Background and biographical information consists of Nesbitt's resume, an artist/designer statement, list of clients and accomplishments of Nesbitt Associates, Ltd., press releases, articles, and photographs of the designer.,The materials in this collection document Nesbitt's work from 1951 through 1984.
The records of the office of public relations cover the years 1955-1963 and include press releases and clippings describing some Nesbitt's products, his theories on consumer motivation, and the results of his surveys, as well as correspondence with members of the press. General office correspondence is boxed separately.
Color slides, color and black & white transparencies, and black & white photographs of most of Nesbitt's designs for packaging from 1951-1981 are included. Oversized materials include books jackets and booklets designed by Nesbitt, as well as some renderings for packaging designs done in color.
Three samples of fitted presentation boxes designed by Nesbitt are included, as well as a prototype for a design award for Parsons School of Design in New York, and two "Multiplication" cubes commissioned by the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Arrangement:
This collection has been reboxed in archivally-sound containers, but the materials have only been partially processed and arranged. Record groups include: 1) Backgound and Biographical Information; 2) Records of the Public Relations Office, 1955-1963; 3) Correspondence; 4) Slides, Transparencies, and Photographs; 5) Oversized Materials; and 6) Samples.
Biographical / Historical:
Packaging, industrial, and graphic designer. Born in New York City, August 10, 1920. Nesbitt was a student of sculptor Chaim Gross and studied art at many New York institutions including: Art Students League; New York University; Columbia University; Pratt Institute of Art; and the New School.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945 where he worked as a cartographer and as the head of the visual aid section in a military intelligence training center. In 1945, he joined the staff of Harper's Bazaar magazine where he was an illustrator assisting art director Alexey Brodovich. In 1946, Nesbitt was hired by the industrial design studio of Raymond Loewy as a handletterer and packaging designer.
He worked with Lippincott Industrial Design from 1948 to 1951. Nesbitt opened his own design studio, Nesbitt Associates, Ltd. in 1951. The firm specialized in package design, trademarks, and corporate identities. Some of his most recognizable designs were for the label for Campbell's Soup and the Florists' Telegraph Delivery (F.T.D.) Winged Mercury 'Interflora' figure, still used today. Nesbitt's other clients included: Franco American; Revlon; Ballantine Beer; Borden; Champion spark plugs; Kodak; Philip Morris cigarettes; Schick razors; and Archway cookies. In addition, Nesbitt developed the "Karry Kit" for Ballantine Beer which came to be widely used and known as the six pack.
Nesbitt was known for his revealing studies and surveys of the buying needs and preferences of the "average American housewife" and consumers in general. His opinions on what he referred to as "underpackaging" were widely publicized in professional magazines and journals. In 1984, Nesbitt retired from the design field and went to California to resume his career as a sculptor until his death in 1993.
Provenance:
Collection donated by the designer's wife, Mrs. Saul Nesbitt, in 1994.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection consists of print and television advertisements and promotional materials created by Revlon, Incorporated, 1936-1986.
Scope and Contents:
Collection consists of print and television advertisements and promotional materials created by Revlon, Incorporated for its products dating from 1936 to 1986. Revlon experienced substantial growth using these materials and semi-annual promotions to become one of the leading brands of the cosmetics industry. The materials provide insight into the depiction and importance of beauty throughout the decades. Additionally, the names of models and photographers are identified on the materials. The collection is arranged in two series: Series 1, Revlon Advertisements, 1936-1986; and Series 2, Other Revlon Incorporated Brand Advertisements, 1965-1986.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged in two series.
Series 1, Revlon Advertisements, 1936-1986
Series 2, Other Revlon Incorporated Brand Advertisements, 1965-1986
Historical:
Revlon began as a single product company in New York in 1932. The founders of the company American businessmen Charles Haskell Revson (October 11, 1906- August 24, 1975), Joseph Haskell Revson (October 11, 1906-August 24, 1975), and chemist Charles Lachman started the business with a desire to create a mainstream market for nail enamel. With an innovative manufacturing process and the introduction of new colors every year the company was able to build a successful brand and dedicated market. Revlon introduced lipstick in 1940 and continued to expand its product line to include skincare, cosmetics, hair color, fragrances, and beauty tools.
Source: New York Times obituary for Charles Revson, August 25, 1975.
Related Materials:
Materials in the Archives Center
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana (NMAH.AC.0060)
Albert W. Hampson Commercial Artwork (NMAH.AC.0561)
Cover Girl Advertising Oral History and Documentation Project (NMAH.AC.0374)
NW Ayer Advertising Agency Records (NMAH.AC.0059)
Provenance:
The collection was donated by Martin Stevens in 2007.
Restrictions:
The collection is open for research use and access on site by appointment.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Consists of both print and television advertisements spanning Revlon's first fifty years as a product brand. The advertisements are primarily for nail polish and lipstick. The series is arranged in four subseries: Subseries 1.1, Index, 1936-1986; Subseries 1.2, Print Advertisements, 1944-1986, undated; Subseries 1.3, Promotional Materials, 1961-1982; and Subseries 1.4, Television Database and Commercials, 1950s-1980s.
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research use and access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Revlon, Incorporated Advertising Collection, 1936-1986, Archives Center, National Museum of American History. Gift of Martin Stevens.
Include three hundred and five print advertisements from the first fifty years of Revlon, Incorporated. The company created a dot system to provide a better understanding of the ways in which the advertisements were used. One red dot next to the advertisement indicates that there is a larger laminated advertisement. Two red dots indicate both laminated advertisements and unmounted proofs. Black dots indicate major promotional pieces. The dates and names of models, photographers, and advertising agencies are printed underneath the advertisements. Dates do not necessarily correspond with the dates on the advertisements themselves. The index also includes other Revlon brands. Materials were maintained in the order created by the company.
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research use and access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Revlon, Incorporated Advertising Collection, 1936-1986, Archives Center, National Museum of American History. Gift of Martin Stevens.
The collection is open for research use and access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Revlon, Incorporated Advertising Collection, 1936-1986, Archives Center, National Museum of American History. Gift of Martin Stevens.
The collection is open for research use and access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Revlon, Incorporated Advertising Collection, 1936-1986, Archives Center, National Museum of American History. Gift of Martin Stevens.
The collection is open for research use and access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Revlon, Incorporated Advertising Collection, 1936-1986, Archives Center, National Museum of American History. Gift of Martin Stevens.
The collection is open for research use and access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Revlon, Incorporated Advertising Collection, 1936-1986, Archives Center, National Museum of American History. Gift of Martin Stevens.
The collection is open for research use and access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Revlon, Incorporated Advertising Collection, 1936-1986, Archives Center, National Museum of American History. Gift of Martin Stevens.
The collection is open for research use and access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Revlon, Incorporated Advertising Collection, 1936-1986, Archives Center, National Museum of American History. Gift of Martin Stevens.
The collection is open for research use and access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Revlon, Incorporated Advertising Collection, 1936-1986, Archives Center, National Museum of American History. Gift of Martin Stevens.
Contain larger images of the advertisements that are included in the index. The names of the photographers, models, and advertising agencies are documented on the reverse side of the advertisements. Included in these materials are an advertisement celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of Life magazine and the August 25, 1985 issue of the New York Times Magazine: Fashions of the Times, both featuring Revlon products. Materials are organized first by size and then in chronological order.
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research use and access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Revlon, Incorporated Advertising Collection, 1936-1986, Archives Center, National Museum of American History. Gift of Martin Stevens.
The collection is open for research use and access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Revlon, Incorporated Advertising Collection, 1936-1986, Archives Center, National Museum of American History. Gift of Martin Stevens.
The collection is open for research use and access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Revlon, Incorporated Advertising Collection, 1936-1986, Archives Center, National Museum of American History. Gift of Martin Stevens.
The collection is open for research use and access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Revlon, Incorporated Advertising Collection, 1936-1986, Archives Center, National Museum of American History. Gift of Martin Stevens.
The collection is open for research use and access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Revlon, Incorporated Advertising Collection, 1936-1986, Archives Center, National Museum of American History. Gift of Martin Stevens.
The collection is open for research use and access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Revlon, Incorporated Advertising Collection, 1936-1986, Archives Center, National Museum of American History. Gift of Martin Stevens.
The collection is open for research use and access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Revlon, Incorporated Advertising Collection, 1936-1986, Archives Center, National Museum of American History. Gift of Martin Stevens.
The collection is open for research use and access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Revlon, Incorporated Advertising Collection, 1936-1986, Archives Center, National Museum of American History. Gift of Martin Stevens.
The collection is open for research use and access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Revlon, Incorporated Advertising Collection, 1936-1986, Archives Center, National Museum of American History. Gift of Martin Stevens.
