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Hi Helen.
Okay - I have here Advertising Characters Collectibles, Collector Books,
1997 (can't find ISBN) as well as What a Character! : 20th century
American Advertising Icons, Chronicle Books, 1996, 0-8118-0936-6. The
latter book does have a chapter which describes the type of characters
that actually resemble the product that they advertise as "Literal Figures"
(whereby advertisers simple turned their products into characters by a
face or arms or legs).  Some (well-illustrated) examples include:

Mr. Peanut (Planter's Peanuts)
Blatz Man (Blatz Beer)
Mister Softee (Ice Cream Cone)
Chiquita Banana
Kool-Aid Man (looks like a pitcher)
Michelin Man
Esso Oildrop(s)
Reddy Kilowatt
McGregor Happy Foot
Mr. Bubble
Scrubbling Bubble
Micronex Tread Man (looks like a tire)
M & N's Plain and Peanut Candy Guys
Oscar Meyer Weiner (the car)
Florida Orange Bird (head is an orange)
California Raisins

Hope this helps!
Margaret English
Toronto Reference Library
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