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HTJ Archives: Brooks Brothers Christmas 1947

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January 6th, the 12th Day of Christmas, marks the end of the Christmas Season in our home. On this day many people take down, or begin to take down, the tree and decorations and wonder where the time went. For anyone who has ever sung that carol 'The Twelve Days of Christmas', and thought that it was long, the actual 12 days may seem even longer. Also known as 'Three Kings' Day' or 'Epiphany', the end of the Christmas season is also a good time to look back upon seasons past. I had hoped to get to this earlier, but each of the 12 Days had something or other that demanded my attention: cookies, a glass of wine, walking the dog, cookies, luncheons, a cup of tea, cakes & cookies, dinners, naps, the dog and so the days went. There was also that Tan Cords Club thing that took up boatloads of time (btw, with the end of the holiday season, I also declare New Member Season now closed. Maxminimus, you got in the first time). 

When I was a bit younger I remember going to the post-Christmas sale at Brooks Brothers in downtown Chicago. There was always one of those restrained advertisements in the Chicago Tribune announcing it. If this was January 1948 and 65 Christmases ago, the contents of the catalog below are what you might find in that post-Christmas sale. 
This catalog came with a letter addressed "To Our Customers Old and New" from Board Chairman Winthrop Holley Brooks. Winthrop H. Brooks, great grandson of founder Henry Sands Brooks, served as President of Brooks Brothers from 1935 and oversaw it during the Second World War. Brooks Brothers has just been acquired by Julius Garfinckel & Co. the previous year in 1946, and John Clark Wood had taken over as company President. In the above letter, Brooks mentions the shortages that it faced during the war. Because so much of its inventory came from Great Britain, the war disrupted both production and the ability to stock certain items. As Brooks wrote, 1947 was the year that inventory began to get back to normal prewar levels.

If you remember what Brooks Brothers was like 25 or 30 years ago, or if you wonder what the Brooks Brothers of a previous generation was like, you might enjoy this catalog. If you long for a true men's clothier with clothing for men and boys and nothing in between (save some sweaters for women), you also might enjoy this catalog. There's something here for everyone.





















































There are a number of things from this catalog that I would like to purchase today. The barware illustrated by Paul Brown (above and below) is at the top of the list. Six of each might be an easier to justify number of glasses, but then the problem would be which ones to delete.

When I was a younger man, Brooks Brothers did not have a humidor or a tobacconist section in the store. That was before my time. Dunhill's walk-in humidor in Water Tower Place was were I went from time to time. Though I no longer smoke, I'm sure I could find a use for the rep striped tobacco pouch above.

'346' and 'Golden Fleece' cigars. Now, I think I might even briefly come out of cigar and pipe retirement for this.

And even without the tobacco, this smoking jacket looks like a sound investment.

This selection of belts caught my eye, for it demonstrates how little the canon of traditional belts has changed over the years. D-ring or cinch ring belts, braided, surcingle, and various leathers make up just about all the belts a man needs.

Whenever I see this selection of ties, I can't help but think of images of Dean Acheson in the 1940s and 1950s in foulard and paisley ties.
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I probably wouldn't wear it enough to justify it in the wardrobe, but a tattersall vest would take the chill of when worn with a tweed jacket, and the additional four pockets would be welcome.

I really don't need another hunting jacket, but this looks like it was made from heavy canvas, the kind that would take several years to break in and become soft. Come to think of it, a fellow can never have too many hunting jackets.

I hope that your 12 Days were enjoyable. Back to taking down decorations.

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