J. Walter Thompson Company. Legal Department records, 1902-1983

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Restrictions:
Access restricted. Access note: Model Releases and Overscale Talent Releases may not be photocopied at donor request.
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Summary

Creator:
J. Walter Thompson Company
Abstract:
Founded in 1864 in New York, the J. Walter Thompson Company (JWT) was one of the largest and oldest advertising agencies in the United States. In 2018 JWT merged with Wunderman to form Wunderman Thompson. The collection includes release forms, photographs and publications associated with JWT advertising campaigns; legal contracts outlining terms of agreement between clients and the agency; and other printed materials. Companies represented in the collection include Ford, Gillette, Kodak, Lever Brothers, Pacific Mills (Cocheco Manufacturing Company), Pan American , Quaker Oats, Radio Corporation of America (RCA), Seven-Up, Singer, and Uncle Ben's. Photographers mentioned or whose work appears in the collection include Richard Avedon, Ralph Bartholomew, Anton Bruehl, Horst, Otto Mayo, Valentino Sarra, and Francesco Scavullo. Acquired as part of the John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History.
Extent:
25.0 Linear Feet
Language:
Material in English
Research Center:
John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History
Collection ID:
RL.00721

Background

Scope and content:

The collection includes release forms, photographs and publications associated with JWT advertising campaigns; legal contracts outlining terms of agreement between clients and the agency; and other printed materials. Companies represented in the collection include Ford, Gillette, Kodak, Lever Brothers, Pacific Mills (Cocheco Manufacturing Company), Pan American , Quaker Oats, Radio Corporation of America (RCA), Seven-Up, Singer, and Uncle Ben's. Photographers mentioned or whose work appears in the collection include Richard Avedon, Ralph Bartholomew, Anton Bruehl, Horst, Otto Mayo, Valentino Sarra, and Francesco Scavullo.

Acquisition information:
The J. Walter Thompson Legal Department Records, were acquired as a gift from the J. Walter Thompson Company by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library in 1986 and subesquent years.
Processing information:

Processed by Ferriss Buck, July 1986

Encoded by Jessica Wood, March 2009

Additions processed by Richard Collier, April 2026.

Arrangement:

The collection is divided into the following series: Model Releases; Photographers; Publications; Reports; Model-Client-Date Cards; Overscale Talent Releases; 2026 Additions.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

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Restrictions:

Access restricted. Access note: Model Releases and Overscale Talent Releases may not be photocopied at donor request.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], J. Walter Thompson Company Legal Department records, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

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https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m12w5r