Featured Military Ads
Most of these are ads from World War II when American industry didn't have product to sell but wanted to keep their name in the public eye. This also includes recruitment ads.
1943 Body by Fisher, Wartime Ad
$9.00
1943 full-page magazine military ad for Body by Fisher (10 ¼ x 13 ¼ )
Titled- “Body blow by Fisher-”- the ad shows a gun team firing an anti-aircraft gun. The ad was painted by well-known commercial illustrator Dean Cornwell.
(from Wikipedia)- Dean Cornwell (1892–1960) was an American illustrator and muralist. His oil paintings were frequently featured in popular magazines and books as literary illustrations, advertisements, and posters promoting the war effort. Throughout the first half of the 20th century he was a dominant presence in American illustration. At the peak of his popularity he was nicknamed the "Dean of Illustrators." He served as president of the Society of Illustrators from 1922 to 1926, and was elected to its Hall of Fame in 1959. He served as President of the National Society of Mural Painters from 1953 to 1957.
There’s more on Dean Cornwell on the website of the National Museum of American Illustration .
1943 ALCOA, Wartime Ad
$7.00
1943 full-page magazine military ad for ALCOA
Titled- “WE THANK YOU WITH OUR HANDS”- the ad shows a man working in his garden in a coastal community watching a flight of Catalina airplanes flying overhead. The copy talks about how the Catalinas are helping ship conveys get to where they are needed.
History- (from Wikipedia)- In 1886, Charles Martin Hall discovered the process of smelting aluminum, almost simultaneously with Paul Héroult in France. He realized that by passing an electrical current through a bath of cryolite and aluminum oxide, the then semi-rare metal aluminum remained as a byproduct. This discovery, now called the Hall-Héroult process, is still the only process used to make aluminum. Hall’s aluminum manufacturing company operated under various names and in various places but became The Aluminum Company of America on January 1, 1907. The acronym "Alcoa" was coined in 1910 and, in 1999, was adopted as the official corporate name.
Condition- This ad is in excellent condition and measures 10 ½ x 13 ¾ .
1943 B.F. Goodrich, Wartime Ad
1943 full-page magazine military ad for BF Goodrich
Titled- “Tell Tojo for me…I’m the guy who proved we could make synthetic tires” – The ad shows military vehicles loading on a cargo ship. The artwork is by Slayton Underhill.
History- (from Wikipedia)- The B.F. Goodrich Company was named after its founder Dr. Benjamin Franklin Goodrich. In 1869 he bought the Hudson River Rubber Company and moved it to Akron, Ohio. Business began booming a few years after the founder’s death when the company introduced a pneumatic tire that could bear the speeds and loads of the emerging automobile market. The brand name Goodrich now appears on tires made by Michelin.
Condition- The ad is in very good condition with some staining on the left edge. It measures 10 ¼ x 13 ½ .
$4.00
1943 Cadillac Wartime Ad
1943 full-page wartime magazine ad for Cadillac
Titled- “Craftsmanship is still our stock in trade” - The ad shows an American P-38 shooting down a German plane. Although auto manufacturers didn’t have much product to sell to the public during the war they still placed ads to keep their name in the public eye and to show that they were doing their bit for the war effort.
History- (from Wikipedia)- Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest automobile brands in the world. Cadillac was founded in 1902 by Henry Leland, a master mechanic and entrepreneur, who named the company after his ancestor, Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac, the founder of the city of Detroit. The company's crest (which is placed prominently in this ad) is based on a coat of arms that Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac had created at the time of his marriage in Quebec in 1687.
Condition- This ad is in excellent condition and measures 10 ¼ x 13 ½.
$7.00
1958 half-page recruiting ad for the Canadian Army
1958 half-page recruiting ad for the Canadian Army
Titled- “Canada’s Career Soldier in Europe” - The ad shows the portrait of a Canadian soldier wearing a beret and the copy speaks of Canada’s participation in NATO.
History- (from Wikipedia) Canada has been a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) since its inception in 1949 and, in fact, it was one of the founding countries of the alliance. Canada originally stationed troops in Germany and during the 1950s Canada was one of the largest military spenders in the alliance and one of the few not receiving direct aid from the United States.
Condition- This ad is in excellent condition and measures 6 ½ by 14 inches.
$4.00
1943 Kodak Wartime Ad
1943 large full-page wartime ad for Kodak
Titled- “Visit him in snapshots” - the ad some resting soldiers at Fort Sheridan, Ill. looking at photos from home.
History- (from Wikipedia)Eastman Kodak was best known for its wide range of photographic film products. During most of the 20th century Kodak held a dominant position in photographic film, and in 1976 had a 90% market share of photographic film sales in the United States. The company's reach was so powerful that "Kodak moment" entered common language as an event that demanded to be recorded for posterity.
Condition- This ad is in excellent condition and measures 10 ¼ x 13 ½ .
$7.00
1944 Nash - Kelvinator Wartime Ad
$5.00
1944 full-page war time magazine ad for Nash-Kelvinator (10 ¼ x 13 ¾ )
Titled- “I see the hills of home”- the ad shows a night time scene of a US Infantry soldier undercover but overlooking some farm fields. The text is very understated, telling how the soldier is reminded of the hills of home. The company then promises to do its “part in the building of a greater, happier nation….where all men and women will have the freedom and the opportunity to make their dreams come true.” It’s hard to imagine and ad like this being run in the more cynical climate of today’s world.
History- (from Wikipedia) Nash-Kelvinator Corporation was the result of a merger in 1937 between Nash Motors and Kelvinator Appliance Company. Nash-Kelvinator ranked 27th among United States corporations in the value of World War II production contracts.
In 1952, Kelvinator introduced the Kelvinator Food-A-Rama Side by Side Refrigerator, one of the earliest modern side-by-side frost-free refrigerators. Kelvinator consumer products, before and after the merger with Nash, were considered an up-market brand of household appliances.
In 1954, Nash-Kelvinator acquired Hudson Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan in what was called a mutually beneficial merger which formed the American Motors Corporation. Kelvinator continued as a wholly owned division within the new company.
Condition- This ad is in excellent condition with a small tear in the right edge. The ad is sold untrimmed and not matted.
1943 Full page wartime ad by Oldsmobile
1943 Full page wartime magazine ad for Oldsmobiles
Title- “BRIDGEHEAD TO BERLIN!”- the ad shows troops landing on a beach.
History- (edited from Wikipedia) Oldsmobile was a brand of American automobile founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1897and produced for most of its existence by General Motors. In its 107-year history, it produced 35.2-million cars. When it was phased out in 2004, Oldsmobile was the oldest surviving American automobile marque.
The last pre-war Oldsmobile rolled off the assembly line on February 5, 1942. During World War II, Oldsmobile produced numerous kinds of material for the war effort, including large-caliber guns and shells.
Condition- This ad is in excellent condition with some light wear. It measures 10 ¼ x 13 ½ inches.
$7.00
1943 Full page wartime magazine ad for Oldsmobile
1943 Full page wartime magazine ad for Oldsmobiles
Title- “THE FACE IS FAMILIAR…!”- the ad shows an American Lightning fighter plane with its guns blasting away. The ad says the Germans referred to the Lightning as gabelshwanz teufel which translates to “fork-tailed devil.”
History- (edited from Wikipedia) Oldsmobile was a brand of American automobile founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1897and produced for most of its existence by General Motors. In its 107-year history, it produced 35.2-million cars. When it was phased out in 2004, Oldsmobile was the oldest surviving American automobile marque.
The last pre-war Oldsmobile rolled off the assembly line on February 5, 1942. During World War II, Oldsmobile produced numerous kinds of material for the war effort, including large-caliber guns and shells.
Condition- This ad is in acceptable condition with some stains and bleeds from the other side of the page. It measures 10 ½ x 15 inches.
$5.00
1954 Royal Canadian Air Force Recruiting Ad
$4.00
1954 half-page, vintage print ad for RCAF Recruitment
Title- “Aviation’s the field for me…”- the ad shows a young serviceman overlooking a globe.
History- (from Wikipedia)- The RCAF began life as the Canadian Air Force (CAF) in 1920. It was a branch of the Air Board and was chiefly a training militia that provided refresher training to veteran pilots. Many CAF members also worked with the Air Board's Civil Operations Branch on operations that included forestry, surveying and anti-smuggling patrols. In 1923, the CAF became responsible for all flying operations in Canada, including civil aviation.
In 1924, the Canadian Air Force, was granted the royal title, becoming the Royal Canadian Air Force. Most of its work was civil in nature; however, in the late 1920s the RCAF evolved into more of a military organization. After budget cuts in the early 1930s, the air force began to rebuild and during the Second World War the RCAF was a major contributor to the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. It was involved in operations in Great Britain, Europe, the north Atlantic, North Africa, southern Asia, and with home defence. By the end of the war, the RCAF had become the fourth largest allied air force.
Condition- This ad is in excellent condition and measures about 6 ½ x 14 ½ inches.
1952 Royal Canadian Navy Recruiting Ad
1952 print ad for RCN Recruitment
Title- “Go Places, Go Navy! Serve Canada at Sea”- the ad shows the portrait of a Canadian sailor and a recruitment application form.
History- (from Wikipedia) The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) is the naval force of Canada. The RCN is one of three environmental (land - army, sea - navy, and air - air force) commands within the unified Canadian Armed Forces.
Founded in 1910 as the Naval Service of Canada and given royal sanction in August 1911, the Royal Canadian Navy has served in the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, the Persian Gulf War, the War in Afghanistan and numerous United Nations peacekeeping missions and NATO operations.
Condition- This ad is in very good condition with some small tears in the left edge. It measures 10 ¼ x 14 ½ .
$3.00
1943 Texaco Wartime Ad
1943 full-page (10 ½ x 13 ¼ ) marvelous wartime print ad for Texaco
Title- “Report to the Emperor” – This marvelous ad is a wonderful bit of wartime propaganda without the racism and ranting that often mars ads of this period. The artwork is amazingly clean and effective showing an officer (Tojo, I think) bowing to the Emperor.
The copy deserves an award for understatement.
“Sacred One, Son of Heaven.
“I report a great change in the temper of our American enemies.
“Our ruthlessness has only made them more angry—more aroused.
“Their soldiers fight with redoubled fury.
“Their people work harder—and sacrifice more.
“Sublime Majesty, we fight a determined foe. Remind us again that we are unconquerable.”
The ad goes on to encourage Americans to support the war effort- “Don’t think it doesn’t bother them to see us buying war bonds; to watch us conserve clothes, food and gasoline.”
$15.00
History- (from Wikipedia) Texaco (the name stands for Texas Company) is the name of an American oil retail brand. Texaco was an independent company until it merged into Chevron Corporation in 2001. It began as the Texas Fuel Company, founded in 1901 in Beaumont, Texas. Its logo features a star in a circle (a reference to the lone star of Texas).
Condition- This ad is in excellent condition.
1946 full-page magazine ad
for US Army Recruiting
1951 full-page magazine ad for US Army Recruiting (10 ½ x 13 ¾ )
Titled- “Where he was, there was battle…where he is, there is peace”- the ad shows US soldiers as tourists in Japan.
History- - This ad talks about the US Army providing power for peace and points out that “In Japan there is only one soldier for every 400 Japanese- the smallest per capita occupation army in the world!”
Condition- This ad is in excellent condition and measures 10 ¼ x 13.
$5.00
1951 U.S. Army Recruiting Ad
1951 full-page magazine ad for US Army Recruiting (10 ½ x 13 ¾ )
Titled- “All Right…Let’sGo”- the ad shows a US Infantry corporal with a rifle on his back standing on a road.
History- This ad talks about work that needs to be done. The American combat soldier bore the brunt of the initial shock now “he needs your help. He needs others serving alongside him.”
Condition- This ad is in excellent condition. The ad is sold untrimmed and not matted.
$8.00
1943 Western Electric Wartime Ad
1943 full-page magazine wartime ad for Western Electric
Title- “Bombs away!” – the ad shows a masked pilot and talks about the importance of communication in an airplane. The tagline at the bottom of the ad reads "In Peace...source of supply for the Bell System. In War...Arsenal of communications equipment."
History- (from Wikipedia) Enos M. Barton and Elisha Gray owned an electrical engineering business in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1872 they moved the business to Chicago and incorporated it as the Western Electric Manufacturing Company. They manufactured a variety of electrical products including typewriters, alarms, and lighting and had a close relationship with the telegraph company Western Union to whom they supplied relays and other equipment. In 1879 a battle over patent rights, between Western Union and the Bell Telephone Company ended with Western Union withdrawing from the telephone market and Bell acquiring Western Electric.
Condition- This ad is in excellent condition and measures 10 x 13½.
$7.00
1943 Western Electric Wartime Ad
1943 full-page (10 1/2 x 13 1/2) color magazine wartime ad for Western Electric
Title- “Airplane Spotter” – the ad shows a young soldier scanning the evening sky while on the telephone.
History- (from Wikipedia) Enos M. Barton and Elisha Gray owned an electrical engineering business in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1872 they moved the business to Chicago and incorporated it as the Western Electric Manufacturing Company. They manufactured a variety of electrical products including typewriters, alarms, and lighting and had a close relationship with the telegraph company Westrn Union to whom they supplied relays and other equipment. In 1879 a battle over patent rights, between Westrn Union and the Bell Telephone Company ended with Westrn Union withdrawing from the telephone market and Bell acquiring Western Electric.
Condition- This ad is in fair condition with heavy wear, some stains and light creasing.
$2.00
More Military Ads
Philco Corporation
Year - 1943
Title - including the kitchen sink
Size - 10 ¼ x 13 ½
Cond. - Ex
Price - $5
Click to enlarge
DuPont
Year - 1943
Title - Carrying Soup
Size - 10 ½ x 13 ½
Cond. - Ex
Price - $5
Click to enlarge
U.S. Air Force
Year - 1950
Title - Get On Top...Stay On Top!
Size - 10.5 x 14
Cond. - Ex
Price - $6
Click to enlarge
U.S. Army Recruiting
Year - 1947
Title - Saipan Miracle
Size - 10.25 x 14
Cond. - Ex
Price - $6
Click to enlarge
U.S. Army Recruiting
Year - 1947
Title - Out of thin air
Size - 10.25 x 14
Cond. - Ex
Price - $6
Click to enlarge
U.S. Army-Air Force Recruiting
Year - 1950
Title - Best Dressed Men on Main Street!
Size - 10.5 x 14
Cond. - Ex
Price - $7
Click to enlarge
U.S. Steel
Year - 1943
Title - 6 Miles Up
Size - 10 ¼ x 13 ½
Cond. - Ex
Price - $7
Click to enlarge
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