Crochet Medallion Pattern Story, Alice Brooks 6406

In processing the Mail Order patterns, I've seen this particular story repeat many times.  I thought I'd take a couple minutes and share it with you.    The centerpiece of the story .... 

Alice Brooks 6406 - Crocheted Medallion - 5 or 8 inches

This particular story takes us back to 1939.   Every couple days in newspapers across the country, an advertisement for a pattern would be printed in the women's section.  The advertisement were written to resemble an article, a woman' feature.  

Such as this article, which appeared in the Denver, CO paper on June 8, 1939.   Miss Doris Biggar, read the ad, and decided to purchase the pattern.    She mailed her letter, along with 10 cents to the newspaper's department.   On the bottom of the pattern clipping, she wrote in the date she mailed for the pattern.  (I frequently find this in the Mail Order patterns - the pattern and clipping inside the original mailing envelope).  

A couple weeks go by, and the pattern is returned.   (Note, the envelope reads mailed from the Denver Post, however, the Post Office stamp reads San Francisco).  

Now, what happens next I cannot say.  Did Miss Biggar stitch this medallion?  Did she make a tablecloth or a bedspread?  Did she later tuck the pattern away, or give it to a friend?  That part is a mystery.   What I do know, is someone came across this pattern, probably at an Estate sale, listed it as a lot on Ebay, and I purchased it ..... some 81 years later.  

And now, I've processed it into PDF format and listed in my shop.   It's been carefully preserved in a sleeve and store away with all the others.   And what will happen to?   Well, that I cannot say.  Perhaps, before I die, I'll donate them, or someone will take over the shop and continue to preserve, or perhaps they'll end up at another Estate sale 20 or 30 years from now.   

If you have these mail order patterns or catalogs, tucked away in drawers, I'd truly appreciate your sharing them.   I am trying to create a historical collection of these little 'Bits of History'.  

Thanks for dropping by, 

Lorrie  

Mayfair Needle Art Designs, Mail Order Patterns

Next up in my stack of Mail Order Patterns to process is a crochet pattern branded as Mayfair Needle-Art Design.  I recalled I already had one Mayfair pattern, however, had not yet taken the time to learn more.  Well, now is the time!

The official name of the pattern line - Mayfair Needle-Art Design.   In the newspaper clippings they simply branded 'by Mayfair'.  They marketed a line of sewing, knitting and crochet patterns in 'The Tribune' franchise of newspapers across 17 states. The advertisement promotions appeared bi-weekly in the Womens Pages.   The ads first appeared in April 1936 and ran through October, 1937, then disappeared .... no more 'by Mayfair' tag lines.   

There were approximately 140 marketed, all three digit numbers ranging between 120 and 350.  Now this number range implies there may have been more patterns.  If so, I've not found them!  There was also no sequence to how they appeared, one week 220, the next 135.   

I've just two of these patterns .... 

Design 233 Crochet Laces and Insertions

Design 344 - Knitted Blouse

This blouse an unusual factor - perhaps consistent with it's age.  It was ordered by size (32 to 38), and came with tissue patterns for blocking purposes. 

I looked to see who preceded Mayfair Arts in the Tribune publications.   Well, for sewing patterns, it was Household Arts.  At that time, Household Arts did not market knit or crochet Designs. Perhaps, Mayfair was, for a short time period, a part of Household Arts.  

And who followed Mayfair Needle Arts?  Household Arts, of course, under the name of Alice Brooks. 

And, that's all I (currently) know about Mayfair.   Should you know more, or perhaps some of these patterns in your collection that you would be willing to share, I'd be most appreciative.   I'm trying to create a directory of mail order designs for that 'Bits of History' concept. 

Thanks for dropping by,   Lorrie

Vintage Crochet Cape Pattern, Alice Brooks 5360

Each day I strive to process one or two mail order patterns for the shop.   Today, at the top of the pile (or, actually, at the front of the container) was Design 5360, which seemed as good as any a place to start.   Now, at this point, I could call this pattern .... how I spent a good portion of the day.

This pattern is best described as fragile .... as it should be ... going all the way back to 1936.

Fortunately, I'd scanned this pattern back in 2014, before it became quite so fragile.   (Yes, sometimes it takes me a long time to get around to a pattern - I've several hundred waiting).   Still, it needed taped back together at the folds for the checking process.   An interesting note about this Alice Brooks Design pattern is it is written entirely in caps (which made it a real bugger to check).   I do not recall seeing this in any others.     A second interesting factor is the pattern number itself - 5360.   The very early Alice Brooks patterns are in the 6000 number series.   This is the one and only I've seen in the 5000.  

 Now, I do not crochet so I cannot truly attest whether this is a difficult pattern, (the directions say it is a simple stitch), but it is definitely a large pattern .... lots of directions.   It's a lacy delight with a jabot type neck tie and a one size below breast / above elbow design.   Some might even call it a capelet.

In case you can't make out the print from this photo -- the official write-up:  "A summer night, starlilght and your sheerest frock call for this lacy capelet, which, in turn, calls for crochet hook and a bit of white, pastel or black string. You'll love the soft scarf collar that ties so fetchingly 'neath your chin, so hurry - if you'd enjoy this cape all summer. It will do equally well for a neighborly visit or a more formal occasion".   I have to say, as far as pattern descriptions go, this is nothing less than a charmer!

The pattern is now available in the shop, should you be interested.

Thanks for dropping by.
Lorrie

Crochet Star Medallion Pattern, Mail Order Design

Some time back I created spreadsheets to keep track of my mail order collection.  This step, although a bit time consuming, has been quite an eye opener.   I'll start posting some of these tidbits ... just in case anyone 'out there' should be interested. 

When a Mail Order pattern proved popular, it was published multiple years and/or under multiple numbers.  At each release, the pattern description would change. Lets take the example of the popular Crochet Star Medallion. 

It's an attractive hexagon medallion in star motif that will measure 3-1/2 or 5-1/2" depending upon thread. 

Laura Wheeler 2675:   

This Design was first released in October of 1940.  "Can't you picture a spread of this lovely crocheted medallion enhancing your bedroom. It's a beginner choice indeed for it's so easy and works up so effectively".  

And then again in March of 1941,  "Beginner's, here's crochet that will win you laurels. The easy medallion repeated makes a variety of accessories large and small, as you wish.Use string, it works up quickly.  

Laura Wheeler 753 

Design 2675, although billed as a Medallion, as portrayed as a bedspread in this picture.  Here, the same design is shown as a tablecloth. 
The pattern was released in July, 1947 - description:  "Star of all medallions! Easy to crochet, quick to memorize.  You'll love it's cobwebby beauty in a spread or cloth. Good pick-up work. The sky is the limit to the lovely accessories you can make".
Again in July, 1948, September 1948 and July 1949 - description:  "Don't wish on a star - just crochet this one instead! The accessories you long for are yours in no time with this easy medallion.  You can win prizes with this crochet at your fair".
And, one more time in 1950 - description: Star this medallion in your home. It rates applause any way you use it.  "You'll memorize it quickly, then it's pure fun to do. This is a wonderfully easy was to grace your home with heirloom luxuries"

Alice Brooks 7180

Here, the pattern has switched over to be marketed as Alice Brooks versus Laura Wheeler.  Also billed as a tablecloth, the table setting itself changed. 
This Design version was released in June 1956, March 1957 - description: "You'll win prizes with this quick crochet medallion.  It lends itself to both fine cotton and string.  Make small articles or plan a bedspread or tablecloth".
Again in December 1958, February 1959, February 1960 and May 1961 - Description: This prize medallion is especially good for large and small articles: scarves, mats, pillows, bedspreads.  A quick, thrift way to acquire lovely accessories",

Now, I've found one other occurrence of this exact pattern under the name of American Weekly.

American Weekly 3080

Patterns branded American Weekly appeared only in the Sunday weekly circular of the same name.  I do not (currently) know the relationship between The American Weekly and Needlecraft Services, but assume advertising space was purchased and the pattern was simply branded.    I (currently) have no way to date the publications of these patterns.  

Are their more occurrences where this pattern was marketed under different numbers and descriptions?  Possible.   These are simple the patterns that I've purchased, processed and am aware of.   Should I discover more, I'll update this post.  

It's obvious this was a popular, and well selling design.  And, for very apparent reasons - it's a quite lovely medallion.    Should you be interested in the pattern, it is available in my shop - links under pattern pictures.  I've been asked, if a pattern is the same, why do I list it multiple times.   That's a very easy answer.   Sometimes one might be searching for a pattern of a specific number.

Well, I imagine, if you've made it to here, you've read enough about this particular pattern and I'll move on to something else!

The Lincoln Doily, Mail Order Patterns

Some of my blog happen over time.   I come across something that interests me, and start a draft post that will pend as I learn more ... or sometimes, I'll publish a blog post that is a 'Work in Progress", such as this one.

In my collection is Alice Books 7227.   The majority of Alice Brooks doily patterns simple read "Crocheted Doilies", which made this "Lincoln Doily" stand-out.  As in ... there must be a story here.

The Lincoln doily design was offered as Alice Brooks 7227, as well as Anne Cabot 5307; the advertisements appeared in newspapers on February 11, 1942 with very similar descriptions.   From Alice Brooks - "Lincoln, one of the most beloved presidents, loved the simple handmade things we today still use.  Crochet this Lincoln doily, an exact reproduction of one used on his favorite chair in his Springfield home.  The original is in a Chicago museum".  The advertised offer appeared several times a year (for both), between 1942 and 1944. 

Note:  The pattern Alice Brooks 7227 is listed in the shop.   I do not (yet) have Anne Cabot 5307.

And, here, my questions started to mount .... particular who and how.  I contacted the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, where I learned the doily (replica) was donated to the foundation by T.J. (Ted) Boruki.  (I would suggest in the time period between 1939 and 1941).  Thank you ladies!

Mr. Boruki, in the 1930's, was a collector of Lincoln Pennies.  Through this collection, and search for other artifacts, he was introduced to the Abraham Lincoln Book Shop.  The book shop was a meeting point for "Lincolniana" collectors from coast to coast, with memorabilia being traded and sold.  (He later became involved with the Lincoln Savings and Loan, where he raised the flag every morning.

"Mrs. Boruki pursues the Lincoln interest in her own way.  The doily on Lincoln's chair in the Chicago Historical Society is the result of her handiwork"  (from 1965 newspaper article on their 60th anniversary.

Now, this is presumption on my part ... Mrs. Boruki frequented the Book Shop with her husband and became in possession of the original Lincoln doily.  Using her apparent crochet skills, she duplicated the design, making a pattern for the 'official Lincoln doily'.

And that is the front end of this story.  But, I have (of course) a few more questions.

• Does the original Lincoln Doily still exist?  
• How did the Alice Brooks and Anne Cabot organizations get involved.  Did Mrs. Boruki contact them, or did they learn through the Museum?  
• Is there an association between Anne Cabot and Alice Brooks patterns?
• Was Mrs. Boruki paid for the pattern reproduction?

I have no doubt that I'll learn more about the Lincoln doily as I continue to research the Mail Order Pattern business.   And ... when that happens, I'll come back and update this post.

Perhaps you know something more?

Alice Brooks Designs Catalogs

Household Arts by Alice Brooks, mail order patterns, first appeared in newspapers in November, 1933.

The syndicated series was first published in Rochester, New York and slowly spread over the next 13 years to appear in most major newspapers around the United States.    Pattern advertisements appeared several times a week.

I was not, however, until summer of 1944, that catalog offers began appearing at the bottom of every pattern advertisement.   The concept here being, when you ordered the pattern, you would send an extra amount to receive the catalog.   As an added promotion, each catalog typically featured several free patterns as well.

The first issue (as dated by some newspaper ads) was 1945. This is the catalog offered from summer of 1944 on, and remained the only catalog until November of 1945, when the 1946 issue was released. 

The catalogs were filled with many of 'the most popular' patterns of the previous time period, along with a brief description.   One could select the desired patterns, and then send their order to their local newspaper who ran the daily ads.

A catalog was issued for each consecutive year until 1965.   (There may be more catalogs issued under the name of Needlecraft Services after this date.   I've not yet delved in that time period).

I collect these books and, once scanned and photo processed, place them in Facebook albums for your general viewing pleasure and reference points.  The catalogs are great fun, giving us a snapshot of fashions for the time. The catalogs currently available are :

1945,  1947,  1952,  1953, 1954, 1956

I have a couple more that I'll be adding soon.   AND, should you have any of these catalogs that you are willing to share online, I'd love to hear from you.

 Thanks for dropping by,

Crochet Angora Cape Pattern Story, Alice Brooks 6135

Here's a fun story (or at least, I think so).   There is no way that I can tell the story better than the March 29, 1964 Shreveport Times newspaper article, so I'm going to share it excerpts.   (If you have the time, I do recommend reading the whole article). 

Mrs Gleason came across a newspaper clipping for mail order pattern Alice Brooks 6135, Crocheted Angora Cape, in her late Mother-in-Law' belongings.   The pattern was just what she was looking for to make for her grand daughter, so she mailed away for the pattern. 

The Shreveport Times researched and identified the pattern back to their February 14, 1939 issue.   Ultimately, the request was sent to New York for fulfillment.   The pattern had been stored on microfilm, which has deteriorated. Several experts carefully restored the pattern and sent it to the requester.

A very happy Mrs. Gleason crocheted a cape for each of her two grand daughters.   

P.s.   There's also some very interesting Mail Order Pattern history in here. 

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie