The Elliot Wager Collection was donated to Auraria Library Archives and Special Collections intermittenly from 1988-1990 by Elliot and Mary Wager. Property rights to the collection are held by the Special Collections Department of Auraria Library. Literary rights are dedicated to the public, once there are no restrictions placed on the use of these materials. Linear Feet of Shelf Space:2 Number of containers:2 Videocasette:1 Audocasettes:2 Processed by: Marilyn McCroskey
Elliot Wager was born on February 17, 1922 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a Senior at Whitefish Bay High School in Milwaukee he was paid $5 for writing a prize winning essay in a VFW "Americanism" contest.
He was a graduate of Marquette School of Journalism, where he wrote and edited the school weekly and community newspapers. After College, Elliot decided to be a "radio writer" in the Norman Corwin, Archobler Era, and got $250 for a thirty minute radio script in a contest by the "Dr. Cristian" series.
He served in the U.S. Army 99th infantry division from 1943-45 before moving to Denver in 1947. While finishing his Masters Degree in English at the University of Dernver, he took a copywriter job at the May Company, where he wrote newspaper and radio ads. Some of the copy was for KLZ Radio and when they had an opening, he began to work there for $40 a week.
At KLZ all shows were scripted for a live engineer, sound effects and musicians. The Funny Paper Show (1948) is an example. Knave of Hearts on heart disease is a sample of Research and dramatization of findings. Elliot Wager also did some announcing and directing of radio shows.
He began writing promotional copy for an investment company and direct mail for Cervi's Journal. Parttime, he taught a radio writing class at Regis College, as well as grammar, James Joyce, Victorian novel while working full time in media.
In 1952, Elliot Wager became circulation manager of Cervi's Journal, and did some editorial writing before going to Iowa where he was a co-editor of a religious weekly The Messenger.
He came back to Denver and began working as a copywriter for $1,000 a month at Broyles Allelaugh in 1964. He moved to Hull-Medford Agency, while continuing to work for Brayles and teaching adult Education part time.
In 1966, at the request of a friend at the School of Mines, Elliot took a full time teaching position in Humanities. He also began a 7 year part time Ph.D program at the University of Colorado in Boulder.
He taught full time at Community College of Denver after obtaining his Ph. D before moving to San Diego in 1977. There, Elliot Wager was Associate Director of a media based College Credit Program. He wrote promo materials, text materials, hosted a radio program, and taught marketing at National University Graduate School. He returned to Denver in 1981 to teach full time at Metropolitan State College: speech, radio, TV scripting, and news writing for TV and radio. He retired in 1987.
Since 1981, Mr. Wager has been a copywriter for a San Francisco agency with accounts in Denver, Bay Area, and Salt Lake City, as well as some free lancing for Children's Hospital.
He is a former member of AAUP. PRSA (Public Relations Society of America), Denver Press Club, Westerns, Segma Delta Chi, Milwaukee Local, American Federation of Musicians, and Evil Companions Club. He has been inspired by, and married to Mary C. Wager for twenty-two years.
The two boxes include carbon copies of commercial continuity and radio drama scripts written for KOA and KLZ Radio from 1947-1951. They also contain printed samples from accounts handled by Broyles-Allelaugh & Davis, Kranz Advertising and Hull-Medford agencies of Denver from 1957-1965. Materials in these files include marketing Strategy newsletters for service station owners, statement stuffers, coupon books, black and white and color brochures for industrial firms, advertising copy for news papers and magazines, contests, signs and brochures. These illustrate the advertising and media Climate in Denver and are a source of historical information regarding personalities, issues, themes and conflicts in the local communications industry. This is also an excellent reflection of American post war optimism and economic growth preceeding the Vietnam Era. Elliot Wager left advertising for an academic career after 1967. The remainder of the file materials consist of academic and intellectual contributions; essays in the areas of media, marketing, advertising and communications.
Elliot Wager Radio - Denver Advertising - Denver Public Relations - Denver Technical Communications - Metro State College Media Organizations - Denver KLZ Radio ? KOA Radio ? Broyles, Allelaugh & Davis ? Kranz Agency ? Hull-Medford Agency?SERIES LIST Series 1: Commercial Continuity Scripts for KOA Radio Series 2: Commercial Continuity Scripts for KLZ Radio Series 3: Radio Series Scripts- KLZ Radio Series 4: Heart Disease Series Series 5: Divorce Series Series 6: Kranz Advertising- Accounts of Agency Series 7: Broyles-Allelaugh & Davis- Accounts of Agency Series 8: Hull-Medford, Inc. Advertising Copy Series 9: Newspapers, clippings, articles, photos from various print media organizations Series 10: Publications Series 11: Correspondence Series 12: Slides Series 13: Miscellaneous Publications
Seires 1: Commercial Continuity Scripts for KOA Radio This series contains scripts for various radio announcements on KOA Radio in Denver, Co. All scripts were written by Elliot Wager, and are arranged alphabetically. Series 2: Commercial Continuity Scripts for KLZ Radio This series contians scripts for various radio announcements on KLZ Radio in Denver, Co. Series 3: Radio Series Scripts- KLZ Radio This series contains scripts for programs that aired on KLZ Radio from 1948-1949. This series is arranged by date. Series 4: Heart Disease Series This series contains papers which were used to conduct a series about heart disease on KLZ Radio. This series won a Dupont Award, and was announced by Bob Petre. Series 5: Divorce Series This series contains papers which were used to conduct a series about divorce on KLZ Radio with help from Denver University. This PBS series includes Dr. and Mrs. Link. Series 6: Kranz Advertising- Accounts of Agency This series contains information concerning the various accounts held with Kranz Advertising. Also contains correspondence to Elliot Wager and a photo of Elliot Wager. This series is arranged alphabetically. Series 7: Broyles, Allelaugh & Davis- Accounts of Agency This series contians information and various memorabilia concerning ad campaigns by Broyles, Allelaugh & Davis for various clients. Also contains correspondence to Elliot Wager, as well as photos of Elliot Wager. Series 8: Hull-Medford Inc. Advertising Copy This series contains various advertisments done by Hull-Medford Inc. For their clients. Also included is correspondence to/from Elliot Wager, and a photo of Mr. Wager. Series 9: Newspapers, clippings, articles, photos from various print media organizations This series includes articles pertaining to Elliot Wager and articles that were of interest to him. It also contains photos of Elliot Wager, and correspondence to/from Elliot Wager. Series 10: Publications This series contains publications that were of interest to Elliot Wager, such as newletters and magazines. This series is arranged alphabetically. Series 11: Correspondence This series contains letters to and from Elliot Wager. It is arranged by date. Series 12: Slides This series contains slides of various advertisment campaigns done by Elliot Wager. This series is arranged alphabetically. Series 13: Miscellaneous Publications This series contains random publications that Elliot Wager had some interest in. This series in arranged alphabetically.
Series 1: Commercial Continuity Scripts for KOA Radio Carton/Folder Date 1/1 Evadna Hammersly's May Company Radio Shopper for The May Company (July 31) 1947 1/2 Miscellaneous commercial announcements for The May Company (June 3) n.d. Series 2: Commercial Continuity Scripts for KLZ Radio Carton/Folder Date 1/3 Maytime for The May Co. 1947 1/4 Dog Chow Time for Purina 1947 1/5 Christmas Night Show for Western Spring Service 1947 1/6 Canturbury Choir-Easter Sunday Show for Western Spring Service 1947 1/7 Christmas at KLZ for KLZ Radio 1947 1/8 The KLZ Program Notebook for KLZ/CBS Radio 1947 1/9 New Methods in Music for New Method Cleaners 1947 1/10 Commercial Announcement during Red Barbir Show for Fahey Brockman 1947 1/11 Sons of the Pioneer for Spitzer Electrical Company 1947 1/12 Billy Mills Orchestra for Spitzer Electrical Company 1947 1/13 Penthouse Seranade for Marvin's, Inc. 1947 1/14 The Barclay Allen Show for Glen Martin, Dinner 1947 1/15 Straiss Jaiss Review for George F. Strauss 1947 1/16 Tivoli Beer Garden for Tivoli Brewing Co. 1947 1/17 Save a Nickel for Save a Nickel Stores 1947 1/18 Sunday Seranade for Colfax Radio & Appliance & Kistler's 1947 1/19 Musical Varieties for Merchants 1947 1/20 Commercial copy - New Homes for A.D. Jones & Company 1947 1/21 Say it with Music - Art Gow & Lee Edwards for Moore 1947 Realty 1/22 Songs of our Times - Ed Scott, Anncr. for Kortz Lee Jewelers 1947 1/23 Top Tune of 1950 for Denver Chevrolet 1950 1/24 Mister Pete & Little Cheep for Meadow Gold 1947 Series 3: Radio Series Scripts- KLZ Radio Carton/Folder Date 1/25a Programs #11-19 1948 1/25b Programs #20-27 1948-49 1/25c Programs #28-35 1949 1/25d Programs #37-45 1949 Series 4: Heart Disease.KLZ PBS Series; Knave of Hearts, Bob Petre, Announcer Carton/Folder Date 1/26 Introduction by Elliot Wager 1989 1/27 Congressional Record 80th Congress 2nd Session (June 8) No. 103 1948 1/28 Chapter 1 & 2 Rheumatic Fever 1948 1/29 Chapter 5 Heartbeat 1948 1/30 Chapter 6 High Blood Pressure 1948 1/31 Chapter 7 Hypertension 1948 1/32 Chapter 10 Story of Dicuunerol 1948 1/33 Chapter 11 Acute or Pulmonate 1948 1/34 Chapter 12 Know the Big Three of Heart Disease 1948 1/35 Chapter 14 Hypertension 1948 1/36 Chapter 15 Margin of Safety 1948 1/37 Chapter 17 Has Been of Heart Disease 1948 Series 5: Divorce Series- KLZ Radio Carton/Folder Date 1/38 Introduction note by Elliot Wager 1989 1/39 Divorce Program 7 1947 1/40 The New Freedom of Women Program 8 1947 1/41 Too Much Romance Program 9 1947 1/42 Kings Treasure Chest, Chuck Collin, MC for King Soopers 1949-50 1/43 The Funny Paper Show Intro note by Elliot Wager 1989 1/44a Programs #103-196 1948-50 1/44b Programs #208-218 (Missing 209, 211, 215, 216) 1950 1/45 Denver Post Comic Weekly (July 9) 1950 1/46 The Biggest Heart for Fred Ward Inc. 1950-51 1/47 Colorado Speaks for Colorado Voters Ammendment 2 1950 Series 6: Kranz Advertising, Denver, Co. Accounts of Agency Carton/Folder Date 1/48 KLZ Television News, p. 3. Photos of Elliot Wager, Walter & Mary Krantz; background on Kranz Agency. Letter to Elliot Wager from James S. Holme 1957-59 1/49 Barr Lumber 1957-59 1/50 Colorado State Bank 1957-59 1/51 DuBarry Gloves 1957-59 1/52 Murray-Hawkinson Travel Service, Inc 1957-59 1/53 Pretesses Concrete of Denver, Inc 1957-59 1/54 Rambler 1957-59 1/55 Republic Drug 1957-59 1/56 Unbroiler 1957-59 1/57 Wolfberg Thiatries 1957-59 Series 7: Broyles Allelaugh & Davis, Denver, Co.- Accounts of Agency Carton/Folder Date 1/58 News Photo of Elliot Wager. [The Copywriter (essay).] pull became file #146.[Camel and Creativity (essay). We make Ph.d Loans (essay)] transferred box 2 file #145 1960-64 1/59 News Photo of top officers of Broyles, Allelaugh & Davis, Inc. & Broyles own brochure 1960-64 1/60 American Stencil Mfg. Co. Moe Amons, Pres. News Clippings, Correpsondence, Photographs, AD copy 1960-64 1/61 Letter & photograph from Fred H. Barlow to Elliot Wager 1960-64 1/62a The Bay Petroleum Corporation The Bay Dealer magazine 1960-64 1/62b Miscellaneous Bay Dealer Promotional items 1960-64 1/62c Bay Bill stuffers & coupon books 1960-64 1/62d Television - Continuity-Western Slope Bay Dealers 1960-64 1/63 Radio-TV Continuity - Central Banking System, Inc. 1960-64 1/64 The Cervis Journal - booklet & sign 1960-64 1/65 First National Bank 1960-64 1/66 Gates Rubber Company 1960-64 1/67 Flaming Pit Restaurant 1960-64 1/68 Hamilton Reporter vol. 1 #1 (July 15) 1963 1/69 McCoy & Company 1960-64 1/70 Mountain Newspaper Research Institute 1960-64 1/71 Robinson Brick & Tile Company 1960-64 1/72 Red Stamp Winner-Black & White Photo 1960-64 Series 8: Hull-Medford, Inc. Advertising Copy Carton/Folder Date 1/73 RMN photo of Elliot Wager from John Aldorn, KOA Radio; Lee Fondren KLZ (April 20) 1964 1/74 Coughlin & Company 1965 1/75 Denver Catholic Register 1965 1/76 Design News - Cahner's Publishing 1964 1/77 Frontier Airlines 1964 1/78 Guest Guide 1965/66 1/79 J.F. Katzel Photography n.d. 1/80 Loveland Sk. Tow Company - brochure n.d. 1/81 National Centre of Communication Arts & Science 1965 1/82 Sunstrand Corporation 1964 1/83 VSMF's Tetra-Tetraflexagon - puzzle n.d. 1/84 Dr. Richard E. Wells - Podiatrist Office opening publicity 1966 1/85 Advertising Club of Denver - Nike Awards 1959-1964 2/86 1988 typewritten note to Rudy Witthus from Elliot Wager "What do Copywriters Do?" Contest entitles 'Piscatorial Powers-Hamilton Fund' 1950-51 2/87 Joseph Magnin, Inc. Catalogue & correspondence between J. Ely, Vice President of Sales Promotion, Elliot Wager concerning the issue of Minority representation in promotional catalogues 1975 2/88 The King Size Co. Catalogue & correspondence between Randy Brady, customer relations and Elliot Wager concerning lack of minority models in Catalogue 1975 2/89 Colorado MAC News (Media, Agents, Clients) Tom Mulvey, Publisher 1983-1985 2/90 Colorado MAC News 1986-1987 2/91 Nagle Marketing, Inc. Metro Denver-Cadillac Dealers - video 1983 2/92 Cadillac copy-cassette tape KHOW, KOA, KOSI Radio 1982 2/93 Cadillac copy - newspaper ads 1982, 85 2/94 Cadillac copy - paste up 1985 2/95 Institute of Technical Communications-Manual - Essay p. 118 by Elliot Wager on writing advertising copy 1960 2/96 Second Annual Institute in Technical & Industrial Publications CSU, Fort Collins brochure, agenda, and letter to Elliot from Herman M. Weisman, Director 1959 2/97 Misc. correspondence - invitations, obituary 1956-1964 2/98 The Denver Art Museum letters from OHO Bach (March-August) Supplement to Empire Magazine Oct 3, 1971. Denver New Showcase for Art. Development Fund 1893-1968 75th Anniversary 1965 Series 9: Newspapers, clippings, articles, photos from various print media organizations. Carton/Folder Date 2/99 Many Different Newspapers Have Come & Gone on Capitol Hill. Life on Capitol Hill, p.8 (March 18) 1988 2/100 Sailing on xxxx the xxx Culture Looks Down Straight Creek Journal, Vol.1, Issue 21 (June 29) 1972 2/101 When will it be your turn to be legislators out of business? Re: Senate Bill 95, banning advertising on highways. Rocky Mtn. News (March 15) 1965 2/102 Daily Worker (Monday April 5) 1941 2/103 The Militant (Saturday April 5) 1941 2/104 El Gallo Vol. IV no. (February 2) El Grito Del Norte. Vol. V no. (August 5-6) 1972 2/105 Ars Pro Arte, A Kead or Alive Magazine. KULCHURE The Denver Free Press March; CUCARACHA 21, de Septiembre, no.9 1973, 81 2/107 A harvest of Barren regrets, Cervi's Journal Vol 23, #6, (Mon Oct. 11) 1971 2/108 The Denver Free Press Vol 1 Number 1, 6-14-73 2/109 People's News Service Vol. 2 Issue 9-13 (August 11) 1971 2/110 Cajui Convention, a Confederation of Doozies, from: The Wall Street Journal (Tuesday, August 16) 1988 2/111 Harper's Magazine (March) 1968 2/112 Jeane Dixon's Midyear forecast, Denver Post (July 22) 1973 2/113 Mouthful of Rhinestones, Freddy Bosco, Straight Creek Journal (February 20-27) Also: Lewd, wanton, lacivious- police harassment of gay population 1973 2/114 Woodstock Movie Poster n.d. 2/115 Essay reprint: An interpretation of the Orozco Frescoes at Dartmouth n.d. 2/116 Osborne, J.K. I Refuse n.d. 2/117 Newsletter: Evil Companions Club of Denver 1964 2/118 Ammon Hennacy letters & book 1953, 70 2/119 2 DFU Catalogues 1973 2/120 MSC History, The Alumni 1982-87 2/121 Chester Flickenger Case 1967 2/122 Denver History - Centre Theatre 1970-76 2/123 Olypmpic Flame Sputters Fitfully On, Straight Creek Journal, Olympics in Denver Controversy 1972 2/124 Denver Labor, Chamber of Commerce Booklet n.d. 2/125 Chicano movement for social reform in Colorado - Denver Coalition Crusade- Richard Castro, Denver 1973 2/126 Salary Schedules Denver Public Schools 1948, 1961-62 2/127 Christmas Card-From the Guinns - Vintage 57 Christmas cards (personal) 1957 2/128 Whit Water Society brochure 1972 2/129 Menus, flyers local Denver Restaurants - Profile 1973 2/130 Regis College Brown & Gold Student Newspaper. (March 10) p.4 Regis Football Song - Sheet music repro. 1965 2/131 Biography & resumes of Elliot Wager 1979-87 2/132 Elliot Wager wins Essay contest. Tower Times, Whitefish Bay High School Newspaper (April 6). True Americanism by Elliot Wager, p.3. Protest Pop as Bay Sets Speed Record, Elliot Wager North Shore Star (Wednesday, March 19) 1939, 41 2/133 Photo of Elliot Wager on brochure of Empire Savings & Loan Advertising copy. Denver 1964 2/134 Front Pages of Rocky Mtn News 1947 2/135 Address by Harold E. Fellows Pres. National Association of Broadcasters. Advertising Stoppes at 10 O'Clock this morning 1960 2/136 Letter from Hawthorne famous CA. D.J. to Elliot Wager 1946, 75 2/137 Letter to EW from James S. Holme, International House, Denver, Co. (July 30) 1959 2/138 Note to EW from Max Goldberg (June 8) 1959 2/139 Invitation to Cheyenne Frontier Days from Palmer Hoyt (June 29) 1961 2/140 Letter to EW FROM David Grant, Senior Vice President & Manager of Buchen Advertising (March 4) 'Why EW not hired' 1965 2/141 What Does A Copywriter Do? correspondence EW & RW re: Archives 1983-88 2/142 ??To Incorporate?? 1988 2/143 What makes a Good Speaker? 1986 2/144 How to pack a suitcase; clean a closet, (plus let the avacado ripen when you make guacamole) 1983-84 2/145 Camels and Creativity 1962 2/146 Piscatorial Powers - contest n.d. 2/147 Duffy's Drinks - contest 1950-51 3/20 Chinook newspaper 1972 3/21 Articles concerning Guru Maharaj Ji 1974 3/22 Articles concerning MSCD "The Paper" 1970 3/23 Articles by Elliot Wager n.d.-1974 3/24 Articles about Frederick P. Thieme 1974 3/25 Articles by George Wald 1969 3/26 Articles from the National Observer 1970 3/28 "Now" (newspaper) Headline: "Denver's Visionary Poets" 1975 3/29 Copy of the Rocky Mountain Herald 1970 3/30 Miscellaneous news clippings 1969-95 Series 10: Publications Carton/Folder Date 3/2 Back to Godhead (magazine) 1976-79 3/33 Business booklets published by the Business/Professional Advertising Association 1982-84 3/37 Business information sheets published by Kistler Services n.d.-1984 3/34 Cahners Advertising Research Reports 1981-82 3/40 Catalog compiled by Karsh & Hagan Advertising n.d. 3/15 Cervi's Rocky Mountain Journal n.d. 3/6 "Chicago and the Press" by Nathan B. Blumberg 1969 3/4 "The Deserted Rooster" by Ric Masten 1982 3/12 E(ngineering) Days 1969 3/27 "Executive Order" a publication containing facts about the movie of the same name. Deals with the assassination of JFK 1974 3/19 "The Full-Service Advertising Agency" by Victor G. Bloede 1983 3/17 The Hip Help Bulletin (newsletter) 1970 3/35 "How Companies Grow in Good Times and Bad"- A McGraw-Hill Magazine n.d. 3/16 Intercultural School of the Rockies 1970 3/13 MSC Women's Advocate 1983/84 3/38 Miscellaneous business information sheets and newsletters 1983-84 3/42 Miscellaneous programs from events 1970-73 3/14 National Lawyers Guild? (newsletter) 1972 3/3 Newsletters by Moses David 1972-74 3/9 The Other Side (newsletter) 1974-76 3/7 Pamphlets on the Baha'i Faith n.d. 3/1 The Playboy Forum 1968-70 3/5 The Protection of Cultural Resources Against the Hazards of War 1942 3/36 A Review and Perspective on Advertising Industry Self-Regulation 1971-77 3/8 Selective Service Newletter 1968 3/10 Spark (newsletter) 1974 3/11 The Tab (newsletter) 1975 3/18 "Television" an interview with Jack Gould 1961 3/32 Works by L.W. Michaelson 1970 3/31 "The Works of James Gillray" 1970 Series 11: Correspondence Carton/Folder Date 3/40 To Elliot Wager 1970-84 Series 12: Slides Carton/Folder Date 3/39 DC Trucking Co. (Slides of Advertisments) n.d. Series 13: Miscellaneous Publications Carton/ Folder Date 3/50 "100-point behavior test for Teen-agers" by George W. Crane, Ph.D., M.D. 1953 3/43 2101 A.D. Speech Odyssey (newsletter) 1985 3/54 Agreement between Coors and Brewery Workers Union No. 366 1965-68 3/47 "Cuba: A history 1868-1959" n.d. 3/53 Demonstrators' Rights, Compiled by D.U. Legal Marshalles 1970 3/48 The Denver Defense Committee (handout) 1969 3/45 Denver Free University Course Catalog (Spring/Summer) 1974 3/49 English-Speaking Union Pamphlet n.d. 3/46 "Have we bought enough war?" (handout) n.d. 3/44 Serigraphs by Tom Bartek 1974 3/52 U.S. Census Form 1970 3/51 "Vote No on Charter Amendments 1 & 2" (handout) 1970