RADIO PREMIUMS -
RELIVE THEM AGAIN!
LUM AND ABNER
This long running series (1931 - 1954, but not continuously) enjoyed several sponsors during it's existence and over 1200 programs are now available to collectors. Many of these shows have the original commercials as well as premium offers. The following episode was from the Horlick's Malted Milk era (1934 - 1938).
- 2-4-35
Aluminum pocket flashlight - Lum and Abner offered this flashlight so they could reopen the Jot 'Em Down Store with the proceeds from the sales. In addition, listeners were invited to vote for Lum or Abner as the new president of the store when they sent in for the premium.
MARK TRAIL
On the air from 1950-52 and sponsored by Kellogg's Pep cereal.
- 1-30-50
Title of episode: "Lumber King of Timber Mountain". Plastic miniature statuettes were available in Kellogg's Pep packages. There were 18 different figures including ballplayers and dancers.
RADIO ORPHAN ANNIE (Commonly refered to as LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE)
Radio Orphan Annie is one of the classics of children's radio serials and was on the air from 1931 to 1942. Ovaltine was the sponsor from 1931 to 1940. After Ovaltine switched to the more energetic Captain Midnight, Quaker Puffed Wheat and Rice Sparkies continued as Annie's sponsor through the end of the run. All of the following episodes were sponsored by Ovaltine.
10-18-35
Subject of episode: Annie's birthday. Daddy Warbucks sent Annie a birthstone ring for her birthday and each listener could have one, too. The rings were 24k gold plate and had a different birthstone on top for each month of the year. The birthstones were genuine, hand-made, artificial stones, imported from Europe. Similar rings in stores cost from $2-4, but Ovaltine was offering them for only 10c and the seal from under the lid of a jar of Ovaltine. The month of your birth was shown on one side of the stone and the sentiment for that month on the other.
- 11-20-40
Subject of episode: Annie and Joe trail thieves. You could be listed with the Orphan Annie Identification Bureau by sending for Annie's identification tag and chain. It was an oval shaped tag like soldiers and aviators wore and was made of victory metal. An engraving of an American flag and your initial were on the outside of the tag and on the other side was your own personal identification number which was kept on file in the Bureau. This was handy in case you got lost and someone found you, because all they would have to do is write to the Orphan Annie Identification Bureau in Chicago to find out who you were! This ID bracelet cost 10c and the inner seal from a can of Ovaltine.
- 00-00-40
Subject of episode: Pearl Thieves. Annie's 1940 version of her Shake-Up Mug was offered. It featured a dark green bottom and scarlet top and had a decal of Annie and Sandy on the front. It came in two pieces which fit together for making Ovaltine shake-ups, and, when taken apart, the bottom half became a drinking glass. Although the regular price, if sold, was 50c, you could have had one for free as long as you included the inner metal seal from under the lid of a can of Ovaltine. Note that Ovaltine came in cans at this time. By the time Captain Midnight started offering his own version of the Shake-Up Mug for Ovaltine, it came in glass jars.
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