Commodore Oxfords

This spirited advertising poster for Ball-Band's Commodore Oxfords captures the playful optimism of early 1950s America with delightful cartoon imagery. A triumphant blonde figure in casual sportswear stands victorious over a comically sprawled opponent, both wearing boxing gloves in a lighthearted backyard bout. The clever tagline declares these shoes "a knockout for those who are young or feel young," perfectly encapsulating the era's embrace of casual leisure and youthful vitality. The illustration exemplifies mid-century commercial art at its most charming, with a sophisticated limited palette of lavender, navy, teal, and lime green against a warm cream ground. The Ball-Band trademark, established in Mishawaka, Indiana since 1898, appears prominently, marketing the shoes' "cushion sole comfort, cool fabric uppers, colors for casual costumes." Printed in the United States in September 1951, this point-of-sale display poster represents a category of ephemera that rarely survives, making it a distinctive find for collectors of American advertising history and mid-century design. Size: 14.25" x 11.25" Condition: Very Good, Age appropriate fading, toning and wear. Conservation mounted on linen. Original fold lines have been restored. Areas of color touch up along folds. Please use zoom feature to get a better understanding of overall condition. Additional photos available upon request.