All-American Ads of the 50s

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A plethora of 1950s ads covering just about anything the dollar could buy, from Las Vegas vacations to cigarettes as healthy mood enhancers. More than a record of bygone products and campaigns, these colorful ads provide an evocative record of everyday American life when McCarthyism was rife and capitalism was king.

As McCarthyism swept across the United States and capitalism was king, white America enjoyed a feeling of pride and security that was reflected in advertising. Carelessly flooding society with dangerous misinformation, companies in the 50s promoted everything from vacations in Las Vegas, where guests could watch atomic bombs detonate, to cigarettes as healthy mood-enhancers, promoted by a baby who claims his mother feels better after she smokes a Marlboro. Oh, and “Have you noticed how many of your neighbors are using Herman Miller furniture these days?” If only you could really travel back in time and pick up a few chairs for your collection.

Edited by Jim Heimann. Published by Taschen in 2018. Hardcover, measures 10 x 7.7 inches, 640 pages. ISBN 9783836551328

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