19 April 2009

When you stand up and feel the warmth...*

[2]
dress: 50s cotton day dress bought from a private estate (more on that tomorrow!)
shoes: vintage
purse: vintage
book: bought today for 50 cents
*listening to: Metallica - Death Magnetic "The Day That Never Comes"

During all the madness this weekend I found a bit of time on Saturday afternoon to wander around downtown by myself and hit up all of my favorite stores. Even though I saw lots of things I liked, I was good and only bought one book for fifty cents. It was a book that was sitting in a sidewalk bin amongst a bunch of old paperbacks and mystery novels. The hardback cover caught my eye and as soon as I picked it up I knew I had to have it. It's Secrets of Love and Marriage by James Parker Hendry. I flipped it open to a page, starting reading and laughed so hard I nearly choked on my soft pretzel.

It was written in 1933 and edited by a doctor. There is a disclaimer in the front of the book stating that it should only be sold to doctors and married people and that those people must agree to "safeguard the book against coming into the hands of minors." It's chock full of antiquated advice, old wives tales and "medical" advice that would make modern doctors cringe.
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"While shorts skirts were in style, well formed legs certainly were essential to a woman's appearance. Suddenly a style reaction set in and skirts were lengthened until the hems swept the ground. The reason was obvious. Long skirts are far more appealing to men, as designers discovered."

"...too much emphasis cannot be placed on the necessity for looking into your sweetheart's parentage, to make sure that the parents are mentally sound. If there is a long line of feeble minded or insane in the family tree, avoid that heritage as you would the plague!"

"It is particularly dangerous for a girl to start petting with a man the first few times she goes out with him. She should make sure that he is clean, honest and worthwhile. She makes herself cheap by offering easily won kisses. And no man wants a bargain counter wife who has been soiled and manhandled."

19 comments:

kater said...

Haha! I love strange books like that. I try to not think too much about misinformation back in the day, but still! I have this fabulous Stenographer's and Correspondent's Handbook full of strange advice for business ventures and things.

As always, you look lovely and thumbs up for Metallica :D I always like blasting it in the car, because it's good, and no one ever expects it from the girl with pincurls.

Anonymous said...

I love the outfit and the quotes from the book! It's funny now, but if you think about the fact that people really believed that stuff back then... makes me happy I live in the here and now!

i_b_erin said...

I love old books like that, imagine trying to go back and live in that time, knowing and living like we do now.
Great dress! Your photo's are always awesome!

http://erandomthoughts.blogspot.com

corrie said...

"Soiled and manhandled"...all from a few kisses? Ha! Wow.

Lilly said...

Haha I love the last one "no man wants a bargain counter wife" that's too funny!I'll be sure to keep that in mind on my next date!

Lexie said...

i gaped at the "soiled and man-handled" quote too!

Anonymous said...

a bargain counter wife haha!

love the sleeve length on your dress

text machine said...

oh how different things were back in the day, before the question became 'do you sleep with him on the first date?' or, even better, 'do you sleep with him before he asks you on a date?' forever and always, though, too many rules.

eeps. said...

the second quote reminds me of oscar wilde's "importance of being earnest" when lady bracknell tells jack to find his parents or make some up!

glam.spoon said...

love the photo top right... very candid, although we know you know the camera is there.

Lulu said...

wow i love the dress, you have such a great blog!

jessica ann said...

that dress is so so so lovely on you! <3

AlicePleasance said...

Hahahaha!!! That book sounds really hilarious!!

esme and the laneway said...

I love your outfit, and that book sounds like gold!

Unknown said...

Hahaha, hilarious. Reading the social advice of really old books like that is one of my favorite past time. I've been meaning to post pictures from this book published in the 19th century on "proper business and social forms" full of funny illustrations and political incorrectness, you'd love it!

Eyeliah said...

ha! amazing book!

Londyn said...

Love the outfit -- Laughing at the quotes! :)

Vintage Rose Clothing said...

hahaha, wow those are funny.. and to think they were serious! :)

ps... lovely dress!

LF said...

you look so collegiate, and not to mention lovely!

jess s//hippiefroufrou