They don’t make’em like they used to rings very true for this boys’ clothing manufacturer based in New York. The clothes were ‘insured’ and would be replaced if they did not withstand the active lifestyle of their young wearers within ‘reasonable wear’. Try to get this deal today!
Wearpledge was a line of clothing to fit toddlers up to 18. The company behind it was The Bauman Clothing Corporation based in New York, and then Springfield, Massachusetts.
This series of advertising postcards was found in the closet of the seller’s great aunt, and were sold to me at a bargain. These are rare as they were advertising postcards and most people after reading them threw them away. But there were some who found them cute and kept them tucked away…you know, that person who *keeps everything*. I’m glad I’ve got this little piece of fashion history.
I believe this series of 6 is complete. They have notes on the back (typed here under each card) like a hand written message from one boy to another, followed by a postscriptum announcing Wearpledge suits were in town, and to check them out:
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- Who was the girl you were talking to on the corner? She sure was “some looker!!”
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- Did you have a nice vacation? Why not drop a line to your old pal?
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- Why don’t you ever run over to see me? I’m living at the same old place.
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- See you in school tomorrow. And be sure that you know those new lessons.
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- See you after school, and I’ll tell you something you ought to know.
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- What are you doing some rainy Monday next week? Let’s do it together.
The two following pages were found in 1919 either in The New Yorker or The Ladies Home Journal, the leading ladies magazine in America. The art was done by Hans Flato:
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- This ad has some examples from their line.
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- Fishing in the fish bowl.
The Bauman Clothing Corp. was an all-around quality company producing fine garments and taking care of their employees. They didn’t cut corners and realized good wages meant good returns. The workers were compensated well above industry standards and never joined a union. On the plant was a grocery store which provided items at ‘jobbers’ prices’, and even a dance hall!
Source: Clothing Trade Journal. Vol. 16.
Bowlers And High Collars 