flavor!

I was excited to discover that a 1948 issue of Dakota Farmer that I won at auction had a full page ad for Grain Belt beer. Even better, 70 or so years ago, some kid colored in the teeth of the feller in the ad, which as we all know, increases its value in the collectibles market by at least 50x.

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Ladies, it’s time to clip your poodles.

Not the most elegant of euphemisms, but effective nonetheless.

Clark's Poodle Clippers
Found in a 1902 issue of Country Life

The Giblet that Refreshes

The Fifties were a dark time, especially since they hadn’t yet figured out the recipe for Coca-Cola-glazed turkey.

1959 two-page Coca-Cola / Coke Thanksgiving magazine ad

“Grandma, did you forget to make the damned potatoes again?”

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Somewhere between Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours and Tusk, there was this.

Ludwig Rockers magazine ad with Mick Fleetwood from the back cover of Canadian Musician, April 1979

Forget the drum heads, Mick, and let’s talk about that glorious coat!
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Why? Because the neighborhood’s gone to hell since Santa showed up, that’s why.

Jews for Jesus 1984 magazine ad

This headline would have benefitted from a comma.

Keep the Y’shua in Y’shuamas, y’all, or the giant hand of God will grab and smite thee. Continue reading