Ultra Swank - Retro Adventures

Retro Christmas Advertisements from Mid-Century America

Written by Chris Alm • December 20th, 2012
Retro Christmas Advertisements from Mid-Century America

The magic of the winter night

Christmas is around the corner and to celebrate this magical holiday we are featuring a few samples of holiday related advertisements and imagery from 1946 and 1964, courtesy of Roger Wilkerson’s collection.

To me, the hand drawn illustrations and images in mid-century advertisements are the epitome of style and warmth. They really show-off how talented advertising America were some 50-60 years ago. That fine attention to design and pseudo-realism really grabs me and makes me secretly wish that’s the way the holiday season would look every year.

So, from all of us, to all of you – Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah and a Happy New Year!

What is Santa Claus bringing you this Christmas?

Source Roger Wilkerson    Thanks Alexandra

Above: Better bundle up, it’s cold out there!

Above: “That Jukebox would look divine in our living room, dear!”

Above: Make it a very Thermos Christmas, 1957

Above: Christmas Shopping, art by John Falter

Above: Christmas Shopping Center circa 1960

Above: Christmas Morning – art by Douglass Crockwell, 1948

Above: Gathering on the Town Square

Above: “How on earth did you get your car stuck in our front yard?”

Chris Alm

Christopher founded Ultra Swank in 2005. Has a crush on mid-century graphic design, defunct airlines, Disneyland and the Century 21 Exposition. Is a collector of easy listening music from the 60s and 70s and a Swedish expat living in Barcelona, Spain.

Find out more about Chris Alm

Get all the goods straight to your inbox