Wednesday, May 26, 2010

VTT - Umbrella Girls & Salt



The postcard above was used in 1916. There are many postcards featuring girls with umbrellas, but the most famous "umbrella girl" is the one created as an advertising character for Morton Salt. The Morton Umbrella Girl first appeared on their table salt packaging in 1914. Over the years, the Umbrella Girl has been updated periodically in 1921, 1933, 1941, 1956, and 1968. The History of the Umbrella Girl on the Morton Salt website shows all six variations. The 1968 girl is still in use.



You can see the last three umbrella girls in the ads and on the shakers below. The first ad appeared on the back cover of a 1952 American Family magazine. This ad has the famous Morton slogan: "When it Rains it Pours." The rainy day imagery and slogan arose from the fact that the salt had an additive to keep it from clumping in damp weather. The Morton slogan is a twist on the old English proverbIt never rains but it pours.”


1952 Morton Salt ad

The second ad is from a 1965 Better Homes and Gardens magazine. This ad shows a variety of packaging, including the individual miniature salt shakers.


1965 Morton Salt ad

A couple of my miniature shakers were bought in grocery stores: the second Sterling shaker circa mid-1960s, the light blue shaker circa late-1970s. The others were purchased in an antique store. The Morton shaker with the yellow top looks like the one in the 1965 ad. These shakers contain .4 ounces salt and are about 1.4 inches high.



The Sterling Salt is from the International Salt Company of Pennsylvania. The running boy character is named Salty. The first Salty has the slogan "Free Run'n" on the pants leg, and the back of the shaker says "Try the 'Salty Salt' for easy pouring in any weather."



More vintage Morton ads and commercials are shown on the Morton website (here).

I'm participating in Vintage Thingie Thursday

32 comments:

  1. Interesting story again, and I wholeheartedly agree with the quote "It would be all sunshine if you would write to me".

    So cute.

    My Inspiration
    My Wordless Wednesday
    You Got A Posty

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  2. This is wonderful--I have a set of four coffee cups with the Morton salt girls on them. I really enjoyed this post--thank you so much for sharing!

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  3. You did a remarkable job sharing the history of the Mortal Salt girl. I never knew all this good stuff.

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  4. Fascinating! Thank you for the history lesson. :-)

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  5. The one I remembered most is from 1968. Love the umbrella postcard and the interesting information.

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  6. I so enjoy reading the history lesson you give.

    I have a number of vintage postcards I would like to know more about. Any suggestions?

    Please drop by the cottage for a visit and take a peek at the details for the three new linky parties I'll be starting up the first week of June.

    Have a wonderful Memorial weekend!

    Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage

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  7. I love the story of the Umbrella Girls. Thanks for sharing. Blessings, Vicky

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  8. Oh, what a cute story, I never realized all the history of the cute umbrella girl, etc. Thank you for sharing!
    Hugz,
    Kim

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  9. I have always loved the Morton Salt girls. What a great post and lots of really nice information. I wonder why it is the year 2010 and they have not designed a new girl?? Interesting. Have a great VTT!

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  10. Great informative story. I've always thought that the Morton Salt girl was so cute.
    Thanks for sharing the information with us.
    Fondly,
    Ann
    @
    The Tattered Tassel

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  11. Hi, I just wanted to stop back by and thank you for visiting and leaving your sweet comment on my Vintage Thingies Thursday...Wicker Pram! I couldn't believe my eyes when I found this wicker pram with the red and white gingham hood and red wheels, I knew, of course, that I had to add red geraniums.
    Hugz,
    Kim

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  12. You always have such neat posts...thank you for sharing! I'm now a follower :)

    Sarah

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  13. The Morton Salt Girl certainly is iconic, isn't she? I wonder- was she modeled on an actual child like the Gerber Baby? Thanks for sharing with us, happy VTT!

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  14. I love the Morton Salt girl! :)

    ~Liz

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  15. interesting post and very informative never know the story of this umbrella girl but somehow I think she looks cute! happy vTT and thanks for sharing.

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  16. Quite interesting. Thanks for sharing this information.

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  17. You have the nicest way of combining postcards and interesting pieces of history. I have seen those miniature shakers, we used them on picnics. They came to us through an exchange student from USA.

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  18. Great Post...PostCardy Gal! Quite a history that SALT has with all the illustrations and advertising through the years. Thanks for putting all this together for VTT. I really enjoyed the history lesson, the illustrations, links and UTube. We must have been thinking alike for this VTT....my Post is about an early 1900's item, too. Come see.....Sue

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  19. Wonderful post Ms. Postcardy. I am getting around to everyone for the first time this week. You have done a great job. So informative and entertaining. WooHoo for your post.
    Blessings
    QMM

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  20. I really like those little salt shakers! If they still make them i am going to get some.

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  21. Thank you for the salt lesson. I.ve always liked the Morton Salt girl as far back as I can remember.

    Happy VTT!

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  22. The Morton Salt girl is still cute today. I never knew her history before. Great Vintage Thingie post!!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  23. Very interesting and what a treat to see the transformation of the little girl over the years! Great post!!

    Blessings!
    Gail

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  24. I love this. You have a way of making things come alive for all of us. Great story.

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  25. I always love the information you share..and the umbrella girl postcard and the salt girl are both just adorable.I loved this post...

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  26. That's so interesting...thanks for sharing!

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  27. Another great post! I've always loved the Morton Salt girl and the slogan...great to see some of her past "looks". Thanks for the info on Salty too! Wouldn't they make a cute couple!

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  28. I have always thought the Morton Salt girl was so cute...but I like the old ones best of all.
    I enjoyed your blog.
    blessings,
    glenda

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  29. Thank you so much for visiting my little blog.

    I love this post! Thank you for all the great images and info! Your vintage salt containers are so wonderful.

    Happy VTT!
    Sally

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  30. Thanks for all the info on her. I always loved her, she was just so sweet
    *hugs*Deb

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  31. Fun flash back in time. And some interesting trivia.

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