Advertisement for Victrola
Date
Credits
- John T. McCutcheon Artist
Format
- Advertisement 176
Clients
Media
- paper 1052
Techniques
- lithography 105
Dimensions
Links
The Victor Talking Machine Company released its first Victrola in 1906. The Victrola was the first “hornless” phonograph. The horn was concealed in a cabinet, making the phonograph much less of an eyesore and instead becoming an attractive piece of furniture. The advertisements for this piece were meant to demonstrate its beauty and unobtrusive nature. Thus, the Victrola itself is not the focal point of this advertisement, but rather it is tucked into the corner with a fun and cozy scene spilling out around it. The painted scene, which was adapted from the Chicago Tribune cartoon of John T. McCutcheon, is meant to show that owning a Victrola is like bringing an entire orchestra into your home. Printed in many magazines, this advertisement communicated that music could be enjoyed in comfort and style and made the Victrola a well-known name.
