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Maeve Brennan, professional shopper/writer for Harper’s Bazaar magazine.  From LIFE, 1945.  

Maeve Brennan, professional shopper/writer for Harper’s Bazaar magazine.  From LIFE, 1945.  

High-res 5/17/13 — 1:13pm Short URL: http://tmblr.co/ZA-fAylBrNc5
Royal typewriters, 1955. 

Royal typewriters, 1955. 

High-res Notes: 3 3/28/13 — 1:40pm Short URL: http://tmblr.co/ZA-fAyhKwmaN
Packard, 1940.  The color of that thing, if I may paraphrase from P.G. Wodehouse, could open an oyster at sixty paces. 

Packard, 1940.  The color of that thing, if I may paraphrase from P.G. Wodehouse, could open an oyster at sixty paces. 

High-res Notes: 1 3/21/13 — 2:50pm Short URL: http://tmblr.co/ZA-fAygngnyn
Detail from an advertisement for Spred Satin paint, 1955.  Maybe this was the color scheme in the Ricardos’ apartment.  I love how the height and angle of the TV is entirely incompatible with someone actually sitting down to watch a program. 

Detail from an advertisement for Spred Satin paint, 1955.  Maybe this was the color scheme in the Ricardos’ apartment.  I love how the height and angle of the TV is entirely incompatible with someone actually sitting down to watch a program. 

High-res Notes: 2 3/21/13 — 2:48pm Short URL: http://tmblr.co/ZA-fAygng6Me
I have made a meal from these very ingredients many times.  1940.

I have made a meal from these very ingredients many times.  1940.

High-res Notes: 10 3/21/13 — 2:21pm Short URL: http://tmblr.co/ZA-fAygnZIcf
Detail from illustration for Lustre-Creme shampoo, 1948.  Illustration art by John Falter. 

Detail from illustration for Lustre-Creme shampoo, 1948.  Illustration art by John Falter. 

High-res Notes: 5 2/27/13 — 1:29pm Short URL: http://tmblr.co/ZA-fAyf7tSHd
Williams shaving products, 1948.  They could have just photographed the products, but instead they hired a talented illustrator to lovingly capture them with paint and brush.  I can almost feel the metal tube in my hand, and am astonished at how beautifully the light is rendered on the bottle.  And the typefaces, particularly on “Glider”… so simple and lovely. 

Williams shaving products, 1948. 

They could have just photographed the products, but instead they hired a talented illustrator to lovingly capture them with paint and brush.  I can almost feel the metal tube in my hand, and am astonished at how beautifully the light is rendered on the bottle.  And the typefaces, particularly on “Glider”… so simple and lovely. 

High-res Notes: 25 2/27/13 — 1:07pm Short URL: http://tmblr.co/ZA-fAyf7oVet
For Revlon Fashion Plate cosmetics, 1948. 

For Revlon Fashion Plate cosmetics, 1948. 

High-res Notes: 1 2/27/13 — 12:58pm Short URL: http://tmblr.co/ZA-fAyf7mSuu
Advertisement for New York Central Railroad’s king-sized dining cars.  1948.

Advertisement for New York Central Railroad’s king-sized dining cars.  1948.

High-res Notes: 42 2/27/13 — 12:56pm Short URL: http://tmblr.co/ZA-fAyf7lscJ
From an advertisement for Celanese fabrics.  The ladies are wearing “Grand Prix” suits by House of Swansdown (a New York ready-to-wear company). 

From an advertisement for Celanese fabrics.  The ladies are wearing “Grand Prix” suits by House of Swansdown (a New York ready-to-wear company). 

High-res 2/14/13 — 1:29pm Short URL: http://tmblr.co/ZA-fAye8OmoC