The advertisement from the February 2, 1901 edition of The Chatham Record blares the product’s name (Lion Coffee, in case you missed it) five times in its copy, but slips a subtle suggestion under the illustration: “Watch our next advertisement.”
If they can top a lion holding its own head, I’m in.
This item appeared in the January 14, 1904 edition of The Chatham Record.
“Judging from the number of complaints and confessions made by wives which appear every week in an England sporting paper, golfers must be ranked among the most neglectful of husbands. Golf, we are told, has paralyzed the enterprise and energy of many breadwinners. Every moment which at one time was given by the golfer to the companionship of his wife and family is spent of the links. His conversation is confined to mere clubroom gossip. He has no interest in any literature save that in the golfing papers and magazines, the neglected wives complain bitterly that they have sunk to the level of mere housekeepers since their husbands have become golf maniacs.”
I love the before and after renderings on this ad published in the February 12, 1903 edition of The Chatham Record.
There are some questionable claims at play here, though. If you follow Cascarets’ logic, a spoonful of sugar is all you need, never mind the medicine.
“Bobby” appears in several consecutive issues of The Chatham Record extolling the virtues of Post Toasties.
He starts out reasonably enough: “Try a dish of Post Toasties with cream for lunch on hot days.” Sounds refreshing.
The following week: “Our grocer told me after folks taste Post Toasties they don’t like common corn flakes.” Well, sure, that could be.
His testimonial intensifies a week later: “Post Toasties are bully good for any meal and for all the family.” Hmm.
On August 29, 1917, Bobby’s attachment to Post Toasties takes a turn:
I respectfully disagree, Bobby. That’s a very big bowl.
This advertisement’s font choices were appropriate when it appeared in the January 18, 1900 edition of The Chatham Record, but a century on it reads:
“Always on hand a lot of Lumber (honk!) both dressed and undressed. Also Framing and Shingles. Bills cut to order.
A supply of Coffins (fweeee!) and Caskets (ah-ooogah!) always on hand, from $2 to $100 in price. Will be delivered at any time, either day or night.”
Works for me.
This advertisement for Grape-Nuts cereal is from the December 13, 1916 edition of The Chatham Record.
I find the slogan “There’s a Reason” fascinating in its vagueness. What are people wondering about? How do Grape-Nuts figure into this mystery?
Here’s an advertisement from the April 17, 1902 edition of The Chatham Record.
I’m going to assume that’s the horse’s “before” face. Squealing brakes do that to me too.
In this era of The Chatham Record, advertisements sometimes emulated the style of legitimate news reporting. For example, this “article” from the May 13, 1908 edition promises to get to the bottom of a question supposedly on the tongue of every Chatham County resident.
Substitute “Credit Score” for “Peruna”, and this could show up on your facebook feed.
If anyone wants to put together a cautionary presentation to illustrate the fate of the fabled “buggy whip salesman” (you know, the guy your economics teacher told you about), I have a visual aid for you courtesy the May 21, 1907 edition of The Chatham Record.
From the March 22, 1906 edition of The Chatham Record.
See also:
“War is not at all what he thought it would be.” – General William T. Sherman
