The DC Traveler

By definition, the word ballyhoo means flamboyant or sensational advertising or promotion. Today’s infomercial might fall into that category, or perhaps anything promoted by Donald Trump.

Around the same time as the word was coined, in the late 1800s, the walls of Paris streets began to be plastered with colorful art nouveau advertising posters. Since then, the promotional poster has become as mainstream as the 30-second TV spot.

Examples of how these posters have influenced society as part of the collection on exhibit in Ballyhoo! Posters As Portraiture at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.

The 61 classic posters were created to promote movies, music and musicians, products, sporting events, government campaigns, and even catch criminals (John Wilkes Booth wanted poster). There’s also a few presidential campaign posters, including a goofy looking Barry Goldwater for President poster from 1964.

Can you image a presidential campaign poster without a catchy slogan these days?

From P. T. Barnum and Thomas Edison to Apocalypse Now and the Got Milk? campaign, the poster has driven public opinion, product acceptance and the persona of celebrities and politicians.

My personal favorite in the collection, is the movie poster form Trinidad, staring Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford, which effectively used Rita in color with her costar, (who actually has significantly more screen time) fading into the black and white background.

Ballyhoo! Posters As Portraiture
National Portrait Gallery
Eighth and F Streets, NW,
Washington, DC 20001 (map it)

Hours - Daily 11:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., through Feb. 8, 2009

Admission - Free

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Metro Gallery Place-Chinatown - Red, Yellow and Green lines, or use the DC Circulator.

Parking - Metered street and paid garage parking is available in the area.

Images: from personal collection - ©2008, Jon Rochetti

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