Saturday Evening Post Uncovered

 Back in 2015, I posted about a collection of coverless comic books I picked up at a garage sale.  This past year, I encountered just the obvious.  Covers without books.  In this case, they were Saturday Evening Post covers.  Obviously, the original owner liked the covers, but for space consideration, didn't keep the magazines.  They date from 1953 through 1961 and feature a variety of Saturday Evening Post artists, although Norman Rockwell is notably missing.  That could be because at the same sale were full copies of Norman Rockwell-covered Saturday Evening Posts.  I picked those up as well and may post them at some future date.

I've posted any interesting ads that appeared on the reverse side as well. Enjoy!

Thornton Utz

Saturday Evening (Christmas Blog) Post

It's been a while since I posted a magazine, but this one had so many great ads and Christmas ones to boot, so here it is.  I picked this magazine up at an estate sale over the summer.  It has a lot of issues, not the least of which is the red ink bled through most of the ads.  But they're still fun to look at.  And of course with the ads come my poor attempt at humor.  Please bear with me.

And so, here it is, from December 8th, 1951, The Saturday Evening Post (ads only).

Cover art by John Falter who did a number of covers for The Saturday Evening Post.

A Super Week

I've made comment over the years that "Superman: The Movie" was my Star Wars.  What I mean is, for most of my generation, "Star Wars" was the defining movie.  I saw "Star Wars" and enjoyed it, but it didn't have the cultural impact on me as it did other kids my age (commence stoning now). I only saw the movie once.  I didn't collect the toys. I didn't collect the cards. I didn't have the record album.  I was a comic book geek. 

I was mainly a fan of Marvel Comics.  For those of you unfamiliar, Marvel is Spider-man, The Avengers, Fantastic Four, Iron Man, X-Men, The Hulk, Captain America, etc.  All of the heroes that are popular movies now. No, not Aquaman. That's DC which along with our underwater friend had Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman and Robin, the Flash, etc. In the 70's, the only place you could find your heroes off the page was on TV.  And when it came to TV, DC seemed to win hands down.  

There was "The Superfriends" on Saturday mornings.   

Reader's Digest Condensed - December 1968

It's time for the December edition of Reader's Digest Condensed, which of course means, just the ads.  But as a bonus in honor of Christmas, I'm including "St. Nicholas: The People's Saint" for a bit of history on the jolly fat man in red.

Reader's Digest Condensed - October 1975 - A Special Treat

I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "He's already done a Reader's Digest Condensed this month".  Or maybe not. At any rate, this is indeed the second "Reader's Digest Condensed" this month, but it's here for a reason -- and a treat just for you.  But, you'll have to wade through ads first. Unless you want to cheat and just scroll on down to the bottom.

Halloween Ads

These ads are the remainders from going through various October issues of vintage 1960's magazines such as Good Housekeeping, Ladies Home Journal, and Better Homes and Gardens.  As a bonus, I'm including "Halloween Party Shari Lewis Style".  You're welcome.

Reader's Digest Condensed - October 1972

Welcome to one of my more sporadic features - Reader's Digest Condensed, or as I call it "Just the Ads".  Today's issue is the October 1972 edition.

Enter 1984

No, I'm not heralding the arrival of some Orwellian society, it's just a computer magazine from 1984, specifically November.  Here's why 1984 wasn't like 1984.

Good Housekeeping, December, 1954

Unlike the last Good Housekeeping I posted, this issue from 1954 doesn't spark any memories for me, being a good 13 years before I was around, but the contents pretty much sum up everything I love about the 1950's. Enjoy! 

Good Housekeeping, December 1975

Okay, I know I've been really slacking lately.  Will an old copy of Good Housekeeping appease you? No? Well, take it anyway. It's all you're getting. 

Along with the Sears Wish Book and the Swiss Colony catalog, the Christmas editions of my mom's magazines always heralded Christmas for me.

Radio News 1921

I picked up a small lot of vintage Radio News magazines from the 1920's and '30's and you know what that means. More scanning! The magazines are in pretty poor condition and leave little paper flakes everywhere and I'm afraid my scanning may be the death of them. First up is the August 1921 issue of "the 100% Wireless Magazine".

Successful Farming May 1959

Today's offering is this month in 1959's issue of "Successful Farming".  You know what that means? Yep, hog reports.  Nah, I'm kidding.  It's all about the ads.

True, March 1967

I never heard of True magazine until I found a lot of them at an estate sale.  Printed from 1937 through 1974, it was akin to Esquire or GQ and is chock full of things that made the 60's male manly.

Reader's Digest Condensed - January 1970

Pack O Fun

How much fun can you pack into a Pack O Fun Scrap-Craft magazine?   Well, let's find out.

Reader's Digest Condensed - 1976 Christmas Ad Edition

Ladies Home Journal, December 1968

It's time once again to explore the world of 1960's advertising and you know what that means?  Yep, sexism, poorly-thought-out food combinations and sculptured carpeting.  Breathe it in folks.  It always goes down smooth.

Hoostradoos and You

I recently found this October 1982 issue of The Missouri Conservationist. 

Reader's Digest Ads Condensed, September 1969

Continuing with a new feature I like to call "Reader's Digest Ads Condensed".  Really just an excuse to scan more old ads.  This time from September of 1969.  It was the Age of Aquarius and the age of atrocious recipes courtesy of Cambell's Soups.  Believe me, there ain't nothing "digestive" above them. Enjoy.

McCall's August, 1956

I apologize for the lack of posts this month, but an illness has seriously sidelined me and probably will for the coming month.  But to hold you over, here's the August 1956 issue of McCall's and hopefully, I'll be back in full force soon.