1940s

Cover and Envelope of IronRite Ironing Machine Manual

I’m trying to sell this IronRite Model 85 from the late 1940s… but may as well scan the instruction manual and paperwork in the mean time!

Here is the envelop and the front and back cover for the instruction manual. Pages coming soon.

Historical Bus Routes to the Muny in 1943

It appears as if bus service to the Muny at Forest Park during World War II was very comprehensive! Bus service extended as far as Gravois and Hampton, Grand and Holly Hills, 3rd and Washington (downtown), Florissant and Kingshighway, and Delmar and DeBalviere… a pretty wide radius!

Also in these last few pages of the 1943 St Louis Municipal Opera program, besides ads, was the list of large donors who gave to the Municipal Theatre Associations guarantee fund. It reads like a long list of old St. Louis society’s who’s-who and includes Adolphus Busch II and his son, August Buch (of the Anheuser-Busch brewery). It’s interesting to see who the early supporters of the Muny were!

A Brief History of the Muny – St. Louis Municipal Theater Association History (as written in 1943)

Explore the rich St. Louis Muny Opera history through these pages from the 1943 St. Louis Municipal Opera program. This archive includes the comprehensive Municipal Opera Productions Directory (from 1919-1942), offering a detailed glimpse into the evolution and milestones of the Muny Association, a cornerstone of St. Louis’ cultural heritage.

List of St. Louis Businesses in 1943

These pages of the Municipal Opera Silver Anniversary program contained small ads for local companies that had been in business for 50 years and 75 years or more, as of 1943! This showcased St. Louis businesses that had started before 1869 and 1894. I wonder how many are still in business?

1940s St. Louis Municipal Opera Seating Chart and Ads

This set of scans of the 1943 St. Louis Municipal Opera Theater Program includes the seating chart and seat prices in an advertisement for C.L. Finot Inc. Concessionaires. It looks like during WWII, The Muny seated 10,000 people and you could get front section box seats for two dollars, or sit in the back section for 25 cents. This was my favorite page in this set.

Ironing Hints and Tips for using an IronRite Ironing Machine

Ironing Hints and Tips for using an IronRite Ironing Machine

This entry is part 5 of 6 in the series IronRite Manual

Uncover essential ironing hints and tips to maintain your vintage clothing’s charm, featuring unique techniques with the 1940s IronRite Ironing Machine. Learn the art of steaming velvets, protecting buttons, eliminating wrinkles, and more to preserve the timeless elegance of your vintage collection. Embrace sustainable chic practices and keep the beauty of bygone eras alive with every lovingly cared-for piece.

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Why do we iron? History of ironing and clothing care.

Why do we iron? History of ironing and clothing care.

This entry is part 2 of 6 in the series IronRite Manual

Explore the fascinating “history of ironing and clothing care” with insights from the 1940s IronRite Manual. Discover how ironing has evolved from a simple task to a crucial part of personal hygiene and fashion, highlighting the aesthetic and health benefits of well-pressed garments. Join us on a journey through the manual, revealing the technological advancements in garment care and the cultural significance of ironing.

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Historical Bus Routes to the Muny in 1943

Historical Bus Routes to the Muny in 1943

This entry is part 13 of 13 in the series St. Louis Municipal Opera 1943

It appears as if bus service to the Muny at Forest Park during World War II was very comprehensive! Bus service extended as far as Gravois and Hampton, Grand and Holly Hills, 3rd and Washington (downtown), Florissant and Kingshighway, and Delmar and DeBalviere… a pretty wide radius!

Also in these last few pages of the 1943 St Louis Municipal Opera program, besides ads, was the list of large donors who gave to the Municipal Theatre Associations guarantee fund. It reads like a long list of old St. Louis society’s who’s-who and includes Adolphus Busch II and his son, August Buch (of the Anheuser-Busch brewery). It’s interesting to see who the early supporters of the Muny were!

read more
A Brief History of the Muny – St. Louis Municipal Theater Association History (as written in 1943)

A Brief History of the Muny – St. Louis Municipal Theater Association History (as written in 1943)

This entry is part 12 of 13 in the series St. Louis Municipal Opera 1943

Explore the rich St. Louis Muny Opera history through these pages from the 1943 St. Louis Municipal Opera program. This archive includes the comprehensive Municipal Opera Productions Directory (from 1919-1942), offering a detailed glimpse into the evolution and milestones of the Muny Association, a cornerstone of St. Louis’ cultural heritage.

read more
1940s St. Louis Municipal Opera Seating Chart and Ads

1940s St. Louis Municipal Opera Seating Chart and Ads

This entry is part 10 of 13 in the series St. Louis Municipal Opera 1943

This set of scans of the 1943 St. Louis Municipal Opera Theater Program includes the seating chart and seat prices in an advertisement for C.L. Finot Inc. Concessionaires. It looks like during WWII, The Muny seated 10,000 people and you could get front section box seats for two dollars, or sit in the back section for 25 cents. This was my favorite page in this set.

read more
Synopsis of The Great Waltz and more 1943 St. Louis Business advertisments

Synopsis of The Great Waltz and more 1943 St. Louis Business advertisments

This entry is part 7 of 13 in the series St. Louis Municipal Opera 1943

Here are more St. Louis beer and brewery advertisements and the synopsis of The Great Waltz from the 1943 St. Louis Municipal Opera Program.

Advertisers in these pages included: Falstaff Brewing Company, Manhattan Coffee, Efficiency Service Co (employment specialists), Griesedieck Brothers Brewing Company, The Circus Snack Bar at the Forest Park Hotel, and the Gaylord Container Corporation.

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1940s ads for St. Louis Businesses

1940s ads for St. Louis Businesses

This entry is part 6 of 13 in the series St. Louis Municipal Opera 1943

These 4 pages of the 1943 St. Louis Municipal Opera Program were a little less blatantly patriotic, but such a preponderance overall of beer advertisements and funeral parlors! In today’s modern theater program, you might find one advertisement for a Mausoleum, but not so many… it reminds me that 1943 was the thick of World War II when peoples’ husbands, sons, fathers and friends were coming home in body bags or not at all.

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World War 2 advertisements

World War 2 advertisements

This entry is part 3 of 13 in the series St. Louis Municipal Opera 1943

Here are four more pages scanned from the 25th anniversary program of the St. Louis Municipal Opera (now known as The Muny).

The Zodiac Cocktail Lounge and Bar at the Chase Park Hotel advertised Neil Bondshu and his Society Orchestra, Mary Raye and Naldi, Don Tannen (Russian Comedy Song Star), and “Snow White” Sensational Wizard of Tap with Bobby Swain and his “Note-ables”. Entertainment nightly with Joe Karnes and Betty Barr (satirical songs and piano styling). This was probably my favorite advertisement of these pages, because they really gave me a flavor for the type of WWII nightlife and entertainment available here in St. Louis.

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1940s theater program advertisements

1940s theater program advertisements

This entry is part 2 of 13 in the series St. Louis Municipal Opera 1943

Here are 4 more pages out of the 25th Anniversary Program for the 1943 season at the St. Louis Municipal Opera (The Muny). The St. Louis Municipal Opera was started in 1918, and 1943 was the 25th (Silver Anniversary) Season. Included is an advertisement for the musical romance “Rosalie”, an ad for Hunter Meat Food Products (out of East St. Louis Illinois), Philip Morris Cigarettes, Alpen Brau Beer (and KMOX) promotional advertisement, and an ad for Nu Grape Soda (bottled locally by American Soda Water Co.).

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