Saturday Sales

--Morning Tulsa Daily World, Saturday January 14, 1922 (page 5)

Note the sizes of 16, 18, and 38 or 42 to 46. Apparently the 16 and 18 roughly referred to age, and 42 to 46 were bust size. Given the loose-fitting fashions of the 1920s, I wonder if people bought their true bust size, or a larger one to give the look in the ad...

Gotham Patterns has a very interesting entry on the history of women's clothing sizes.

Pirate Julie

OK, if I can't post pictures of myself in pirate costumes on Halloween, when can I?

(Oh, I made all those clothes, by the way.  Just not the hat/headscarf/socks/shoes.)

The St. Joseph Observer - Saturday, September 24, 1921

Wow; I guess occasionally newspapers will still use Biblical references to draw attention (like maybe "Two by two" or "He was not his brother's keeper, dun dun dun"). But a reference to Romans 3:23? Really?

BEFORE HIM THE WAGES OF SIN ARE NOT DEATH
---
But They Might As Well Be In Many of the Cases That are Brought Up
---
For the Guilty Get All That Is Due Them When They Face Judge Van Valkenburgh
---

"The prohibitory law is on the statute books. It was put there to be observed and respected and it will be as long as I have the power to administer the law," said federal judge Van Valkenburgh on Wednesday morning when he opened court and faced what one of the attorneys facetiously remarked "looked like a bootleggers' convention," for never in the history of the city has there been so many liquor violation cases before a court of any kind. "With this statement no liquor violator will disagree for the judge kept his word--and in full effect and force--as all who qualified before him as a violator found out. There was practically no mercy shown and excuses of attorneys fell like rain on a duck's back--so to speak--for they just ran off--and the learned judge did the rest. The United States would soon be able to pay off its war indebtedness if Judge Van Valkenburg could keep up his liquor fine record.

And then he did more--for he not only fined but he imposed jail sentences as well--and he did not respect anyone, as take it for instance in the case of Chris Otten, the well known hotel man, who on pleading guilty to violating toe prohibitory law was sentenced to sixty days in jail and to pay the costs in addition. His two employees, Fred Sillman and Earl Roylston, in the Hotel Otten who also plead guilty, were fined $250 and costs each…

--The St. Joseph Observer, Saturday, September 24, 1921

Page 1 also had a rather graphic description of a murder of an "aged Negro" "for money."

NEW CREDIT LAW LESSON
---
It Will Not Prove the Boon to the Country Dealer As It was Painted.
---
Grain dealers along with handlers of cotton and other farm products are already hearing more and more about the new War Finance Corporation credit activities in behalf of farmers. Congress lately enacted a law which provides for the extension of $1,000,000,000 in credit to assist in the sale of farm products for export. The War Finance Corporation is the agency designated to handle this money and distribute it.

Of course, exaggerations of what the law will accomplish already are heard. But the country grain dealer and the terminal operator will not find it the boon that some of the politicians are attempting to picture it in their eagerness to win public favor…

--The St. Joseph Observer, Saturday, September 24, 1921

Even though this is a utility ad, it looks like a modern house ad in a way, using small children (dressed as adults?!) to try to inspire people to buy a home for their family... Note the slam on the artist. Did they use clip art? LOL



--The St. Joseph Observer, Saturday, September 24, 1921

And this is solely for the fabric loves and seamstresses/tailors out there...back in the "old days" people had to draft their own patterns, I believe based on instructions and measurements (or before the days of books, talent and guesswork!). McCall's is bragging that their patterns are printed, presumably like patterns of today, where you just cut out the pieces, pin them to the fabric, and cut.

For instance, there are newer ways to give smartness to frocks you make, the low waistline, the longer skirt and the graceful wide sleeve--every last fashion feature is to be found in these newly arrived "Printed" Patterns of McCall's.

All New McCall Patterns Now "Printed"



--The St. Joseph Observer, Saturday, September 24, 1921

Flashback Friday - Women, Heels, Moral Gown and Equality - February 15-19, 1921

Again, these are stories from 1921.

So the keywords I used today were "women" and "suffrage," inspired by the National Woman's Party convention that took place this weekend 90 years ago. And here I had thought that the "equality" movement started in the 1960s! I was also interested to see the President's daughter speaking at what sounds like it would have been a somewhat revolutionary gathering...

ABSOLUTE EQUALITY WOMEN'S NEW CRY

It captures the convention of the National Woman's Party.

READY TO YIELD PRIVILEGES

Mrs. Nora Blatch Barney's Proposal to That Effect Is Received With Cheers

Special to The New York Times.

--The New York Times, February 17, 1921

SUFFRAGE STATUE GIVEN TO NATION

Women Unveil Memorial of Pioneer Leaders in Rotunda of the Capitol.

--The New York Times, February 16, 1921

I find the statue a bit homely, particularly as it has a big uncarved portion! There are some good pictures and a summary at this page--the site claims that the statue was unveiled February 15, 1921 (which is correct per the article)...and that it was placed in the basement one day later!


OK, now that we've been mildly educated, on to fashion! I do hate heels, but it appears the human race has survived them nonetheless. (Yes, the article says due to high heels we are "dying physically" and that 87% of women's problems are cuased by them!)

STAND BY HIGH HEELS.

Massachusetts Shoe Men Oppose Law Banning Them.

--The New York Times, February 15, 1921

It is amazing the changes that occurred in fashion in just 10 years or so, if you imagine Victorian and Edwardian clothes, versus 1920s wear...

RIDICULE "MORAL" GOWN.

Lady Randolph Churchill and Dr. Chesser Assail Proposal.

Copyright, 1921, by The New York Times Company.

Special Cable to THE NEW YORK TIMES.

--The New York Times, February 16, 1921

Chapter 5 of "Only Yesterday" describes the "moral gown" as being "very loose-fitting" with "sleeves...just below the elbows" and a "hem...within seven and a half inches of the floor." Times sure have changed.

STATE GETS $37,354,865.

140,000 Women Paid $6,500,000 in First Year's Income Tax

--The New York Times, February 18, 1921

One more for equality! :/

WOMEN AID IN BURGLARIES.

Get Jobs as Servants and Help Husbands Gather the Loot.

Special to The New York Times.

--The New York Times, February 17, 1921

And I think that dear fellow at the Casa Grande Bulletin had a rough week (as well as the continual encouragement to pass the bond issue, which seems a bit biased!).

The Man About Town Says:

If you have faith in the Casa Grande that is to be, be sure and vote for the new light and water bond issue.

Don't you think it would be a good thing to organize a "Be On Time" club.

What is the use of announcing an affair for a given hour and then start it from one-half to three quarters of an hour later.

Announce a time; begin on time. Thus be fair to all.

--Casa Grande Bulletin, February 19, 1921

All articles believed to be in public domain per United States law

Flashback Friday - "Perfect Girl"? Valentine's Day 1921

Hey, everyone!

So the New York Times archives only list 8 articles with the word "valentine" in the headline from February 10 - February 16, 1921. Makes my work easy.


Here's one that made my jaw drop a bit.

AMERICA'S 1918 MOST PERFECT GIRL WEDS

Miss Betsy Buell, Selected by Smithsonian Institution, Marries Frank R. Valentine....

--The New York Times, February 15, 1921

Yes. America's most "perfect girl" married Mr. Valentine, on Valentine's Day. I wonder what ever became of them.


Pretty much the rest of the stories are about charity benefits and the like.

FRANKIE BAILEY, VALENTINE.

Stage Favorite of Long Ago Takes a Benefit in Costume Ball.

--The New York Times, February 15, 1921

Though the article makes her sound like a rather old lady (and she WAS over 60 at the time), Ms. Bailey lived to 1953, and appeared in a few films in the mid-1920s. You can see a picture of her legs at Find a Grave.

BIG TEA PARTY GIVES HOOVER FUND $32,500

Society Bids at Biltmore for Boxes and Seats for Gala Performance of 'Carmen.'

HOPPER THE AUCTIONEER

His Wit and Antics Stimulate Sales--Clock Ticks off $134,736 as New Yorks' Gift Since Saturday.

--The New York Times, February 15, 1921

I gotta say, Ms. Bailey's benefit sounds like more fun to me.


I would have thought that the Casa Grande Bulletin would have had something about Arizona statehood--February 14, 1921, Arizona was having its ninth (!) birthday. Nothing there, though.

But for the sports fans, they did have a story about the big game that happened the prior Sunday:

Local Fans Enjoy Game
Notwithstanding a cold wind that blew from the souhtwest (sic), quite a good-sized crowd gathered last Sunday to watch the scrub game between the local players of the North and South Side. There was quite an interesting game, which see-sawed until the end of the eighth inning, when the game was called with the score 8 to 8. There were some new players, some of whom gave promise of becoming a fixture on the regular team. A game has been arranged for tomorrow afternoon. The fans should all turn out and get a line on the new material. Game will be called about 3 o'clock...

--Casa Grande Dispatch, February 12, 1921

Jana Bommersbach's post gets a bit political but it's worth skimming just for the description of celebrations back on February 14, 1912, when Arizona became a state. I do wish that we had more planned for our centennial but I haven't heard anything.

Sharlot Hall, Arizona historian, wore this copper dress to deliver Arizona's electoral votes to Washington D.C., circa 1924, per The Prescott Victorian Society site.

AND, if you want some thoughts of the true meaning of Valentine's Day, Nadine had some intriguing thoughts on her blog.

If not, happy Arizona Statehood Day, a few days early. :)

(From the Sharlot Hall Museum, 2008--not actually a Valentine, but I thought it was sweet :) )

*All newspaper articles believed to be in the public domain per US law

Flashback Friday - War brides, Tokio, CLOTHES, Men Cooking - February 1-5, 1921

A good amount of my (admittedly limited) search engine traffic is people Googling "What happened" (insert date from 1921 here). So I figured I could try covering a few more days instead of just sticking to one day.

Though if you're really interested in the 1920s, check out Only Yesterday by Frederick Lewis Allen. It's a remarkable history of the 1920s, particularly considering it was published in 1931.

THIS is a romance novel plot if I've ever heard one, though Mr. Spiker could work on his sweet-talk.

SPIKERS WILL CELEBRATE.

Marriage a Success, Says Bride of Brother of First Woer...

--The New York Times, February 4, 1921

Emily Knowles Spiker came to the US in search of Perley Spiker, the father of her baby who had promised to marry her in London...and since Perley had a family in the US, they talked her into marrying his brother Guy. At the time of the marriage, it was predicted the marriage wouldn't last a year.


Flashing forward to September--not surprisingly, it didn't end too well.

MRS. SPIKER TELLS WHY SHE RAN AWAY

Asserts She Was Ill Treated by Her Husband and His Relatives.

WANTS HER BABY RESTORED

Woman Who Married Brother of Her Child's Father Plans to Wed a Soldier.

--New York Times, September 15, 1921

I guess whether it's a happy ending depends on where you end the story.

HALF TOKIO BUDGET FOR NAVY AND ARMY

Opposition Member Predicts That the Proportion Will Rise to 75 Per Cent.

WANTS MORE FOR SCHOOLS

Party Split Threatened Over Proposal to Join in Curbing Armaments....

--The New York Times, February 4, 1921

Japan was an interesting problem for the Western world (and not just because of the lack of a standardized spelling of "Tokyo"!). You can see one major reason why they were such a concern. Eventually they agreed to the Five-Power Naval Treaty, which I think my history teachers simplified into 5:3:2. The US and Great Britain could have 525,000 "aggregate battleship tonnage" apiece, with Japan at 315,000 and France and Italy at 175,000.

Too bad it didn't prevent World War II...



Does the upper-class still change clothes for the afternoon and evening? I apologize for the lazy cultural shorthand, but if you read the article, the descriptions almost sound like something you could picture on the Titanic.

DAY WITH DESIGNERS TIRES MRS. HARDING...

GOWNS ARE CONSERVATIVE

The Skirts Will Be Not More Than Five Inches From the Ground...

--The New York Times, February 4, 1921

You can argue that just a few shorts year ago, the 5" above the ankle hemlines would've been pretty scandalous, especially considering Mrs. Harding was 60 years old (!).



Speaking of clothes (which I love!). The prices are fascinating.

FIX $332.75 AS COST OF WOMAN'S OUTFIT

Chicago Fashion Experts Include Only Necessities in Their Estimates.

--The New York Times, February 2, 1921

I'm pretty sure that story is mostly for shock value. I thumbed through my partial reprint of the 1927 Sears, Roebuck catalog and took the LOWEST prices I saw (the highest were at least twice most of the prices below; in some cases several times more; in the case of actual fur coats, they were up to $198!):

Union Suits: 63 cents
Corsets (if used): $1.29
Silk hose: 3 pairs for $2.25 "Silk Reinforced With Rayon From Top to Toe"
Shoes: $2.98
Full-body slip (I think that's what they meant by chemise): $1.00
Bloomers: 29 cents
Camisole: The only thing I saw that looked like it might be a camisole was labeled "vest" at $1.98
All-day frock: $1.98
Nicer dress (not sure what a "street suit" is to be honest, but they have some labeled "Unmistakably New York"--or might those be all-day frocks?): $5.98
Hat: $1.33
Evening gown: Didn't spy one of those
Coat: $6.48 (with "velour coating"!)
Nightgown: 89 cents (69 was sleeveless)
Panama negligee: I don't know that Sears sold that; the only "negligee" I spied was $6.98

So I'm not convinced that the average woman was spending $332.75 for a day's clothes. Especially given that the average wage for a woman working in 1921 may have been something under $15 a week. (An unskilled man made about $4 more.)


My dad says that the only people who should know how to cook are people who eat. It's amazing to think this would be even marginally newsworthy 90 years ago:

MEN JOIN COOKING CLASS.

Pennsylvania State College Giving a Course to Twenty.

--The New York Times, February 5, 1921

Winning Wednesday

So winning refers to something that was "luck" (or Providence), not anything to do with writing skills. Be warned!

And for my writing progress report...could be worse. I did finally finish the last full chapter of Endwood (just need to complete the epilogue). I probably should have split the ending into two pieces but I really didn't want the story to continue too terribly far after the climax. I'm SO looking forward to being done with it!

So I joined American Christian Fiction Writers a while back and sometimes people will post about when they have agents or editors on their blogs. So someone at Seekerville posted on ACFW about how they were having a costume party and invited everyone to come. I'm not sure if they mentioned a giveaway or not, but I didn't notice. I just wanted to dress my avatar up!

So the real story is that Tina James, senior editor of Love Inspired Historical and Love Inspired Suspense, was announcing they are printing four Historicals a month instead of two. Since I've never actually wrote historical romance (or any historical fiction without a major speculative element) I'm not sure if that's relevant for me or not, but squee! Historical clothes!

So I posted.

Aside from sewing the ribbon on the hat, this is all items I found at Ross and/or TJ Maxx. I do love making historical and fantasy costumes, but I suppose that's a story for another time. Anyway, I chose to dress in 1920s garb because if I WERE to write an outright historical, I reckon that's when I'd set it. And I love the Coney Island pictures, LOL.

Anyway, long story short, I was just outright SHOCKED to have won a contest that I believe was just a random draw. Really? I don't know how many entrants there were (well over 200 comments but some were from the same people). And I won four books? Shipped from the Senior Editor at the one Love Inspired line I could ever imagine writing for??? I didn't even know there were four books to win!

I used to believe in, if not luck, then things just happening randomly. But after going through Beth Moore's study of Esther, I'm not so sure. It's pretty much impossible for my mind to wrap around how every single little thing (as small as misplacing my keys and taking a minute to find them) could happen for a reason, but it certainly wouldn't be outside the range of God's power.

At any rate, winning four books is a lot bigger deal (and more unusual!) than losing my keys. A little part of me is wondering--maybe I should try a historical romance?

Another historical outfit I made (perhaps the most accurate, and completely made by me) is a 1770s dress. It would take so much work and research, but I believe people were getting into 1770s historical recreation in the 1920s...it seems to me that could be a very fun romance, with characters from a past era trying to recreate an even farther past era. And anything on Coney Island could be interesting (although I'm not so sure that would fly, given that the place used to be nicknamed "Sodom by the Sea"...).

Anyway. For now I reckon I will need to settle down and read them. I'll likely review them here, but I'm both a picky reader AND not much of a reviewer, so we'll see.

Oh right! In the comments from last week, I promised a picture of my phone, too.

If you want your Samsung Comeback to also look a bit like EVE from WALL-E, here's the photo.

I modified a page to print a paper EVE mask (of all things) I saw online, then shrunk it to a 240 height so it looks nice on the inner flip screen (I suggest you set your phone to "Black theme"--Menu, Settings, Display settings, My Theme, Black theme for the Comeback).

So, have you had anything recent happen that might be Providential?