1950's

I really do spend my weekends reading old magazines. It’s not just to rationalize yet another auction or thrift store purchase, or even to mock (though that’s certainly a plus!); but rather there’s all sorts of neat-o info in old magazines. Here are some examples.

Thirteen Things You Can Learn From Good Housekeeping, November 1957

(Typos and all.)

#1 In a feature called May We Present, we learn of the miracle of dog obedience via Blanche Saunders (featured with her poodles).

“Miss Saunders’s talents are now so much in demand that getting your dog into one of her classes is roughly comparable to getting your son into Harvard.”

Well, at least it was easier than getting your daughter in.

#2 Also in that feature, Samuel Davenport is presented.

Billed as the Answer Man of Capitol Hill, “Sam” was the go-to-guy for congressmen. His official title was Co-ordinator of Information. Sadly (ironically) there is no information on the web about Davenport. Or maybe I just need a new Answer Man to help me find it…

#3 Another person presented was J. Arthur Rank.

Rank also had rank; his title was Baron Rank of Sutton Scotney, member of the British House of Lords. He was a movie-mogul and the founder of the Rank Organization — and we were all to be surprised to learn that the ‘J’ in his name stood for Joseph.

#4 The last person presented in this feature was French-born Amanda Benik Smith, the first woman mayor of Olympia, Washington — and “the only woman mayor of a state capital”.

No one has, as of yet, dedicated an online shrine to her either. :sigh:

#5 What’s a woman’s magazine without the beauty advertisements?

A lot slimmer. *wink*

I selected this one for viewing for the fabulous Rita Hayworth, shown here promoting both Pal Joey and Lux soap with the tag line, “Color does something for you… and so does a lovely complexion!”

#6 Apparently color did nothing for Marlon Brando.

His full-page ad for Sayonara, with “an exquisite new Japanese star”, is in black & white. (At the very bottom the exquisite star is named with a small box which reads, “And Introducing Miiko Taka.”)

#7 One can safely assume that then, as now, a prominent front ad will garner you some free press too.

The one page “Assignment in Hollywood” by Ruth Harbert, Hollywood Editor, features Brando and Miiko — with a bit of spot-color. (Perhaps if the studio had sprung for a color ad…)

#8 What was the medical news in ‘57? Here’s a blurb about treatment for “Cancer of the Womb”, a phrase not heard oft today. Neither is the term “Lying-in Hospital”.

#9 Being a vintage magazine about domesticity, it’s only natural that we find ads for Betty Crocker. This is a two-page ad spread, in color, featuring “Crazy Mixed-up Cakes!”

I must point out that of all the visuals presented in full-Lux-soap-color-scope, number 5, the “Inside-Out” cake, is the most nauseating.

Two slices of white loaf-cake (1957 was a great year for the hyphen) with frosting smeared between it — like a sammich.

That’s. Just. Wrong.

#10 Here’s an article that might be interesting and even useful to typewriter collectors: The Latest Word on Buying Typewriters.

#11 & 12 On Our List was a “monthly report on what the intelligent American may want to read, see, hear and talk about” by Mary Ellin and Marvin Barrett.

I’ve selected the picks and pans on books for you today…

Francoise Sagan, poor dear, had two of her three books panned. Thus she is the “petty” in the Petty and Grand.

But Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged was “grand”.

She even had her photo included in the feature.

#13 While “9 out of 10 Hollywood stars depend on Lux”, what do stars use on their hair in 1957?

“For the most beautiful hair in the world 4 out of 5 Top Movie Stars use Lustre-Creme Shampo” coos Joan Collins.

Say what you will about the silly superficialness of this magazine, but what’s really telling is who & what we collectively remember…

There are shrines to Joan Collins, Brando & Hayworth; but nothing for Davenport and Smith. Even the dog trainer is more well remembered than they.

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Pink was the color in home decor in the late 1950s – Appliances, fixtures, paint, furniture, dresses telephones, bedsheets, even Weyerhauser fencing came in shades of pink. Fiberglass, plastic and steel used in furniture making. Wood wall paneling, plastic tile for the bath and Formica tops on everything, for this “Modern” age.

Times were very good with the economy boosted by the baby boom and home building to accommodate these growing families. Many bought brand new cars, houses and the furnishings, all new and Modern.

No hand-me-down old furniture from Mom and Dad’s attic, or grandma’s estate. People wanted forms featuring straight lines and materials called “Modern”, pole lamps and large console TV’s and a rec room in the basement.

Today we refer to this items as Retro. Antique malls like the one Wifey has a booth at, accept only items from the early 60s and older, which allows some dealers to display items that are now “Half Antique”.

One mall located in Milwaukee was dedicated to these Retro items, with pink, powder blue, charcoal, chrome and orange splattered everywhere.

Collectibles from this period require your attention. Most of these pieces are easily found at reasonable prices. While most of us would not want to fill a house with loads of this retro furniture, a guest room in pinks, or entertainment room with period furnishings, including retro barware and a kidney shaped coffee table topped with a Sascha B ashtray and 1950s House Beautiful magazines, deserves your consideration.

Ceramics by California artist Sascha Brastoff are bright, colorful and distinctive gems, easily spotted at antique and collectibles venues. Items produced vary from ashtrays to vases with the most desirable pieces marked with his full signature. Simply marked Sascha B. commands lesser value, but resin figurines with the “B” were not designed nor produced by Sascha but remain sought after by collectors.

Costume jewelry from this period is also a fun collectible. Wifie’s bible on the subject is Warman’s Jewelry by Christie Romero with a section dedicated to this period. Christie explains the glitzy costume jewels were inspired by the designs of Joseff of Hollywood for films such as “Diamonds Are A Girls’ Best Friend” with Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn’s “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” Both ladies were wearing paste.

Glitzy copies of Hollywood stars’ jewels became popular production pieces at reasonable prices, and spotted today by their over the top designs and marked with the maker’s name and ©, signifying manufacture starting in the fifties.

Designs of the crafts movement inspired modern copper and enameled copper by Rabajes of New York and Renoir/Matisse of California. Many other artists designing for this period.
Toys with themes from early TV shows, cowboy movies, comics – either book or newspaper are highly collectible today. Thoughts of the future brought shoppers into department stores for robot toys, space ships and cosmic ray guns.

Little Ladies desired dolls and doll houses full of furniture. Boys played with Erector sets, Lincoln Logs and Lionel trains.
In today’s economy expect to find very reasonable prices for these retro items. Estate sales are an excellent source for finding treasures. Collect, decorate and enjoy today and watch your investment grow with time and as conditions in the antique and collectible market place improve.
Remember our rules – quality, craftsmanship, condition, completeness, and rarity should dictate your willingness to buy. If the item has a price tag, always ask if there is a “Best Price”

Condition is easy to spot on glass or ceramic items but look carefully at toys and jewelry for completeness and repairs. Rarity is often discussed in price guides, but purchases such as toys require prior study and a watchful eye.

And surprise! Some Bakelite jewelry boxes of the Fifties, sell for more than the item they first contained. Happy Hunting.