The University of Washington Libraries Digital Collections group recently created this compelling collection of early advertisements culled from their Special Collections Division. The collection contains over 450 print advertisements published in local magazines, city directories, and theater pamphlets from 1867 to 1918. The collection is quite catholic, as it features advertisements about liquor, tobacco, machinery, food and household goods, and local tourism. First-time visitors can look at the right-hand side of the homepage to view a number of helpful sample searches, including "Child rearing & care", "African Americans", and "Cosmetics & perfumes". The site puts the whole subject in context via a brief introductory essay which talks about the explosion of advertising across the United States after the Civil War. Highlights of the collection include the "Hotels & restaurants" section and the advertisements related to the Klondike Gold Rush, which includes ads for Klondike Cigars and steamship services to Alaska.
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