National Pharmacy Ad – November 15, 1954

Here's probably the most un-Christmas-like ad I've ever seen for a Lorain store's Christmas promotion.

The ad is for National Pharmacy, and ran in the Lorain Journal on November 15, 1954. It announces the start of the drug store's Christmas contest, in which people were invited to stop in and register to win a variety of prizes.

Courtesy Ebay

Prizes included a Mix Master, a Black Angus Giant Rotisserie, a Handy Hannah hair dryer (at left), a Brownie camera, 5 cartons of cigarettes, a cigarette lighter, an electric waffle iron, an electric toaster, gift certificates and many more.

What's amusing (to me at least) is the lack of any Christmas icons – no Santa Claus, holly, snow men, etc. Just... an organ grinder's monkey, tipping his hat.