Category Archives: Middle Class

Vintage childrens illustration on the farm 1950s

Little Sally’s Big Visit With Her Grandparents

Just like the mythical Dick, Jane and Sally would visit Grandmother and Grandfather on their farm, I was off for an overnight visit with mine in Queens, NY. Clutching my Fun with Dick and Jane Primer to occupy me during

Vintage childrens illustration on the farm 1950s

Little Sally’s Big Visit With Her Grandparents

Just like the mythical Dick, Jane and Sally would visit Grandmother and Grandfather on their farm, I was off for an overnight visit with mine in Queens, NY. Clutching my Fun with Dick and Jane Primer to occupy me during

photo 1930s woman beauty ad

Beauty, Brains, and a Bar of Soap

Sally’s Pretty and Sally’s Smart Would you dare risk the shame of “Cosmetic skin?” Sure you’re careful, never risking offending with  halitosis, avoiding housewife- hips, pink toothbrush, B.O. and other ailments of the Depression era 1930’s. But unless you wash

photo 1930s woman beauty ad

Beauty, Brains, and a Bar of Soap

Sally’s Pretty and Sally’s Smart Would you dare risk the shame of “Cosmetic skin?” Sure you’re careful, never risking offending with  halitosis, avoiding housewife- hips, pink toothbrush, B.O. and other ailments of the Depression era 1930’s. But unless you wash

Thanksgiving Treats

Butch Bradley was nervous. Normally a cool cucumber, he was sweating bullets. You see, he was invited to his best girl Rosalie’s home for Thanksgiving for the very first time. Wanting to make a good first impression on his gal

Thanksgiving Treats

Butch Bradley was nervous. Normally a cool cucumber, he was sweating bullets. You see, he was invited to his best girl Rosalie’s home for Thanksgiving for the very first time. Wanting to make a good first impression on his gal

Vintage illustration 1950s family getting on airplane

Travel Tips for the Holidays

As millions crowd our airports for the traditional Thanksgiving trek home over the river and through the woods, the tension mounts at the thought of  long lines, insufferable crowds, and the dreaded delays’ that inevitably await the weary and wary

Vintage illustration 1950s family getting on airplane

Travel Tips for the Holidays

As millions crowd our airports for the traditional Thanksgiving trek home over the river and through the woods, the tension mounts at the thought of  long lines, insufferable crowds, and the dreaded delays’ that inevitably await the weary and wary

mid century family playing in fall leaves

Burning Fall Leaves- Hokey Smokey

 The smell of burning leaves is forever seared in my mind. As memorable as the blazing orange and red colors of the fall leaves of my childhood were , it was the vibrant warmth of the fall leaves burning that

mid century family playing in fall leaves

Burning Fall Leaves- Hokey Smokey

 The smell of burning leaves is forever seared in my mind. As memorable as the blazing orange and red colors of the fall leaves of my childhood were , it was the vibrant warmth of the fall leaves burning that

Vintage Cake Ad 1930s

How Hostess Cakes Helped the Housewife

(L) Vintage illustration Club Women of America 1927 by David Robinson (R) Vintage Hostess Cakes Logo 1928 The Great Sugar Rush Americans with a sweet tooth are rushing to stock up on Ding Dongs, Ho Ho’s, Twinkies and all sorts

Vintage Cake Ad 1930s

How Hostess Cakes Helped the Housewife

(L) Vintage illustration Club Women of America 1927 by David Robinson (R) Vintage Hostess Cakes Logo 1928 The Great Sugar Rush Americans with a sweet tooth are rushing to stock up on Ding Dongs, Ho Ho’s, Twinkies and all sorts

Vintage Ad WWII Texaco 1945 serviceman gas station

Gas Rationing WWII

 “In NY, drivers sometimes tail a gasoline tank truck until, like a pied piper, the truck had collected a string of cars following it to its destined delivery point. Cars would line up for blocks- as many as 350 of

Vintage Ad WWII Texaco 1945 serviceman gas station

Gas Rationing WWII

 “In NY, drivers sometimes tail a gasoline tank truck until, like a pied piper, the truck had collected a string of cars following it to its destined delivery point. Cars would line up for blocks- as many as 350 of

Vintage Magazine cover Illustration Al Parker 1952

Veterans Day

What my WWII veteran  father had done in the war and what the war had done to him was never clear. The torch had been passed to a new generation, President  John Kennedy told us, and passed directly into the

Vintage Magazine cover Illustration Al Parker 1952

Veterans Day

What my WWII veteran  father had done in the war and what the war had done to him was never clear. The torch had been passed to a new generation, President  John Kennedy told us, and passed directly into the

Election Tips For Winners and Losers

Obama or Romney? There can be only one final winner in the election. Once all the votes are cast, there will be lots of disappointed people at the outcome. The following are more helpful hints from mid-century children’s schoolbooks offering

Election Tips For Winners and Losers

Obama or Romney? There can be only one final winner in the election. Once all the votes are cast, there will be lots of disappointed people at the outcome. The following are more helpful hints from mid-century children’s schoolbooks offering

vintage illustration WWII Rosie Riveter off to work vintage ad

How Rosie The Riveter Won over her Husband

Mild mannered Millicent Ferguson fancied herself a Rosie the Riveter. Every day hundreds of housewives like herself were answering Uncle Sam’s call, marching off to factories, offices and defense plants to take over the jobs left by the boys who

vintage illustration WWII Rosie Riveter off to work vintage ad

How Rosie The Riveter Won over her Husband

Mild mannered Millicent Ferguson fancied herself a Rosie the Riveter. Every day hundreds of housewives like herself were answering Uncle Sam’s call, marching off to factories, offices and defense plants to take over the jobs left by the boys who