Fashion Frocks

In my last post, I mentioned that I'd purchased a pile of sample cards created by Fashion Frocks, a dress manufacturing company located in Cincinnati, Ohio, from 1908 to the 1970's. I finally finished scanning my favorites, so here they are! I love everything about these cards--the carefully attached fabric swatches, the awkwardly funny ad copy, the matching turban pictured above that "will complete this fashionable masterpiece for a tiny sum!"

I forgot to mention that the lot I purchased included a few cards from a similar company called Janalene. They're from 1940, look slightly 30's to me (something about the way the women are drawn), and are at least as fantastic as the Fashion Frocks cards. (And a note: Clicking on any of the images in this post will open a larger version in a new window.)

Gay Disguises for Hallowe'en Revelers

At an estate sale a few weeks ago, I bought four issues of a party planning magazine published by Dennison Manufacturing Co. in the 1920's. (The magazine apparently changed names several times. The first three images in this post are from Party Book, 1929, and the last two are from Parties, 1928.) The magazines were hidden in the basement under a pile of dust and are especially cool because they're discards from the Sewickley Public Library. They still have their original borrowing cards stamped with due dates ranging from 1929 through 1966! I have a small collection of vintage costumes, but they aren't nearly as elaborate as the costumes that the magazine insists can be made from only crepe paper and cardboard cutouts! (By the way, clicking on any of the images will open a larger version in a new window.)