Although the Statue represents many political and social ideals, it has also been subject to the whims of advertisers, creative artists, and even tourist promoters. The Statue has been placed on everything from posters to trinkets. It is often seen not only as a symbol of the United States, but as one of New York City. The Statue of Liberty in Advertising ![]() National Park Service, Statue of Liberty NM
The image of the Statue of Liberty has been used for every conceivable commercial purpose. Bartholdi himself began it all by licensing her image in 1875 and urging French advertisers to use it. The Statue began appearing on the products and trade cards of American companies by 1877, nine years before it was unveiled. Since then, manufacturers around the world have not hesitated to use the Statue to sell everything from cigars to soap.
![]() NATIONAL PARK SERIVCE, STATUE OF LIBERTY NM The use of the Statue to sell products has been a source of discomfort and dissonance when Americans perceive the Statue of Liberty as being used inappropriately by advertisers. When advertising using the Statue contradicts the ideals of the Statue, or insults an important meaning of the Statue, the ad can come under fire from people trying to prevent the Statue's meaning from being diminished or diluted. An early example of this critique of product ads obscuring the noble ideals of the Statue of Liberty is an editorial cartoon that appeared in Puck magazine during the funding campaign for the pedestal in the 1880s. The cartoon lampooned the way that advertising exploited any opportunity and symbol to sell its wares. It shows the Statue covered in advertisements for her top - wearing a "Silker the Hatter" top hat and holding a "Gamp & Co. Umbrella" - to her bare feet, which were flanked by competing ads for corn cures.
The Statue of Liberty as Souvenir ![]() National Park Service, Statue of Liberty NM ![]() National Park Service, Statue of Liberty NM ![]() National Park Service, Statue of Liberty NM ![]() National Park Service, Statue of Liberty NM ![]() National Park Service, Statue of Liberty NM ![]() National Park Service, Statue of Liberty NM The Statue of Liberty in Popular Culture ![]() National Park Service, Statue of Liberty NM ![]() National Park Service, Statue of Liberty NM ![]() National Park Service, Statue of Liberty NM |
Last updated: June 7, 2018