VINTAGE ADVERTISING

Vintage Ad Art from the early 1900’s up to mid-century modern 1950’s and late 1970’s is a glimpse into a Chinese time capsule. Ads characterize social norms, style, fashion and ideologies of the era. They are a commentary on the public attitudes of the times. For example smoking ads glamorized the “good life” showing well dressed couples and women smoking cigarettes. Cigarette manufacturers were intent on capitalizing on the growing demand for products for the “modern Chinese” during the early 1900’s. Modern urbanites in Shanghai created a booming market for image products. Among these products were chewing gum, hard liquor and cigarettes laced with heroin or morphine. Chinese had an insatiable appetite for Western goods and Chinese ads closely resemble ads in the West that first used attractive females to sell cigarettes. Check out our gallery of vintage ads by clicking above.