Books and Manuscripts

“Enjoy the Presidential Campaigns More on a Silver Screen 85 Picture Tube” 

[Kennedy, John F., and Richard Nixon]
First Televised Presidential Debates Poster
No place, ca. 1960. Off-set lithographic poster, printed in blue and red, 40 x 23 1/2 in. (1016 x 597 mm). Wear and chipping along edges; 4-inch closed tear in top edge. In mat, 48 x 31 1/2 in. (1219 x 800 mm). 

A graphically striking poster made during the 1960 Presidential campaign between Democratic-nominee John F. Kennedy and Republican-nominee Richard Nixon. Produced by the Sylvania electronic company to capitalize on the first-ever televised presidential debates and sell their Silver Screen 85 Picture Tubes, this poster features the faces of Kennedy and Nixon on a television screen, and encourages customers to “Enjoy the Presidential Campaigns More on a Silver Screen 85 Picture Tube” and to “Vote Here for Expert Radio-TV Service with Sylvania Tubes, Free Tube Testing Inside, Prompt ‘At-Home’ Service & Be Sure to Vote in November.” A large hand points toward the bottom of the poster where local television dealers could add their business information beneath.