Radio & Phonograph Ads & Advertising Items
Radio sets and phonographs were among the most heavily advertised consumer items of the first half of the 20th century. Constantly evolving features and styles, along with increasing competition as new players entered the market, pushed manufacturers to promote their latest models through every available medium. That generally meant print: magazines and newspapers, as well as window and store posters.Some radio and phonograph makers also created novelty items that they gave as prizes or premiums for buying one of their sets. Nipper, the dog of the famous RCA Victor logo, turns up in innumerable statuette form. Some of these were commissioned by the company itself; others were (and still are) turned out by third parties, with or without permission, because of the widespread iconic appeal.
Vintage ads and advertising novelties are as collectible today as the radios and phonographs they promoted. Even a reproduction of one of those old ads, nicely mounted and framed, makes a nice nostalgic gift or decoration.
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