Yello-Bole

Playboy Oct. 1968

I doubt that!  Look at the girl right there!  She's got a Yello-Bole and there seems to be no reason why she shouldn't! Listen, buster, if you think you can keep the ladies away from Yello-Bole, then you're in for a surprise.  Hmmph!  Trying to tell us Yello-Boles are only for men... the nerve!

Interwoven Socks

Playboy Oct. 1968

Lower ad text:  Our anklets don't hang around your shoetops. Our mid-calf socks don't become anklets. And our Over-the-Calf styles don't fall under. They're all made the special Shur-up way with spandex stretch fiber throughout the leg. Trim-ribbed Ban-Lon in every color you'd want.  One size fits 10 to 13.  From $1.50. You don't get to be the greatest name in socks without putting your foot down.  Another fine product of Kayser-Roth.

Revlon Cologne

Playboy Sept. 1964

   This ad pretty much says it all.  Women dig it.  "That Man" is dug by women.  Reason enough to buy it.

Lord Jeff Sweater

Playboy Sept. 1964

   After Christmas, I bet most of you got a sweater of some sort, so I decided to post up some retro sweater action.
Ad text:  Woolama.  Puts a gleam in a man's eye - irresistable to women. Full fashioned sweater; saddle shoulders; imported baby lamb's wool.  Lord Jeff.

Seagrams 7 Crown

Playboy Jan. 1969

   Merry Christmas!  I'll just leave you this classy gift of fancy whiskey!
Ad text:
   You feel good giving it. They feel good getting it. And that's what Christmas giving is all about, isn't it? (decanter and regular bottle gift-packaged at no extra charge.)
   Give Seagrams 7 Crown and Be Sure.

Fundador Brandy

Playboy Jan. 1969

     Read the ad text.  Just... just read it.  This must be the Brandy of Knowledge of Good and Evil, based on the story told therein.

Remington Auto-Home Shaver and AMX

Playboy Jan. 1969

     I found this one right after I showed you this last week.  I've been giving American Motors a hard time, so here's a pretty harmless ad for an odd pairing of razors and sportscars.

     What is interesting is the razor pictured above was apparently printed in several positions, and you won the car by comparing that picture to one in an AMC dealership.  I'd be curious to see what the winning ads looked like.  Anyone out there have a similar copy of this ad we could compare this one to?

American Motors AMX

Playboy Jan. 1969

     This ad is another in the same series as this one I showed a while back.  It follows the formula of comparing one of American's offerings to it's competitors.  Last time, I bashed the Javelin for being compared to the Mustang, which history proved to be the better (or at least more popular) car.  This time, I don't know what to say.  There isn't a car to compare the AMX to.  I'm sure the ad is trying to say "the AMX is like no other car out there!" but I'm really getting a "we didn't want to bother finding a car to compare it to" vibe here.  As I recall (readers feel free to correct me), the AMX was intended as a competitor for the souped-up Mustangs and Camaros that Ford and Chevy were putting out in those days.  Again, it lost the war as time saw American Motors bellyup and Ford and Chevy still chugging along.

Mardi Gras, Avion, and Daytona Beach

National Geographic 1964

     Lots of magazines of yesteryear (and even nowadays, actually) ran full-page multi-ads. I didn't bother splitting this page into individual ones, since they are all travel-oriented.  We've got a push for Mardi Gras in Louisiana, a resort in Daytona Beach, and a happy couple trying to sell you an Airstream knockoff.  And airmail stamps, for collectors.  Enjoy today's 4-for-1 deal on ads!

1964 Thunderbird

National Geographic 1964

    It's good sometimes to take a minute to appreciate the simple things in life, and to remember that things haven't always been so easy.  Take this Thunderbird for example.  The car was considered luxurious and well-optioned when it had a padded armrest, seat belt and fuel-level and door-ajar warning lights, and retractable seat belts.  Nowadays we'd be astounded should they be absent.  Yet, they were once features to be advertised. Oh, how times have changed.

Hamilton Ladies' Watches

National Geographic 1964

   Ha!  The joke is that women aren't going to obediently look only at the top picture while their husbands peruse the watches below.  They're going to look at both, and the surprise will be ruined.  Thanks, Hamilton.  You ruined Christmas.

Broomsticks Slacks

Playboy Sept. 1964

     OH NO!  That woman is kneeling on that tiny man's shoulder!  Really though, you'd think they could have tried a little harder to edit the man into a more believable position, instead of obviously in the foreground of this picture.   Regardless, I thought this was an interesting ad since it appears to be advertising both the pants and the Mustang.

Martini and Rossi

Playboy Sept. 1966

    I'm sure everyone who's ever had a Martini knows Martini & Rossi.  It's more or less the staple vermouth for bars.  There are better vermouths to be had, but this is the one everyone knows.

    You know how I know this ad is from the sixties?  Beaded curtains.  Groovy.

Wren Shirts

Playboy Sept. 1964

     Here's another example of art in advertising.  Rather than a photo of their product, Wren Shirts Ltd. has opted to illustrate a Cary Grant-eque man wearing plaid.  Not a bad strategy, I suppose.  Makes the ad more memorable than another photo of another model.

Gilbey's Vodka

Playboy Sept. 1966

     I've tried Gilbey's, and I do have to say that it's a pretty decent vodka for the price.  It's priced a step above Aristocrat and a little below Absolut, so for the money it's a good buy.  Still, I don't think I'd take it over vodkas that have actual Russian on the bottles.

Winston Cigarettes

Playboy. Sept. 1966

     That man is the best dressed vandal I've ever seen.  That is all.

Toyota Corona

Playboy  Oct. 1968

    Toyota has always been a producer of small, cheap, reasonably reliable cars for the masses.  Some of them are now collectible and I've personally seen a Corona or two at shows and featured in magazines.  This is actually the third generation of Corona.

Budweiser and Checkers

Playboy Nov. 1967

     Solid logic, Bud.  Solid.

     What I want to know is, why do beer ads in the 60's all showing beer in wine/champagne glasses?  or goblets, as the case may be?  Were pints not in style then?  Whats the deal?

     Also, is Budweiser still aged in beechwood?  What does that add to the beer that other processes do not?

Winston

Playboy Jan. 1969

    In the 60's a lot of advertisers used artsy hand-painted ads in garish colors.  Some of them were actually quite pleasing to look at.  I'm not sure if I'm a fan of these colors, but the art is certainly fun.  Kind of reminds me of Hello, Dolly.

Saving Up for the Big Bucks

National Geographic 1964

     That's a large dollar.  Not sure where you could spend it.  It's definitely worth more in silver than it is at face-value.  Impractical.

     And everyone knows it.  That man's just reading his paper, holding up his giant coin, while passers-by give him all kinds of looks.  Incredulity (slouch hat on left).  Awe (glasses second from right).  Lust (Mlle Turquoise and Lady Fur-Shawl).  And then there's Spite.  The fedora immediately left of the dollar-haver is exuding pure malice; he just knows that dollar-haver is going to try and use that thing for bus fare.  And it's going to take all day long.  Jerk.

1964 Cadillac

National Geographic 1964

Although the term "six-fo" usually refers to a lowrider '64 Impala, here's a six-fo I'd prefer.  Cadillac's offering in 1964 had those tail-fins we all know and love, and was "tucking rim" well before the Volkswagen and Honda scenesters were.

Though I want to know how he managed to park his car in the middle of the street at 4:40 p.m. (see the clock in the background). Where's the New York traffic at?

William Barry - Catching Fire!

Playboy Sept. 1964

In light of the recent box office hit Catching Fire, I found this ad to be quite topical.  See the first line.  Of course, this isn't about the movie.  Apparently, these men are in imminent danger of combusting.  And they look good doing it.

Note for the interested:  That trench coat costs "about" $40, which is "about" $292 in modern dollars.

Honda 90

Playboy  Sept. 1964

     Man, that girl loves tubas.  That man loves that girl.  They both love that scooter.  That girl is riding sidesaddle, which seems precarious.  Why is she in a bathing suit?  Was she at the beach, and if so, why does she have the tuba?  Was the man at the beach in a suit?  These are some of the questions that pop into my head as I look at this ad.  Introducing the Honda 90.

Thanksgiving Gift: Fall Getaway

Playboy Nov. 1968

     Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!  In trying to keep in the Thanksgiving spirit, I tried to find the most Autumn-oriented ad I had on hand to share.

Colt 45

Playboy Jan. 1969

This quick and to-the-point ad showcases everyone's favorite malt liquor.  Of course, by everyone I mean "every hobo."  I'm not sure I've seen Colt 45 in anything other than a 40oz., but apparently cans are still available.  So "sixy."  Get it?

Tareyton's Charcoal Filter

Playboy Oct. 1968

That's friggin' adorable.  A wee sweater for your cigarette.  

Ford Country Squire

National Geographic 1964

     Look at that woody!  Starting off our Monday with some good old-fashioned family transport, this Country Squire is a beautiful example of the wood-clad cars of America's history.  

Starfire

National Geographic 1964

It's been brought to my attention that some people are having problems reading the smaller text on some of these ads.  Blogger doesn't give me much control of the zooming capabilities of my pictures, so when an ad features small text, I'll try and include a typed-out version in my post.

Yardley of London

Playboy Jan. 1969

It seems a little late that the Christmas ads were published in January.  Yardley of London here is showcasing several of their perfume sets for gifting to one's lady-friends.  Perfect for all those swingy girls you know!

I.W. Harper

Playboy Jan. 1969

Here we have I.W. Harper bourbon, a brand which I've never heard of before.  Does anyone know if it's still available?

Firestone

Playboy Sept. 1964

The first time the Indy 500 was driven on one set of tires.  Continuously.  That's pretty impressive, but I'd like someone with a better knowledge of Indycar history to weigh in on this.  Particularly, because I'm pretty sure that most Indy races nowadays aren't run on one single set of tires.  I may be wrong, but I think this is true.

London Fog

Playboy Sept. 1964

It's always a good time when London Fog breaks down the history of waterproof animals.  Look at all the fowl puns in this ad!

Lowenbrau

Playboy Oct. 1968

Champagne is typically pretty expensive, soooo... Lowenbrau is a pretty expensive beer?  Is that really how they want to represent this?  Am I missing something here?

McGregor

Playboy Oct. 1968

Not much to say about this. These men, presumably Scots, like to wear plaid and leather.  Some like suede and wool as well.  They tend sheep and live on a manor all together with their berets.  And they look good doing it.  In a 1968 kind of way.

Pall Mall

Playboy Nov. 1967

What is Pall Mall doing here?  Are they really trying to sell me a cigarette that takes longer to smoke than I have time to smoke it in?  I've got a meeting in five minutes!  I've got places to be!  Why should I pay for more cigarette, then just throw away two minute's worth of tobacco?

AMC Javelin

Playboy Nov. 1967

Here we see the classic American muscle car.  It's got a timeless shape, and a reputation for performance to back up that mean facade.  It's one of the most sought-after cars amongst hot-rodders and gearheads, but is equally well known by non-car-folk.  It's been the car of choice for both movie stars and the characters they play.  It is the feature car in one of the greatest car chases in film history.  Your dad tells stories of his college buddies that drove this car.  Heads turn when one drives by.  In fact, it looks so good that when the fifth redesign came out, they tried to make it look like the old one. It's as much a part of American culture as baseball and apple pie.

The Ford Mustang.

Also shown is a competitor's vehicle that was only sold for 8 years, with a redesign in the middle.  The company that built it went on to go out of business.  Yeah.  Hot stuff.

To be fair, the Javelin is pretty collectible, and a lot of people do seek them out and restore them.  You do get a lot of people reminiscing about them.  There were Javelins in Hollywood flicks. They're not terrible looking cars.  I don't personally dislike the Javelin; it's rather attractive.  But one of those cars is still for sale, in one form or another.  And it's not AMC's offering.

Grant's 8

Playboy, Jan. 1969

The first advertisement to kick off this blog!  We start with a libation: Grant's 8 scotch.  I found this ad to be interesting because it employs a strategy that you don't often see in advertising today: telling you not to buy it.  This is a pretty common strategy in the 60's-70's, based on the ads I've seen.  Keep following this blog, and you'll probably see some more examples of it too.