A History of Advertising from the Earliest Times.

This sweeping survey traces the rise of paid promotion from ancient wall‑paintings to the bustling railway stations of the 1870s. The author combines meticulous research with lively anecdotes, letting each surviving poster, handbill, or shop sign speak for itself. Rich illustrations and facsimiles punctuate the narrative, giving listeners a vivid sense of the visual culture that shaped public taste.

Written with a modest, conversational tone, the volume acknowledges the gaps inevitable in any grand story and invites readers to fill them with their own favorite ads. Biographical sketches of early entrepreneurs and quirky specimens of early copy add humor and humanity to what could otherwise be a dry chronology. By the end of the first act, listeners will have a clear picture of how advertising moved from simple notices to a powerful force in modern commerce.