Promotional Item
Verified Photo Needed
Montgomery Ward ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ Giveaway Booklet (1939)
- Year
- 1939 Source verified
- Sold at
- Montgomery Ward Source verified
- Manufacturer
- Unknown
About this item
The original Rudolph story, written in verse by Ward copywriter Robert L. May and illustrated by Denver Gillen, printed as a free booklet for children visiting Ward stores at Christmas 1939. About 2.4 million copies were given away.
Details
- Holiday
- Christmas
- Archive type
- Promotional Item
- Materials
- printed paper, softcover
Collector details
Research notes
Chicago History Museum original cataloged as PZ8.3.M4525 R5 1939 HIXON.
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Sources & verification
Source Verified
- The Chicago Origins of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Archive Website Supports: 1939 Montgomery Ward booklet by Robert L. May, illustrated by Denver Gillen, about 2.4 million copies; museum holds an original copy; giveaways resumed 1946; copyright to May in 1947 View source
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Wikipedia) Encyclopedia Article Supports: May commissioned by Montgomery Ward in 1939; 2.4 million copies first year; Maxton 1947 trade edition View source