Trolley Car Advertising Sign Catalog - 1912
In the first two decades of the twentieth century, when advertising
was in its infancy, many retail establishments and manufacturing
companies used public transportation as their preferred promotional
choice. At that time there was a well established network of inter
and intra city trolley companies. It was feasible to travel long
distances from large cities to far flung rural towns by transferring
from one line to another. The trolley car advertising sign was
an effective and inexpensive way to reach a large number of people.
New products could be introduced, retailers could promote seasonal
items, and established products could keep their name before the
public. Businesses could change the graphics or the text regularly
and with ease. We are delighted to offer what we believe to be
a great find - a catalog of trolley car signs. It includes a cover
letter from the home office to the New Rochelle, New York office
of Street Railways Advertising Company, dated January 26, 1912.
They sent the catalog to their offices around the country to inform
them of their new campaign to identify the dominant department
store in a city. Local offices are asked to identify anyone who
can make a decision about advertising and then urge them to sign
with SRA. There are 19 unique catalog pages and one triplicate,
each with 15 small signs pictured on the front. Some of the double-sided
pages have one large picture or 4 medium sized pictures on the
back. They have representative signs for the following businesses:
banks, department stores, dry cleaning, florists, furniture, credit
furniture, furs, miscellaneous, pianos, trust companies, newspapers,
and candy. Some of the pages are stained or have paper loss, all
have small tears or nicks. Altogether they provide a fascinating
look at early advertising. Offered as a lot. (Stock number 003TrolleyCarCatalog)
$350.00
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