• A black poster featuring a large yellow smiley face and the words 'HAVE A HAPPY' in yellow, hung with visible wall anchors.
  • A close-up of a faint central crease on the face.
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HAPPIEST KID FINDS - Museum-quality antique and vintage posters, original art, preservation and restoration

vintage Have a Happy smiley face poster 1971 | Happiest Kid Finds

vintage Have a Happy smiley face poster 1971 | Happiest Kid Finds

$99.99
$99.99
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Vintage Have a Happy smiley face poster 1971
About the Smiley Face:
“It’s largely accepted that the original version of the familiar smiley face was first created 50 years ago in Worcester, Massachusetts by the late Harvey Ross Ball, an American graphic artist and ad man. Ball came up with the image in 1963 when he was commissioned to create a graphic to raise morale among the employees of an insurance company after a series of difficult mergers and acquisitions.” 
The insurance company immediately used Ball's image on posters and buttons; uncertain if it actually boosted morale in the company, they saw that the image was extremely popular.
However, it wasn't until the early 70s when the marketability of the image really took off. Since neither Ball nor the State Mutual Insurance Company sought to copyright or trademark the design, two brothers, Bernard and Murray Spain, owners of a couple of Hallmark card stores in Philadelphia, made it their own. By adding the tag line, "Have a Happy Day", they were able to copyright the design. 
Where Harvey Ross Ball was paid a mere $45 for his design, the brothers turned a profit printing more than 50 million buttons, posters and so much more.
Early on, this image served to raise the morale of employees of a company and then served to raise the morale of a country during the Vietnam War and is one of the most recognizable images today.

POSTER DETAILS

  • Artist: original art/design by Harvey Ross Ball 
  • Publisher / Distributer: Another Smiles Unlimited
  • Date: 1971
  • Dimensions:  21 1/4" x 28"
  • Medium: offset lithograph on paper
  • Format: Vertical
  • Condition: Good  — visible signs of handling impressions, particularly from being rolled too tightly. The fluorescent lighting is no good - The photo doesn't do the color enough justice, as it's a bright yellow against a black background.  There is no green where it appears to be in the photo, where a slight crease is.

Own this unusual piece of history and set your collection apart with a smile.  

AUTHENTICITY & SHIPPING
• Authenticated original — not a reproduction
• Certificate of Authenticity available upon request
• Free U.S. shipping | Shipped rolled for safer transport.
• Satisfaction guaranteed — contact us within 7 days of receipt

Free  shipping within the United States - Economy 5–8 business days on most items, unless designated for 'pick up only."   Authenticity guaranteed. Orders ship within 1-2 days. Carefully packaged for safe transit. International shipping available — rates calculated at checkout. Please review all photos and condition notes before purchasing. Please review our Refund Policy  for returns. Please feel free to contact Happiest Kid Finds for more details about an item, multiple purchase order, or our specialized preservation and restoration services.

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