WASHINGTON,
March 27,
2015 /PRNewswire/ -- In a special ceremony
today, the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History
accepted a donation of more than 50 artifacts from
Mad Men including costumes, props, sketches and a script as
well as Creator Matthew Weiner's personal notes from the AMC drama
produced by Lionsgate. The objects include early 1960s-styled
clothing and props from two of the show's principal characters,
Don Draper and
Betty Francis, including Don's charcoal gray
suit and Cordova fedora and Betty's yellow house dress.
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Weiner and the cast donated the Mad Men objects against
the backdrop of actual advertising history as the museum prepares
to open "American Enterprise," on July
1. This business history exhibition explores branding and
its role in engaging consumers. The Mad Men objects mirror
actual artifacts from advertising professionals and agencies
featured in "American Enterprise" and tie in to its depiction of
the "creative revolution" of the 1950s and '60s, which shaped the
industry.
"This first-ever business history exhibition at the Smithsonian
places the consumer at the center of the story and looks at
advertising as the essential bridge between products and people,"
said Kathleen Franz, co-curator of
the "American Enterprise" exhibit and assistant professor at
American University.
Mad Men (2007–2015) follows the professional and personal
lives of Madison Avenue advertising men and women during the '60s.
Documenting social changes in America through its fictional
characters, the show received widespread critical acclaim for its
historical authenticity in dialogue, costume and design.
Among the objects are two early '60s-styled costumes designed by
Janie Bryant for Don and Betty Draper, a selection of props and
Weiner's files. Don's costume consists of a gray three-button suit,
a white French-cuff shirt with gold-tone and black-enamel
cufflinks, a fedora hat, striped tie, black shoes and a
camel-colored trench coat, and the associated props including an
empty package of Lucky Strike cigarettes, a wristwatch, a gold-tone
lighter, and a black wallet. Betty's costume is a yellow shirtwaist
dress and brown pumps with associated props including a wristwatch,
a green clutch purse, a gray-framed pair of sunglasses and a
red-leather cigarette case.
The Mad Men objects join the museum's TV collections.
There are no immediate plans for display.
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SOURCE Smithsonian's National Museum of American History