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Showing posts with label display. Show all posts
Showing posts with label display. Show all posts

WWII War Stamp Album Greeting Cards

 "Self -Displaying Container for Everyday War Stamp Greeting Cards
Attractively decorated in red, white and blue, this display holds 100 cards and envelopes - 8 designs- 12 each of 4 and 13 each of 4 designs.  Sturdily constructed, occupying a minimum of counter space.  Supplied with easily attached top sign.  1 colorful window streamer and counter card included with each assortment.  Shipped in heavy corrugated carton ready for display."
 Rust Craft Rustler Sept 1942

this 8 x 10 PRESS PHOTO is from 1942 and features two 
WAR STAMP greeting cards and shows the insides of the cards with the 10 cent Novelty "Stamp Out" War Stamp Album. Some cards came with this specially approved "Novelty" War Stamp Album and some cards came with the Official 10 cent War Stamp Album or a small envelope for holding loose War Stamps.
Birthday Greetings  Let's "STAMP" OUT THE DICTATORS!  This Birthday Card is bringing More than a wish or two,  It brings the first installment On a brand new bond for you.  Each added stamp will do its bit  To push "Mussi" off the map.  Sink the prowling submarines and "STAMP" out Hitler and the Jap!"~came with the novelty "Stamp Out" 10 cent Album

during WWII the government issued war bonds to raise money for everything from 
tanks and planes to uniforms and food. The Greeting Card Industry did it's part to support the war effort supporting soldiers, boosting morale, conserving paper, reusing materials, and selling War Stamps.
 These War Stamp greeting cards, were released by fall of 1942.  
These examples are shown from Rust Craft Rustler showing dealers what was available and store display information. The cards were full color, the advertising shown is black and white. Coincidentally, the press photo I picked-up (above)has the same War Stamp cards shown in the Rustler; so, you can see what was printed in newspapers to advertise to the public. 
"Congratulations to the Parents of the  New Patriot... I think I've got a great idea... And, folks, I don't mean maybe.  It's bound to help your Uncle Sam and aid your precious Baby!  Just paste a stamp inside this book Each time your Darling hollers, You'll be surprised to find how soon You've saved a MILLION DOLLARS!"~included the Official 10 cent War Stamp Album
"With this Gift...A Salute to you, Our Country and Victory ...with sincere wishes that we may safeguard Our Country and ourselves by investing in WAR BONDS" ~included the Official 10 cent War Stamp Album
 "Produced to retail at 5 cents each, the cards are vertical French folders, size 4" x 6" .  Reproduced in full color lithography on 70lb. White Vellum offset with envelopes to match.  The Post Office and Treasury Departments have authorized The Greeting Card Industry to publish its own exclusive novelty "Stamp Out" Album which is supplied in three of the new numbers.  Users of this Album can literally "Stamp Out the Axis" with 10 cent War Savings Stamps." Rust Craft 1942
A Bonnie Birthday ... It's no time to be Scotch,says I -  With tat ye'll sure agree,   An' sae ye'll find a BONNIE GIFT Just for yersel' from me.  It's SAVINGS STAMPS I'm sending ye  Wi' wishes by the score... If I wasn't SAVING Stamps mysel' I*'d be sending ye lots more!" ~came with the novelty "Stamp Out" 10 cent Album
"For Your Birthday and Victory ....A Birthday Gift to you from me ...For your "Treasure Chest of Liberty!"  Keep buying Stamps as days  go by To keep Old Glory flying high!" ~ included the Official 10 cent War Stamp Album
HAPPY BIRTHDAY   To Greet You on this Special Day ... With War Savings Stamps for putting away ...A Happy Birthday! And many more..Each one happier ...Than before!" ~ came with miniature envelope for loose war stamps
"A Gift of WAR STAMPS for your Birthday ... Stamp out Hitler, Trap the Jap, Push Mussolini Off the map.  Sink their Subs, Prove we're Champs...Keep on Buying War Savings Stamps!" ~came with the novelty "Stamp Out" album
Happy Birthday To A Young American!  I know that you are saving Stamps, So here are some from me.  With wishes for a Birthday As happy as can be!"
~ came with miniature envelope for loose war stamps
1942 card shop window display "SAVE FOR SECURITY ~ BUY DEFENSE SAVINGS STAMPS HERE"


See More vintage patriotic Greetings!

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sources: Rust Craft Rustlers 1942
original Press Photo

80th Birthday

this photo shows three lovely ladies. Apparently, the smiling lady all the way on the right is the Birthday girl! 
 These two photos I have collected 
showing greeting cards displayed. 
 I couldn't find a date noted, but the
type of photo paper indicates the early 1940s.
 I love their display! 
Candles, plants, letters, photos 
and what looks to be a 
dessert pastry in the shape of the #80!
a close look at the card display reveals the occasion

 The other two pretty ladies are probably her daughters, 
they  look like sisters to me!   
I can see one card reads, "Birthday Greetings" 
and another says "80".
 The photos, in the display, are accompanied by letters, 
maybe from loved ones who couldn't visit that day. 
I can only imagine the details,
 but Mother looks pleased with the display! 
 beautiful lace collar!
I love to collect old photos that show the 
creative ways which greeting cards are displayed.  
here are the responses from a recent
 survey about saving and displaying greeting cards.
THANK YOU! to everyone who took time to be included in the survey!!

RESPONSES from a Vintage Recycling survey 

All of the respondents to the survey save greeting cards.
>18% saved ALL (or nearly ALL) the cards they receive.
>55% Saved special cards or cards from special occasions
>27% saved cards in a "random" manner

Cards were reported to be stored in a variety of ways, including:
protective sleeves, organized in binders, bins or boxes,
 stashed in drawers and pinned up on walls. One respondent has them in storage boxes under her bed as well as,  at the foot and head of her bed...thought that was just me!
Several people noted they used special stationary
 or decorative boxes. 
Some keep them around randomly in drawers, on shelves and such.
 One respondent even uses them for bookmarks!

40% displayed their cards. 
0 used a card displaying product, like a card tree.
40% set special cards around the house on holidays or birthdays
10% hang their cards
30% pin them up on bulletin boards 
20% frame cards

antique flat Birthday card with ribbon embellishment 
 AND........ a special nostalgic Happy Birthday shout-out to our friend Mary from
be sure to check out her adorable "Happy Birthday Baby Girl" greeting card post HERE!
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mid century Halloween Card Shop

Get in the Spirit with a Halloween Window!

Rust Craft would test and suggest various 
window displays for their distributors.  
This is their suggestion for a
 Halloween theme window 1957.
 excerpt as follows: 

Spooks, hobgoblins and witches will be in their favorite haunting grounds the night of October 31st !  Rust Craft suggests a window display which captures much of the spirit of the 'Witching Hour' by the use of traditional (but inexpensive) Halloween symbols and suggested use of colors.

When putting in your window, by all means use BLACK for your background; it will be a contrast for the colorful oranges and yellows of your Halloween cards, particularly Rust Craft........

In the upper half of your window...tack white masks on colorful party streamers.  Place your Rust Craft Window Streamer in the center  Cut out several bats from black cardboard...tie them to string or wire..  
Halloween wouldn't be complete without a witch...so tack up a cardboard witch, taking her annual broomstick ride, in the upper right hand corner...then add a crescent moon to brighten things up. 
  The friendly Rust Craft Ghost fits in the bottom left of your window along with grinning Jack O'Lantern! 
 The finished window won't frighten anyone...
but it will "scare up" lots of customers for 
Halloween cards and party goods!"

Oct 1957 Rustler

Interestingly, I didn't notice any Halloween cards or mention of them in the 1940s issues of Rust Craft that I have.  Although there certainly were Halloween cards they apparently didn't have the marketing value they soon developed. The Sept. and Oct. issues during WWII emphasized the marketing of Christmas cards and the importance of relaying to customers that they should mail early so that soldiers could receive cards in time for the holiday. I found this one pumpkin graphic in 1943 issue, whereas the 1957 issue of the dealer publication features a jack O'lantern on the cover as well as the above window suggestion.
1943 Rust Craft ad








Source: Rust Craft Rustler October 1957 and 1943

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see more
Rust Craft window suggestion for September 1957 

1957 Rust Craft Greeting Card -September Window Display


Try A Modern, Abstract Window

 the following is an excerpt from Rust Craft Rustler, September 1957,
 "The Magazine for Greeting Card Dealers"

 Following the current trend of sophisticated styling in Greeting Cards,
  Rust Craft's window suggestion for September  
features Rust Craft's 
exiting new FUN 'N' FROLIC cards
 in a smart contemporary setting of abstract design.

Many dealers by experimenting have discovered 
that an uncluttered, simple window display 
draws more attention and
 leaves a more lasting impression on the passerby
 than the window that is too busy.

Limit your display of cards in this type 
of window for a heighted dramatic effect. 
 Heavy black cardboard paper cut in diamond 
against a white background creates 
a striking harlequin design. 
 The cards are tacked on very narrow gold ribbon
 onto black cardboard..
Use the black and white color scheme
 with touches of gold throughout your display.  
Place the window streamer against
 the upper right of your window
 and the window sign in the lower left..
Simple? 
Yes...but terribly effective!

Resist that temptation to embellish it with
 JUST ONE MORE ITEM! 
 UNDERDO, rather than OVERDO, for a more striking window! 
 Change window displays often. 
By experimenting you discover the type of window 
that attracts the greatest number of people
 in your particular vicinity into your store. 
 But always bear in mind that
 whatever type of window display you use, 
it is a reflection of your store's interior, 
the quality of your merchandise, and your own good taste.  
And your sales-results depend a good deal on the
 good or bad impression your window display creates.

MoRE about Rust Craft



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1943 a Day in a Greeting Card Store

Matlack's Greeting Cards~ Concourse of the 69th St.Terminal in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
A DAY IN A GREETING CARD STORE 1943
                                               I like the friendly people 
who come calling at our store,
most faces are familiar too,
 for they've been here before.
The Bonnie Brae Gift Shop, Chicago Ill. ~storefront
The morning now, for instance, 
first thing came Mrs. Brown
To get a little "Miss You " card
 for a friend who's out of town.
a peek inside the Bonnie Brae shows their newly installed fixtures
An then in came a stranger, 
and I could quickly see
From the way he looked so flustered,
 he needed help from me~
Catholic Gift Shop Minneapolis, Minnesota ~"Incidentally, many cards are sold from mounts  The special display rack is just at the left of the Star Spangled Banner.  Sales have increased steadily since the move was made and a radio program called 'The Queen's Hour,' intended to enlighten the public regarding Catholicism, is bringing in returns."
"I want a Special  card" he smiled
 "For a Special Girl I know" ~
And I knew he meant his Sweetheart, 
                                           so I pointed to the row.                                                   
Norris Square Gift Shoppe, Philadelphia Pennsylvania
While he was reading verses, 
along came pretty Sue~
"I need a card for Joe, " she said, 
" for Jim and Tommy,too  ...
For Gosh! The way they're fighting, 
it's the least that I can do!"
Jackson Jewelry Store, Rochester, New York (Mr. Jackson is on the right)
The stranger found his Sweetheart card
 but with a sheepish grin
He covered up the title 
when I took the card from him.
a peek inside Jackson Jewelry shows 100% Rust Craft cards and fixtures ~ "Mr. Jackson is a great believer in Modernizing, and keeps his store up to the minute at all times; and we (Rust Craft) certainly are happy to congratulate him on this fine set up" 
Next came some youthful callers 
and among them one small lad
Who had to have a Birthday card
 a "super" One for Dad!
The Open Book Shop ~ Owned by Mrs.J. D. Moulder, Buffalo, New York "the novel display fixtures were created by Mr. Moulder."
The girls troop in and boys come too, 
all feeling sure they'll find
The Special card that says just right, 
the thought they have in mind.
Fireside Gift Shoppe Woburn, Massachusetts ~Photo Post Card Advertising
For little things like greeting cards
 reflect our ways of life
The joys, the cheer, the happiness, 
the sorrows and the strife.
Henry's Gretting Card Store Worcester, Mass. "here you see one side of an excellent display, but we are wondering when it was taken, for it's almost impossible to step into the store at any time when there are not from one to twenty or twenty-five people selecting cards!"
New babies are remembered ,
 and wives come in for praise
When husbands pick out Special cards
 on Anniversary days,
The Carl Co., Schenectady, New York ~ "the fixtures are made of wood to match the wood used in the store... Mr. J. McNamee is the merchandise man for this department, who states that by installing this new display with the overhead lights there has been a very nice increase in business"
For men and women, both alike,
 have kindly thoughtful ways.

McVicker Stationery Co., Gutherie Oklahoma
And as I turn the lock at night, 
the thought comes home to me
How Great a Friend the Greeting Card 
has really come to be!

Poem is reprinted from Rust Craft Rustler December 1943
all the pictures are from my collection of 1943 issues of Rust Craft Rustlers

MORE about Rust Craft 
 1941 SHOP WINDOWS

1940s Easter Card STORE SIGNAGE

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