Ad(s) Absurdum

I’m deep into image research for an upcoming book, and haveĀ been trawling old periodicals for advertisements. Here are some of my favorites–probably none of which I can use in my book, but I felt they deserved honorable mention here.

I love her come hither look.

I love her come hither look.

From 1928, during Prohibition. Implied here is that whiskey was the go-to medication for colds and flu

From 1928, during Prohibition. Implied here is that whiskey was the go-to medication for colds and flu

From 1892: Look at the suggestions for who might need a loud whistle: ladies in the country, gold diggers, emigrants, cyclists

From 1892: Look at the suggestions for who might need a loud whistle: ladies in the country, gold diggers, emigrants, cyclists

This and the next one remind me of that carnival scene in Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang

This and the next one remind me of that carnival scene in Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang

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Well, no-duh that Coca-Cola is marketed to the weary and despondent and people with mental exhaustion--it used to contain cocaine (which was legal)

Well, no-duh that Coca-Cola is marketed to the weary and despondent and people with mental exhaustion–it used to contain cocaine (which was legal)

Picture 5