Wednesday, August 14, 2019

35. Heyday for Magazines. Postwar Boom.

Years ago, I asked my parents for the issue of National Geographic from the month and year I was born. Yesterday, as a way to make a birthday card for a friend born in the same month and year, I paged through the magazine.

The first 24 pages or so contain ads—which shows that many years ago, publications—especially National Geographic—enjoyed financial security. The ads indicate not only a time of greater publishing plenty but also, of course,  the items that interested or helped National Geographic's audience in a time of post-World War II plenty (yup. I'm that old!). Reflecting a life that seems downright vintage (well, at this point, it is) the first six tout: a watch, to mark a man's love for his beautiful blonde wife (I can almost hear, "A WATCH? I gave you the best years of my life and all I get is a watch?!"), with the watch company's tagline "Railroad Accuracy;"  stationery; a TV; tires; an optical company; and more.

The six ads images below (more to come) also illustrate that yesterday's workmanly commercial art becomes today's vintage references material. I just LOVE the ad for The New General Super Squeegee tires. Brush script never looked so good.





























































































































(For August 13, 2019)

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