Burr L. Robbins papers, 1936-1975 and undated

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Summary

Creator:
Robbins, Burr L. (Burr Lamberton), 1902-1980
Abstract:
Burr Lamberton Robbins was president of the General Outdoor Advertising Company (GOA). The Burr L. Robbins Papers span the years 1936-1975, and chiefly consist of three scrapbooks containing photographs, clippings, periodicals, memorabilia, and promotional materials. The majority of clippings are from advertising industry publications and Chicago newspapers. The loose materials section also includes administrative records. The collection primarily documents Robbins' career in outdoor advertising with the General Outdoor Advertising Company (GOA), and his involvement with professional advertising organizations, particularly the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA). Professional and outdoor advertising themes in the scrapbooks include Robbins' career advancement; his public speaking engagements on the role of advertising agencies in America; professional meetings and conferences; the history of GOA; outdoor advertising history; tension between citizens' groups and outdoor advertisers over billboard zoning; and legal decisions. The scrapbooks also touch on topics of personal interest to Robbins, including news about the Delevan Lake Improvement Association; Robbinswood Farm sheep; and family events. Photographs in the scrapbooks are primarily of professional meetings or conferences, or publicity events. Loose materials include items that were once part of the scrapbooks, and separate items. This section includes a notebook of 1942 photographs and papers about the 13th National Contest and Exhibit of Outdoor Advertising Art. Photographs of the three prizewinning posters, created by John DeLooy, Andrew Loomis, and Albert Staehle, are included in this notebook. Also in this section is a spiral-bound GOA publication, Image with Words, that documents a 1963 Chevrolet electric outdoor advertising campaign.
Extent:
2.1 Linear Feet
1650 Items
Language:
Material in English
Collection ID:
RL.01095

Background

Scope and content:

The Burr L. Robbins Papers span the years 1936-1975, and chiefly consist of three scrapbooks containing photographs, clippings, periodicals, memorabilia, and promotional materials. The majority of clippings are from advertising industry publications and Chicago newspapers. The loose materials section also includes administrative records. The collection primarily documents Robbins' career in outdoor advertising with the General Outdoor Advertising Company (GOA), and his involvement with professional advertising organizations, particularly the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA). Professional and outdoor advertising themes in the scrapbooks include Robbins' career advancement; his public speaking engagements on the role of advertising agencies in America; professional meetings and conferences; the history of GOA; outdoor advertising history; tension between citizens' groups and outdoor advertisers over billboard zoning; and legal decisions. The scrapbooks also touch on topics of personal interest to Robbins, including news about the Delevan Lake Improvement Association; Robbinswood Farm sheep; and family events. Photographs in the scrapbooks are primarily of professional meetings or conferences; advertising executives; or publicity events. Loose materials include items that were once part of the scrapbooks, and separate items. This section includes a notebook of 1942 photographs and papers about the 13th National Contest and Exhibit of Outdoor Advertising Art. Photographs of the three prizewinning posters, created by John DeLooy, Andrew Loomis, and Albert Staehle, are included in this notebook. Also in this section is a spiral-bound GOA publication, "Image with Words," that documents a 1963 Chevrolet electric outdoor advertising campaign.

Biographical / historical:
Burr L. Robbins
Date Event
1902
Born Chicago, Ill.
1925
Graduated from the University of Chicago
1925
Married Margaret Ross
1925
Employed as billposter, GOA
1930
Founded the annual National Contest and Exhibit of Outdoor Advertising Art
1931
Promoted to Chicago manager, GOA
1934
Appointed Vice-President of the Chicago District, GOA
1936
Appointed Regional Manager of the Chicago District, GOA
1941-1950
Chairman of the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA) Outdoor Advertising Foundation at Notre Dame
1946
Elected Executive Vice President, GOA
1951
Elected President, GOA
1960
Awarded the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award for Navy recruitment effors through outdoor advertising
1980
Died, Chicago, Ill.
General Outdoor Advertising Company (GOA)
Date Event
1925
Burnett W. (B.W.) Robbins, father of Burr Robbins, founded GOA
1925-1951
Tenure of B.W. Robbins as President
1931
Outdoor Advertising, Inc. (OAI) spun off from GOA to manage selling and operating
1951-circa 1960s
Tenure of Burr L. Robbins as President
1952
B.W. Robbins died
1957
GOA purchased Canadian firm Claude Neon General Advertising, Limited
1963
Outdoor advertising company Gamble-Skogmo, Inc. acquired control of GOA
1963-1964
GOA sold branches and ceased activity as an operating company

Burr L. Robbins was a third-generation outdoor advertising executive whose father, Burnett W. (B.W.) Robbins, founded GOA. Robbins's grandfather, Burr Robbins, founded the American Billposting Company around 1890 to promote his popular circus, the Burr Robbins Circus.

In addition to the business interests listed above, Robbins served as an executive and director of a number of firms and organizations: the Lexington Poster Advertising Company; the Executive Committee of Outdoor Advertising Incorporated (OAI); Majestic Radio and Television Corporation; Walker and Company of Detroit; Old Colony Advertising Company; Mercantile National Bank of Chicago; and the Pittsburgh Outdoor Advertising Company.

Robbins took on an active role in varied professional, social, and charitable organizations. In addition to the organizational interests listed above, Robbins served with the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA); the Council on Medical and Biological Research at the University of Chicago; the Chicago Crime Commission; the Better Business Bureau of Chicago; the Traffic Audit Bureau; the Advertising Council; the Advertising Federation of America; the Chicago Federated Advertising Club; the Delavan Lake Improvement Association; the German Shepherd Dog Club of America; and the American Shropshire Registry Association.

Robbins enjoyed operating his family farm, Robbinswood Farm, in Delevan, Wisconsin. He consistently won awards for his Shropshire sheep, and also raised Hereford and Berkshire sheep.

Acquisition information:
The Burr L. Robbins Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift in 1999.
Processing information:

Processed by Rita Johnston, November 2007

Encoded by Rita Johnston, November 2007

Accession 1999-0443 is described in this finding aid.

Physical location:
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
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Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

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Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection.

All or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. There may be a 48-hour delay in obtaining these materials.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Burr L. Robbins Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University