30 Vintage Ads And Commercials That May Intrigue And Fascinate (New Pics)
InterviewIf you take a quick look at fashion magazines or some home decor ideas that are trending, you might see quite a few vintage items there. Whether it’s clothing, lamps, or something else entirely, vintage things have a certain kind of charm drawing people to them.
Vintage ads are no exception. Not only do they present unique ideas, visuals, and slogans, they also allow us to catch a glimpse of what life was like back in the day. For those interested in such a form of time travel, the Facebook group ‘Vintage Ads, Commercials & Artwork’ can be a great vessel. It shares all sorts of vintage ads and commercials, some of which we have put on this list for you to marvel at; so wait no longer and scroll down to view them.
By the way, on the list below you will also find more information on ‘Vintage Ads, Commercials & Artwork’, provided to Bored Panda by its founder, who was kind enough to answer a few of our questions.
This post may include affiliate links.
Vintage Advertising Poster "Prochainement, Tournée Du Chat Noir De Rodolphe Salis" By Théophile Alexandre Steinlen (1859-1923). Poster Published In 1896 In France
It's Called The Playpen. But We Don't Promise It Keeps You Out Of Mischief
Vintage Travel Poster "North Coast Limited In The Montana Rockies" By Gustav Wilhelm Krollmann (1888-1962). Published In 1929 In The USA
With over 150k members as of now, the ‘Vintage Ads, Commercials & Artwork’ Facebook group was started in 2019, but it is dedicated to content going way back in time. In a previous interview with Bored Panda, its founder, Edgar, shared that he started it because he felt restricted in other groups as they didn’t accept both printed and video ads.
“That pretty much made me take the decision to start my own one and run it the way I think it should [be run], by having quality content regarding interesting vintage ads, commercials, and artwork," he told Bored Panda then.
Sears Spring/Summer 1956
I'm afraid the woman at the top right is about to snap in half. What's up with the 12 inch Barbie waists?
Auto Strap For Front-Seat Tots
“I have always enjoyed vintage, ancient, or antique things; I always find it interesting every time I see something that is very old,” the founder of the group told Bored Panda during a more recent interview.
“It's like going to a museum and looking at ancient relics and just imagining how it was before; so I get some of that while managing my group. Having other people participate and post things we had never seen before makes it even better.”
1978
Just went to check, and their current cake flavor is carrot. My urge to reinvigorate my childhood has been squelched.
The Hideaway House The "Heavenly Abode" That Charlie Built For His Angels! (1977)
Of course it has a relatively big fully equipped kitchen, angels. What's for dinner?
March 1961 Cover Of The Progressive Farmer. Getting A New Phone! "We're Calling You First, Grandmother!"
Edgar believes that ‘Vintage Ads, Commercials & Artwork’ brings joy not only to him but to other members of the group as well. “I believe people can benefit in various ways. The nostalgia factor, the discovery of the past, the enjoyment of art, education on advertising history and techniques, and lastly, just being entertained,” he said, adding that vintage advertising is different to what we see nowadays.
Vintage Travel Poster "Montana" By Gustav Wilhelm Krollmann (1888-1962). Published In 1920 In The USA
Beautiful Hair Doesn't Just Happen: It Starts With Wella Balsam. Farrah Fawcett, 1977
1942 Coke Magazine Ad. I've Been Told The Original Name Of This Guy Was "Sprite"
“It's about reliving and preserving the past,” the founder of the Facebook group pointed out, referring to vintage advertising. In his opinion, advertisers nowadays could learn a thing or two from them, but he believes they wouldn’t get away with advertising their products the same way brands and organizations did back in the day.
“One example would be how in the past they didn't think too much about being politically correct or if they might offend someone, which is a big problem that advertisers have to deal with today,” he said.
1952 Wizard Appliances From Western Auto Stores
Vintage Travel Poster "Visit India" By Fred Taylor (1875-1963). Published In The 1930s In India
Telechron Electric Clocks, 1951. Via 1950sunlimited
Edgar continued on why advertising nowadays could not be the same as it used to be, by pointing out that people now have more access to information, which back then they did not. “In the past, advertisers could get away with making some bold claims about their products or services even though they were complete lies.”
“They can't also use the way the products were presented; like how they used to put them high on a pedestal like they were the best thing ever to come out,” he added. “Today I'm afraid people would see this as cheesy or fake.”
The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, 1955
Do you hear that whistle down the line? I figure thats it's the engine number forty nine She's the the only one that'll sound that way On the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe
1943-44
KFC Menu
The founder of the Facebook group believes that vintage ads age well because of nostalgia. “People love to remember that car their dad used to drive, that toy they got for Christmas as kids, or that perfume their mom used to love. That's why people enjoy my group; they love to remember the good old days. Others just appreciate looking into the past.”
According to recent data, Edgar seems to be right; nostalgia does push people to seek all things vintage. PRNewswire revealed that, based on a survey of over two thousand American shoppers, three in five of them regularly buy vintage items; and out of those who do, nearly one-fifth do it for the pure sentimental value.
For What?
1958 Kellogg’s Rice Krispies
Snap, Crackle and Pop sure looked differnt back then. Golly mister.
Remember The Jingle? “Coppertone Gets You More From The Sunnn!”
PRNewswire shared that VHS tapes, Etch-a-Sketch toys, and Polaroid cameras are the vintage products people are on the lookout for the most, followed closely by lava lamps and mood rings.
According to the survey, these items remind quite a few people of a simpler, more peaceful time. Roughly one-fifth of American shoppers reportedly miss such a time, saying that back then, they weren’t exposed to advertisements 24/7 across different mediums.
Camay
Simple People Of The Golden Era
Journal Magazine, 1944
Other interesting finds of the survey suggest that, when it comes to childhood nostalgia, iconic TV commercials are the thing consumers miss the most from the ‘90s marketing campaigns and shopping experiences. Buying products through infomercials or catalogs and well-known TV jingles are second and third on the list.
1957
Popcorn Anyone?
Dial
If you would like to browse more of such vintage ads, feel free to check out our previous piece on ‘Vintage Ads, Commercials & Artwork’. And for more content on all that’s vintage, continue to this list of beautiful pictures from back in the day, view these images from the 1970s archives, or marvel at the best vintage shots of Hollywood stars, which you can find here.
Sears 1963
October 1942. Inhaling Toxic Chemicals In My Finest Neiman-Marcus Dress
1960
1958
Out Of The 1936 Ge Industrial Catalog
Eye-Catching "Hounds Tooth" Corduroys
1957 Life Savers “I Dare You”
A Typical Suburban Couple Enjoying Their Hog
1957
Curves Of Youth Will Be Yours If You Will "Pull The Cords"
McDonald's
Fed Up? Study Art With Albert Dorne!
Ad From 1943
Campbell's had some imaginative ads. Here's one from 1968. Psychedeli...cd3a76.jpg
Kraft, 1965
Lucky 🍀 Charms Cereal W/Leprechaun (1964)
Noxzema
Hopalong Cassidy Radio
Very expensive for a child at the time. Notice that's before we had FM.
Chesterfield
The King Of Beers
Ad - Electric Service - Reddy Kilowatt - From Back Cover Of Asheville Directory - 1957
Watch out for the adverts where Reddy Kilowatt threatens to unalive you 7-reddy-ki...aa1bf5.jpg
Sears 1973. Colleen Corby, Right
Philips Television 1951 Artist A. M. Cassandre
1959 International Trucks
First job I ever had they had an old International truck. Three on the tree. Loved that truck.
1962 Schwinn Bicycles
Life Magazine, Nov. 1967
Kellogg's Pop-Tarts
1957 Fairbanks-Morse Riding Mower
Scripto Makes A Twiggy Ball-Point Pen. (How Odd) It’s Twiggy Tall To Give You More Ink. It’s Sizzle-Striped To Put Razzle-Dozzle In Your Writing! Six Hot, Cool Color Combinations. 🖊️ Seventeen Magazine, 1967
The Delineator, April 1909
1938
1958
1968 Schwinn Apple Krate
This kind of bike was called a "Bonanza-Rad" in Germany... the dream of every boy at the time
"Slug-A-Bug".... Yikes!
Safe And Comfortable!
Nabisco Confections Inc, 1975
Ad - Mayflower Moving - Asheville Directory - 1957
3 In 1 By Ge
I Want All Of These. (Ad C. 1976)
Don't say his name out loud or he'll come crashing through the wall . . . . .
Mr. Eggo Guarantees" Eggo Waffles. In 1953, The Dorsa Brothers Introduced The Toaster-Ready Frozen Waffles To Supermarkets Throughout The Us
1964 Robin Hood Flour
1967 UK. Model Is Jan Rylander
Simplicity 1968
Sears 1973
The lady in green pants reminds me of Florence Henderson (Carol Brady from The Brady Bunch)
1957
1977
Lucky Tonic Hair Tonic Ad, 1953 Esquire Magazine
"3-purpose hair tonic will get you 4 women" is the underlying message here, you lucky tiger, you!
1985 Mattel Barbie Glamour Home
Stairs? Come on, the best Barbie dream houses have an elevator! barbie-654...3eb90e.jpg
1946 Mccalls Magazine Ad
June 1968. 'What's Black And Yellow And Read All Over? The Yellow Pages Dress!'
Paper dresses had their brief time in the sun in the late 60s. Very odd. Here are Butterfinger and Baby Ruth dresses. candypaper...6d1871.jpg
From The June 1930 Issue Of Hearst's International Cosmopolitan Magazine (Cosmo)
American Bottling Co, 1978
Coca-Cola 🇺🇸 It's The Real Thing 🇺🇸 The Model Is Jennifer O'neill
Are those freckles? She'd probably be told to bleach them or something these days.
Hills Horsemeat With Gravy (1964)
I've often wondered why they don't make cat food out of rats. My cats' favourite delicacy.
1957
This is how the house smells after you have eaten that "All American Meat Platter."
1959 Carnation Instant Milk (Click For Full View)
You had to taste this hideousness to believe it. And while it was better than nothing when you didn't have actual milk, it always had a horrible aftertaste.
I'm A Mercury Man!"
Bonanza
“It’s A Grand Old Lighter” Zippo, Made In USA (1978)
Pepsi-Cola
1956 American Meat Institute Psa
1958
Kmart
This is a post I can get behind! I love collecting vintage ad images, here's a collection of 100 of the best ads that I did on Imgur. Check it out if interested! https://imgur.com/gallery/xYlpt7v
This is a post I can get behind! I love collecting vintage ad images, here's a collection of 100 of the best ads that I did on Imgur. Check it out if interested! https://imgur.com/gallery/xYlpt7v