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Salesmans samples were a common item in the early 20th century, as salesmen needed a smaller version of their product to show off to retailers, and retailers in turn needed a way to demonstrate the features of larger items, which might need to be ordered from the manufacturer, to their customers.
Many salesman's samples were highly detailed, with additional marketing copy pointing out important features of the product.
1973 Armco Steel Iron Man Metal Statu…
SALESMAN SAMPLE ADJUSTABLE GATE» See all salesmans samples Show & Tells

I started off collecting comics, and still do, but I’d been given a few early Disney pinbacks as a child and always thought they w… [more]

How did I get started collecting advertising antiques? My dad was a lecturer and tutor in graphics and art from the 1960s onwards,… [more]

I liked to collect things even as a child. Things that didn’t cost anything, like different colors of stones. There was somethin… [more]

This classy looking British site features hundreds of high resolution photos of antique porcelain pre-war (enamel) … [read review or visit site]

Duke University's library has pulled together an impressive collection of over 7,000 ads printed in U.S. and Canadi… [read review or visit site]

From the Nostlagia Factory in Virginia comes this celebration of 'mid-century automotive advertising illustrations'… [read review or visit site]

Ian House's gallery of early 20th Century American package designs. Browse the exhibits in slide show mode or view … [read review or visit site]

Paula Zargaj-Reynolds’ blog, an extensive collection of 20th century vintage advertising, is a visual feast. Scro… [read review or visit site]

This gallery of cigarette magazine advertising from the 1940s and 50s contains no surgeon general's warning, just p… [read review or visit site]