Vintage Advertising

Before the advent of digital publishing, toy companies like Kenner typically produced ad mats for retailers to use to advertise their product lines.

Kenner’s 1973 advertisement for the Give-A-Show Projector promoted new entertainment options for the toy’s 14th anniversary.

When loaded with beads, Jewel Magic produced “oodles of baubles ‘n bangles” at the turn of its handle.

An advertisement from 1982 for tabletop arcade games from Coleco.

Released in 1976 from Tomy, Mr. Mouth was a tiddledywinks-influenced game of skill and coordination for children ages 5 and up.

A mashup of educational toy, creative design tool, mathematics lesson, and arts-and-crafts project, Spirograph was first marketed in the UK and migrated stateside in 1966.

Rev ‘N Roar mimicked the function of a manual transmission, allowing kids to shift from first to fourth gear to get their car on the road.

“Olympic-size skittle bowl, it’s like having a bowling alley in your backyard or playroom.”

Decked out in a glamorous magenta and white leotard with matching wrap-around skirt, Fashion Fragrance Darci came with a small bottle of perfume that allowed kids to smell just like her.