Retro Musings includes magazine adverts and catalogue scans from 1930's to 1990's, plus anything else which takes my fancy (like LP covers and knitting patterns).
Go to Brands & Products to see a list of all the items I have added so far, or view by category or decade via the menus above and below.
“Watch him crush it!” These ads for Wembley neckwear date from 1941-42, and featured American wrestlers of the day doing their best to wrinkle their “Nor-East” ties.
“Barbie’s $136 wardrobe from nurse to nightclubber.” I found this article about Barbie in Life magazine, published in August 1963.
“Brings out the actress in you!” These Movie Star lingerie adverts date between 1960 and 1979.
“It’s simply wicked what it does for you.” These adverts for Warner’s “Merry Widow” lingerie date from 1953 to 1961. They have a slightly sinister masquerade feel to them.
“The sky’s the limit to your charms!” These adverts for Warner’s lingerie are all from 1959 and feature a selection of painterly flying ladies.
“Something to believe in… tcb” In 1984, Star Wars actor Billy Dee Williams appeared in a series of adverts for TCB hair products.
“For the Gay Top you game me Helene Curtis, I love you!” These three adverts for Helene Curtis “Gay Top” are from 1958, 1959 & 1961.
“For beauty so irresistible it’s flirtatious.”These colourful double page spread adverts for Fashion Fair Cosmetics date from 1980-89.
“FFS holds prices down!” This Kodacolor film developing envelope by Free Film Service is from the early 1970’s.
“See how baby grows.”
These two baby’s weight cards by Cow & Gate and Glaxo are from 1966 and 1971.
“Write with Schneider.”
This German Schneider pen paper bag in from the 1970’s.
“3 Day-3 Way”
These four recipe cards by Margaret Powell for Woman’s Own magazine are from the early 1970’s.
“Free Ladybird Books!”
This Crosse & Blackwell “Baked Beans” tin label is from the early to mid 1970’s, and featured an offer on the back for free Ladybird books for children.
“Things to make for pleasure and profit.”
Various sewing patterns clipped from 1970’s magazines.
“Lamps with Light-Up Smiles!” These splendidly creepy boy and girl clown lamps are from Penneys 1970 Christmas catalogue.
“Hunt through this and the next three pages for the animal look.” Found in the 1969 Sears Christmas Catalogue, this delightfully understated range of safari chic. Check out the Zebra telephone!
These photos are from a Life magazine article dating 1939 which included a few lines on how toys were becoming more and popular as Easter presents, and also a little bit about why rabbits are associated with Easter.
“Create your own masterpiece in just 3 seconds!” Here’s a selection of Easter egg decorating kits from the 1980’s, featuring the likes of Rainbow Brite, Hugga Bunch, Care Bears and more!
“For the gayest Easter eggs!” These two adverts for food colourings are from 1958 & 1963.
“Bunnygrams for children… Easter wires for grownups!” These Western Union Easter telegram adverts are from 1947-1959. The Bunnygrams were signed by Peter Rabbit.
These images are from an article in Life magazine of an Easter Party held by Glen Taylor School, Walnut Creek, California in 1949. I love the dancing eggs!
“The sweetest parade you’ll ever see!” These ads for Brach’s Easter sweets are dated between 1960-67.
“Duke…It’s bold! It’s natural!”These ads for men’s hair styling product “Duke” ran each week between April and July 1972 in Jet magazine.
“Girls. You look ugly when you cough.” These simple yet eye catching ads for Smith Bros Cough Drops date from 1938-42.
“Double check your charm every day.”
These Veto deodorant ads are all from 1957.
“Isn’t that Peter Sellers behind those Foster Grants?”From around 1965-68, Foster Grant ran a series of adverts featuring movie stars of the day wearing their sunglasses. Each photo had a quote by the star underneath, plus a few paragraphs about how mysteriously cool shades were. And looking at the photos, it’s hard to disagree!
“The Nauga is ugly, but his vinyl hide is beautiful.” These adverts for Nauga vinyl are all from 1966-67.
