Velma's Fabulous Fifties

beefaroni

2012-01-19T17:20:00.001-05:00

My brother & I used to sing: "We're having barf-a-roni!"

How to Sit Correctly, Part Two: The Social Situation

2011-05-23T21:13:00.000-04:00

I have several of these do/don't photos from a late fifties etiquette book. The blonde is always the "correct" one and that slack-postured brunette the "incorrect".

For more examples go to my main site, Velma's Retro Clip Art.

C & H Sugar from Hawaii

2011-03-06T20:38:00.000-05:00

Proto Punks

2011-02-05T18:15:00.000-05:00

Check out the boots. And you know only two types of guys wore jeans back then: farmboys and bad boys.

another cute retro valentine

2011-01-17T21:33:00.000-05:00

The "yes", "no" and "maybe" petals all slide out. What'll it be?

retro valentines!

2011-01-15T19:43:00.001-05:00

I'm such an obssesive-compulsive image collector. I have (including this one) SIX *6* image websites. The latest is Valentine's Day Clip Art. In addition to clip art, I've got lots of fun, cute retro valentines, flowery Victorian valentines and hearts of every kind (many made by yours truly).

Here's a sample. Cute or what?

"Hawaiian" bathing beauty

2011-01-05T21:25:00.001-05:00

Ever notice how all the "Hawaiian" beauties from the fifties looked like wholesome middle-American girls?

fifties kids singing christmas carols

2010-12-09T17:56:00.000-05:00

Cute little kiddies caroling. Does anyone even go caroling any more?

man in accidents

2010-12-06T14:49:00.000-05:00

Toys and soap: two of the most dangerous things in your house.

vintage Dennison Christmas gift tags

2010-12-02T12:04:00.002-05:00

These are a few of the batch of Dennison Christmas gift tags, seals and stickers that I won on eBay. I've scanned them all, now I just have to clean 'em up in Photoshop & post them! (Sometimes I think I'm out of my mind!)

P.S. There's lots more vintage (and modern) Christmas images (and clip art) at Christmas Clip Art (one of my free image sites). Help yourselves!

I love Christmas!

(Sorry for all the parentheses!)

:-)

happy baby elephant christmas card

2010-11-03T12:59:00.001-04:00

Here's an example of the retro Christmas images I was talking about in my previous post. Smiling animals like this were a popular greeting card motif. I think they're cute, don't you?

C is for Cat (From fifties children's alphabet book)

2010-11-03T11:46:00.005-04:00

I know--I haven't posted in here in a while. That's because I've been busy with my new free fifties images site (also a blog, but hosted on my own ISP), Velma's Retro Clip Art & Images. I've been busy scanning (I have so many fifties & sixties magazines, books & ephemera, it'll take me forever!).

I've also made two clip art sites, also in blog format: Wicked Good Images (in the process of being re-done) and a Christmas clip art site Free Christmas Clip Art. I have a lot of retro Christmas images there, scanned from old cards (yay eBay!), seals and tags, books, etc. So, if you're looking for Christmas images from the 1950s & 1960s, come on by!

Marilyn Monroe Tru-Glo make-up ad

2010-09-18T20:23:00.000-04:00

With Marilyn Monroe's image as an endorsement, advertisers could sell almost anything--especially if the customer thought she had a chance in hell of looking like Marilyn if she used the product.

The future: UNIVAC!

2010-09-09T15:54:00.000-04:00

UNIV Access Computer

Wax Lips

2010-09-01T12:09:00.000-04:00

These were invented in the early 1900s, by the American Candy Company (now part of Tootsie Roll Industries).

You can buy them online at Old Time Candy or Nostalgic Candy along with all the other goodies from way back when.

Mystery Mac & Cheese

2010-08-17T15:49:00.000-04:00

This is a mac & cheese casserole and that stuff on the top? My first guess is Spam & the second is salami.

BTW, I have another blog--just like this one--which will be updated on a more regular basis. It's the same name: Velma's Fabulous Fifties and you can find it here.

Windex for Televisions

2010-07-02T15:42:00.001-04:00

Whish! Swish!

(And that guy on the wall looks like a peeper.)

Cold Canapés for Cocktail Parties

2010-07-01T20:19:00.000-04:00

Betty Crocker Cake Mixes

2010-06-28T21:32:00.000-04:00

No cheating!

Dinner Party Clip Art

2010-06-20T20:40:00.000-04:00

There must be something else in those cups besides coffee. They look way too happy.

Attack of the Harassed Fifties Housewife

2010-06-18T13:54:00.000-04:00

Is being harassed to the point you want to smash someone with your broom normal?

Borden's Ice Cream Cows

2010-06-14T15:06:00.000-04:00

These insanely grinning cows creeped me out as a kid and they still do.

Clip art: At the hairdresser

2010-06-09T19:59:00.001-04:00

I don't think they called them "salons" back then.

Astronaut Boy

2010-06-07T13:47:00.000-04:00

a pair of molded dishes from mom's cookbook

2010-06-05T22:44:00.001-04:00

(p.s. that's molded as in gelatin molds, not moldy!)

View Master

2010-04-13T15:57:00.001-04:00

First of all, let me say that I've not been posting here that much lately because I've been busy creating/working on image websites (my own). Besides Velma's Free Fifties Clip Art and Images, I've been doing Wicked Good Images, Retro Backgrounds and Best Free Clip Art.

Some are progressing better than others! But I promise to be more regular (with Activia--haha lame joke).

Fifties Attic Re-Do

2010-03-01T10:26:00.000-05:00

I love those chairs! The whole attic is a spiffy pad; if Greg & Marcia Brady were around in the fifties, they'd be jealous.

Alphabet Book

2010-02-13T16:18:00.001-05:00

OK, I've been unwell, so haven't posted anything in my blogs for a while, so I'm posting two images today to make up for it.

Couple looking at...something

2010-01-10T21:32:00.000-05:00

The (In)Famous Edsel

2009-12-17T11:58:00.006-05:00

I don't know why this car was the butt of so many jokes.

I think it's cool!

Retro Christmas

2009-12-09T16:08:00.000-05:00

ho ho ho

More Fun With Dick and Jane

2009-11-29T19:38:00.003-05:00

Ask and you shall receive!
:-)

Oh yeah--don't forget to check out Free Retro Graphics, my really big repository of fifties images!
There's more Dick & Jane pages there.

Cooking Weiners

2009-11-28T14:07:00.000-05:00

Fun With Dick and Jane

2009-11-24T23:49:00.001-05:00

(Minus Dick; plus Mother and Sally)

Aren't those matching dresses precious?

Clip Art: Women on Phones

2009-11-15T13:32:00.000-05:00

Sea Monkeys!

2009-11-08T22:08:00.000-05:00

Right in your home!

Must Bachelor Girls Be Immoral?

2009-11-03T00:07:00.001-05:00

And other pertinent questions...

(These guys looked slightly possessed.)

Cigarette Techniques

2009-10-28T11:58:00.001-04:00

Don't you just love it!

p.s. for some unknown reason, i can't reply to anyone's comments. i'm not ignoring you, honest!

For the Girl with a SMALL BUST

2009-10-21T20:19:00.000-04:00

Without pads?

Geekage in the Fifties

2009-10-16T22:09:00.000-04:00

Dig that sweater vest, man.

Hand Don'ts

2009-10-13T00:53:00.000-04:00

OMG--not the dead fish pose!

And this is one of my husband's diapers!

2009-10-05T13:04:00.000-04:00

I wish I had some of whatever she's taking.

Man Reads Newspaper

2009-10-01T22:42:00.000-04:00

What trial?

Backyard Banquets with...

2009-09-30T17:21:00.003-04:00

...that pantry staple: Pork & Beans!

(Anyone ever see that Jim Carey sketch, The Dysfunctional Home Show, on "In Living Color"?)

Maidenform Masquerade

2009-09-28T12:42:00.000-04:00

Cookbook Clip Art, Part 2

2009-09-25T15:41:00.002-04:00

Baking Cupcakes

2009-09-21T22:58:00.001-04:00

Now what's that white stuff called again?

Want some eggs with that turkey?

2009-09-17T21:30:00.003-04:00

The fun of ads like this: inserting your own text.

Vacuuming is SO tiring...

2009-09-12T22:54:00.000-04:00

Everyone is doin' it, doin' it...

2009-09-09T17:53:00.001-04:00

...pickin' their nose and chewin' it, chewin' it.

Ok, I'm juvenile.

Subservient Fifties Wife

2009-09-08T23:16:00.002-04:00

What--no harem-girl outfit? (And why is he wearing a shirt and tie in bed?)

Armour Ribs in a Can

2009-09-05T23:28:00.001-04:00

Great for stocking the backyard bomb shelter!

Why are our tears salty?

2009-09-02T20:05:00.002-04:00

Another scan from my 1953 set of Book of Knowledge encyclopedias. I loved reading them; they had everything: poetry, art, science, history, stories, "Things to Make and Do", geography and much more.

I think I learned as much from them as I did from school.

Jailbait

2009-09-01T21:12:00.001-04:00

This is what happens to girls who gamble and smoke.

Seven Food Groups

2009-08-29T21:57:00.000-04:00

Aren't there only four?

Fresh Clean Taste!

2009-08-24T20:27:00.001-04:00

I have quite a few 7-Up ads--not sure why that brand of soda is so highly represented.

Happy Housewife Pouring Tea

2009-08-22T12:51:00.003-04:00

I have several of these cheery fifties housewife stock images. If anyone would like a larger uncompressed image suitable for printing, just drop a comment.

And--a reminder--if you're thinking of using any of these images for commercial purposes, they're not copyright free.

Otherwise--enjoy!

Cookbook Clip Art

2009-08-18T20:33:00.001-04:00

More to come!

If you'd like any of these clip art images in larger format, just let me know. As for copyright & commercial usage, my guess is they're no longer protected--but I could be wrong.

The Dangers of Pimples!

2009-08-17T22:31:00.003-04:00

But mom--I'll never get a date for the prom! Never fear--Clearasil makes all things better.

Piedmont Airlines

2009-08-15T14:27:00.000-04:00

This held an airline ticket belonging to my father.

Rocking Horse Game

2009-08-11T22:16:00.001-04:00

This is from my 1953 set of the Book of Knowledge encyclopedias. Expect many more!

For Your Family Room

2009-08-11T21:56:00.001-04:00

How come these women have only one leg apiece?

Pitney Bowes Postage Meter & the Gal Friday

2009-08-02T20:25:00.001-04:00

Maybe if she'd worn more outfits like that stylish blue number instead of those dowdy floral prints...

Poor Pussy and Tap the Bear

2009-07-31T15:53:00.002-04:00

This is from a children's activity book of the late fifites/early sixties. I'll be posting more scans from it.

Slice & Dice?

2009-07-28T22:00:00.001-04:00

I'm not sure what this image originally represented, but he certainly looks happy.

Quality Family Time

2009-07-22T15:48:00.002-04:00

The well-heeled family gathers round for tea, cigarettes, licorice allsorts and television.

Strange combination.

DuMaurier Cigarettes

2009-07-20T21:57:00.002-04:00

DuMaurier are a Canadian brand of cigarettes. The ever-reliable Wikipedia says:

"They were named for Sir Gerald du Maurier (1873-1934), a British actor and manager. They were introduced in Canada in 1936 and were produced by the Tuckett Tobacco Company, a subsidiary of Imperial Tobacco Canada...DuMaurier is also currently made in Trinidad and Tobago, under license by the West Indian Tobacco Company."

He likes me, he really likes me!

2009-07-17T21:47:00.000-04:00

Stylin' in the Kitchen, Fifties Style

2009-07-08T21:18:00.000-04:00

Princess Leia, eat your heart out

1952 Dodge

2009-07-03T14:48:00.000-04:00

Baby Eats Soap

2009-06-26T21:31:00.000-04:00

Messy High Chair

2009-06-18T22:25:00.000-04:00

Maidenform Dream Contest

2009-06-15T12:01:00.002-04:00

Legend says we have Howard Hughes' infatuation with Jane Russell to thank for the "cantilever" aka "bullet" bra.

Fun With Dick and Jane!

2009-06-11T10:50:00.002-04:00

Cake Baking

2009-06-08T15:40:00.002-04:00

I believe that shredded pink stuff is tinted coconut. . .but one never knows.

Flat Tops!

2009-06-04T18:12:00.002-04:00

I think they used t-squares to the perfect flat-top haircut.

Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix

2009-05-31T12:20:00.002-04:00

"No Crush" Sofa

2009-05-25T11:18:00.002-04:00

Insert text here

2009-05-21T16:40:00.000-04:00

Dolls With a Purpose

2009-05-17T13:29:00.004-04:00

Because being perfectly made-up is a priority in a woman's life.

"Magic Flesh"??

I Dreamed I Was...

2009-05-17T12:15:00.004-04:00

Since most women did/do not have pointy cone-shaped breasts, they had to stick cotton in the very tip so that it didn't collapse.

Sweet as Sugar

2009-05-15T22:40:00.005-04:00

Maybe it's time for a white cotton glove comeback.

Heeere, Fishy Fishy

2009-05-13T16:40:00.005-04:00

This kid has "serial killer" written all over his buck-toothed little face.

Hazards of the Kitchen

2009-05-09T17:45:00.005-04:00

Maybe there's a connection between doing housework in heels and sticking your finger in electric sockets...