Everyone needs a towel, including my mom who was just in town visiting and I went to grab her a towel for a shower and…no towels. WHAT?! How is this possible? No clue, but how embarrassing that I had to use a pool towel for my mom? Oh Liz. Ha!

This dilemma inspired me to explore the world of vintage towel advertising from the 1920s to the 1950s. Towels are an everyday essential—whether it’s hand towels, beach towels, or shower towels, we all use them. So, let’s dive into the these ads!

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

Vintage Towel Advertising 1920s-1950s

“Color Magic-with Cannon!” “$0.39 to $2.95” for the towels. 1950s advertisement.

Disclaimer: There is going to be quite a few Cannon towel ads in this post.

Source: Etsy-AmericaCenturyShop

1924 ‘Martex Turkish towels, bath mats & wash cloths.

Source: Etsy-AmericaCenturyShop

1939 Smart hand loomed finger towels. Handwoven by girls who earn while they learn. Berea College Student Industries Berea, Kentucky.

Source: Pinterest

“New quick luxury drying at popular prices”. “Cone Towels with the super-spongy texture and bath-beauty colors”. 1951 advertisement.

Love the cute towel fishes in the ad.

Source: Etsy-AmericaCenturyShop

1932 Cannon Towel ad. “Good news-for the friends of the bride-to-be….This Spring’s Cannon Towels are sweet and low!”

Further Reading: The Wedding Gift that keeps on giving-Vintage ads for the future bride

Source: Etsy-AmericanCenturyShop

1940 Cannon Towels ad. The 1940s fashions and the colours and designs for these towels are fantastic.

Source: Etsy-PlentifulPages

Dundee Beach Towels, 1950.

“Dreamhouse Perspectives. Exactly as you pictured it!”. Here is another fun 1950s Dundee towel ad, this time for your home.

Source: Etsy-PlentifulPages

Helping the war effort is hard & grimy work and women factory workers need a towel that can make them feel wonderful after. Thanks Cannon! 1940s advertisement.

Further Reading: World War 2 Women’s Contributions & Homefront Posts

Source: Pinterest

1926 Martex Towels “helps you not get a cold”, at least according to this ad.

Source: Etsy-RelicEclectic

1930s vintage ad for bathroom towels from Cannon. I love the towels featured in this ad.

Source: Etsy-AmericanCenturyShop

1952 Christmas ad for Cannon Towels. “Merry Christmas with Cannon Gifts Sets”. How fun are the sets? So 1950s kitschy.

Source: Etsy-PlentifulPages

“For smart & useful gifts, bath towel sets by Martex”.

I like the patterns for these bath towels in this 1931 ad.

Source: eBay

“Where does all the wet go, Mum?”. 1945 Ausmill towel ad. “The Guaranteed Towel”.

Source: Archive.org

Question: Was Cannon Towels the only brand doing advertising during the time periods in this post? I found it kind of odd that it was so hard to find other brands to share. Any insights welcome! Comment below.

Further Reading (archived):

• Vintage Advertising 1920s-1960s
• Vintage Home Inspiration (archived collection of blog posts)

Thanks for dropping by!

Liz

I love looking back at vintage advertisements to see what people were buying to outfit the interiors of their homes. From flooring, to wallpaper and even Formica tables, the advertising was everywhere.

Today’s post is for all kinds of furniture ads (not just one kind) from the 1920s to the 1960s with their vibrant colors, playful illustrations, and clever copy that grabs your attention and transports you back in time.

Let’s take a look!

1958 Bassett Furniture ad-Source: Etsy-PlentifulPages

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.

Note: If the item you clicked on is no longer available, just do a search for like items. There are loads of vintage items being added to Etsy and eBay daily!

Vintage Furniture Advertising 1920s-1960s

I’m a sucker for classic Mid Century furniture pieces (and great wallpaper) like in this 1950s advertisement for the ‘Baumritter’s care free VIKO collection“.

“Yesterday’s basement transformed into a delightful, livable family-room”. ” Constructed of tubular steel, plastic upholstery, and heat and stain resistant plastic table tops for long, family service.”

Further Reading: Vintage Photos of Wallpaper Designs in Mid Century Homes

Source: eBay

1950 Samson Folding Furniture ad-“For tots…teens…and twenties”

Source: Etsy-PlentifulPages

1920 advertisement for Velmo Mohair Upholstery Fabric by LC Chase of Sanford Mills Maine.

While not technically an advertisement for furniture, it’s for what goes ON the furniture and I very much enjoyed the couch and chair featured in the ads illustration. So I decided to add it to the mix.

Source: eBay

Simmons Hide-A-Bed 1950 vintage advertisement featuring images of how the bed looks in the living room and how to easily pulls out to house guests.

Source: Etsy-PlentifulPages

One more sofa bed ad because I love Breeze Blocks! 1961 Simmons Hide-A-Bed advertisement featuring a breeze blocks table and room divider.

Further Reading: Mid-Century Cool: Breeze Blocks

Source: Etsy-PlentifulPages

1940 advertisement for Branchflower furniture. Home office furniture for the entrepreneur in your home.

Source: Archive.org

1929 KRAPPEN furniture ad for “vivid individuality in a small apartment”. Bold patterns and furniture pieces that stand together and on their own in the room.

I love the green chair at the bottom left of the ad.

Source: eBay

1950s Vista by Bassett advertisement for bedroom furniture. “For the woman who will be satisfied with nothing less than the newest”.

Source: eBay

“The new look in dinettes….says engaging ESTHER WILLIAMS”…”is one of functional beauty, the colorful, friendly, liveable beauty of a modern CHROMCRAFT dinette suite”. 1948 vintage ad for Chromcraft dinettes.

Further Reading: “Vintage Formica Tables”-Mid-Century Modern Design Ideas for the Vintage Home

Source: eBay

Vintage advertising print ad from 1956 for a Formica Furniture Shopper Guide featuring a dining table that also has storage. Perfect for small spaces.

1930s Harrods bedroom furniture suite advertisement. How glamorous even in black and white (the ad not the furniture).

Source: Etsy-AncientAds

1965 Kroehler Sofas advertisement. “Why the softest Kroehler sofa can’t give you a hard time”.

Source: Etsy-PlentifulPages

Cedar Chests for Christmas! A 1950s Cavalier vintage ad.

Source: Etsy-UnicornVintageAds

1930s advertisement-Lloyd Loom Woven Fibre Furniture. Love the green chair, matching lamp and other home decor items (the green wall sconce on the upper right side of the image, is fantastic!).

Source: whoppah.com

“Now…Million Dollar Luxury built to stand a “Heap o’ Living!” from Kroehler furniture. 1940s advertisement.

Source: Etsy-AmericanCenturyShop

1950s advertising for ” Swing King Contoured Reclining Chair”. “For your health and comfort!”.

Source: Etsy-AmericanCenturyShop

1936 Berkey & Gay Furniture advertisement featuring a beautiful bedroom suite (The Downing) and dining room suite (The Fairfax) illustrated here.

Source: Etsy-RetroReveries

1950s Thayer advertisement for baby furniture (“Better living for babies”). “Baby is so Modern”.

Source: eBay

Magazines covers were another form of advertising and this October 1935, House Beautiful cover featuring stunning red & white furniture with black walls and flooring, is a true standout (the curved chairs are super!). Love the game of backgammon setup for play as well.

Source: fineartamerica.com

1951 Cosco Furniture advertisement for colourful kitchen chairs, stools, baby high chair and a bar cart.

Source: Pinterest

1950s MENGEL Furniture bedroom sets vintage ad. “Do you keep your bedroom behind closed doors?”. “Open the door to compliments…with MENGEL Furniture”.

Source: eBay

Thanks for dropping by and browsing these fantastic vintage furniture ads. I once again had a blast putting this post together.

Please share in the comments section what your favourites were or any memories / comments you wish to share around the topic of this blog post. I love hearing from my readers!

Further Reading: Vintage Home Decor, Interior Design & Vintage Real Estate Inspiration 1920’s- 1960’s

Have a great day!

Liz