Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Preliminary Inventory to the John Thomas Collection of TV Commercials

Summary
Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.1324
Creators:
Thomas, John E.
Dates:
1960s-1970s
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
11 Cubic feet
11 boxes
Repository:
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of approximately 1,700 television commercials on 16mm film, for products including cars and trucks; food and beverages, including snack foods, convenience foods and soft drinks; cleaning products; pet food; clothing; candy; tobacco products; airlines; toiletries; household products and other things.
Arrangement
Arrangement
1 series.
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
A retired teacher of English and Media Studies, Thomas amassed his collection by asking local television stations to save the commercials for him as they prepared to discard them. He also purchased some commercials and public service announcements (PSAs).
Administration
Author
Archives Center Staff
Processing Information
Collection unprocessed.
Ownership and Custodial History
Donated to the Archives Center in 2014 by John E. Thomas.
Using the Collection
Restrictions on Access
Collection is open for research and access on site by appointment.
Preferred Citation
John Thomas Collection of TV Commercials, ca. 1960s-1970s, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Keywords
Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Motion pictures (visual works) -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
advertising Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Advertising, Public service Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Television advertising Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Television Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Marketing Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Commercials Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
archivescenter@si.edu