Featured Insurance/Financial Ads
Insurance companies are not known for colorful or creative advertising but, every now and then, a popular artist such as Norman Rockwell sneaks in.
1952 John Hancock Insurance Ad
Large (13 ½ x 10 ½ ) 1952 full page color ad for John Hancock Insurance
Title- “He gave the world a dream of peace”- the ad shows President Woodrow Wilson. The ad copy talks about Wilson but makes no mention of any connection between Wilson and the John Hancock Company.
This is one of a series of ads run during the 1940s and 1950s by the John Hancock Life Insurance Company of Boston. The series consisted of low-keyed print advertisements that touted historic figures from America’s past. These ads typically ran in full-page spreads in large-size weekly magazines of that era, such as Life magazine and The Saturday Evening Post. The ads were not primarily focused on promoting the company’s life insurance policies, but simply laid out a short story about some significant person, place, or occurrence of national interest. Some of the ads did mention the company’s offerings, but often at the end of the ad or in an unobtrusive way. For more information on these ads see The Pop History Dig website.
$7.00
History- (from Wikipedia) John Hancock Mutual Life is a loose term for a United States insurance company that existed, in various forms, from its founding on April 21, 1862, until its acquisition in 2004 by the Canadian insurance company Manulife Financial. It was named in honor of John Hancock, a prominent U.S. patriot. The company continues to operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife and its headquarters remains in Boston, Massachusetts.
The Hancock Company ran many ads similar to this one. Sometimes they honored notable scientists, inventors, politicians, business leaders, military men, or historic events. In other similar ads, the company paid homage to unsung heroes, or those who did the daily labors or provided key services, such as the Maine lobster men, an unknown “back bench” Congressman, or the family doctor. To be sure, the company was basking in a positive light for telling these tales, especially those of the more popular figures. Still, all in all, these were classy pieces of advertising. They appeared only a few times each. Consequently, original copies of these ads today are regarded as collector’s items.
Condition- This ad is in excellent condition. The ad is sold untrimmed and unmatted.
1955 John Hancock Insurance Ad
Large (13 ½ x 10 ½ ) 1955 full page color ad for John Hancock Insurance
Title- “They know the other freedom...”- the ad shows a fishing village and talks about the freedom Americans have to travel around their own country.
This is another in a series of ads run during the 1940s and 1950s by the John Hancock Life Insurance Company of Boston. (see above). For more information on these ads see The Pop History Dig website.
History- (from Wikipedia) John Hancock Mutual Life is a loose term for a United States insurance company that existed, in various forms, from its founding on April 21, 1862, until its acquisition in 2004 by the Canadian insurance company Manulife Financial. It was named in honor of John Hancock, a prominent U.S. patriot. The company continues to operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife and its headquarters remains in Boston, Massachusetts.
Condition- This ad is in excellent condition. The ad is sold untrimmed and unmatted.
$7.00
History- (from Wikipedia) John Hancock Mutual Life is a loose term for a United States insurance company that existed, in various forms, from its founding on April 21, 1862, until its acquisition in 2004 by the Canadian insurance company Manulife Financial. It was named in honor of John Hancock, a prominent U.S. patriot. The company continues to operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife and its headquarters remains in Boston, Massachusetts.
Condition- This ad is in excellent condition. The ad is sold untrimmed and unmatted.
1958 John Hancock Insurance Ad
Large (13 ½ x 10 ½ ) 1958 full page color ad for John Hancock Insurance
Title- “He had a dream even bigger than Texas” - The ad shows Texas hero Sam Houston in a battlefield scene.
This is another in a series of ads run during the 1940s and 1950s by the John Hancock Life Insurance Company of Boston. (see above). For more information on these ads see The Pop History Dig website.
$7.00
1953 full page ad for Massachusetts Mutual Life, art by Norman Rockwell
1953 full-page Norman Rockwell ad for Massachusetts Mutual
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Title- “Orderly habits – the ad shows a Norman Rockwell sketch of a young boy watching his father shave.
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History- Norman Rockwell was one of America’s most prolific and successful commercial artists. His idealized depictions of American life are still popular with nostalgia-minded Baby Boomers. Most of are familiar with many of Mr. Rockwell’s magazine covers but he also illustrated many ads and literary efforts. To see many samples of his work go to this Facebook page.
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Condition- This ad is in excellent condition and measures 10 x 13 ½.
$5.00
Large 1958 full page ad for
New England Mutual Life
Large 1958 full page ad for New England Mutual Life
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Title- “A better life for you!” - The illustration shows a family walking on a mountain trail. The art is by noted illustrator John Clymer (1907-1989). He was an American painter and illustrator known for his work that captured nature and the American West. You can see more samples of his work on the Today’s Inspiration Facebook page.
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History- (from encyclopedia.com) In April 1835 Willard Phillips, a Massachusetts lawyer, chartered and founded New England Mutual Life Insurance Company. The New England issued its first life insurance policy in February 1844. Phillips saw the need for the ordinary man to accumulate capital through frugality and savings. His company, with mutual ownership at its core, would give dividends back to the policyholders, the dividends being the return of excess premiums collected to cover safely the worst possible contingencies. The charter for New England Mutual Life contained a clause providing that each year the Massachusetts General Hospital would be paid one third of NEL profits.
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Condition- This ad is in excellent condition and measures 10 ½ x 13 ½.
$7.00
1953 North America Companies
Insurance Ad
1953 full-page North America Companies Insurance ad, 10 x 13¼
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Title- "It could have been the end of the world for us!" – the ad shows a home being damaged by a fire. Art by David Stone Martin.
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History- The North America Companies was comprised of Insurance Company of North America, Indemnity Insurance Company of North America, and Philadelphia Fire and Marine Insurance Company.
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Condition- This ad is in excellent condition .
$7.00
More Insurance/Financial Ads
John Hancock Insurance
Year - 1950
Title - Unknown Soldier
Size - 10 ½ x 13 ½
Cond. - Ex
Price - $7
Click to enlarge
John Hancock Insurance
Year - 1950
Title - George Washington
Size - 10 ½ x 13 ½
Cond. - Ex
Price - $7
Click to enlarge
Maryland Casualty Company
Year - 1952
Title - Early Grave
Size - 10 ½ x 13 ½
Cond. - Ex
Price - $5
Click to enlarge
New England Mutual
Year - 1953
Title - Fathers Keep Growing
Size - 10 ½ x 13 ½
Cond. - Ex
Price - $3
Click to enlarge
New York Life Insurance Co.
Year - 1936
Title - "The Forge"
Size - 10 ½ x 13 ½
Cond. - Fair
Price - $4
Click to enlarge
Penn Mutual
Year - 1953
Title - Your Greatest Investment
Size - 10 x 13.25
Cond. - Ex
Price - $5
Click to enlarge
Prudential Insurance
Year - 1950
Title - Thanksgiving
Size - 10 ½ x 14
Cond. - Ex
Price - $7
Art by Stevan Dohanos
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Click to enlarge
State Farm Insurance
Year - 1952
Title - Reckless Drivers
Size - 10 ½ x 13 ½
Cond. - Ex
Price - $3
Click to enlarge
The Travelers
Year - 1951
Title - Cold World
Size - 10 ½ x 13 ½
Cond. - Ex
Price - $10
Click to enlarge
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