Vintage 1964 First National City Travelers Checks Ad – “Better Than Money” | World’s Fair Edition

Description

Vintage 1964 First National City Travelers Checks Ad – “Better Than Money” | World’s Fair Edition

Description:
This vibrant original 1964 advertisement promotes First National City Travelers Checks (now part of Citibank) and proclaims they are “Better Than Money”. Designed to showcase the checks’ global convenience and security, the ad uses three real-life travel tests to highlight their strengths: Refundability, Acceptability, and Availability.

• Test No. 1 – Refundability in Washington, D.C.
  A tourist receives an immediate refund after calling Western Union for lost checks.

• Test No. 2 – Acceptability in Waikiki Beach
  Vacationers use the checks to pay for a thrilling outrigger canoe ride in Hawaii.

• Test No. 3 – Availability in Montreal
  A Canadian businessman obtains his checks easily at The Mercantile Bank of Canada.

The advertisement is also tied to the 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair, where First National City Bank was the official provider of Travelers Checks. The visuals and messaging were crafted to instill trust in travelers during a booming era of global tourism.

• Date: Circa 1964

• Print Origin: Likely published in LIFE or similar mid-century travel/lifestyle magazine

• Mounted Size: Approx. 19 x 26 cm on sturdy black mounting board

• Artist/Photographer: Uncredited

• Tagline: “When you ‘Come to the Fair,’ carry them … relax and enjoy the fun!”

Condition Note:
This is an authentic piece of vintage printed ephemera from the 1960s. While beautifully preserved, buyers should expect light patina, minor edge wear, or paper aging, all of which reflect the historical character of the item.

Ref: TWA 5