Crochet Baby Dress Pattern, Mail Order 846

Some of the Mail Order Patterns were marketed using different pattern pictures and descriptions to catch different audiences.   Sometimes they were also identified under different brand names, or no name at all.   A good example of this is the little girls dress, which was marketed under number 846.

My copy of Mail Order 846 shows this sweet toddler.   I've no doubt this image appeared in newspaper print, however, I've not yet found it.  It portrays the younger child size of the pattern - Age 2.

Here, in this February 14, 1948 advertisement from the Los Angeles Times, we find the picture promotion being aimed towards the order girl - Aged 6.

Again in the Los Angeles Times, May 12th, 1948, the photo portrays the mid range size of the pattern - Age 4.   Released again, with same picture in 1950.   February 15th, released in the Chicago Tribune as E-846 - also Needlework Bureau.   The pattern was released in New York in the same date spans - 1948 to 1952 under the name of Ellen Bruce, which was also the Needlework Bureau Brand.

Many of the Needlework Bureau patterns were also re-released under the Martha Madison Brand name in the 1960's.  Same pattern with one addition -- it has a size option between 6 and 18 months.
I've not yet found the relationship between Needlework Bureau ad Martha Madison, but have no doubt one day I will.

This pattern is available in the shop in the 6 to 18 month size), should you be interested in creating it for your own 'Special Miss".

Okay, on to the next pattern!    Thanks for dropping by!
Lorrie

Martha Madison Needlework, Daily Press, Newport News

As we know, Martha Madison patterns were a Mail Order syndicated service that ran between 1956 and 1971 in newspapers columns across the country.   The format was basically the same.   The pattern offerings were in single column format with the picture at the top, followed by the pattern description and the mail-away directions on how to obtain the pattern.    In 1961, the Martha Madison syndicate (General Features Corp) began offering catalogs with a selection of their most popular patterns, which could be obtained for an additional charge.  The same format was followed across the country, with one exception ....

The Daily Press, Newport News, VA  

It appears the Daily Press joined the Martha Madison syndicate in March, 1963.  Instead of running the single column format, they ran a multi-column advertisement, offering a pattern selection.  

March 24, 1963.   These ads appeared on a monthly basis through the year.  

April 26, 1954 - the offering has expanded to 5 or more patterns.  In this particular ad we are also shown the cover of the Needlework mail-away catalog.  

May 2, 1965 - The number of patterns being offered per ad continues to grow. 

January 9, 1966 - Now a full page advertisement.  

In August, 1966 the expanded ads stop.  Now, there were still the single column pattern offerings here and there, but not in the typical scale offered through other newspapers.  In 1972, the syndication closed and the ads, of course, stopped.

I've placed all the ads in one of my Facebook albums, should you care to browse.    There are also a number of Martha Madison patterns in the shop.  

Why the upscaled ads at this one newspaper only?   I have absolutely no idea.  I wish I did as I've always been one of those 'wonder why' people.   Perhaps one of you know something more?  

Thanks for dropping by. 

Martha Madison Needlecraft Pattern Syndication

Martha Madison Needlecraft patterns were introduced in January 1956.  Originally a syndication service of General Features Corp, New York.   (This was timed with the sister offering -- Iris Lane Patterns).   This new syndication made its debut in Pennsylvania newspapers, where it exclusively remained

The scope of the Martha Madison patterns included needlework, crochet, embroidery, color transfers and sewing patterns. 

The syndicate purchased single column ads, which would appear one to three times per week, depending upon the newspaper agreement.   The patterns rotated between categories and seem to have sequential numbering, however, the offerings did not appear in any order.   New patterns ran 1956 and 1957; the majority of 1958 were repeats.    There were only a few instances where a number was repeated on two different patterns. 

In 1959, the Martha Madison Banner was removed from the top of the pattern offering.  The syndication also spread to a number of other states - NY, ID, WA, TX, VA, IL and CA ... this spread continued over the following years, but was never syndicated country wide.  When new papers came along, they did not necessarily start at the early numbered patterns, and the weekly pattern offering differed from region to region.

The Martha Madison pattern syndication remained active into the mid 1960's and then began a decline.   The last remaining state to carry the syndication was California, which then ended in 1972.

I've seen reference that the Martha Madison Needlework patterns originated from Progressive Farmer.   I've also seen note that the Progressive Farmer patterns originated by the Spinning Wheel syndicate.   I'd say there is quite a web of of ties within the syndication, which I hope to learn more as I go along. 

I have dozens of questions about this syndication, which I hope to learn some answers too as I go along.

Through Newspaper.com searches, I've put together a photo album (Knit and Crochet patterns only) that appeared between 1957 and mid 1961.    The album below resides on my Facebook page.   There are also a number of the Martha Madison patterns in the shop.

If you know more about the Martha Madison syndication, please share !
Thanks for dropping by,