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The Art of Advertising

There's an art to selling, as any ad man or woman will tell you. And Britain's screen advertising has been among the most artistically ambitious of all. 

This collection highlights the evolution of an extraordinarily dynamic industry, from its first faltering steps in the earliest days of film, to the highly sophisticated mini-masterpieces of the television age. It showcases the astonishing variety of approaches, strategies and tricks advertisers have used to part us with our money - entertaining us even as they subtly manipulate us with promises of a new, tastier, brighter, cleaner, healthier and better life.

14 items in this collection
A gentleman cyclist learns the error of his ways in one of the earliest surviving British film advertisements.

Rudge-Whitworth - Britain's Best Bicycle

  • 1902

Bee Wise!

  • 1946

The Warning (Gibbs S.R. Toothpaste)

  • 1941

Every Man His Own Housewife (Persil Advert)

  • 1940

Barbara's Secret

  • Devon
  • 1923

Molar Mischief (Solidox Advert)

  • 1946
One of the earliest surviving British adverts

The Spirit of His Forefathers

  • 1900

Murder in the Air

  • 1935

At Home with Joy Shelton An Advertising Feature

  • 1955

Signs of the Times No.3

  • 1950

Bairns-Wear Wools and Woollies - For Boys and Girls

  • Sherwood
  • 1960-01-01