All of these characters are instantly recognizable and identifiable with their product, there is no mistaking what they represent and they've done the companies proud. Take a trip through time as I explore the different icons, the companies, histories and the popular collectibles that depict these icons.

1. The Campbell Soup Kids
It was 1904 and the Campbell Kids were born when illustrator Grace Wiederseim (later known as Drayton) sketches them for a series of streetcar advertisements. They started out as little kids playing games but they quickly grew up. According to the Campbell Soup Company "the Campbell Kids mature over time and begin performing more traditional adult tasks such as climbing a fireman’s ladder and delivering ice". They quickly became very popular and still are one of the most recognized advertising figures today.

The kids have spawned a huge business in collectibles with pins, postcards, dishes and of course dolls. Lots of dolls! The first licensed doll was from Horseman in 1910 -- this license continued until 1914, during which time they produced several various styles. Over the years the dolls have been produced as rag dolls, composition, porcelain, rubber and vinyl. The dolls are still licensed (by numerous companies) and sold today. Annual Christmas ornaments are offered each year by the company, as well as licensed ornaments sold by other companies. Tins, recipe books, kitchen decor and table top, salt and peppers, toys -- the list would take pages just to mention the types of items produced and sold. Many of the vintage Campbells items were available as premiums, making them just a little harder to acquire and usually adding to the value.

Although the kids have changed a little, maybe slimmed down a bit and given more contemporary clothing -- they have never lost the appealing look they first had in 1904. They're adorable and extremely collectible in many different forms.
Campbell Soup Prices and Values
Campbell Soup Collectibles, A Price & Identification Guide -- Compare Prices
Campbell Soup Company -- Compare Prices
Campbell Soup Company History
Campbell Soup Shop

2.The M & M Guys
The story is told in many online and in books, but to recap, M & M's were first sold to American soldiers in 1941 after Mars Sr. met Spanish soldiers eating hard sugar-encased chocolate candies during the Spanish Civil War. He came home, developed the recipe and the product was sold to American soldiers as a snack that traveled well and easily in all climates. At the time the candies were packaged in cardboard tubes. By the late forties they were a popular candy with the public and the packaging changed to brown paper bag we still know today. The M & M characters were first introduced in 1954, on TV in 1972 and are more popular than ever today. The clever and funny commercials really catch the eye and make us identify with the different guys, like feeling sorry for Orange and laughing at Red's antics!

Every holiday season will see tons of M & M merchandise being sold at discount and department stores, as well as online in the M & M official store. And I do mean every holiday season, Halloween, Valentine's Day as well as Christmas. The Internet has been kind to M & M collectors as they now can easily buy the products from around the world. Toppers are particularly popular, as well as the candy dispensers, plush figures, pins and ceramic ware. The M & M online store has merchandise for every room in your house and if you are in Las Vegas, it's a must visit!
M & M Official History
Incredible Collector -- Ginny Wolfe
Prices Realized for M & M Collectibles
M & M Cookie Jars

3. Mr. Peanut
Mr. Peanut is another oldie, but goodie in my mind. I can still smell the roasted peanuts as we used to walk by the Planter Peanut store in Times Square many years ago. Maybe that memory helped move him up to number three, but it's more than that. According to Hake's Guide to Advertising Collectibles, Mr. Peanut was chosen after a company-sponsored contest in 1916. Of course, he has gone through several updates over the years, but he has become more noticeable again on TV commercials and a great moving billboard in Times Square. Mr. Peanut collectibles consist of books, posters, jars, pins, dolls, silverware, banks, watches, and salt/pepper sets. Planters has a terrific web site with lots of historical pictures and ads.

Note: Mr. Peanut has his share of reproductions and fantasy items. Watch out for anything made by "McCoy", as the company never made a Mr. Peanut jar or bank. Glass counter jars have also been reproduced, make sure you know what you're buying and do the homework before spending money on an item you are not familiar with.
Planters
Prices Realized
Mr. Peanut Collectors Club
Mr. Peanut Fakes

4. Aunt Jemima
She's well over 100 years old and still evident today, although she has certainly changed quite a bit reflecting our consciousness of the black culture. From Ad Age: "Few commercial icons deserve to be called "cultural touchstones" of significant political and social change. But the Aunt Jemima trademark is one of them." Aunt Jemima has changed from a heavy-set woman wearing a bandana and apron, in 1968 she became younger and thinner; a hair band was added and later removed; and in 1989 she got a new hair style, along with pearl earrings and a lace collar. There is a wealth of Aunt Jemima collectibles available and wealth is what you need to buy some of the older pieces! But don't let that stop you from collecting Aunt Jemima -- you can find plenty of goodies at reasonable prices.

Note: Aunt Jemima items have been both widely reproduced and mis-represented. Not every black woman collectible is an authentic Aunt Jemima. Do your research and thoroughly check out items before purchasing.
Aunt Jemima Online
Aunt Jemima soft cookie jar
Syrup Bottle cookie jar

5. Elsie the Cow
Although Elsie made her first appearance in 1936 as part of a quartet, she was so popular by 1939 Elsie started appearing in her own advertisements. She's still a popular symbol for Borden Dairy products. Many advertisements during WWII were public service announcements touting public service announcements, numerous non-dairy Borden products, war bonds and how Borden's helped the war effort. Elsie has been made into dolls, toys, lamps, mugs, ceramic items, cookie jars, as well as having her face adorn other items, including signs, buttons and postcards.
Kovel's Prices for Borden Collectibles
Elsie Online

6. Pillsbury Doughboy
Our favorite baker is 40 years old this year and is another youngster in this group of mostly elders. He made his debut in a crescent roll commercial and within two years, according to General Mills, he had 87% recognition. The way the story is told, a group from the Leo Burnett advertising agency was sitting in a meeting surrounded by cans of dough. A can was popped open and the doughboy was born! As you can imagine, Pillsbury Doughboy is on hundreds of collectibles --- mostly kitchen related, but not exclusively. Clothing, radios, ornaments, pictures, towels, Christmas ornaments --he has it all!
Lipper International: Pillsbury Doughboy Collection
Prices Realized for Pillsbury Doughboy

7. Ronald McDonald
Instantly recognizable to kids world-wide, Ronald McDonald is more than a smiling face. He also stands for a safe harbor and hope for little ones and their families during times of hospitalization at the Ronald McDonald houses throughout the country. Ronald was first introduced in 1963 in Washington State by Oscar Goldstein, a local franchisee. Ronald has acted in movies, has his own foundation and according to "Advertising Age", has also danced with the New York City Rockettes. Ronald McDonald has been depicted through numerous collectibles, including plates, vinyl figures, dolls, bobble heads, beanie babies, ornaments, ceramic items and posters. He is also been on lunch boxes, watches, games, and glasses -- both drinking and sun.
Prices Realized for Ronald McDonald
Ronald McDonald's Web Site

8. Quaker Oats Man
I'm not quite sure how old the stately looking gentlemen is, but he's shown on a button from 1898, so he is at least over 100! Why do I like him? He's just so darn trustworthy looking, who wouldn't trust his cereal and buy his products. Early collectibles include buttons, trade cards, booklets, a china bowl in 1910, plastic-ware from F & F, tins and, of course my favorite, cookie jars. Quaker Oats had quite a few other premium items that didn't necessarily include the Quaker Oat man such as Roy Rogers, baseball cards from the thirties, hockey cards in the fifties and seventies. But the best one of all is the square inch of land deeds in the Yukon Territory in 1955. I'm still looking for mine!
More About Quaker Oats

9. Tony the Tiger
After all, He's Grrreat! Tony has been eligible for AARP for a few years but he still looks pretty darn good. Like Ernie, Tony is depicted in plush toys and dolls, telephone, watches, cookie jars, tins and on cereal bowls. To be picked, an icon has to be instantly recognized and Tony certainly fits that criteria. More:
Tony and Kellogg's
Tony the Tiger Prices

10. Ernie, the Keebler Elf!
Although he was born in 1968, his first appearance wasn't until 1970. And he has been busy ever since. Ernie is depicted in plush dolls, bean bag toys, telephones, tins, cookie jars, toy food sets, key chains, clocks. Just about anything that can get a logo emblazoned on it has probably seen Ernie.
More:
Keebler and Ernie
Ernie Cookie Jars