Robert M. Behr collection of transportation advertising, 1928-2022

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Summary

Creator:
John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History and Behr, Robert M.
Abstract:
Robert M. Behr was a travel agent and tour guide who worked for Alaska Airlines and American Express, based around Oakland, Calif. The collection consists primarily of print advertisements from travel magazines and San Francisco-based newspapers (mainly San Francisco Examiner and San Francisco Chronicle), as well as promotional mailings, brochures, and catalogs. Airlines comprise the largest portion of the collection, but airplane manufacturers, automobiles, railways and cruise/steamship lines are also represented. Companies represented include Airbus, American President Lines, Amtrak, Beechcraft (Textron), Boeing, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Hertz, Holland America, Lockheed, Martin, Matson, McDonnell Douglas, Pan Am, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Southern Pacific, TWA, United Airlines. Travel destinations focus on Disney and Las Vegas properties including Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Bellagio, Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, and Wynn. In addition, there is a file of advertisements for Coca-Cola. Acquired as part of the John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History.
Extent:
13.5 Linear Feet
Language:
Materials in English.
Collection ID:
RL.12083

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists primarily of print advertisements from travel magazines and San Francisco-based newspapers (mainly San Francisco Examiner and San Francisco Chronicle), as well as promotional mailings, brochures, and catalogs. Airlines comprise the largest portion of the collection, but airplane manufacturers, automobiles, railways and cruise/steamship lines are also represented. Companies represented include Airbus, American President Lines, Amtrak, Beechcraft (Textron), Boeing, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Hertz, Holland America, Lockheed, Martin, Matson, McDonnell Douglas, Pan Am, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Southern Pacific, TWA, United Airlines. Travel destinations focus on Disney and Las Vegas properties including Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Bellagio, Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, and Wynn. In addition, there is a file of advertisements for Coca-Cola.

Biographical / historical:

Robert Behr worked in the travel industry in roles including retail travel agent for Alaska Airlines at Oakland International Airport and American Express travel services. Behr also worked as a tour guide in South America, and taught travel classes at Vista Community College. Behr began collecting commercial airline ephemera in 1978 with the intention of recreating a timeline of the commercial aviation experience. He originally sought to highlight major airlines (Pan Am, United, Western, Alaska, Hawaiian, and Aloha), but later expanded his collection to include a range of international air carriers serving the United States. Behr also collected materials relating to other forms of transportation as well as travel destinations.

Acquisition information:
The Robert M. Behr collection of transportation advertising was received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift from Robert M. Behr in 2022.
Processing information:

Processed by Robin Klaus, December 2023.

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2022-0104.

Arrangement:

Collections is arranged into the following series: Airlines; Airplane Manufacturers; Automotive; Cruise and Steamship Lines; Railways; Travel Destinations.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the Rubenstein Library's Citations, Permissions, and Copyright guide.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Robert M. Behr collection of transportation advertising, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

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