Loading Spinner

Advertising - General

People have bought and sold goods since ancient times, and they have advertised their goods for sale for just as long. Ancient Egyptians used steel carvings and papyrus signs to advertise their wares. Romans put up posters on walls to advertise gladiator events, and in the Middle Ages, town criers would call out when and where local open markets would be held.

Advertising changed dramatically with the invention of the printing press around 1440. Print advertising suddenly became affordable, allowing businesses to reach many more people through newspapers and fliers than they ever had before. Classified ads first appeared in 1631 in France, and the first promotional product was a clothing button from 1789 commemorating the election of George Washington as the first president of the United States. Later, Sears ran the first direct marketing campaign in 1891 when it mailed postcards to 8,000 potential customers. The 20th and 21st centuries have seen a rapid expansion in advertising, including radio, television, and internet ads.

Promotional products are of particular interest to collectors of advertising memorabilia. These are often souvenirs or household items that include a brand logo. The Buddy Lee jeans doll, Budweiser neon lights, or a deck of Marilyn Monroe playing cards are a just a few examples of collectible promotional products.

Recommended Items at Auction

See all items

HOTTEST BRAND GOING CONOCO GASOLINE TIN SIGN
Dec 31, 4:00 PM CET
HOTTEST BRAND GOING CONOCO GASOLINE TIN SIGN
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $0- $0
$101 Bid
Campbell's Soup Cans
Dec 31, 9:45 AM PST
Campbell's Soup Cans
by Abell Auction
Est: $600- $800
$5500 Bids
Campbell's Soup Cans
Dec 31, 9:45 AM PST
Campbell's Soup Cans
by Abell Auction
Est: $6,000- $8,000
$5,5000 Bids
Campbell's Soup Cans
Dec 31, 7:30 PM CET
Campbell's Soup Cans
by Tajan
Est: €600- €800
€5500 Bids
Campbell's Soup Cans
Dec 31, 7:30 PM CET
Campbell's Soup Cans
by Tajan
Est: €6,000- €8,000
€5,4000 Bids
bp parity badge
1867 Advert for Pacific Mail Steamship Company
Dec 01, 5:30 PM EST
1867 Advert for Pacific Mail Steamship Company
by University Archives
Est: $400- $500
$1400 Bids
bp parity badge
Early Advertisement for a Mechanical Baseball Bank, ca. 1875
Dec 01, 5:30 PM EST
Early Advertisement for a Mechanical Baseball Bank, ca. 1875
by University Archives
Est: $200- $300
$700 Bids
bp parity badge
1867 Advert for Pacific Mail Steamship Company
Nov 30, 5:30 PM EST
1867 Advert for Pacific Mail Steamship Company
by University Archives
Est: $400- $500
$1400 Bids
bp parity badge
Early Advertisement for a Mechanical Baseball Bank, ca. 1875
Nov 30, 5:30 PM EST
Early Advertisement for a Mechanical Baseball Bank, ca. 1875
by University Archives
Est: $200- $300
$700 Bids
PORCELAIN SIGN RUSK OIL CO PHILADELPHIA PENNSYLVANIA GLOBOLINE MOTOR OIL
Dec 31, 4:00 PM CET
PORCELAIN SIGN RUSK OIL CO PHILADELPHIA PENNSYLVANIA GLOBOLINE MOTOR OIL
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $0- $0
$100 Bids
PORCELAIN MUNICIPALITY SIGN CITY PUEBLO COLORADO
Dec 31, 4:00 PM CET
PORCELAIN MUNICIPALITY SIGN CITY PUEBLO COLORADO
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $0- $0
$100 Bids
COLUMBIA GRAFONOLA TIN SIGN BRAINERD MINNESOTA MN
Dec 31, 4:00 PM CET
COLUMBIA GRAFONOLA TIN SIGN BRAINERD MINNESOTA MN
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $0- $0
$100 Bids
TIN LITHO SIGN BIG BANG SAFETY CELEBRATOR CANNONS
Dec 31, 4:00 PM CET
TIN LITHO SIGN BIG BANG SAFETY CELEBRATOR CANNONS
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $0- $0
$100 Bids
DIE CUT PORCELAIN SIGN KURTH'S BEER COLUMBUS WI
Dec 31, 4:00 PM CET
DIE CUT PORCELAIN SIGN KURTH'S BEER COLUMBUS WI
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $0- $0
$100 Bids
HUSSA BREWING BANGOR WI PARAGON BEER TIN SIGN
Dec 31, 4:00 PM CET
HUSSA BREWING BANGOR WI PARAGON BEER TIN SIGN
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $0- $0
$100 Bids
PORCELAIN SIGN MASSEY HARRIS FARM MACHINERY
Dec 31, 4:00 PM CET
PORCELAIN SIGN MASSEY HARRIS FARM MACHINERY
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $0- $0
$100 Bids
TIN SIGN CHEVROLET SALES & SERVICE HERON LAKE MN
Dec 31, 4:00 PM CET
TIN SIGN CHEVROLET SALES & SERVICE HERON LAKE MN
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $0- $0
$100 Bids
NOS EMBOSSED TIN SIGN RAYBESTOS BRAKE SERVICE
Dec 31, 4:00 PM CET
NOS EMBOSSED TIN SIGN RAYBESTOS BRAKE SERVICE
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $0- $0
$100 Bids
EMBOSSED PORCELAIN SIGN FLYING A SERVICE GASOLINE
Dec 31, 4:00 PM CET
EMBOSSED PORCELAIN SIGN FLYING A SERVICE GASOLINE
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $0- $0
$100 Bids
EMBOSSED PORCELAIN SIGN FLYING A GASOLINE 62"
Dec 31, 4:00 PM CET
EMBOSSED PORCELAIN SIGN FLYING A GASOLINE 62"
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $0- $0
$100 Bids
POLY-AQUA MARINE PAINT SHEBOYGAN WI WIS TIN SIGN
Dec 31, 4:00 PM CET
POLY-AQUA MARINE PAINT SHEBOYGAN WI WIS TIN SIGN
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $0- $0
$100 Bids
GOOD YEAR TIRES AUTO SUPPLIES TIN SIGN WEST UNITY
Dec 31, 4:00 PM CET
GOOD YEAR TIRES AUTO SUPPLIES TIN SIGN WEST UNITY
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $0- $0
$100 Bids
EMBOSSED TIN SIGN DRINK DOUBLE EAGLE BEVERAGES
Dec 31, 4:00 PM CET
EMBOSSED TIN SIGN DRINK DOUBLE EAGLE BEVERAGES
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $0- $0
$100 Bids
RARE PORCELAIN COOP COOPERATIVE SIGN
Dec 31, 4:00 PM CET
RARE PORCELAIN COOP COOPERATIVE SIGN
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $0- $0
$100 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Advertising - General


Asté Maison de ventes

Asté Maison de ventes

Eldred's

Eldred's

University Archives

University Archives

Abell Auction

Abell Auction