Retro Musings includes magazine adverts and catalogue scans from 1930's to 1990's, plus anything else which takes my fancy (like LP covers and knitting patterns).
Go to Brands & Products to see a list of all the items I have added so far, or view by category or decade via the menus above and below.
“Caresses like cashmere… washes like magic!”These illustrated ads for men’s sportswear by Marboro Shirt Co. date from 1955-56.
“Sears shapes a woman’s world.” These ads for Sears support lingerie are from 1968. The models looked like they were posing on big pools of bright paint.
“Sports shirts with a flair for style!”These illustrated ads for men’s sportswear by Marboro Shirt Co. date from 1955. The ads were a mixture of chalk figures and painted shirts.
“She’s in love… and she loves Community.” This illustrated ad campaign for Community silverplate cutlery ran from late 1952 and throughout 1953. The artwork was by Jon Whitcomb and featured young married women daydreaming about their new cutlery.
“New life, new lustre, new luxury.”These ads for men’s fashions made from Du Pont “Antron” nylon date from 1961. The ads were all shades of blue with a slightly misty focus.
“…for keeps.” This illustrated ad campaign for Community silverplate cutlery ran throughout 1951 until mid 1952. The artwork was by Jon Whitcomb and featured young engaged couples embracing.
“The fun is in the wearing.”These ads for men’s fashions made from Du Pont “Dacron” polyester and “Orlon” acrylic fibre date from from 1960. The ads feature men in various sporting and leisure scenarios.
“Yours to live with… yours to love… for keeps.” This illustrated ad campaign for Community silverplate cutlery ran throughout 1950. The artwork was by Jon Whitcomb and featured young married or engaged couples.
“The happiest brides have Community.” This illustrated ad campaign for Community silverplate cutlery ran throughout 1948 and 1949. The artwork was by Jon Whitcomb and featured happy young brides.
“Kool of course.” These ads for Kool menthol cigarettes date from 1991-94. The ads all had white backgrounds with a large Kool logo behind the models, who looked like they were on a fashion shoot.
“Let’s make it for keeps.” This illustrated ad campaign for Community silverplate cutlery ran throughout 1947. The artwork was by Jon Whitcomb and featured young couples who plan to get married.
“Kool & Mild Today” These ads for Kool menthol cigarettes date from 1987-91. All the ads featured casual models wearing sports or leisure wear, in front of an oversized Kool logo.
“This is for keeps.” This illustrated ad campaign for Community silverplate cutlery ran throughout 1946. The artwork was by Jon Whitcomb and featured young couples getting married.
“A sensation beyond the ordinary.” These ads for Kool menthol cigarettes date from 1984-86. They all feature leather clad, smoking bikers.
“These are the things we are fighting for.” This illustrated ad campaign for Community silverplate cutlery date from 1942-43. The artwork was by Jon Whitcomb, Alex Ross plus a few unsigned illustrations.
“There’s only one way to play it.” These ads for Kool menthol cigarettes date from 1982-84. The ads all featured photographs of jazz musicians against black backgrounds.
“Feel the mild side of Kool.” These ads for Kool menthol cigarettes date from late 1979 to mid 1980. The ads featured well dressed couples hanging around water features, with the gents smoking whilst the ladies look on.
“So good, it’s got to be Kool!” These ads for Kool menthol cigarettes date from 1979. Amongst the end of one ad campaign and the beginning of another, I found these two ads featuring manically laughing smokers!
“Nothing cools like Kool!” These ads for Kool menthol cigarettes date from 1974-79. They all featured smokers expressing how cool Kool was.
“Taste too hot to handle?” These ads for Kool menthol cigarettes date from 1969-73. They all featured mountains, waterfalls and forests whist questioning smokers if their current choice was too dry, flat, hot or dull.
“Rough taste rub you wrong?” These ads for Kool cigarettes menthol date from 1968-70, which all had white backgrounds with cut-out images.
“Feel extra coolness in your throat.” These ads for Kool menthol cigarettes date from 1964-67. They featured couples smoking outdoors in wooded surroundings with waterfalls or lakes.
“As cool and clean as a breath of fresh air.” These ads for Kool menthol cigarettes date from 1958-59. The illustrated ads featured couples in cool or fresh outdoors locations.
“Beyond the norm of the modern…” These ads for York cigarettes date from mid 1963 to early 1964. The stylish black and red toned ad campaign featured different verbs and definitions printed alongside a smoking cigarette and open packet.
“Pall Mall’s natural mildness is so good to your taste!” These ads for Pall Mall cigarettes date from mid 1962 to late 1963. They all featured relaxed smokers lying in the grass, photographed at ground level.
“Wherever particular people congregate.” These two illustrated ads for Pall Mall cigarettes date from late 1962. They featured couple dining out, with the gentlemen admiring the length of their cigarettes. Possibly by Mary Blair.
“Good! Good! Good!” These illustrated ads for Pall Mall cigarettes date from late 1960-62. The ads all had a white background with different stylised fruit painted by Disney artist Mary Blair.
“Get satisfying flavour!” These collage style ads for Pall Mall cigarettes date from 1960. The backgrounds were printed or painted, with photos of sliced fruit (mostly) placed on top.
