Archive for the 'Novelty' Category

REMEMBER THESE NOVELTY CATALOGS?

Johnson Smith Co. Novelty Catalog (1951) | Vintage advertisements, Vintage  ads, Old ads1950

The Johnson Smith Company was a mail-order company
established in 1914 by
Alfred Johnson Smith (1885-1948)
in
Chicago, Illinois, USA that sold novelty and gag gift
items such as
x-ray goggles
, whoopee cushions, fake
vomit
, and joy buzzers.

The company moved from Chicago to Racine, Wisconsin
in 1926, to
Detroit in the 1930s, and from the Detroit area
to Bradenton, Florida in 1986.

In 2014, the company marked its 100th anniversary. On
December 31, 2019, the company’s website announced
that they had ceased operations and closed. Johnson
Smith was acquired by Collections Etc in 2020.

(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Old Johnson Smith Company Novelty Advertising Catalog

 
Old Johnson Smith Company Novelty Advertising Catalog

 
  


posted by Bob Karm in CATALOGS,CLASSIC ADS,HISTORY,Joke,Novelty and have No Comments

REMEMBER THIS FUN CATALOG?

1959 Johnson Smith & Co. Novelties & Toys Catalog Vintage

The Johnson Smith Company was a mail-order company established in 1914
by
Alfred Johnson Smith in Chicago, Illinois that sold novelty and gag gift
items such as
x-ray goggles, whoopee cushions, fake vomit, and joy buzzers.

The company moved from Chicago to Racine, Wisconsin in 1926, to Detroit
in the 1930s, and from the Detroit area to
Bradenton, Florida in 1986.

In 2014, Johnson Smith & Co. marked its 100th anniversary. On December
31, 2019, the company’s website announced that they had ceased
operations and closed.

Remember Johnson Smith Catalog? Did You Read The Johnson-Smith ...


Early 20th century Ventriloquism Guide and novelties catalogue.

posted by Bob Karm in CATALOGS,Gag gifts,HISTORY,Mail-Order,Novelty,Remember this? and have No Comments

A HIP TOY PATENTED ON THIS DAY IN 1963

Related image

On this day in 1963, the Hula-Hoop, a hip-swiveling toy that became
a huge fad across America when it was first marketed by Wham-O in 1958, is patented by the company’s co-founder, Arthur "Spud" Melin. 

An estimated 25 million Hula-Hoops were sold in its first four months
of production alone.

Image result for arthur 'spud' melin
(1924 – 2002)

Image result for hula hoop
 

posted by Bob Karm in ANNIVERSARY,Co-founder,Fads,HISTORY,Novelty,Toys and have No Comments

NUMBER ONE ON THIS DAY IN 1958

Shebbb

The novelty song "The Purple People Eater" was written and performed
by
Sheb Wooley, which reached no. 1 on the Billboard pop charts in 1958
from June 9 to July 14.

According to Wooley, MGM Records initially rejected the song, saying
that it was not the type of music with which they wanted to be identified.

                Image result for the purple people eater

Actor-singer Sheb Wooley
Shelby Fredrick "Sheb" Wooley
(April 10, 1921 – September 16, 2003)

posted by Bob Karm in ANNIVERSARY,Billboard #1,HISTORY,MUSIC,Novelty and have No Comments

RECORDED ON THIS DAY IN 1958

Image result for song charlie brown

"Charlie Brown" was a top-ten hit for The Coasters in the spring
of 1959. It went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles charts,
and was the first of three top-ten hits for the group that year.

            Related image
                                  

Image result for the coasters today

posted by Bob Karm in ANNIVERSARY,COMIC'S,HISTORY,MUSIC,Novelty,Record recorded,THEN AND NOW and have No Comments