Made in every shape and size imaginable, advertising calendars range from single sheet year-at-a-glance pieces to monthly paintings of the product in use. Some of the biggest issuers included Coca-Cola, DuPont, Ford, John Deere, Mobil, and almost all the major railroads. Pinup calendars became popular in the 1940s and 50s.
Older advertising calendars are valued for their lithography, as well as the images contained in the calendar, which varied from advertising illustrations to elaborate paintings. Condition is a must, as is the quality and color of the artwork. Tear-sheet calendars with all the months intact, starting with January, command a premium.
How did I get started collecting advertising antiques? My dad was a lecturer and tutor in graphics and art fr… [more]
I started off collecting comics, and still do, but I’d been given a few early Disney pinbacks as a child an… [more]
This classy looking British site features hundreds of high resolution photos of antique porcelain pre-war (enamel) … [more]
Duke University's library has pulled together an impressive collection of over 7,000 ads printed in U.S. and Canadi… [more]
From the Nostlagia Factory in Virginia comes this celebration of 'mid-century automotive advertising illustrations'… [more]
Ian House's gallery of early 20th Century American package designs. Browse the exhibits in slide show mode or view … [more]
Paula Zargaj-Reynolds’ blog, an extensive collection of 20th century vintage advertising, is a visual feast. Scro… [more]
Great reference on ephemera... includes examples and descriptions of various ephemera categories, selected special … [more]
This gallery of cigarette magazine advertising from the 1940s and 50s contains no surgeon general's warning, just p… [more]
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