Montgomery Ward, 1936
Attack of the Clones
When art directors attack – you end up with things like this… Continue reading Attack of the Clones
Category: 1930s
Montgomery Ward, 1936
Berry Seed Company, 1930
Berry’s berries, melons, clover, and…
Berry Seed Company, 1930 Seed catalogs have been a staple of American catalogs since as long as catalogs have been around. This depression-era example is aimed squarely at the working farmer. While there are a few pages of roses and flowers, this catalog is really focussed on cash crops. With a name like “Berry Seed”, … Continue reading Berry’s berries, melons, clover, and…
Sears Roebuck, 1934
Old School. Really Old School.
Like, the 1934 school year – that old. Here are some early ancestors of today’s peak sneaker era of Air Jordans and Yeezys. Continue reading Old School. Really Old School.
Chicago Mail Order Company, 1936
Blues For Men. (And the occasional gray and brown)
Photos from the 1930s are all black & white. Men’s actual clothes from the era weren’t much livelier. Continue reading Blues For Men. (And the occasional gray and brown)
Chicago Mail Order Company, 1936
Fashion in (almost) living color
If you watch enough old 1930s movies, you can be forgiven for thinking the world once existed only in black and white. So it’s startling to see these 1936 fashions in a riot of colors. Continue reading Fashion in (almost) living color
RCA Victor, 1932
The Birth – and First Death – of the Long-Playing Vinyl Record
RCA Victor Dealer Catalog, 1932 Even in this digital age, vinyl records continue to appeal, both for their sound quality and the delight in their sheer physicality – a 12-inch disc in a colorful cardboard sleeve with liner notes and musical information. Audiophiles know how the 33 RPM long-playing “LP” was introduced in the late … Continue reading The Birth – and First Death – of the Long-Playing Vinyl Record
Garlinghouse, 1930
In a little Spanish Home…
During the late 1920s and early 1930s, Spanish Mission-style architecture became super-trendy. Garlinghouse would sell you a complete set of blueprints with which to build your dream house….assuming your dreams could fit into less than 2000 square feet. Continue reading In a little Spanish Home…
Burke & James Cameras, 1937
Liking Leica
Leica is to cameras as Rolex is to watches: on balance, just about the most pricey, collectible camera line in the world. Expensive when new, still expensive decades later. Continue reading Liking Leica
Dick Blick Co, 1933
Art (Deco) Supplies
During most of the 20th century you could earn a decent wage drawing hand-lettered advertisements. These 18 Show Cards are small masterpieces of Art Deco design which framed hand-lettered sales messages… Continue reading Art (Deco) Supplies
Sweet's Interior Design File, 1970
Three Chairs
Three groups of chairs by three different designers, from three different eras, yet all irresistibly modern… Continue reading Three Chairs