Among the jewelry advertising posters of the mid-20th century, the most beautiful belonged to such renowned jewelry companies as Coro, Trifari, Tiffany, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Cartier. However, Harry Winston’s advertising posters are distinguished by their unique aesthetic, style, glamour, and even mysticism. Undoubtedly, they deserve a closer look.

Founded in 1920 as Premier Diamond Company, the renowned New York brand Harry Winston has become a symbol of supreme luxury, impeccable craftsmanship, and elegance in the world of jewelry. The company’s exclusivity and excellence are reflected in its advertising posters, which have become true works of art in advertising.

It’s important to note that Harry Winston (1896 – 1978) entrusted the advertising of his stones and jewelry to a well-known New York advertising firm, Golovin Co., Madison Avenue. In the 1940s they created the most interesting series of photographs featuring unusual imagery.

For example, in the 1948 ad “When Cats Were Gods,” it was a black cat with a diamond on its forehead. Indeed, what could better highlight the beauty of a diamond than a black cat with mystical, glowing eyes? Perhaps a black raven holding a diamond in its beak—a clever choice for jewelry advertising, hard to ignore.

1945 ad Rare Jewels of the World, by Golovin Co., Madison Avenue

In a 1945 Vogue ad for “Rare Jewels of the World,” photographers used a surprised monkey near a tree adorned with a precious diamond necklace, brooch, earrings, and ring. November 1950 ad features the dark background and artistic image of a spider web entangled with jewels. This is as captivating as a painting.

The “White Brilliance” series of advertising posters of 1948 relies on contrasts and clearly uses Africa as the source of the precious stones that came directly to the House of Harry Winston.

Painted as if on a canvas, mystical female figures in a dark forest, hidden behind a fan or under a veil, reflect the feminine passion for precious jewelry that comes to the fore in these posters.

Traditional ads

Fashion magazines from the 1940s to the 1960s also published advertising featuring both female models and individual pieces of Harry Winston jewelry. In fact, they are traditional, similar to the advertisements of other jewelry companies and do not cause much excitement.

Unfortunately, jewelry posters published after the 1970s – colorful and high-quality, have lost the charm and artistic aesthetics of the mid-20th century.

Vintage Harry Winston Jewelry ads