Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Chicago Mail Order Co. '35
This is the last post in this 3-part presentation of highlights from a "summer bargins" Chicago Mail Order Co. catalog. We've seen shoes and hats and bloomers and slips, now it's time to see the new vogue styles from over 75 years ago! Whether your thing is scintillating stripes, flock-dots, Wafflecloths, or Canton Crepe, you are/were sure to be THE chic Style Queen of 1935 --satisfaction guaranteed or your money back, since 1889! And you better hurry, sale ends August 31st. 1935.
What a beautiful old catalog! Being a native of Chicago, I am now very curious about this mail order company as well.
ReplyDeleteThis has been a truly exceptional series of posts, Karswell, and I would love to see more. I'm very surprised this has not received more comments. Thank you!
Jen
Well Jen, with a blog like "And Everything Else Too" I suppose I run the risk of not pleasing everyone, and since the subject matter from one post to another is all over the map, I can really only blog about the things that interest me... if someone else finds interest in it as well then great! I'm glad you've enjoyed these posts, seems of the 3, the slips and bloomers post was the most commented on (scantily clad females will of course always be popular), and per your curiosity about the Chicago Mail Order Company, apparently they later became known as Aldens, and in the 1970s was sold to Wicks Lumber, who closed the company in 1982 (info from yahoo answers.)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment!
I am quite fond of the "radically underpriced" pair of sailor pants! What a great find, Karswell! I am going to send a link of this to my friend who is a costume and textile curator. She will totally love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jacque!
ReplyDeleteI really love all the crazy waffling, extra buttons, and wide sailors' collars. This catalog stuff is a real treasure chest for sure. I never much thought about how all these catalogs looked before it was really cost effective to photograph everything. I mean I've seen my share of woodcut Sears ads and stuff, but all this modern twentieth century depression-era styling is another thing entirely.
ReplyDeleteThis has probably been my favorite series on this blog so far, Karswell. Thanks so much.
My pleasure Mr C, very glad you enjoyed it! There's still ALOT more to this catalog too, like for example-- all of the men's clothing! I'll post some more from this catalog maybe later in the summer. Thanks again for commenting too!
ReplyDeleteI just read your article on Blogger: and everything else too - Post a Comment and want to thank you for it.
ReplyDeleteI found a 1938 Chicago Mail Order Spring and Summer Catalog in excellent shape. 339 pages of styles and products of the past. It is a real hoot to look at!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know if these old catalogs have any value? Thanks
Depends on condition and rarity factor-- check eBay and see what similar catalogs are selling for.
ReplyDelete