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JIM: Assorted news, Christmas shopping guide - Columbia, 1947 There were still some shortages two years after World War II ended, but shelves offered ample merchandise. Jim does some price comparison, and a record of that Christmas 78 years ago shows that by todays music systems are terrific bargains today, compared to today. Click on headline for complete story By JIM In the December 3, 1947 edition of the Adair County News, the above-the-fold front page headlines included such non-controversial entries as "Crowd Will Go to Inauguration" (in Frankfort) and "Christmas Seal Sale Starts Dec. 5," and these two, reflecting Adair County's agricultural heritage: "Adair Boy Champ Tobacco Grower" (the champ being Kenneth Taylor of the Gradyville 4-H club); and "Burley Brings Record Price," the latter claiming stake to the coveted upper right corner of the page. Other lesser headlines proclaimed that Rev. W.C Wycoff would preach in Columbia on Sunday; that the J.P. Hutchison property on Burkesville Street soon would sell at auction, and that Lindsey Wilson Junior College had two games coming up later in the week. (A huge back page ad stated the Hutchison property was "One of Columbia's best locations for business places or a home." The property was to subdivided into about eight lots "so the buyer can get what he wants.") Yet another headline announced a benefit basketball game to played at the CHS gymnasium on Thursday, December 11th, the contestants being the Lindsey Wilson Veterans and the Columbia Independents, coached by Charlie Clift and John Burr, respectively. All proceeds from the game would be directed "toward the purchase and distribution of Christmas candies, nuts, fruits and presents for the needy children of Columbia, who otherwise would be forgotten by Santa Claus." The only item on the entire front page (which, with the exception of one small picture, was all newsprint) that might have raised eyebrows graced a three-sentence article; it simply stated "Salary of Councilmen Raised at Meeting." In a move that nowadays would create much furor and gnashing of teeth among the general populace, the Columbia City Council voted itself a hefty 100% raise, elevating the salary of each member to the dizzying financial height of forty-eight dollars per annum. (For those who keep track such matters, that equates to about $500 a year in today's currency. Is it too late to open an investigation or demand en masse resignations?) By late 1947, vestigial rationing and shortages of some goods and products remained from World War Two but for the most part, merchants had Christmas stock and plenty of it laid in for a robust shopping season. Shortly after Thanksgiving, Columbia merchants, all located on or just off the Square, began touting their merchandise. Vance Electric Company on Greensburg Street suggested the Bendix brand home laundry, "the most amazing washday miracle ever," for the lady of the house. First National Bank intimated that starting an account as a gift for a child since "the habit of saving most decidedly does have to be taught," and the Bank of Columbia offered a similar theme, theirs tempered a bit depicting Kris Kringle. (No doubt, "checking account" was on every kid's wish list!) Marshall Furniture had a large display ad featuring representation of several pieces of furniture and accouterments above the catch phrase, "Gifts you will always enjoy" and the gentle reminder, "we deliver." Adair Home Supply on Jamestown Street carried a large ad with a similar display, offering "Sensible presents for Christmas gayety -- Beautiful furniture reasonably priced to suit any home and any purse." L.S. Slinker, Jeweler, offered lay-a-ways on seasonal specials -- costume jewelry at factory prices and the "best selection in town" of ladies' and gents' watches: Elgin, Bulova, Benrus, Crawford, and "Many other well-known makers, all guaranteed one year." Mr. Slinker's New Studio, Eddie Knott, photographer, was slated to open on Saturday, December 6th: "Give a photograph for Christmas." The more established Nu-Art Studio noted that a portrait would be "Your most appreciated gift." For those with an eye for holiday grocery deals, Kroger had some real doorbusters: brand name cranberry sauce, 19c; Campbell's vegetable soup, three cans for 29c; 8# Florida oranges, 45c; 10# yellow onions, 79c; 2# granulated sugar, 21c, and large fruit cakes, $1.99. Smokers could get brand name cigarettes for a buck-55 a carton. Both Wooten's Department Store -- with two sales floors! -- and Brown Drug Co. offered a cornucopia of Christmas goodies. Wooten's informed readers that "We have a large selection of useful gifts that are sure to be appreciated" -- items "for the home, for the lady, for the gentleman, and for the children" -- and implored customers to buy there, "where it is convenient as well as economical!" Brown's offered such diverse items as Eversharp and Sheaffer ink pens, Hampden watches, perfume "$1.00 to $11.50" (including the ever-popular Evening in Paris), jewelry (everything from earrings to ankle bracelets), flashlights, thermos bottles, and fine boxed candies. Paull Drug Co. advertised more modestly but offered a nice selection of toiletries, including bubble baths, bath soaps, bath powders, powder puffs, and Klenzo Petite sets ("Leatherette zipper case fitted with plastic nylon hair and clothes brush and comb. Choice of pastel shades") among myriad other items. Of everything offered in this edition of the News, likely nothing else drew as many wistful looks or heavy sighs as did the ad from Adair Farm Supply. This single-item one-ninth page offering had a depiction of the GE brand Model 354 radio-Phonograph "with the amazing electronic reproducer." (An ad found elsewhere stated this was a needle-free stylus designed to pick up the full range of the recorded sound.) The many other attractive features mentioned were "standard [AM] and FM reception, twelve-inch Dynopower speaker, natural color tone, changer plays up to 12 records, genuine sapphire stylus, and eight tubes plus rectifier." All of this up-to-date technology, housed in a "Gracious 18th Century period cabinet with storage space for approximately 120 records," went for three hundred twenty-nine dollars, the equivalent of almost $3,500 today. This story was posted on 2015-11-29 15:19:19
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Quick Directory to help with Christmas in Columbia Christmas Parade Grand Marshals: Korean, Vietnam era veterans Carolyn Taylor: photo is at the LWC Holloway Health and Wellness Center Pawpaw discussion continues Egypt Christian Church will observe Hanging of the Greens Governor-Elect Bevin names Chad Meredith Deputy General Counsel Latest from Big Al Owens - Photo album Lindsey Wilson will have week-long Christmas Celebration Carol Roberts: serious sounding IRS calls are bogus EKU chooses partner for new student housing View even more articles in topic News |
 
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