Problem now fixed by Mr. Jeeves. To whom: My thanks.

The Horace threads really are the foundations of this place. On them the rest was built.

Last edited by Russell_Street (2009-08-11 23:39:32)

Russell_Street wrote:

The Horace threads really are the foundations of this place. On them the rest was built.

Quoted for truth.

Last edited by Just Jim (2010-03-17 03:52:35)

And we built a tower of Babel.

Thanks for shirt URL. This is working.

another Bump... from the Brooks/ New Yorker thread:

Horace wrote:

Thought you guys might like some of these nuggets from the New Yorker in the first half of the last
century.  I found them via the New Yorker CDRom collection.  These are just the abstracts from the
actual articles:


from the New Yorker, Dec 22, 1934:


A feminine shopper went into Brooks Brothers with her masculine gift list, and going stright to a gentleman who seemed to be in charge of the big, round sundries counter in the middle of the floor, asked him what was new in masculine gadgetry - razors manicure tools, brushes, for instance. He looked at her very gravely and replied: "Nothing, Madam. We try to stay away from the new things."


July 13, 1940:

Washington Tremlett, Ltd. a London firm of Haberdashers have sent out its bills with a printed letterhead, instead of an engraved one, for the first time within the memory of its customers. Brooks Brothers, in the latest issue of "Brook Illustrated," state, "Great Britain is at war." The booklet explains that the store is doing its best to keep up the incoming flow of Peal shoes, Lock hats, etc. "When there's a delay we regret it, but all who could wait have been served and we hope the patience of our good customers will not be tried too far." Let all Brooks customers set an example of patience in these difficult times; Tripler and DePinna men will follow, and before you can say Adolf Schicklgruber, Welch Margetson collars will be coming in Locks hats, and Spitalfield ties.



Feb 8, 1941:

A Prep-School senior in town for the weekend dropped into Brooks Brothers. There he noticed a large batch of cravats on a counter, and also a robust, old gentleman giving them mis mature consideation. The boy stepped up tentatively fingered one or two. The old gentleman was on him like a wasp, demanding, "Young man, do you think you are shopping at Macy's?"

From New Yorker, Nov. 4, 1944:


We have learned from a completely reliable source that Brooks Brothers are well along with their postwar plans. One major phase is the breaking-in,already started,of a new Ascot-tie man. The old one, who used to go to weddings to see that all the Ascots were tied flawlessly, died a while back, before Pearl Harbor. The new man was picked as singularly good Ascot timber when he proved himself top Scout in tying knots. He is being trained at a careful pace. He began on four-in-hands and has now swung into bows. Brooks Brothers know by long experience that uniforms and regulation accessories do not remain in feverish demand for ever. (The house went through 1861, 1898, and 1917 with calm and similar foresight.)


March 2, 1946


A patron of Brooks Brothers got his statement this month and found that he was billed for two scarves. He called the store and protested that he hadn't bought any scarves. The store said he had, tossing in the word "four-in-hands" by way of explanation. "Oh, ties!" said the customer. "Ties", said Brooks brothers, "are bow ties." What if he came in and bought what he would consider a couple of scarves - what would Brooks Brothers call them? "What you refer to as scarves", the voice said, "are mufflers."

July 14, 1951:


A delicate problem recently confronted Brooks Brothers in Boston, when a topcoat sent to the store's workroom for remodelling and cleaning yielded, from an inside pocket, a lady's intimate garment. The matter was taken up at a high level, and it was finally decided that on the theory that the package containing the restored coat might be opened by the wrong person, to retain the critical item. It is in the manager's desk, and may be obtained upon the presantation of proper identification.

A bump for the bedrock of this forum.

Horace was the first to cut through the online BS elsewhere with the historical evidence that classic American style is a far bigger world than some others knew.

The Master returns !

Jim.

GIZhou007 wrote:

Patrick wrote:

From the cover of William Kennedy's "Roscoe." I lost interest in the Albany books after "Billy Phelan's Greatest Game" but I like this.

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp25 … CN0137.jpg

Patrick, do you happen top know the date of the photograph?

Sorry, just saw this. I don't have the book anymore but I would guess mid 1920s — that's when the story is set.

Ha ha it does look like him. Any relation?

I thought it looked like Chens.

oh yeah, that guy.