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Advertising, Paper & Ephemera

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 in 1891, Sears ran the first direct marketing campaign in when it mailed postcards to 8,000 potential customers.

Those who collect advertising memorabilia are often particularly interested in promotional products including souvenirs or household items that include a brand logo, like Budweiser neon lights or the Buddy Lee jeans doll.

Collectors of ephemera, items that were only meant to be used for a short time, often bid on paper collectibles such as letters, tickets, stereopticon cards, labels, and greeting cards, including valentines. Letters, cards, airline tickets, stock certificates, and more specialized vintage paper items like ancient scrolls can also be categorized as ephemera in the collecting world. The highest price ever paid for a letter at auction was $6 million in 2013. It was written by Francis Crick, one of the co-discoverers of the nature of DNA, to his son Michael, explaining the "secret of life."

Recommended Items at Auction

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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
The Card Players
Dec 31, 9:45 AM PST
The Card Players
by Abell Auction
Est: $25,000- $30,000
$20,0000 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
The Card Players
Dec 31, 9:45 AM PST
The Card Players
by Abell Auction
Est: $25,000- $30,000
$20,0000 Bids
Campbell's Soup Cans
Oct 31, 9:45 PM EDT
Campbell's Soup Cans
by Grogan & Company
Est: $600- $800
$5000 Bids
The Card Players
Oct 31, 9:45 PM EDT
The Card Players
by Grogan & Company
Est: $25,000- $30,000
$20,0000 Bids
Campbell's Soup Cans
Oct 31, 9:45 PM EDT
Campbell's Soup Cans
by Grogan & Company
Est: $6,000- $8,000
$5,5000 Bids
The Card Players
Oct 31, 9:45 PM EDT
The Card Players
by Grogan & Company
Est: $25,000- $30,000
$20,0000 Bids
Campbell's Soup Cans
Dec 31, 7:30 PM CET
Campbell's Soup Cans
by Tajan
Est: €600- €800
€5500 Bids
The Card Players
Dec 31, 7:30 PM CET
The Card Players
by Tajan
Est: €25,000- €30,000
€20,0000 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
The Card Players
Dec 31, 7:30 PM CET
The Card Players
by Tajan
Est: €25,000- €30,000
€20,0000 Bids
bp parity badge
OSTERSCHRIFT UND BRIEF
Mar 20, 10:00 AM EDT
OSTERSCHRIFT UND BRIEF
by Eldred's
Est: $300- $500
$3000 Bids
bp parity badge
OSTERSCHRIFT UND BRIEF
Mar 20, 10:00 AM EDT
OSTERSCHRIFT UND BRIEF
by Eldred's
Est: $300- $500
$3000 Bids
bp parity badge
OSTERSCHRIFT UND BRIEF
Mar 20, 10:00 AM EDT
OSTERSCHRIFT UND BRIEF
by Eldred's
Est: $300- $500
$3000 Bids
bp parity badge
OSTERSCHRIFT UND BRIEF
Mar 20, 10:00 AM EDT
OSTERSCHRIFT UND BRIEF
by Eldred's
Est: $300- $500
$3000 Bids
bp parity badge
DST Chesterfield L&M Cigarettes flange sign
May 06, 10:00 AM EDT
DST Chesterfield L&M Cigarettes flange sign
by Eldred's
Est: $0- $0
$1500 Bids
bp parity badge
Arm & Hammer Soda Dovetailed box
May 06, 10:00 AM EDT
Arm & Hammer Soda Dovetailed box
by Eldred's
Est: $0- $0
$200 Bids
bp parity badge
DST Chesterfield L&M Cigarettes flange sign
May 06, 10:00 AM EDT
DST Chesterfield L&M Cigarettes flange sign
by Eldred's
Est: $0- $0
$1500 Bids
bp parity badge
Arm & Hammer Soda Dovetailed box
May 06, 10:00 AM EDT
Arm & Hammer Soda Dovetailed box
by Eldred's
Est: $0- $0
$200 Bids
Campbell's Soup Cans
Oct 31, 8:00 AM PDT
Campbell's Soup Cans
by Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery
Est: $600- $800
$5500 Bids
The Card Players
Oct 31, 8:00 AM PDT
The Card Players
by Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery
Est: $25,000- $30,000
$20,0000 Bids
Campbell's Soup Cans
Oct 31, 8:00 AM PDT
Campbell's Soup Cans
by Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery
Est: $6,000- $8,000
$5,5000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Advertising, Paper & Ephemera


University Archives

University Archives

Asté Maison de ventes

Asté Maison de ventes

Eldred's

Eldred's

Theodore Bruce

Theodore Bruce