IML: Imperial and the beautiful art of 1930's advertising illustration

[Kenyon Wills <imperialist1960@xxxxxxxxx>]

The 1930's through the 1950's were an interesting
period at Chrysler regarding marketing approaches.  

Printing technology did not really allow the splashy
graphics, full color, and ease of manipulation of
photos that we take for granted today.  

Therefore, Chrysler employed artists to render what
the new products would look like in beautiful, full
color drawings and illustrations on heavy, high
quality paper.  This process would not change until
color photography became the principal means of visual
rendering in the early 1960's.

This illustrative effort was especially lavish in the
full-line brochures, which were undoubtedly taken home
and studied extensively in advance of making such a
serious commitment of one's personal resources - keep
in mind that houses and cars were BOUGHT at that time,
and that financing did not have the same presence that
it does today.....

Therefore, the color brochure was THE silver bullet
upon which some of the buyer's decision making would
come to rest, so the brochure was required to put the
company's best foot forward.

I'd like to introduce the latest addition to this
history, the 1938 Brochure, as well as some other
noteworthy examples (there are even more on the
website, and a gorgeous 1951 Intro to Hemi is coming
soon).  

This was a period in advertising/marketing that will
likely NEVER occur again, and the commercial art is
simply lavish.  It's easy to pass by without noticing
if you're not paying attention.  

Please note that many of the images that are
land-scapes were actually 2,3 or even 4 pages that
have been meticulously photo-shop-stitched together
for the full effect, an example of painstaking
electronic art in and of itself, which is likely to be
visually skimmed over by the non-discerning viewer of
our site if not pointed out.  This work is done out of
60+ year old, "used" brochures, by the way.



Who else but our own volunteers deliver such stunning
material anywhere short of an art gallery or corporate
portfolio, I ask?   


NOBODY.


PLEASE!! Take a moment to open these files AND try
popping open some of the images - they are far better
full screen than they are in thumbnail size!!!


Our tour begins here:
=====================
6 of 15 Chrysler models were Imperial for 1938
http://imperialclub.com/Yr/1938/38Catalog/index.htm


Suggestion: open the page in 1941's brochure with the
steering wheel (below) and drink in the rich detail
that leaves nothing to the imagination on this
art-deco/modern styling!  How would YOU render the
faux mother of pearl on the horn button?:
=====
http://imperialclub.com/Yr/1942/42FluidDrive/index.htm

Also:
=====
http://imperialclub.com/Yr/1940/Brochure/index.htm
http://imperialclub.com/Yr/1937/Brochure/index.htm
http://imperialclub.com/Yr/1939/Accessories/index.htm
http://imperialclub.com/Yr/1952/52FoldOut/index.htm

Note what a change the above items are from 1932?
http://imperialclub.com/Yr/1932/32CustomEight/index.htm

 



Kenyon Wills
 
 





















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