Advertisements from Thanksgivings Past

Advertisements that appeared in The Saturday Evening Post from 1901 to 1950 offered plenty of ideas for the Thanksgiving table, selling everything from ham to chewing gum to cigarettes.

Detail from ad for Libby’s Mince Meat from November 13, 1920

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Libby’s “Natural Flavor” Food Products
October 26, 1901

 

Gold Medal Flour
November 4, 1911

 

 

Campbell’s Soups
December 1, 1923

 

Post’s Bran Flakes
November 15, 1924

 

Kraft Cheese
November 14, 1925

 

Pet Evaporated Milk
December 3, 1927

 

Wrigley’s Double Mint Chewing Gum
November 24, 1928

 

Camel Cigarettes
November 28, 1931

 

Maxwell House Coffee
December 1, 1934
Canada Dry Ginger Ale
November 28, 1936

 

Stokely’s
October 25, 1947

 

Armour Ham
November 15, 1947

 

Kraft Cheese
November 18, 1950

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Comments

  1. What exactly is “Old English” Cheese? Apparently it’s not sold in Southern US Rural Areas? I wouldn’t mind trying sometime.
    Tomato Soup with the Turkey?…..I don’t think so….Just the thought makes me want to throw up.
    Not a bad idea to have Ginger Ale as a beverage option for Thanksgiving. If not that, perhaps 7-Up…
    Also, not a bad idea to tie in the consumption of Bran Flakes to help one flush the waste out after all the food consumption.
    Also, not a idea to offer Peppermints to aid in the digestion.
    Finally, I wouldn’t mind having duck as a meat option for Thanksgiving…..Daffy. I’m coming for you…Heh, heh, heh…

  2. I’m no fan of American cheese at all. but love this 1925 ad. It’s really beautiful, and arguably years ahead in the graphics, layout and design. The blue background corner to corner really draws the eyes to the well placed/angled pictures. Kind of hard to tell if it’s art or photography, but I’m leaning toward the former.

    The PET Evaporated Milk ad is definitely ’20s-style, without question. Love the fantasy of the watercolor here, which nicely contrasts to the way the gravy container and saucer was drawn. The Wrigley’s Double Mint Chewing Gum has great artwork too. Has a bit of a ‘Wizard of Oz’ vibe, actually. Don’t you wish gum still came in packs like that? I do.

    The CAMELS ad is definitely the ’30s, early as it is. I see no one stood up with the cig already in his or her mouth, and let the candle light it. Never. These people had manners that need a comeback. Love everything about the ’34 Maxwell House ad. From the pictures, placement and ad copy, to the always eye-catching, friendly cursive in red.

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