Wow.

“We rarely find attractive and aesthetically appealing types among the elderly.” From the wonderfully awful Techniques of Advertising Photography, 1963.

Look everybody, here comes P.I.E.! Frow Growing With Art, 1950.

Piggy’s Bank. From Growing With Art, 1950.

Obviously. From Illustrated Classics No. 160 1961.
Couldn’t. Resist.

Unpossible. From the wonderfully awful Techniques of Advertising Photography, 1963.

Wow. I guess every picture DOES tell a story.  From the wonderfully awful Techniques of Advertising Photography, 1963.

Sigh. I miss LOST. 
Partial inventory: 1. Scimitar. 2. Tuba 3. Basketball-sized light bulb 4. Cow’s head 5. Various gifts and laundry detergents 6. Potatoes 7. Top hat 8. Gramaphone and television set…. among other things. From the wonderfully awful Techniques of Advertising Photography, 1963.

That poor elephant. I wonder how many they tried before one of them could stay on for more than ten feet. No wonder it’s an illustration, not a photo. Tourist brochure, c.1957, from my collection.

That really just screams LUXURY, doesn’t it… brochure, c.1957, from my collection.

“Johnny Pineapple” Tourist brochure, c.1957, from my collection.

Out of register, badly staged photograph… it all adds up to awesome. Johnina Hotel, Miami Beach. Tourist brochure, c.1957, from my collection.

State of the art tombstone advertising. Ads from the Trail Blazer’s Almanac and Pioneer Guide, 1943. 

“Jet Black Glossy Hair Dye!” Ad from the Trail Blazer’s Almanac and Pioneer Guide, 1943. 

“False Teeth” Ad detail from the Trail Blazer’s Almanac and Pioneer Guide, 1943