Explore the vintage world of print advertising

A treasure trove of advertising history

Witness the evolution of advertising artistry as you explore vibrant illustrations, striking typography, and ingenious copywriting from our vast vintage advertising archive. Within our walls, you'll find a treasure trove of vintage advertisements spanning diverse industries, from the glamorous world of fashion and luxury goods to the thrilling realms of motoring and aviation. Each piece in our advertisement archive is a time capsule, preserving the zeitgeist of its era and offering a glimpse into the social, cultural, and economic forces that shaped advertising narratives.

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There is something for everyone

Whether you're a historian, a designer, a marketing enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates the art of persuasion, our vintage print advertising archive invites you to embark on a journey through the captivating world of vintage print advertisements, where imagination and innovation converged to leave an indelible mark on the art of selling. Delve into our extensive magazine archive, meticulously preserved for academic research, inspiration, and appreciation.

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Preserving the legacy of print advertising

At the heart of our mission lies a commitment to preserving the rich heritage of print advertising for future generations. Our magazine archive houses a wealth of advertising gems from various print media, carefully curated and meticulously maintained to ensure that these invaluable pieces of history remain accessible for academic research.

From the glamorous world of fashion and luxury goods to the thrilling realms of motoring and aviation, our vintage advertising archive spans a diverse array of industries, offering a unique glimpse into the social, cultural, and economic forces that shaped print advertising narratives throughout the ages.

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Featured collections

- Explore the world of veteran, vintage and pot war - car and motorcycle advertisements in our print ad archive, where sleek designs and bold promises of power and performance enchanted audiences and converted them into clients.
Step into the glamorous era of the 1920s and discover the exquisite fashion illustrations that graced the pages of magazines in our vintage advertising archive, capturing the essence of style and sophistication.
Embark on a journey through time with our collection of breathtaking travel posters and airline ads from our advert archive, inviting you to explore the world through the lens of wanderlust and adventure.
Witness the transformation of iconic brands as they navigated the ever-changing landscape of advertising, adapting their messaging and visual identity in print ads to resonate with evolving consumer tastes and cultural trends.

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Advertisements from our collection

We often bemoan the demise of the illustrator in advertising - but good photographs can be equally powerful. Here in 1969, you know that this plane can carry a big load - and the white-clad loader gives a professional touch.

#history #richardroberts

Flowers by telegraph started in the USA in 1910: send an order and have a local florist deliver. By 1924, Schling were skilled in this business and their advertisements had a delightfully light touch - of course making good use of flowers.

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Advertising fur coats has now understandably disappeared - but in 1963 fur was still the height of fashion. As is done even today, quality by association is stressed: car by Rolls-Royce and photography by the highly respected Virginia Thoren-Rice.

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Fitted kitchens were already available in 1957 - but metal rather than wood was considered the modern way to go. The colour photograph illustrates the styles of the time - and a rather 1950's message that the kitchen is the woman's place...

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In this second Anglepoise advertisement from 1965 the company has embraced modern fashion and a more youthful clientele - and illustration has given way to photography, with equally effective impact.

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The first of two advertisements that demonstrate the enduring capabilities of the Anglepoise lamp and the changes in advertising style over nearly 30 years. Here in 1937 the target market is clearly the upper classes.

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***HIGHLIGHT OF SEPTEMBER 2024***

This September, we had the privilege of welcoming the Mayor of Stockport, Councillor Suzanne Wyatt, to the Richard Roberts Archive. Our dedicated trustees shared fascinating stories from our collection, captivating

Sometimes a product is better-known in the USA than in Britain, as in this 1924 advertisement for copper insect screen cloth. The copy is persuasive and, remarkably for 1924, the left-hand image is a high-quality photograph.

#history #richardroberts

From 1926 the Rootes Group bought up brands from proletariat Hillman to patrician Humber - and the renowned coachbuilder Thrupp & Maberly. This 1951 advertisement is clearly aimed at the 'carriage trade' - at half the price of a Rolls-Royce.

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The simplicity of this 1950 advertisement for knitting wools very successfully portrays an atmosphere of stylish calm and quality. It is also an excellent source of information on the fashions of the time.

#history #richardrobertsarchive #printadver

Support our mission

As a non-profit organisation, the Vintage Print Advertising Archive relies on the generosity of individuals who share our passion for preserving this invaluable piece of advertising history. Your donations and support play a crucial role in ensuring that the legacy of print advertising endures for generations to come.

By contributing to our cause, you become a part of a vibrant community dedicated to celebrating the art and creativity of vintage print advertisements. Your support enables us to continue acquiring and preserving rare and significant pieces for our ad archive, ensuring that these treasures remain accessible to researchers, designers, and enthusiasts alike.

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Buy an advert

Did you know we sell duplicates?

We’ve got a vast amount of duplicate adverts that we’re sharing for sale on our eBay page. All funds from the sale of these wonderful original pieces go back into the archive to support our long-term preservation goals

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