Easter Parade of 1946 Ads

Easter-themed ads in the Lorain Journal during the 1946 holiday season are a mixed bag (or basket if you prefer). The era of the big royalty-free clip art books (like those produced by Harry Volk Corporation) didn't really begin until the 1950s. So some ads have what appears to be artwork created by a professional artist at an ad agency, while other ads seem to have illustrations that were done locally, perhaps by a Journal staffer in the newspaper's art department. 

In either case, it is all fun to look at.

So here is – what else? – an ample sample of ads that appeared in the Lorain Journal around Easter 1946. You'll find ads from Sears, Smith & Gerhart, the Reidy Scanlan Company, Sutter's, and others.

April 10, 1946

April 15, 1946

April 15, 1946

April 17, 1946

April 18, 1946
The name of this drug store makes me think it would be
more at home on Red Square than Downtown Lorain

April 18, 1946

April 18, 1946

Reidy-Scanlan St. Patrick's Day Ads – 1954, 1964 & 1967

The Reidy Scanlan Company has been a favorite topic on this blog, since so many of us shopped there over the years. Blog posts covered its timeline from when its building was under construction to its eventual (and inevitable) demolition.

Nevertheless, the firm was a mainstay of Lorain's central business district and a regular advertiser in the Lorain Journal. Thus it wasn't too hard to come up with some St. Patrick's Day-themed ads.

First up is one from March 1954. It's a fun ad with a nice gimmick, with the firm offering 20% off any item that has 'a bit of green' in it.

By the way, according to online dictionaries, "Begora!" is "an expression of surprise or emphasis," and a euphemism for "By God!"

It's kind of interesting that it really wasn't until the 1950s that ads with lots of 'clip art' (like the ad above) began to appear in the Journal. Up until then, there was a limited selection of tiny graphics that printers could use in a small ad or business card.

Here's the 1964 version. Note that it has a promotional tie-in with the 1964 World's Fair, which would open a little more than a month later.

Begora, that leprechaun lad in the ad still bears a wee resemblance to an ape (as theorized in this article, as well as this one). But that's okay, one of my favorite movie series is the original Planet of the Apes.

Lastly, here's Reidy-Scanlan's 1967 ad. Pretty much the whole ad was constructed using clip art – no furniture this time.

Since Reidy Scanlan's company anniversary fell around mid-March, ads from that time period over the years dealt with that celebration instead of the Irish holiday. In fact, these are the only three St. Patrick's Day ads for Reidy Scanlan that I could find between the late 1940s and early 70s.

Anyway, tomorrow I'll post a veritable Irish Stew of other vintage ads of area businesses in the lead up to the holiday on Sunday. 

Regional Ads – January 1953

Lorain's relative proximity to many large Ohio cities resulted in a variety of regional advertisements appearing in the Lorain Journal in the 1950s and 60s. Brands such as Old Dutch Beer (out of Findlay), Carling's Black Label (out of Cleveland), Frankie's the Keener Wiener (out of Massillon) are good examples.

And here are a couple ads from the Lorain Journal in January 1953 with a regional connection. The first one is an ad for the Reidy Scanlan Company located on Broadway at 21st Street, featuring a White Dove Mattress Sale. The racy ad – with its well-rested, nightgown-clad model – ran on January 26, 1953.

White Dove was – and still is – located in Cleveland. Its website notes that it recently celebrated its 100th year in business, and that it was one of the first companies to introduce a one-sided mattress. (I like my one-sided mattress, because I could never remember to flip the other kind.)

That $39.75 has the same buying power as about $443 in today's inflated greenbacks.

And here's another ad with a regional flair. It ran on January 29, 1953 and promotes Grand Duchess Steaks. 

The comic strip style of the ad is somewhat unusual, as well as the rendering of the Grand Duchess as a princess type instead of a dowager.

Grand Duchess Steaks was located in Akron, Ohio.

So what's the story of these steaks? Here's a great article courtesy of the Canton Repository.

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Grand Duchess Steaks were frozen in the '50s

'No Fat, No Bone -- All Beef!'

Gary Brown 
Repository editor at-large

"Fix 'em fast ... serve 'em proudly!"

The 1951 advertisement for Grand Duchess "Fresh Frozen" Steaks — beef at its frozen best — showed a hostess serving four steak sandwiches to guests at what quite obviously was a dinner party. Except words on the box in which Grand Duchess Steaks were packaged noted that there were five "Tender Tasty Steaks" — "Big Thick Steaks" — inside the container. Risk of a dinner table fight over the fifth steak was a reality. Frozen foods still were in their infancy early in the 1950s, and consumers may not have known how to handle a demand for hastily prepared second helpings. And that last steak — a single serving — no doubt was still in the kitchen, waiting to be thawed out and cooked for possibly multiple still-hungry people.

"It takes just 3 minutes to cook Grand Duchess Steaks — the really tender, jucier, tastier steaks," the ad in The Canton Repository said. "Serve them often — and always with pride — for Grand Duchess cost no more than ordinary brands, yet pay your guests a subtle compliment because they're the best you can buy!"

There was a reason for that claim at the bottom of the ad.

"No Fat, No Bone — All Beef!"

They Were New

The steaks apparently were introduced the prior year, according to an advertisement in The Canton Repository.

"New Fast Frozen Steaks" said an ad in the Independent for Grand Duchess Steaks published on Jan. 26, 1950. "Out of This World New Flavor."

The advertisement was accompanied by a story publicizing the product — an "advertorial" such stories now are called — that paid tribute to the frozen steaks in bold lettering across the top of the page. 

"NEW TENDER STEAK IS RAVE HIT!" said the headline over the story, which also carried a headline noting that the local Superior Provisions company was named distributor locally of the Grand Duchess Steaks.

The ad, which also was published on the same day in The Independent of Massillon, called Grand Duchess Steaks "a sensational new packaged steak, rivaling the finest cuts of sirloin or porterhouse in flavor," and it quoted A. Genshaft, manager of Superior Provision.

"The latest triumph of the science of fast-freezing, Grand Duchess Steaks are ready to eat three minutes after they are removed from the freezing compartment of your refrigerator, Genshaft said. "And because these steaks are so full of natural juices, no shortening is required. The steaks are simply placed in their frozen condition in a hot skillet and cooked for a minute and a half on each side."

The steaks had been introduced in the Akron market to the enthusiasm of "homemakers and eating places," said the ad.

"Ever since we first heard that a fast-frozen steak had been developed that compared favorably with the better cuts of sirloin and yet was budget-priced, we have felt that Canton home makers would welcome it just as Akron women have," said Genshaft. "We have watched the progress of the steaks in Akron markets and have talked to meat dealers there. Every dealer reports unusually good repeat sales and many say they could sell even more if they had more capacity for fast-frozen foods."

Coming to Canton

The advertisement as it was published in 1950 included a note from Superior to "Mr. Retailer." 

"Get ready for the BIG DEMAND," said the ad. "If you don't already stock this new steak sensation in your frozen food department, phone your order to us first thing tomorrow!"

In an advertisement on the next page in the newspaper, Superior presented Grand Duchess Steaks to the Greater Canton area. It listed stores in which the steaks were available in Canton — 18 stores in the southeast section, 33 in the northeast, 43 in the northwest and 56 in the southwest. Consumers could buy Grand Duchess Steaks in five groceries in North Canton and in 22 locations in other Stark County communities.

"For more than 25 years Canton area residents have looked upon the Superior label as representing the finest quality in meats and meat products," Superior said. "You can place that same trust, that same confidence in Grand Duchess Steaks ... a product which more than fulfills our rigid standards for purity, quality, freshness and value!

"If your dealer cannot supply you with these new, tasty, tender steaks — ask him to phone ... The Superior Provision Co."

Then it listed the number to dial. It was 5-5327. Five numbers instead of 10. This was a different era in history. If the promotion of "new" frozen foods didn't tip you off, short phone numbers would be a pretty good clue.

Brochure currently on eBay

Merry Christmas!

Full-page Lorain Telephone Journal Ad
from Dec. 24, 1962

Here's wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year! Thanks for stopping by here each day to see what's been posted, and to read all the great comments left by our jolly gang of contributors, old and new. 

I'm planning on taking my usual holiday break from daily posting until just before New Year's Eve. That will give me some time to enjoy the season, and also work on some behind-the-scenes preparation for some long-delayed posts (such as the Pueblo, Aqua Marine Resort, Don Hilton's new book and many others). 

Of course, I'll probably be unable to resist the odd post here and there. (Actually, they're all a little odd.) We'll see. But I'll be back in time to post the annual grisly "Don't drink and drive" New Year's Eve effort.

Anyway, here's a full-page retelling of the Christmas story as it appeared in the Journal on December 24, 1972. That's Gene Patrick's well-remembered, classic artwork decorating the page, which includes a photograph of the Nativity scene in the window of Reidy-Scanlan Furniture on Broadway. 

St. Patrick’s Day Ads – 1964 & 1968

Well, St. Patrick’s Day is tomorrow so that means it’s time for the annual bit o’ blarney here on the O’ Brady Blog where I post vintage ads with that theme.

I’d been a-diggin around in the Journal microfilm from 1964 (looking for Chicken Delight ads), so the first two ads are from mid-March that year.

First up is a portion of a large ad for The Reidy-Scanlan Company. It features a nice illustration of a leprechaun pulling wads of “green” out of a shamrock-covered piggy bank.

The ad also includes details on a neat round-trip for two contest that was a tie-in with the 1964 World’s Fair.

Next up is this wee ad for Heilman’s, who was serving up the traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage, as well as Mulligan Stew. That’s a pretty stylized leprechaun.

By 1968, St. Patrick’s Day restaurant ads in the Journal featuring leprechauns seemed to be much rarer. Perhaps it was the tempo of the war-torn times.

But good old Harvest House Cafeteria out at Midway Mall (a favorite topic on this blog) included a small leprechaun brandishing a shillelagh in their ad that ran on March 16, 1968. 

The menu included a Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner and – in case you didn’t like Corned Beef – Roast Turkey with Hot Giblet Gravy, Baked Celery Dressing, Cranberry Sauce, Creamy Whipped Potatoes, Choice of Vegetable and Warm Roll and Butter. (Like I said before, it was always Thanksgiving at Harvest House!)

Other perennial blog favorite Vian’s skipped the clip art altogether.

So did United Polish Club, which will be featured on a blog post next week.

Have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Vintage St. Patrick’s Day Ads – 1967

Well, it’s St. Patrick’s Day, so it’s time to post some vintage ads from the Journal with that particular theme. These three ads all appeared in the Journal just in time for St. Patrick’s Day 1967 – 50 years ago today.

Since I’ve spent most of the week blogging about car washes and auto dealerships, it’s appropriate that the one at the top of this post is for Si Gary Dodge. The ad uses an unusually pie-faced leprechaun and some nice headline type.

This ad for the Reidy Scanlan Company (below) has great typography too. But it also has a leprechaun that (to me, anyway) seems to hearken back to the 1800s when Irishmen were depicted as ape-like in editorial cartoons. (But I’m not offended; besides, I was working on a bunch of bananas from the grocery store earlier in the week.)

Lastly in this 1967 St. Patrick’s Day Parade of ads is this one for Casey’s Drive-in. In this case, the ad steers clear of leprechauns and just plunks a shamrock onto the layout so as not to take away from Casey the mascot.

Like me, you might be wondering what “Faith an’ Begorra” means. Apparently it is a cliché, a sort of mild oath that evolved from “By my Faith” and “By God.” 

One online source said that real Irishmen never say it without a tongue planted firmly in their cheek, as it is an example of a stereotypical Irish expression.

Anyway, Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Reidy Scanlan/St. Joe's Demo Update

By George, this is the third post this week related to demolition!

Late last November, when the former Reidy-Scanlan building was about to be torn down, I scanned old newspaper microfilms at the Lorain Public Library in an unsuccessful attempt to find out some of the early history of the building.

So, last week – while looking for something else, of course, I finally found what I was looking for: a nice architectural rendering of the building (below). It ran in the Lorain Daily News on August 5, 1913.

The caption reads, “Work is progressing rapidly on the new block building being built at the corner of 21st street and Broadway, for the Reichlin, Reidy, Scanlan Furniture and Undertaking company. The building will be of brick construction and its dimensions will be 58x110 feet. The south side of the building facing Broadway will be used for undertaking parlors and chapel. The bloc will be completed about December 1st and will cost approximately $37,000. The building will be strictly modern and when completed will be one of the finest in the city.

I’m still scratching my head as to why this building couldn’t have been rehabilitated. 

Anyway, here’s what the now-empty corner looked like last weekend.

Across 21st Street, the work cleaning up the demolition of the oldest part of the former St. Joe’s is progressing nicely. A handsome new outside wall camouflages the unsightly seams that were exposed as a result of the demolition.

Quite a difference from the view back in August 2013.

Reidy Scanlan Update

The view on Sunday

Last week, the demolition of the former Reidy Scanlan furniture store finally took place (click here for the Morning Journal article in case you missed it) so it’s a good time to update my earlier post about the building.

I looked through the city directories a bit and found Reichlin, Reidy & Scanlan in the 1905 edition. The furniture and undertaking business was located in the 1700 block of Penfield Avenue (later known as Broadway). Casimir Reichlin, E . P. Reidy and M. J. Scanlan were the names behind the business.

So when did the business move to the Broadway and 21st Street location?

Here’s where the old saying, “Great Minds Think Alike” comes into play. Rick Kurish and Dennis Thompson – regular contributors to this blog with research help and topic suggestions – both sent me the vintage newspaper article (below). The article announces that the firm had purchased the southwest corner of Broadway and 21st Street with the plan to erect the (now-demolished) building there. It dates from January 16, 1913.

Rick also reminisced, “I remember my wife and I buying some of our first home furnishings at the store in the early 1970s. By then it was just named Reidy Scanland, and the funeral portion of their business had moved to a separate building just to the south."

You might also remember in my original post that I had wondered about the prominent sign protruding out from the corner of the Reichlin, Reidy & Scanland building that read, “The Outfit Store” that was visible in that 1936 phone book ad (below).

Well, Dennis did some research and confirmed that “The Outfit Store” was an ad slogan. He wrote, “If you can find a copy of the Lorain High Scimitar, Class of 1924, Reidy Scanlan used the term “The Outfit Store” in an ad on page 85.” He noted that the e-yearbook.com website revealed it was still in use in an ad in the 1927 Scimitar, as well as in the Brookside Leader, Class of 1931 book.

Dennis also sent me a copy of a Slovenian language newspaper from December 20, 1923 with a Reichlin - Reidy - Scanlan ad that used the slogan. The paper was called GLAS NARODA and was the largest Slovenian Daily in the United States.

Here is the ad (below).

My thanks to Dennis and Rick for helping me with this research. (By the way, GLAS NARODA translates to “The Voice of the Nation.”)

Reichlin-Reid-Scanlan 1937 Thanksgiving Ad

Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching, and so to put you in the mood, here's an ad for Reichlin - Reidy - Scanlan that ran in the Lorain Journal on November 18, 1937 – 78 years ago yesterday.

It’s a pretty effective and attractive ad. And so much furniture for $99.50!

The china cabinet reminds me of mine a little bit (below) although it’s not as ornate as the one shown in the ad.

Decades ago, a boyfriend of one of the spouse’s girlfriends had mentioned that his mother was getting rid of it, and that she’d be happy to give it away to someone who wants it. So we borrowed a truck and drove out to the eastern suburbs (either Willoughby or Willowick – can’t remember which) to get it, sight unseen.

It’s been a pretty nice piece all these years for something that was free.

My only problem is that recently, I’ve been wondering if my house is haunted, and if someone (or thing) came into the house many years ago, piggyback on one of the many, many antiques – including the china cabinet.

I hope not. 

Reidy Scanlan Funeral Home – Then & Now

I saw this on Ebay the other day and thought it would make a timely post. It’s a vintage double postcard advertising the Reidy Scanlan Funeral Home. (By the way, the former Reidy Scanlan furniture building was still standing as of last weekend, waiting for its appointment with the wrecking ball.)

A funeral home is kind of an unusual subject for postcard. I guess that’s one postcard that you don’t send to a friend inscribed with “Wish you were here."

The building in the photo sports a different paint scheme than what is currently on the building, as seen in my shot (below) from this past weekend.

Hey, what happened to the light post? A casualty of the widening of Broadway, I guess. However, it looks like an earthquake struck in the “now” shot.

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To visit the website for the Reidy Scanlan Giovannazzo Funeral Home, click here.

1936 Reichlin - Reidy - Scanlan Phone Book Ad

I found this in the library last week, and thought it was pretty appropriate to post it. It's a full-page ad for the Reichlin - Reidy - Scanlan Company that appeared in the 1936 edition of the Lorain Telephone Company directory.

It's strange seeing the building in its heyday and in all its glory, with nice signage.

The sign with the words "The Outfit Store" confuses me a bit. I couldn't find a listing for another business that rented space in the building by that name in any of the phone books or directories of that time period. So I’m guessing that it refers to the Reichlin - Reidy - Scanlan Company, since it was not only a funeral business but also a company that sold furniture, rugs, carpet, lamps, stoves, radios, refrigerators, etc. However, none of the ads or listings I found used “The Outfit Store” as a tagline.

Anyway, this building will be coming down soon, and more's the pity.

Here’s the sad “now” photo (below) that I shot a little more than a week ago. It still looks to be in good shape, as opposed to the crumbling Broadway Building.

It sure had a lot more sidewalk in the vintage ad. 

Goodbye, St. Joe's

Well, the fences are up and the equipment has been put on site and is ready to go. That means that the demolition of St. Joseph’s Hospital – as well as the former Reidy-Scanlan building – is finally going to take place. It may even have already started by the time you’re reading this post.

I first wrote about the proposed demolition on the blog back in August 2013 here. It originally was supposed to be done by the spring of 2014.

There’s been some interesting comments made on the Lorain, Ohio By Photos Facebook page. For every comment in which someone remarks how sad it is, there’s another where someone takes the City’s position and bristles at the idea that the building should be spared, citing how expensive it would be to rehabilitate it.

All I can say is that it’s impossible for anyone over the age of fifty with Lorain as their hometown not to feel a little bit sad about it. Not merely because most of us in that age bracket were born there, but because for decades it was the place we went to get healed and feel better. A lot of us came into the world there, and some of our family members left the world there too.

It’s a special place.

Anyway, I headed over there on Sunday to get some last looks at an old building that was very important to Lorain for many years.