Peter Hawley

If you're "in" to mid-century advertising, you probably have seen many of Peter Hawley's illustrations. Jantzen, American Greeting Cards, movie poster art, Bell Telephone and more.

I think he must have been a very private person.  I can't find many biographical details but enjoyed some tidbits about him on "Today's Inspiration" Pete Hawley: No doubt, the envy of his peers! and Pete Hawley's Fabulous 50's and Pete Hawley: Betsy Bell Ushers In the 60's.
I found a simple gravestone on Find-A-Grave (and was disappointed he's not included in their "Famous Grave Search").  The Social Security Death index indicates he was born July 13, 1916 and died 17 years ago today on February 15, 1996.  So I'd like to remember him today by sharing some of his Betsy Bell illustrations.


January 20, 1958 Life Magazine



May 19, 1961 Life Magazine


June 23, 1961 Life Magazine


September 8, 1961 Life Magazine


April 20, 1962 Life Magazine


June 15, 1962 Life Magazine (also found July 4, 1960 and June 9, 1961 Life Magazines but I wanted to embed the one that mentioned the Seattle World's Fair!)



August 3, 1962 Life Magazine


September 21, 1962 Life Magazine


March 8, 1963 Life Magazine


June 14, 1963 Life Magazine


September 6, 1963 Life Magazine

I've previously posted his Jantzen ads here (May 9, 1955 Life Magazine, May 23, 1955 Life Magazine, and June 20, 1955 Life Magazine)

Check out this extensive Pete Hawley collection on flickr

Lady in Waiting

Mother's Day is approaching. Glamorous mothers-to-be are featured in Mennen 1950s advertisements, "to every Lady-in-Waiting"

January 1957 Life Magazine
This seems to be inspired by Marilyn Monroe from "Seven Year Itch" 1955

February 1957 Life Magazine
From the same photo shoot for their ad a month later

March 11, 1957 Life Magazine

March 25, 1957 Life Magazine

January 20, 1958 Life Magazine

February 17, 1958 Life Magazine

March 24, 1958 Life Magazine

March 16, 1959 Life Magazine

Easter Shoes

Easter is less than two weeks away.  During my own teenage daughter's lifetime, even though church had been less formally dressed than when I was growing up, as a child she used to still get dressed up in a nice new spring dress and new dress shoes to wear on Easter Sunday so a shopping trip was in order during the weeks prior to the holiday.

Here are some cute children's dress shoes (yes, probably the kind that hurt your feet) from the 50s .
I think Buster Brown may have shoed the majority of dressed up children's feet.  Price range 1958 $5.99-$7.99

March 3, 1958 Life Magazine

Sundial Shoes for Children Price Range $3.95-$7.95 in 1955

March 28, 1955 Life Magazine
Buster Brown's price range $5.99-$7.99 in 1958

January 6, 1958 Life Magazine

I'm not getting the history link at the Brown Shoe Company to work for 1943- 1987 to find out more about Robin Hood shoes - price ranges $4.99-$6.99.  According to this link

The Brown Shoe Company, manufacturers of shoes, also published comics during the 40’s and 50’s, these were not sold along with other comics but could only be found in shops that sold Buster Brown and Robin Hood brand shoes.

March 17, 1958 Life Magazine
Buster Brown's price range $5.99-$7.99

March 24, 1958 Life Magazine


March 9, 1959 Life Magazine
Robin Hood's price range $4.99-$7.99

March 9, 1959 Life Magazine

And cute new Easter outfits from Sears price range $6.00-$6.98.

March 16, 1962 Life Magazine

Even though I know dressing up formally is the bane of existence for many children, these fresh outfits and shoes make me smile.

Baby Products

First day of spring and my youngest nephew's first birthday this week have me thinking about babies.  Enjoy these vintage baby product ads:

"Keep your baby 'Socially Acceptable' in Playtex Baby Pants"

February 1955 Life Magazine

Carnation Evaporated Milk (as a doctor recommended baby formula?)

June 20, 1955 Life Magazine

February 1962 Life Magazine

New Johnson's Baby Shampoo

March 7, 1955 Life Magazine

June 20, 1955 Life Magazine
Johnson's Baby Oil, Baby Powder and Baby Lotion

June 27, 1955 Life Magazine

Johnson's Baby Powder

February 13, 1956 Life Magazine


February 27, 1956 Life Magazine

Kleinert's Softex Baby Pants

May 2, 1955 Life Magazine

Kleinert's KD's Disposable Diapers

June 27, 1955 Life Magazine 
I didn't realize disposables had been around at least since 1955.

• Softer than any other disposable diaper you can buy.
• Pin Them on just as you do any regular fabric diaper.
• Won't stick; can't disintegrate on baby's sensitive skin.
• No wetproof pants are needed with waterproof KD's.
• When you're away . . . just throw soiled ones away!
• Package of 24 for only $1.98

Helanca Creepers and Garments

June 6, 1955 Life Magazine

And not just-for-baby product: Q-Tips

March 18, 1957 Life Magazine

March 10, 1958 Life Magazine

Remember when Q-Tips' were considered babies' private property?

Buster Brown baby shoes

February 2, 1959 Life Magazine

Care for your baby . . . free with Top Value Stamps

March 21, 1960 Life Magazine

Wizard Nursery Spray

February 23, 1962 Life Magazine

Swift's Premium meat for baby

March 9, 1962 Life Magazine

Happy Spring and happy babies!

Clean and Dry

It used to frustrate me to try to take scenic photos where I couldn't avoid cars being in the shot.  Then I noticed I really appreciated seeing old photos that DID have cars in them so I don't let myself get as bothered by them anymore since perhaps I will feel the same way about cars in my own photos in the future.


In browsing these old "The American Home" magazines issues this past week, I've realized the same thing about all the advertisements.  Reading current magazines, I've been annoyed that they are half full of ads. But now that I'm enjoying the vintage ads, I will assume that sometime in the future someone will enjoy the ads that irritate me.


These are probably four of my favorites.  I'm not alone - people framed the Swan Soap ads for wall decor.  I also notice a coupon to order the print without the ad.


Get clean and dry!

From Vintage Goodness

From Vintage Goodness

From Vintage Goodness

From Vintage Goodness