Vintage Magazine Advertisements

SPARK

Vintage

Magazine

MARCH 2020 Advertisements

By Steve Ellis

About 15 years ago, a display of vintage magazine ads at the Allegan Antiques Market caught Phil Horton’s attention. He caught the bug and began picking up old magazines at yard sales, fl ea markets and anywhere else he could fi nd them. Phil has now amassed a collection of over 5000 colorful full-page ads, illustrations and magazine covers from the “Golden Age” of advertising. From the late 1800’s through the mid-1960’s, magazines were the dominant media during this era; magazines like Collier’s, McCall’s, Harpers Weekly and The Saturday Evening Post. Their gorgeous front covers and full color ads helped sell millions of copies. The earlier ones were published before photography and computer generated graphics became the norm. The covers and ads were designed by some of the top artists of the day. The eyecatching illustrations, for everything from the latest automobiles, tooth paste, beauty products, travel, cigarettes, beer and Coca Cola, were true works of art. Phil began removing the ads from the magazines and mounting and framing the best ones. His entire collection is on display in his beautiful old barn in Lawton. He recently has put over 500 of these ad images and covers on a website where they are available to appreciate and purchase high quality copies. The website is centuryinart.com. Phil Horton can be reached at phil.wellspring@gmail.com

A selection of Phil’s great collection can be seen at the Schoolcraft Library through March 27. There will be an artist’s reception on March 4 from 6-7pm. The public is invited to attend.