Information, typography and persuasion in Brazilian late 19th and early 20th century ephemera

Abstract This paper aims at a better understanding of the informational structure of late 19th and early 20th century ephemera through an analysis of recurrent informative and persuasive elements in a set of printed artifacts produced in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The research methods adopted involved gathering, describing and comparing verbal and visual information found in those artifacts. Recurrent graphic elements, employed not only for providing information but also for characterizing and differentiating competing companies were found, suggesting that Brazilian printers were making use of graphic elements to promote their services and visually communicate the identity of their businesses.