Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with vintage

The pope is angered by your attack on...

zvs — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:03:03 -0800

Name that game: You're a feudal lord trying to conquer neighboring territories on a sort of RISK-style board. Make the wrong move and you'll enrage the pope. I played this around 1994 and Google is apparently completely unable to help. If you can name that title, I'll be your best friend forever.

i promise she'll find this funny

kidsleepy — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:43:35 -0800

What do you call this kind of retro picture? I'd like to create something like this for an upcoming 50th birthday surprise (featuring the birthday girl instead of the married couple). The theme of the party is "Like a good wine, she only gets better with age." I think it would be funny to 'emboss' the picture with gold writing, a la Olan Mills. I'd like to get some more ideas, but can't even figure out what to Google!

Vintage sunglasses filter. Help me find the brand of this pair...

ouke — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:45:31 -0800

Please help me find the brand of these glasses. I found this picture online some time ago and I haven't found a description, a label or a model for them. I browsed through lots of vintage shops that sell sunglasses, but I still haven't come across these. The actual pair I'm looking for isn't gold, but silvery or chromish. So I thought maybe the dear Askmefites could help me out on this one. I'm looking for the brand, bonus points for online shops that sell them.

Where can I shop for a vintage headboard?

thisiswater — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:45:10 -0800

I'm want to recreate this headboard recently featured on Apartment Therapy. Does anyone know where I can look for a vintage mantle aside from craigslist & ebay? Most options I've found through google have been $1000+ or shipping is (understandably) local only/too expensive.

I've never been to a flea market - is this the kind of thing you could find there? I live in Alabama but would be willing to travel to surrounding states if you know of any good antique stores or other options in the area.

The person who inspired me to do this project found a mantle for $10, which would be incredible but I do not expect to find something that cheap. I'm willing to pay around $100 for the mantle, is this reasonable?

Thanks for any help!

Yes, I've got a lulu. Why?

stuck on an island — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:25:06 -0800

Where can I find reasonably detailed reference images of smart everyday women's clothes from the 1940s, 50s and early 60s? After bemoaning the state of modern women's workwear for years, I've decided to draw my office wardrobe influences from the past. Specifically, the block of time bordered roughly by His Girl Friday and Mad Men. (Yes, I know.) To do this, I need images from the time to "clip" for reference and inspiration, but I can't figure out where to look -- searching specifically for costume images yields too few results, searching generally for the time periods yields too many.

Where should I look to get a good idea of what the woman in the street wore? I am not looking for haute couture or Hollywood glamour (although I'd welcome recommendations for good frock porn films) -- more along the lines of what a Sartorialist of the time might have photographed. I make clothes and am learning to draft my own patterns, so the more detailed the images the better.

It's just a jump to the left. And then a step to the right.

miss lynnster — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:00:59 -0800

I need visual examples of vintage influences (1920s-1950s) in current popular culture to prove retro design is still hip with the cool kids. Putting together images for a style presentation. I want to hire a retro illustrator for a project but last week someone expressed belief that young people aren't interested in waxing nostalgic for a time they didn't live in. I just need to show solid proof of how off base that is. I need visual examples of pop culture and design (magazine ads, interior decor, popular products like the Dangerous Book for Boys, anything really...) to prove that modern people are still embracing very vintage inspiration and that retro style is still relevant in popular culture and embraced by younger people.

I have a lot already. Just want to see what I might not have thought of. Thanks oodles. You da bomb. Yes, you.

PHENOMINAL!

littleredspiders — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:49:22 -0800

SoftDrinkFilter: Recently, Barr's have re-introduced the old style branding on their cans of Irn Bru (like so). But something has been bothering me since forever: what is the guy in the middle supposed to be? He's holding aloft a glass of the girder-based drink and dressed in a white top and shorts with a kind of blue bib on. I remember asking about this when I was a wean and never got an answer. Is there anyone here who can put me out of my misery?

And we're accepting applications for a Babyface Nelson

andromache — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:52:48 -0800

We're in NYC. How do we dress as Bonnie and Clyde for Halloween for under $40/pp? I want to convince my lady to go as Bonnie to my Clyde for Halloween this year, and I want to enlist your help in making my case. Upside: we get to dress as dapper 30s badasses and cover ourselves with bullet holes and fake blood. Downside: she wants to go as the Hamburgler. And that means if I want to do a team costume with her (which, I don't know why but I do) I'm probably going as Ronald McDonald. And fuck that.

Neither of these ideas is as great as the first idea, which was we just go all out and get really elaborate furry costumes, but I poked around online and it looks like they run about $90 and up to rent for a night. Would be hilarious and memorable, but that's a lotta scratch for a one-night rental.

So I guess the question is this: Where could we get vintage/30s-looking clothes in NYC for purchase or rent for under $40 per person? Doesn't need to be exactly like the Faye Dunaway/Warren Beatty movie, or even like the real-life Bonnie and Clyde, just something that says "old-timey mobster". Are there any Goodwill/thrift stores where you've found stuff that would work for this?

And what, other than a beret for her (that part from the movie has to stay, I think) and loads of gory bullet holes for both of us, would make us obviously Bonnie and clyde-ish? For instance, I could rent a suit maybe and use my own white shirt to ruin with fake blood.

Also--will we get arrested by overzealous NYC cops for carrying a fake tommygun around on the subway on Oct. 31st? How fake does it need to look to avoid spending All Hallow's Eve in the slammer (you'll never take me alive, coppers!)?

Name This Aesthetic

CitrusFreak12 — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:04:07 -0800

Is there a name or term for the aesthetic these blogs contain? I've realized that there is a definite theme and aesthetic quality in a lot of the blogs I read. But when trying to relate this to a friend yesterday, I realized I can't seem to figure out what it is or even quite how to describe it.

It bothers me even more because this aesthetic is very similar to things I('d like to) wear, things I collect, how I decorate areas in my room, etc, which is likely why I read them in the first place.

It's not just the vintage stuff, but that is a large part. There's a lot of overlap between them in modern things as well, and I think this combination of the two is rather important.

So what's the name for this aesthetic, and how can I describe/define it? And as a side question, are there blogs/resources where I can find more of the same?

The blogs are as follows:
A Continuous Lean
The Material Review (a tumblr blog by the same guy who does A Continuous Lean)
A Time to Get
Cold Splinters
Secret Forts
Yimmys Yayo (Consider this one NSFW, for the most part. All photos, and a higher concentration of nudity as of late. But the aesthetic is still there though, perhaps to a lesser extent than those linked above)

In search of a crockery maven

chesty_a_arthur — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:22:27 -0800

I would like to sell some vintage Fiestaware of varying rarity. Are there...crockery brokers? How do I do this without having it as my second job? Apart from selling it piece by piece on eBay -- which may be the best approach -- how else can I go about selling a bunch of multicolored vintage Fiestaware from the mid-20th century? It's of varying colors (and therefore values, according to my Fiestaware collector's guide), and in generally good condition, but I don't know enough about tableware condition rating and so forth to be sure I'm getting my money's worth. Suggestions or advice?

Vintage Cognac, or Old Bottle of Booze?

qwip — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:01:59 -0800

Do you know vintage cognac? My Father-in-law was handed down a bottle of, assumably, nice cognac. It was given to his father as a gift from his company in the 1930s. It's been sitting in the basket it was packaged in for years and years and we'd really like to have more information about it. It's a bottle of "Cognac Napoleon, Grande Fine Champagne, Reserve". Pictures of the front label, the mark on the bottle's neck, and the back label. The only identifying info is the name "Reserve of L. Favert & Co." and "Imported by The Creevy Trading Cy" of Chicago on the back.

The back also says "Over 60 years old, bottled in 1910".

I've google as much as I can and the only thing that comes up looking remotely like this, is Cognac Napoleon Grande Champagne 1811 Reserve , and it's not that ( seen here halfway down the page).

Any insights or leads to what this bottle is and, perhaps, what it is worth, would be appreciated. Don't know if we should keep it as a nice heirloom or drink it as a nice cognac.

I pulled a Betty Draper last night.

oinopaponton — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 07:04:16 -0800

Any tips for successfully reupholstering a vintage settee? I finally, after months of beautiful mid-century modern furniture near-misses, beat the clock and snatched up this baby from Craigslist before anyone else got to it. I'm in love, but the fabric's kind of discolored (and slightly ugly) and there isn't much padding on the seat. The wood's in fine condition, so I'm not worried about that.

I've reupholstered an antique chair before, so I understand the basics, but that was more of a test run. I'm a little more invested in this piece of furniture. I definitely want to do this myself (no taking it to a professional), and I'm looking for a little guidance in the not-making-it-ugly department.

So:
1. Are there any great reupholstery guides out there on the interweb, or do you yourself have any specific advice? I'm especially concerned with keeping a neat, tailored look.

2. Any ideas of where I could find some nice sturdy fabric, either online or in the Boston area? I'm currently obsessed with clean mid-century everything, so someplace that specializes in that sort of thing would be great.

Help me find these awesome 1960s-style shades!

ishotjr — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:28:13 -0800

Can anyone ID the sunglasses Betty Draper wears in the Mad Men episode that aired on Sept. 27 or suggest similar ones? Photo link inside. I don't actually watch Mad Men (yet), but I read the blog Project Rungay and one of the shows they recap is Mad Men. The picture at the top of this blog entry shows the sunglasses I'm looking for. I know it's very likely that they're vintage. If anyone either knows the brand of the sunglasses or knows of some similar ones available today, it'd be very helpful in my fashion quest.

What to do with the Apple II?

niles — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:27:18 -0800

What do I do with several Apple IIs (and a Commodore, and maybe a few other "vintage" comptuers) that I have? Nostalgia has finally given way to practicality, and I need to do something about the basement shelf overflowing with computers older than I am - but I have absolutely no clue how to do it. It seems wasteful to throw out a perfectly working Commodore 64 (in the original packaging!), or any of several models of Apple IIs with boxes of related 5.25" disk software. I read about a team at MIT creating cheap computers out of Apple IIs for developing countries, and while I can't find any further information for them online, donating to a cause like that would be awesome. Short of that, what else can I do to clean out the house? What's the best thing to do with these computers?

Too bad I don't have a vintage cat...

kathrineg — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 13:46:52 -0800

What should I do with this awesome vintage cat carrier? As you can see, the top is transparent and there are ventilation holes on both sides. Th pattern is a small houndstooth.

I might be able to get an identical one and have a pair...

Its dimensions are:

H: 11"
W: 17"
D: 8.5"

I was thinking about making it into a light fixture, but what bulbs would be cool enough to ensure it's not a fire hazard?

Seeking a vintage, red bomber jacket

Khazk — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:31:57 -0800

I can't find this "adidas"-lookalike retro jacket from this Utah Saints "Something Good" music video, and I kind of want to buy one for ~$50 in Canada! I have already raided the parents' "vintage" boxes at home and it appears that the Striped Cuff, fall/spring rainjacket style was pretty popular in the late 70's/early 80's, but my folks don't have one in red. I have tried a few vintage stores in my local area (Edmonton Alberta) but to no avail. Adidas had/has a similar style of jacket on the market but they eliminate "old" articles from their online catalogue as soon as the new season starts. I've seen them posted as "varsity jackets", "baseball bombers", and "aviator" jackets.

I need the jacket for an upcoming party and I'm very particular about the color scheme: red jacket with elastic red cuffs and white stripes on the collar and wrists. No other tones or colored sleeves...as close as possible to the one in the video!

I'm looking for a retailer online that sells this style of jacket, unbranded if possible.

Cheers and thanks from the Great (soon to be) White North

KZ

Help a doll with puttin' on the ritz

messica — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 22:10:55 -0800

The Jazz Age Lawn Party is coming back to Governor's Island, and this time I want to do more than spectate. For the past couple of years I have enjoyed going to the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governor's Island in New York. It's a great event featuring 1920s vintage-attired ladies and gentlemen dancing to a live jazz age orchestra in a beautiful outdoor setting. This time, rather than ogling all the charmingly stylish people and bopping around uncertainly, I'd like to get in on the action. My approach is two-pronged: The Dress and The Moves.

1) Where in NYC might I find a 20s-style dress in the vein of the ones seen here-link launches NYT slideshow with sound- and here? (I've googled and I know there are piles of second-hand and vintage stores all over the city; I'm hoping for personal recommendations to narrow it down. I'll also take suggestions on piecing together a suitable outfit from non-vintage clothes and accesssories.)

2) Where in NYC might I get a quick crash course in the basics of "Jazz Age" dancing? Can anyone recommend a class, either in Manhattan or Brooklyn?

Thanks for any and all suggestions!

Songs that are a throwback to the 1930s-1960s?

flibbertigibbet — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:29:49 -0800

I like Amy Winehouse, psychobilly, the Pipettes, the Acid House Kings, the O Brother... soundtrack, and even that throw-back-to-the-Andrews-Sisters Christina Aguilera song. I have a craving for music produced in the now but inspired by the 1930s to early 1960s, with my favourite era being the 1940s. Can you recommend anymore good contemporary rock/pop bands along these lines, including psychobilly bands I may not have heard about yet? I have seen this question, but I tend less towards Motown and more towards rock, pop and punk.

I know most O Brother songs are traditional, but except for the vintage recordings, they've all got that contemporary kick that draws me in.

I've only just gotten into psychobilly, so I've yet to plumb its depths.

Name that vintage fabric!

skyscraper — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:56:24 -0800

Trying to restore a 1951 factory prototype auto (US). Need to match some seat upholstery cloth (printed canvas - image here). Any textile folk that can help track down the manufacturer or a source for high quality reproduction? Anecdote has it that the factory was known for their daring in design and manufacturers sent them samples hoping to have them used - this one was. It's a cotton canvas, two color print (not woven) and has a partial name in the selvage that appears to be "TEXTURA ?????" (even less sure about the 5 letter second word - thus the ?????).

The seats were reupholstered in the 60s, but pieces of the original fabric were used as scrap in the new upholstery - that's where the scanned image came from. We're looking for info on the manufacturer with the hope that we can find larger samples which have the complete repeat pattern so the cloth can be reproduced (or more ideally someone who has a roll-end of the cloth with enough fabric for the restoration).

I'm looking for amusing phrases that could be found on old health tonic/elixir advertisements.

SouthCNorthNY — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 21:51:29 -0800

I'm looking for amusing phrases that could be found on old health tonic/elixir advertisements. They don't have to be real, just funny. Example: "Most beneficial for the humors!"

What was this table/cart used for?

secretsecret — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 20:18:15 -0800

Can anyone identify this antique table/cart? It's raised and lowered using a crank. At first I thought it was an old gurney or casket dolly, but it's not long enough to be either.

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv354/ohwhocaresman/photo.jpg

photographic white lies

Jody Tresidder — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:53:04 -0800

This might be a wild goose chase. But can anyone help me track down any sort of a technical clue for why a white tint very specifically applied to one part of a photo taken in the 1920s – for the purpose of deliberate deception – would have turned a dark, purplish navy color over time? I’m assuming the color corruption is due to some type of direct chemical reaction with the photographic paper. It's obvious the white color was painted/applied directly onto the surface of the original black and white print.

But I don’t know where to even start looking for a chemical answer.

I‘ve had access to this doctored and unpublished photo and I’ve looked at it very closely (it’s in a museum archive).

The intention of the hand tinting – and I know it was also done in the 1920s by the same guy who took the original photo -was to cover up the brown skin of a Central American “native” and make it look as if he really had pure white skin.

On the one hand, it's a clumsy deception –because when you tilt the surface of the photo under normal light you can see immediately where some liquid (paint or ink or possibly a light gel) – has been applied only to the area of bare skin of one prominent figure in the foreground. Also, I don't think the photo would have been terribly scientifically convincing even if the white tint had stayed white. On the other hand, it’s very neatly done.

There’s no question the doctored “native warrior” was meant to look as if he was of pale, Scandinavian origin (there’s a saga of fraudulent anthropology which explains the photo).

My feeling is that the photographer didn’t have a clue about any “special” paints or colors you were meant to use. He was just trying to create photographic evidence for his own mad racial theories. (It’s obviously ironic that the “native” he was attempting to transform into a white man in the photo ended up a blue aubergine hue – with a kind of dull bluebottle sheen.)

I was wondering if anyone knows whether any innocently hand tinted photos from the same 1920s era developed the same color corruption problem?

Vintage jazz radio streams/podcasts?

1001 questions — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:36:57 -0800

What are some decent vintage jazz radio streams/podcasts *with on-air programmers/DJs*? Two of my favorite radio shows on KBCS ("20th Century Jazz The First Half" with Joannie Nelson and "Vintage Jazz" with Al Barnes) are being discontinued due to management idiocy.

So I'm on the lookout for other shows to fill the huge void that will exist next month. I know "vintage jazz" is broad, but I'm not looking for some very specific music, I'm open to a host of things.

And I don't want to simply hit shuffle on an iPod or listen to streams with random (but good!) music. I want to hear DJs, good ones that talk about what they're playing, ones that have insightful things to say and/or are just a joy to listen to.

Deadstock in LA

gilgamix — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:04:16 -0800

Where can I buy large amounts of vintage/dead stock fabric in Los Angeles? I need to buy 750 yards of vintage/deadstock fabric. I need the fabric in assorted patterns. The fabric must be vintage, not simply discontinued. Help?

Need to find this animation.

kaseijin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:50:14 -0800

I saw a really great (seemingly circa 1970's?) stop-motion animation recently, and I really want to find out what it was... It had a folded-paper bird and a sun-dress that was caught in the wind. The bird and the dress flew around together over a bunch of backgrounds that were very washy... like they were painted with watercolor.

Bird and dress fell in 'love' or at least a deep friendship, then there was this smoke monster sort of thing that was composed of a bunch of shapes cut from dark paper or cloth. Dress defended the bird from the smoke, then bird saved dress from being overcome.

The whole thing was silent, save for a fairly calm and classical musical score.

Any ideas, HiveMind™?