Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: advertising characters

The reverse of an advertising wheel chart promoting the use of electricity. For more information, see the front side . The average cost of operating an electric refrigerator of about 7 cu. ft. capacity is $1.40 per month. The cost to heat water on the off peak heat storage rate for an average family using a 50 gallon electric heater is about $3.50 per month. The cost of using an electric range for an average family is less than $3.00 per month. Note: The hours of use shown on the other side are based on the cost of current in each step of the Residence Tariff. Whitehead-Hoag, Newark, N.J.

In January 1934, the Philadelphia Electric Company (now PECO) was the first utility to license the Reddy Kilowatt character to promote electricity usage, according to Wikipedia. The early date may explain why Reddy's first name is misspelled as "Ready" on this advertising wheel chart , which demonstrates how far 5 cents worth of electricity goes in operating appliances like clocks, coffee percolators, and radios. See also the other side of this wheel chart. Philadelphia Electric Company For 5c spent for electricity you can operate your electric appliances fort the number of hours indicated in opening, says Ready Kilowatt (Your Electrical Servant). Hours--If your monthly electric bill is from 75c to $2.75; $2.75 to $5.00; over $5.00. 100 watt lamp. Hand iron. Vacuum cleaner. Washer. Radio. Toaster. Percolator. Fan. Clock. 60 watt lamp.

The back of this Good Humor Man paper mask from the 1960s gives assembly instructions (push out the perforated ear flaps, attach elastic band, put it around your head) and then advises, "Hi, now you're a Good Humor Man, too. Always remember why Good Humor Ice Cream is by far the best. Good Humors are made from sweet ice cream and delicious fresh fruits.... And Good Humors are covered with a thick layer of rich Dutch chocolate." Yum!

"Member, Kolonel Keds' Space Patrol. Name ________ Address ________ City ________ State ________ Is entitled to all privileges of membership in Kolonel Keds' Space Patrol and may take part in all activities, open or secret, of the patrol. U.S. Keds." For more information, see the front of this Kolonel Keds' Space Patrol card :

"Kolonel Keds personally certifies that bearer, whose name is on back of this card, is a member of Kolonel Keds' Space Patrol. Kolonel Keds." What kid in the 1960s wouldn't want to wear Keds sneakers and be a member of Kolonel Keds' Space Patrol! See below for the back of the card . In a later, less Martian-like incarnation, the Kolonel was portrayed by an actor wearing Keds and a Bell Rocket Belt , who swooped down from the sky in TV commercials and did heroic stuff like saving a school bus from an avalanche. Head over to YouTube and see it for yourself: Keds Sneakers with Jet Pack Kolonel Keds .

"Quaker Rolled White Oats. Manufactured by the American Cereal Co. Address: Chicago, Ill., U.S.A. Use only Quaker brand rolled oats. Pure Quaker Oats. 2 pounds. A Family Affair." Five views of a nineteenth-century metamorphic trade card, which--as it's unfolded--changes from a Quaker Oats cereal box to a scene of children eating cereal at the breakfast table (with the Quaker Oats man lurking in the background).

"Mister Softee Cart Wheel. The very best sandwich. Ice milk. Net contents, 3 fl. ozs. Mr. Softee, Runnemede, N.J."

An undated red-border Kodachrome slide (probably 1950s). The Humpty Dumpty Potato Chip Company was originally a U.S. company (now it's called Humpty Dumpty Snack Foods and is based in Canada), and I believe that this photo of a Humpty Dumpty Potato Chips factory was taken somewhere in Maine in the 1950s.

A snapshot of "Johnny Gaso" (or "Gasso"), who was the "host of Wonderland," which was located in the Gas Exhibits Building at the New York World's Fair. The Johnny Gaso character was played by actors of short stature. For another photo, see the NYPL Digital Gallery's Gas Industries - Johnny Gasso, "Uncle Don" and man image. As Andrew F. Wood explains in his book New York's 1939-1940 World's Fair (Charleston, S.C.: Arcadia, 2004), p. 104, visitors to the Gas Exhibits Building in 1940 saw a "Gas Wonderland" that included "mystery gardens, disappearing dwarfs, flaming cactus plants, and Tiny Town with talking houses."

"Shepard Stern, representing Planters Nut and Chocolate Company, Suffolk, Va., Atlanta, Ga., Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Planters Peanuts, 5¢." "Reminder! Order Planters Peanuts. Thank you."

A rather macabre message on a National Refining Company "boy with slate" label that advertised En-Ar-Co Motor Oils and White Rose Gasoline.