Print advertising has been around since 1468. William Caxton promoted his book “Game and Play of the Chesse” using a print advertisement. Certainty advertising was in short supply for several hundred years, but it gained popularity and results over time.
We must also realize; Before photography, graphic ads were illustrated by hand. Color advertisements were very rare until around 1910.
I have been collecting advertising prints for several years. I have found that they not only add style to my decor, but also offer a bit of history.
Old ads are an excellent collectible. Collectible advertising offers an accurate glimpse of days gone by. Many of the older advertisements are considered art. Notable artists illustrated many of the old and vintage advertisements. Norman Rockwell was often used by the Saturday Evening Post. There is the work of Maxfield Parrish, highly sought after and hard to find. He could fill several pages just naming the great advertising artists of the past.
Car enthusiasts love ads for vintage cars and trucks. These often have prices included. Over the years we have sold many vintage advertisements as gifts. If you have a friend or family member who is a car collector, restores an old car, or enjoys decorating your shop or showroom, they will love receiving collectible advertising as a gift.
Military memorabilia collectors and veterans always appreciate war announcements. Old Tide and other laundry product ads are so cute framed and displayed in a laundry room. Vintage metal kitchen cabinets are popular right now. I have sold many of the vintage ads to use for reference or frame as kitchen decor. Vintage and antique fashion ads look great framed and are great reference tools for period wardrobe design.
Often people love to find old ads related to their hometown or their name. For example, The Vintage Ad Shop [http://www.vintageadshop.com] has sold advertisements dating back to the late 19th century simply because the product was made in the buyers’ hometown or bore its name.
Collectible advertising is great to use for your altered art projects and other forms of decorative art.