MenuInventory of the J. Walter Thompson Company. Legal Department Records, 1936-1979
Abstract
Founded in 1864, the J. Walter Thompson Company (JWT) is one of the largest and oldest enduring advertising agencies in the United States.
The J. Walter Thompson Company (JWT) Legal Department Records contain releases for models and photographers associated with JWT campaigns between 1936-1979, and especially the 1950s. The collection also contains publications associated with JWT clients which required model releases. Companies represented in the collection include Ford, Gillette, Kodak, Lever Brothers, Pacific Mills (Cocheco Manufacturing Company), Pan American World Airways, Quaker Oats, Radio Corporation of America (RCA), Seven-Up, Singer, and Uncle Ben's. Photographers mentioned or whose work appears in the collection include Richard Avedon, Ralph Bartholomew, Anton Bruehl, Horst, Otto Mayo, Valentino Sarra, and Francesco Scavullo. Acquired as part of the John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History.
Descriptive Summary
- Repository
- David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
- Creator
- J. Walter Thompson Company.
- Title
- J. Walter Thompson Company. Legal Department Records, 1936-1979
- Language of Material
- English
- Extent
- 10.6 Linear Feet, 7900 Items
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Collection Overview
The JWT Legal Department Records date from 1936-1979, with the majority of materials dating from the 1950s. The collection primarily contains release forms, photographs and publications associated with JWT campaigns. The collection also contains routine legal contracts which list the terms of agreement between the client, talent and the J. Walter Thompson Company. Companies represented in the collection include Ford, Gillette, Kodak, Lever Brothers, Pacific Mills (Cocheco Manufacturing Company), Pan American , Quaker Oats, Radio Corporation of America (RCA), Seven-Up, Singer, and Uncle Ben's. Photographers mentioned or whose work appears in the collection include Richard Avedon, Ralph Bartholomew, Anton Bruehl, Horst, Otto Mayo, Valentino Sarra, and Francesco Scavullo.
Restrictions on Access: Materials may not be photocopied.
Administrative Information
Collections are on the move for the renovation of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
However, materials may not be photocopied.
Collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Contents of the Collection
Browse List of Series
Collapse All
Expand AllModel Releases, 1940-1966
Consists of photographs and photostats of models as they often appeared in an advertisement. Attached to the images is a signed release by the model. The model releases are arranged alphabetically by client and then by model and date.
Photographers, 1953-1967
Contains photographs and photostats of models as they often appeared in advertisements. Attached to these images are signed releases by models. Items are arranged alphabetically by photographer and then by client and date.
Publications, 1953-1970
Contains an assortment of publications which required model releases, and especially Ford newsletters from the 1950s. The materials are arranged alphabetically by client and then by the name of the publication and date.
Reports, 1949-1953, 1970
Consists of two folders relating to JWT clients Pacific Mills and Kodak. The Pacific Mills folder contains files related to the introduction of contour sheets from the years 1949-1953. The Kodak folder details a marketing consideration from 1970. The folders were arranged alphabetically by client.
Series includes three black boxes with index cards of models used by the various clients. Items are arranged alphabetically by model in the first two boxes and by client (Kodak only) in the third box.
Includes routine legal contracts which list the terms of agreement between the client, talent and the J. Walter Thompson Company. They specify the length of the contract, the client and the date. The bulk of the contracts are in their original format and therefore have actual signatures of the talent. Overscale refers to the fact that these contracts remunerated above normal union scale wages.
Subject Headings
- J. Walter Thompson Company.
- Chesebrough-Pond's.
- Cocheco Manufacturing Company.
- Eastman Kodak Company.
- Ford Motor Company.
- Gillette Company.
- Lever Brothers and Unilever, ltd.
- Pan American World Airways, Inc.
- Quaker Oats Company.
- Radio Corporation of America.
- Seven-Up Company.
- Singer Company.
- Uncle Ben's, inc.
- United States Lines Company.
- Avedon, Richard.
- Bartholomew, Ralph, 1907-1985.
- Breuhl, Anton, 1900-
- Horst, 1906-1999.
- Mayo, Otto.
- Sarra, Valentino, 1903-
- Scavullo, Francesco, 1921-2004.
- Advertising agencies--United States--History--20th century.
- Advertising--Photographers.
- Legal forms.
- John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History.
Related Material
Related materials may be found in the following Hartman Center collections of the J. Walter Thompson Company Archives:
Domestic Advertisements Collection
Preferred Citation
J. Walter Thompson Legal Department Records, 1936-1979, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
Provenance
The J. Walter Thompson Legal Department Records, were pulled from storage by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library in 1986.
Processing Information
Processed by Ferriss Buck, July 1986
Encoded by Jessica Wood, March 2009
Accessions 2644, 32A9, 34A2, 34A1, 36A1, 6464, 6612, 68A1, 8107, 8648, 8858, 9578, 10363, 10365, 10396, 11165, 12180, 12180, 12874, 12882, 17038, 3342, 10277, 12337, 13006, 13746, 13777, 14295, 19029, 22586, 22588, 24764, 25789, 19396, 19397, 19400, 16063, 19432, 20851, 20912, 20945, 20963, 20964, 20965, 20966, 20967, 38A15, 63A22, 24707, 26821, 34A5, 37B16, 38A16, 39A26, 77A7 were merged into one collection, described in this finding aid.
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.