Position Available: Queen of Vintage Catalogs

I've been holding out on you...

I'll bet you didn't know that for a few months this past summer I was on the road to becoming the Queen of Vintage Catalogs.

This was the catalog that started things off:  a Montgomery Ward - Spring and Summer 1943.

I have owned a few vintage catalogs for years - a Montgomery Ward's and a Butler Bros. from the 1920's and a J.C. Penney catalog from 1972, and had always enjoyed paging through them.  But last June when I purchased my first 1940's catalog on Etsy - the 1943 oversized Ward's catalog pictured above - I was completely enchanted.   What drew me in were the big and beautiful full-page color fashion photographs.  They were breathtaking. 

Montgomery Ward Catalog cover, 1949 Spring and Summer

Shortly after that first Etsy purchase, I was the winning eBay bidder on this lovely 1949 catalog.  Again, stunning photographs - a number of them in color - and they were huge! 

I've discovered that vintage Montgomery Ward catalogs, at least up through 1960, are all oversized catalogs measuring 13 1/4" x 9".  Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalogs are wonderful too, but they've always been smaller - 11" x 8 1/4" - at least from the 1920's on.

Those first two catalogs got me hooked, and soon I was on Etsy and eBay constantly, hunting for good deals on vintage catalogs - and spending every bit of the money that I earned from selling on eBay as quickly as it came in.  Sears Roebuck, Montgomery Ward... it didn't matter... I loved them all!

It didn't take long before I had added these seven catalogs from the 1940's to my collection. (l to r)  Spring and Summer 1940; Spring and Summer 1943; Spring and Summer 1945; Fall and Winter 1945-46; Fall and Winter 1946-47; Spring and Summer 1948; Spring and Summer 1949.  The two shorter catalogs in the top row are Sears Roebuck, and the rest are Montgomery Ward.

Do you think I stopped with the 1940's - no way!  Next I started on the 1950's and the 1930's (those were tough to get for a decent price), and my next decade of focus was going to be the 1960's.

I was bidding on so many at once, I started to worry that I was going to end up with two of the same catalog. So I made an Excel chart to track, by year and season, which catalogs I already owned, and which were on the way in the mail.

I was definitely a woman on a mission!

I remember going out to a Chinese buffet with my son one evening, and during our meal I couldn't contain my excitement.  "Daniel," I said, "I've decided that I want to own a copy of every single Montgomery Ward and Sears Catalog from 1920 to 1969!  I want to be known as the Catalog Queen!" 

He laughed at me, of course. Then we quickly figured out that if I ever reached my goal I'd have a staggering 200 catalogs in my collection.  "Why would you want to do that?" he asked. "What's the point?"

What's the point?!  Well, first of all, it would just be really cool to have a complete collection of those two famous catalog names - don't you think?  I wonder if anyone's managed it?  Yeah, probably.  Maybe even one of you has come close?

Also, how fun it would be to have the resources at my fingertips to become an expert on vintage catalog fashion, and be able to answer important questions like:

1) When did the snood, the halter, the peep toe, the turban, the bolero, the circle skirt, the mini skirt, etc. first appear as a new fashion item in a Sears or Ward's catalog?

The snood is "fashion's newest whimsey" in the Sears catalog, Spring and Summer 1940.

2)  Which company was the quickest to share the newest fashion trends - Sears or Ward's?

3)  What distinguishes a Beret from a Pillbox from a Derby or a Cloche, a Toque, a Breton, a Bonnet, a Calot or Bumper hat?

4) When did wonder fabrics like Sharkskin and Lastex first appear - and then disappear?

Rayon Sharkskin dresses featured in Sears catalog, Spring/Summer 1940.

5) Year by year, what direction were hemlines and necklines, shoulders, sleeves and skirts going? - Were they going up or down? wider or narrower?

I'll never know the answers to all these questions because I never managed to get even close to reaching my goal of being the "Queen of Vintage Catalogs."  After buying 21 catalogs in less than three months, I decided it was time to quit.  

I finally took a break from my buying frenzy to add up what I'd spent on catalogs that summer - nearly $300 - yikes!  There was no question that this rather expensive little addiction was one I simply couldn't afford.  At the same time, I was also beginning to lose my enthusiasm because of information overload.  It was clear that in order to have the time to do all the research necessary to truly become an expert on catalog fashion, I'd have to quit my day job - which was not an option!

Montgomery Ward Catalog cover, Fall and Winter 1945-46.

And so my dear readers, visions of being catalog royalty are no longer dancing around in my head.

I'm back to being just a common ordinary lover of vintage fashion who knows just enough to get by, to be a little dangerous, and to have some fun...

These days when I look at catalogs, I mostly just turn the pages and enjoy the pretty pictures - like these winter coats and suits from my 1945-46 Ward's catalog...


I've included the catalog descriptions for your reading pleasure, because I think that the words are just as lovely and intriguing as the fashion photographs.

Color-Gay Cardigan...Scrolled Braid Perked Pockets...Ebony Spiced Buttons...  Those words sound good enough to eat, don't you think? 

Have you noticed Ward's use of the word "revers" to describe the coat lapels?  Coat "C" above, in the American Beauty color, has "Sweetheart Revers."   That term wasn't used by Sears Roebuck. The same style of coat collar in my Sears 1945 catalog was referred to as having "Heart Lapels."

Here's a closer look at the hats worn by each of the models above.

Taking the photographs drew my attention to their makeup and hair too.  Notice that each of the three models has pretty much the same hairstyle - parted on the side, pulled off the face with some sort of clip, and then curled under along the neckline, from the ear down to the shoulder. 

In 1945-46, Ward's chose to have nearly every one of their featured models, who were sporting the newest fashion trends, wear their hair that same way.  I wasn't seeing much that resembled a "Victory Roll" in this particular catalog - except on the more "mature" women.  Were Victory Rolls becoming out of fashion by this point?  Had that style reached its peak in the early 40's?

So, what do you suppose makes Hat A a "Bumper" rather than a "Beret" like Hat B?  They seem to have similar styling and tilt.  I just don't know...

I have lots of questions, but very few answers.  See, I would have failed miserably as Queen! 

So the position is still open.  Anyone want to take a shot at it?  :-)

Creative finds from the 1920's: A Scrapbook and a Beaded Flapper Chapeau

I told you the other day that when I go to estate sales I usually ignore the living room at first (because the highest priced items are there, and aren't usually nabbed as quickly) and head directly to the bedrooms to check for possible vintage clothing, accessories or pretty linens.  

Well, my rush-to-the-bedroom strategy worked this past weekend.  I managed to be one of the first to spot this lovely flapper hat and had to have it! 

It's up for auction on eBay right now (until July 25).  If you're interested, here are the details.

My other favorite finds in the bedroom are old paper items.  Did I tell you how much I love old paper in any form?  Catalogs, brochures, booklets, magazines, books, napkins, post and greeting cards, paper dolls, matchbook covers, etc.  It all fascinates me. 

Actually, one of the best places to find old paper is in the basement. If a paper item hasn't been brought up from the basement to the main floor by the estate sale team - it's usually undervalued, sometimes unmarked, and almost always a great deal.

I found some wonderful old paper at a great price last weekend, and I didn't even have to venture beyond the bedroom for it.  I bought four wonderful scrapbooks filled with lovely magazine clippings from the 1920's (or possibly the 1930's).  I've been paging through them these past few nights - falling asleep with heavenly vintage images in my head. (Much better than counting sheep!)

I'd like to share some photos from one of the scrapbooks with you today, and will continue to share more from the others in future weeks.

A simple but charming cover.

...and a very creative way of binding the pages together!

This last one is my favorite. The "ghostly" children are walking through the radiator and coming out with smiles on the other side!

There are lots more! - but I don't want to spoil you... :-)

I'm still amazed by these gorgeous and quaint illustrations each time I look at them, and I wish I knew what magazines they were clipped from.  Perhaps some are from magazines that were published for children?  I've owned several different "adult" magazines from the 1920's and 1930's and I don't recall so much color and variety.   Do I dare try and carefully remove some of the clippings from the pages and peek on the other side for clues to its origin?  I might have to do that...

For another example of a 1920's scrapbook visit An Apple A Day  (fascinating blog, take a peek - you'll love it!)

And finally, I wanted to introduce you to a lovely book on scrapbooks and their history....Scrapbooks: An American History, by Jessica Helfand.

Here the author gives us a fascinating glimpse into her own vintage scrapbook collecting experience and how she came to write the book.  YouTube video is courtesy of WinterhouseStudio.



Stop by again next Tuesday night for another peek at the Roaring Twenties. Good luck with your treasure hunting this coming weekend!

Wm. Silverman of New York Vintage Hat...1930's Djer Kiss Vanity Box...1950's Bathroom Curtains with Poodles!

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I've had so much fun at weekend estate sales lately, I thought it was about time that I shared some of my recent purchases with you!  Welcome to Heavenly Finds Sunday - where each week I'll be showing off some of my great buys...and fabulous finds that make my heart sing...

When I walk in the door of an estate sale, usually the first place I head is the bedroom - with the hopes of finding vintage clothing or accessories.  Yesterday I found this sweet little hat, probably from the 1950's.  I am intrigued with the colored bands of mocha, dove gray, black and a hint of red at the front.  The single long black feather adds a touch of drama.

This is a Wm Silverman of New York designed hat...

I'm always intrigued by vintage clothing labels, and this one has two!

I just put this hat up for auction on eBay (bidding ends Sunday 7/18).

Click here if you'd like to take a peek...

I think these pretty sweater clips are so...nifty!  This one is still on the original card...

Here's a close-up.  Look at all the tiny pink & gold colorful confetti inside!

And here I am modeling the sweater guard with a pink sweater.  Very sweet! 

(This one is hard to give up, but I just posted it for auction on eBay.  Take a peek - the auction ends on Wednesday night, July 21.)

Here's a fabulous find, probably from the 1930's - possibly earlier...  A Djer Kiss Parfum box for your vanity!

Inside it's a lovely pinky salmon, and it has the Djer Kiss label on the lid.  I suppose this might have been a gift set, filled with talcum powder, cologne or perfume, etc.

 

Here's a close-up of the fabulous illustration on the cover of the box!

These next three items are my super buys of the weekend.  Each cost me just $1.00...

Okay...I'll admit that there's a catch.  One has a chip, and two have cracks - but displayed on the shelf above my piano, or in my curio cabinet, I'm the only one who will ever know!

 

Isn't this a lovely bud vase?  It's probably from the 1920's, maybe a bit earlier.

This porcelain vase (early 1900's, possibly as late as 1920's?)  is decorated with soft peach lustre and has a lovely transfer on the front.  Marked "Germany" on the base.  At 10" tall, it's not small.  And, yes - it was just $1.00!    I would definitely have paid more than a buck for this - but I won't complain...

Here's a close-up of the baby and little girl.  They're enchanted with the butterfly.

The baby's face is rather adult looking, wouldn't you say? But it just adds to the charm.

Isn't she lovely...

And my third $1.00 find is this pretty yellow planter, marked "Ransbottom, Roseville" on the bottom.  (Robinson Ransbottom Pottery Co. of Roseville, Ohio mark is often confused with Roseville Pottery Co. which was also located in Roseville, Ohio.)

 

I really love the nice textures on this piece.  What a deal!

The mission style plant stand, ca. 1920's or 30's, was a bit of a splurge....$8.00.

When I bought these 1950's (or 40's?) drapes, my intention was to turn around and sell them right away.  But when I brought them home, I thought I'd try them out in my bedroom - and they were perfect!

I love the subtly textured fabric, and the soft green trees against the crisp white background.  

 

I spend so much time in bed reading....it will be nice to have this new lovely view...

I've still got another pair of these drapes. Hmm...maybe I could be resourceful and turn them into a long matching robe - like Scarlett did in Gone With the Wind.

And finally....another set of curtains....with a very different theme.  Poodles!

When I first spotted these vintage 1950's vinyl curtains at an estate sale yesterday, I thought it was a shower curtain.  But when I held it up, I realized it was a bit too short - 54".  Plus there was a matching panel.  Clearly this was meant to be used as a bathroom curtain for the window above a bathtub. 

What makes these bathroom curtains special is that they're sprinkled with poodles!

Aren't these crazy!

I'd keep these curtains too, if I had the right window in my bathroom.  But no such luck!  So...I'm selling them on eBay this week (bidding ends Sunday, 7/18).  Click here to take a closer look at the curtains and some of my other items up for auction this week...a vintage cake topper, sewing patterns and an Oscar de la Renta scarf.

I've got lots more to share, but I think I'll save some for next Sunday!  Hope you all have a wonderful week...