20 Vintage Ads And Commercials That May Intrigue And Fascinate

If 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, but 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.

20 PHOTOS

#1 Vintage Advertising Poster "Prochainement, Tournée Du Chat Noir De Rodolphe Salis" By Théophile Alexandre Steinlen (1859-1923). Poster Published In 1896 In France

#2 Vintage Travel Poster "North Coast Limited In The Montana Rockies" By Gustav Wilhelm Krollmann (1888-1962). Published In 1929 In The USA

#3 It's Called The Playpen. But We Don't Promise It Keeps You Out Of Mischief

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.

#4 Sears Spring/Summer 1956

#5 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.”

#6 1978

#7 Vintage Travel Poster "Montana" By Gustav Wilhelm Krollmann (1888-1962). Published In 1920 In The USA

#8 1952 Wizard Appliances From Western Auto Stores

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.

#9 The Hideaway House The "Heavenly Abode" That Charlie Built For His Angels! (1977)

#10 Beautiful Hair Doesn't Just Happen: It Starts With Wella Balsam. Farrah Fawcett, 1977

#11 March 1961 Cover Of The Progressive Farmer. Getting A New Phone! "We're Calling You First, Grandmother!"

“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.

#12 Telechron Electric Clocks, 1951. Via 1950sunlimited

#13 Vintage Travel Poster "Visit India" By Fred Taylor (1875-1963). Published In The 1930s In India

#14 1942 Coke Magazine Ad. I've Been Told The Original Name Of This Guy Was "Sprite"

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.”

#15 1943-44

#16 For What?

#17 1958 Kellogg’s Rice Krispies

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.

#18 The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, 1955

#19 Remember The Jingle? “Coppertone Gets You More From The Sunn!”

#20 KFC Menu