I love soup……a lot. Maybe too much. I could honestly eat it morning, new and night. And when my husband goes away on trips or even for just a night he always stocks up on yummy soups for me to eat. He knows me that well. HA!

Now one of the soups that has a strong hold on my childhood memories and is still a staple in my home today is Campbell’s Soup. I remember it being served when I was sick (chicken noodle), when I wanted grilled cheese and tomato soup and it is in my mom’s famous tuna casserole (nothing is better). It truly was & is loved.

So for today’s post I wanted to show a bunch of vintage Campbell’s soup ads from the 1920s-1960s that I found on the internet. Maybe it will bring back some nostalgia for some of my readers as well as give you ideas for your next dinner.

Let’s see what I found!

SEPTEMBER 24TH, 2024 UPDATE: Campbell’s Soup has removed the “Soup” out of their name to better represent all the items the company sells.

Source: eBay

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

Brief Early History of the Campbell’s Soup Company (Source):

The story of Campbell Soup began more than 140 years ago when Joseph Campbell, a fruit merchant, and Abraham Anderson, an icebox maker, formed the Joseph Campbell Preserve Company in Camden, New Jersey producing and selling canned fruits and vegetable preserves.

It wasn’t until 1897 that the concept of condensed soup was born with much thanks to John T. Dorrance. Condensed soup revolutionized how North Americans could easily and quickly feed their families with affordable, delicious and nourishing soup.

The new condensed soup was easier to transport and by reducing the quantity of water, the volume of an individual can was greatly reduced which made it economical.

Soon the Company expanded to 21 kinds of condensed soups, all of which sold for 10 cents a can.

1918 Campell’s Soup Ad. Source: Vintage Ad Browser

Campbell’s Soup Comes to Canada!

On November 28, 1930, the wholesome, convenient goodness of the famous “red and white label” finally came to Canada. Nine months later in New Toronto, just north of Lake Ontario, Campbell’s Toronto Plant opened its doors and quite literally fired-up the kettles!

Some can still remember the early days, when the start of tomato soup production season marked the town with “help needed” notices written on the sidewalks of Lakeshore Boulevard in chalk.

John Baycroft drives his wagon southbound onThird Street in New Toronto in the late 1940s. Behind him is the 1931 Campbell’s Soup plant at 60 Birmingham Street, which still operates there today. – Courtesy/John Baycroft

Source: Toronto.com

Cook with Campbell’s!

The idea to use condensed soup in recipes originated in a cookbook entitled “Helps for the Hostess” that was published in 1916

Source: Etsy

After the Second World War, Campbell home economists cooked up recipes like “GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE” (Created in 1955) that fed scores of baby boomers and became classic dishes that live on today.

Source: Pinterest

Last fun bit of history!

The classic red-and-white can design used by many Campbell’s branded products has become an American icon, and its use in pop art was typified by Andy Warhol’s series of Campbell’s Soup Cans prints (Source).

Source: MoMA

Vintage Advertising for Campbell’s Soup Company

Now it’s time for the vintage ads!

1928 Campbell’s Vegetable Soup ad. “Why women like this modern way for “Making” Vegetable Soup”.

Source: eBay

1929 Vintage Ad. “Eat your vegetables children! They are good for you”!

Source: Etsy

“4 delicious ways to give your child more milk: Tomato Soup, Pea Soup, Celery Soup and Asparagus Soup”. 1937 Vintage Ad.

Source: Flickr

“When they come for a minute and stay for a meal. Your’re always ready when you’ve Campbell’s Soups on hand-tempting, nourishing, satisfying. 1930s Vintage ad.

Source: Etsy

“Soups….with IDEAS! Here are tempting dishes to go with each soup”-1944 Vintage Ad.

Examples of what to serve with Chicken Soup:

• Stuffed Green Peppers
• Frankfurter and potato salad

Examples of what to serve with Pea Soup:

• Jellied Tomato and Chicken Salad
• Corn Fritters with Bacon

Examples of what to serve with Vegetable Soup:

• Creamed eggs on Toast
• Chicken Shortcake

Further Reading:Vintage Cooking Recipes as seen in Vintage Ads from the 1930s-1950s

Source: eBay

1945 Vintage Campbell’s Soup Ad: “Wouldn’t I be silly to make it myself?”.

Liz Note: Her hair is so cute in this ad!

Source: Etsy

1945 Campbell’s Soup Christmas Print Ad- “3 Cheers for Mother”.

Source: Etsy

Vintage 1951 Campbell’s Soup Print Ad – “Soup for Lunch”. Survey says it’s the favorite noon dish! What is your favorite combo?

Further Reading: A Nostalgic Look: Vintage Back-to-School Photos and Ads from the 1930s-1960s

Source: Etsy

1950s Vintage ad. Are you a Tomato Soup with water kind of person? Or a Cream of Tomato with milk person? I’m the cream kind.

Source: Etsy

Campbell’s Tomato Soup Recipes, 1958. “Red, hot’n rave dishes-Tomato Soup Specials”.

• Tomato Barbecued Chicken
• Baked Creole Pork Chops
• Chili Meat Balls

Source: eBay

1952 Vintage ad for Campbell’s Clam Chowder.

Source: Etsy

“Souper Special Budget Beaters” – Campbell’s Soup Ad from 1959 featuring recipes for a ‘Souper Casserole’ & a ‘Souper Scramble’.

Source: Etsy-VintageVirus

1964 Campbell’s Soup Home Economics Department Tested Recipes:

• Biscuit Chicken Pie
• Casserole Italiano
• Pork Chop & Potato Scallop

Source: eBay

Hope you enjoyed these fun vintage ads!

Share your favourite soup or soup recipe using Campbell’s in the comments section below.

Further Reading: Vintage Food Blog Posts 1920s-1960s (Archived posts).

Liz