Advertising Sado-masochism Archive

1January 9, 2012
Still Dreaming Of The Burger King

I troll eBay; hey, it’s part of my job. So I was conflicted when I saw one of those kitschy BK pillowcases on eBay. I love Burger King — the…
2January 5, 2012
Fashion Forecasting With Tarot Cards (In 1953)

A fashion spread in Harper’s Bazaar, August 1953, featuring over-sized tarot cards. Photos by Louise Dahl-Wolfe.
0December 21, 2011
Whatjamacallit Wednesday: How Do You Get Kitten Hips? And Why Would You Want Them?

Kitten hips. No, not the furry kind — the “lithe young American” kind, as described in this vintage girdle ad published in Harper’s Bazaar, 1946. You feel and look as…
1October 29, 2011
Watch Where You’re Putting That Coke Bottle, Bub

Product placement matters. Accident? Or subliminal phallic ad designed to make men and a few free-swingin’ women take immediate action? The seller’s description: [V]intage original 1950s double sided Coca-Cola –…
0October 20, 2011
Cheap Thrills Thursday: Breakfast Cereal Edition

Forget yer flashmobs; feed me the health and morality lessons via the kitschy art. Artist Ron English makes his statements about cereals in parody designs — Pop Art Krispies, Sugar…
0October 16, 2011
Spotting Memories In Retro Radio Ads

Still nostalgic thinking about the old days in Milwaukee radio, I’ve been hanging out consuming The Halcyon Daze (I prefer using the “classic” interface for navigation, in case you visit…
1October 14, 2011
Of Tailgators, Radio & Retail

This is a vintage WKTI Tailgator pinback from 1983, featuring Old Style beer. It’s mere 1.75 inches, but oh the size of the memories it unleashes… If you’re of a…
0October 11, 2011
Misogyny & Mini-Bowling Alleys

This vintage matchbook was from the Curtiss Tavern, “on Hi-Way 57 at Plymouth, Wisconsin,” Carl Senglaub, Proprietor. If features a cute little pinup, “The High-Way,” on the front cover. (Which…
0October 7, 2011
Their Font Said “Soda Pop” But Their Photo Said Something Else

“For Extra Fun Take More Than One” I think they meant the packs of Coke, not women… Of course, I could be wrong; you know how compelling men find a…
1September 26, 2011
The Bachman Pretzel Bikini

Hey, edible underpants, you had competition… The Bachman Pretzel Bikini. Just $2.50 for a “classy” and “sassy” two-piece bikini of “velvety non-woven material.” I can’t imagine you could swim in…
0September 24, 2011
“Protection To American Labor And American Industries”

I spotted this 1888 Benjamin Harrison silk handkerchief or scarf at Listia (if you don’t know what Listia is, check out my review), and I was so bummed to have…
0September 22, 2011
Make Up For Breasts?

No offense to Mr. Vargas, but I think he misunderstood the task… This vintage ad was for “Twin Make Up,” not makeup for “the twins.” The original artwork by Alberto…
0September 12, 2011
Why Long Nails Are Sexy

Fingernails have long been symbols beauty — specifically as indicators of wealth. The cleaner, the longer, the more well-manicured, the more they distance the wearer from manual work. Long nails,…
0August 11, 2011
Crunk, Talking Genitals & Childish Fashion Crimes (or, A What I’ve Been Reading Link Round-Up)

Just a good old fashioned link round-up — yee-haw! 1.) At The Crunk Feminist Collective, a thought provoking post on self care for the feminist or liberal activist: Talk about…
0August 6, 2011
Dreaming Of Denial

One of the entries in the classic Maidenform ad campaign, this is the “I dreamed I barged down the Nile in my Maidenform bra.” Apparently she also dreamed that Egyptians…
0June 17, 2011
Suffragette Soap Ad

This ad, for sale from MAINE-ARTEMIS, shows how products were marketed to suffragettes. Enoch Morgan’s Sons Company ad for Sapolio cake soap: A suffragette is Mrs. Brown Who’s cleaning up…
0June 16, 2011
Vintage Gold Diggers, 1952

I’m sure this pair of vintage advertising pieces from/for the Hi-Shear Rivet Tool Company were intended to be humorous, in that oh-so-popular risque way of 1952; but I find them…
0May 27, 2011
Mocking Marketing To Women

An awesome video from BBC’s Look Around You on The Petticoat 5: The first computer designed just for women. “The computer was created by Patricia (her surname is silent).” Watch…
0May 18, 2011
What Are You, A Man Or A Monkee? Or, Worse Yet, Gay?

“There’s A Tremendous Difference Between A Pansy & A Chimpanzee” …But both use gasoline? Vintage ad for Ethyl Gasoline, found in a 1950 Life Magazine; via GeriADtric.
0May 11, 2011
Sign Of The Times: 1940s

I know what the sign is, where I found it, and that it’s likely circa the 1940s, but even though the sign reads “No Deception Club,” I have no idea…
0May 10, 2011
What Time Is It?

According to this ad for Bulova watches, it’s time for a pajama party. Circa 1963; via Simple Dreams.