Tag Archives: vintage catalogs

Revisiting Ribbons Past

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Back in July, I wrote a blog post about catalogs and ribbons from past years (decades!) that was fairly popular.  By request, I have dug through the dusty boxes again in order to find some more vintage ribbons and images to show you how much things have changed.  Enjoy!

Back in 1961, there was no catalog or pamphlet. Our customers received this flyer instead. Note the phone number at the top right. KEnmore 6-6400 - close to Kenmore Square in Cambridge, Mass! In 1961 there were 4 Hodges in the business - Ted, Marice and Nina, and Ted's son Jim, who had just completed studies at MIT. Our current president, Rick Hodges, wasn't born until 1962.

In the mid '60s, we introduced the Ideal. With only one streamer and just a 3" pleated top, it's quite different than what we call the Ideal today.

Thought you'd also like to see our '60s sash model. Anyone have a name for Miss Boston?

In the mid '70s there were more unique rosette choices. The Patriot wasn't actually discontinued until the early '90s.

There were even more rosette options created in the '80s, including the Banbury seen above.

Hope you enjoyed visiting ribbons and catalogs from years past.   Do any of you still have your awards dating back from these years?  We’d love for you to share your photos!

Traveling Back in Time

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Earlier this week, I was heading to dump my paper recycling into the larger office bin, when I noticed a box of catalogs that looked quite different than the ones we are used to browing through today.  I did a little digging, and found that the catalogs went back to the early 1960s.  I thought you, readers, would be interested in seeing what our “vintage” catalogs looked like, so enjoy the pictures for a brief trip down memory lane…

In the early 1960s, our catalog was really a 24 page pamphlet

Products sold in 1964 included individually lettered felt banners and 3-streamer ribbons

In the pre-computer era, we used illustrations to demonstrate how to use products like this flagpole ribbon

These fair rosettes were probably just as popular as horse show rosettes at the time. Also note the metal rosette centers.

We didn't even have an order form until the 1970s. This letter was used to demonstrate how a customer should request their ribbons.

Catalogs in the late 60s and early 70s used a variation on this cover with a diagonal row of stock designs.

By the mid 70s catalogs were in full color and some of the products (like the Beauty) more closely resemble what we produce today.

In the 80s and early 90s we manufactured European style rosettes.

Is there any particular product  or catalog you remember from years past?  I’ll do my best and attempt to dig it up for the blog!