Scrapbook 1, 1922-1924

This collection contains mostly marketing, advertising, and communications materials from Joseph C. Ferguson's optician business, which operated in Philadelphia, PA in the early 20th century. The materials primarily date from the 1920s. The collection contains scrapbooks, and some loose materials, which were likely intended for scrapbooking.

Series I: Scrapbooks contains five scrapbooks of marketing materials and newspaper clippings.

Scrapbook 1 contains clippings of more educational publicity articles from Philadelphia area newspapers, including “The Right Way.” Also contains copies of letters to doctors from Joseph Ferguson from 1922 and 1923. Included, too, are proofs of printing for the educational publicity articles. The back cover is inscribed with "J.B. Haines Advertising Agency."

Scrapbook 2 contains newspaper clippings of the series “Eye Talks,” including almost all of those between 1-300.

Scrapbook 3 contains a 1908 promotional calendar, postcards, seasonal gift guides, pricing lists, blank prescription cards. Also includes many product advertisements for such objects sold at Joseph C. Ferguson's store, such as Parker Eye Magnet, Zemplar Prints, Kodak Prints, thermometers, pedometers, Movette Moving Picture Cameras, KeeLock, Sir William Crookes Glass Ophthalmic Lenses, sports spectacles, Autoglas, lens cleaners, Ultex one-piece bifocal lenses, Graflex, Eve's Snare with Rachet, opera glasses, Kryptok, Automatic Eye-Glass, and Lorgnettes. There is also a 1915 newspaper clipping from the Ohio State Journal. There are promotional materials, including prints of 1917 Eye Talks. Please note: this scrapbook is in extremely fragile condition.

Scrapbook 4 contains educational publicity articles titled “The Right Way” and “Your Eye Health.” These were written on behalf of the Guild Opticians of Philadelphia, of which Ferguson was a member. It is unclear if Ferguson wrote copy for these articles. Also included are clippings of “Through the Shops with Jean," all of which mention Ferguson's business. Clippings date from 1921-1929.

Scrapbook 5 contains newspaper clippings of the educational publicity articles titled “Eye Talks.”

Series II: Communications and advertising contains all the loose items that might have been intended for additional scrapbooking. These include sample letters and mailers, postcards, envelopes, seasonal gift guides, printing proofs and newspaper clippings of educational publicity articles, marketing materials, external marketing materials, and optical instruments manuals and catalogs.