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Step 1
Determine what type of vintage advertising memorabilia you're interested in. Advertising took on many forms in other eras, so focus on printed posters, magazine advertisements, keychains, metal signs or any other form.
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Step 2
Visit your local library and check out books on collecting advertising items. This will give you a better idea of the types of items available as well as appropriate prices. Try "The Golden Age of Advertising-The 50's" by Jim Heimann, or "Vinatge Cookbooks and Advertising Leaflets," by Sandra J. Norman and Karrie K. Andes.
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Step 3
Decide if you are looking for particular years or eras that appeal to you. Advertising in the 1920's will look very different from advertising in the 1950's.
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Step 4
Focus in on a particular type of media or a certain character. Mr. Peanut from the Planter's Peanut Company can be seen in posters, salt and pepper shakers, coin banks and plaques. If you're a movie buff, stick to vintage movie posters.
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Step 5
Look for vintage advertising at estate sales, garage sales and antique shops. Often people have unique advertising items that are valuable without ever knowing it.
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Step 6
Join a listserve of people who share your passion for collecting advertising memorabilia. There's a great deal of insider information on these types of lists that can help you get started.
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Step 7
Search for items from a particular publisher or artist. Many times advertising posters that share a similar style will be by the same artist. J.H. Miller and Reisenberg were popular for their WWII era military advertising.
