Records, mainly 1917-1982, of Foote, Cone & Belding, an international advertising agency headquartered in Chicago that was founded in 1873. The firm operated from 1882 to 1942 as Lord & Thomas, from 1942 to 1994 as Foote, Cone & Belding, and as True North Communications from 1994 to 2001 when the Foote, Cone & Belding name was restored. The collection consists almost entirely of microfilmed copies of the print advertising produced for clients between 1917 and 1982. Also included are a small number of television commercials considered the best produced by the firm from 1950 to 1979, books published by Lord & Thomas on the early theory and practice of advertising, miscellaneous internal publications including an internal video magazine, 1994-1996, and occasional annual reports. There are no general administrative records and no papers about the creative development of any advertising campaigns.
