>

Month: June 2023


Jun
2023

Better Homes & Garden Vintage Magazine Covers 1920s to 1960s

categories: Vintage Magazine Covers, Vintage Magazines

Fun fact! Better Homes & Gardens has an online archive of ALL their past magazine issues and it’s ALL FREE to read (just supply an email). Oh boy did I ever go down a vintage magazine rabbit hole for this post. In fact I had such a hard time deciding on what to do with this new found archive, that I kind of froze and just stared at my computer. SO…I defaulted to what I like to post about….vintage magazine covers.

Let’s begin!

Oh! and after you done here please check out an archived BH&G magazine post from a copy I have in my collection… Vintage Advertising from a May 1939 Better Homes & Gardens Vintage Magazine

1940s vintage magazine from Better Homes and Gardens from March 1944 featuring two young people in 1940s fashions harvesting their plants and working in a garden

Better Homes & Garden Vintage Magazine Covers: 1920s – 1960s

The 1920’s Magazine Covers

Better Homes & Gardens launched in 1922 as ‘Fruit Garden and Home‘. The magazine offered informative articles, cooking techniques, and contests.

July 1922. The first magazine for this company. Love the art nouveau design on the cover.

Articles inside include: “A little garden in the city”; “What $50 will do in the backyard”; “Summer dress for all-year round furniture”; “Flowers that will bloom on hats and gowns”.

1920s vintage magazine cover for Better Homes and Garden originally called Fruit Garden and Home. July 1922 featuring an illustration of a lovely floral garden.

October 1923, “Fruit Garden & Home” cover featuring an illustration of a tudor style home.

Articles inside include: “The planning & decoration of bedrooms”; “Origins of the Morris chair”; “Bulbs for windows or gardens”; “An adventure in home building”.

1920s vintage magazine cover for Better Homes and Gardens called Fruit Garden and Home October 1923 featuring an illustration of a tudor style home

In 1924 (August), the name changed to Better Homes & Gardens, and it was considered one of the “Seven Sisters” women’s service magazines (Source).

Fun Fact! The Seven Sister’s Women’s Service Magazines were:

  • Better Homes and Gardens (1922-)
  • Family Circle (1932-2019)
  • Good Housekeeping (1885-)
  • Ladies’ Home Journal (1873-2016)
  • McCall’s (1873-2002)
  • Redbook (1903-2019)
  • Woman’s Day (1937-)

The Seven Sisters is a group of magazines that has traditionally been aimed at married women who are homemakers with husbands and children, rather than single and working women. The name is derived from the Greek myth of the “seven sisters”, also known as the Pleiades (Source).

Articles inside include: “Building a Cottage That Was “Different”; “Lawn enemies in the Summer”; “The home’s crowning glory”; “Landscape planning service”.

1920s vintage magazine cover for Better Homes & gardens August 1924 featuring an illustration of a vase filled with Flowers.

The 1930’s Magazine Covers

November 1930 featuring the cutest sunny 1930s kitchen design. I love the cupboard with the fold down table. Perfect for small spaces (like my home).

Articles inside include: “The Kitchen Has Had Its Face Lifted!”; “Gardening on a shoestring”; “A house that grew in California”; “Color schemes for your Kitchen”.

1930s vintage magazine cover better homes and gardens november 1930 featuring an illustration of a 1930s kitchen

March 1933 cover featuring a women in 1930s winter fashions planting / planning her flower garden for spring. Her beloved Scottie Dog is watching her closely.

Articles inside include: “We show you some new wall-coverings”; “The vegetable garden can be beautiful”; “Early flowers this way”.

Further Reading: Everyone Loves a Scottie Dog, Especially the Vintage Community!

1930s vintage magazine cover for Better Homes & Gardens featuring a women in 1930s winter fashions planting / planning her flower garden for spring. Her beloved Scottie Dog is watching her closely.

August 1934 cover features a pair of angel fish hanging out with other fishes.

Inside the issue was an article on the 1934 “Century of Progress” Chicago World’s Fair. I did an post on this topic which you can enjoy by clicking on the above link.

1930s vintage magazine cover better homes and gardens august 1934 featuring an illustration of a angel fish and other fish

April 1936 featuring a 1930s couple admirding a model of their home they could build.

“Inside – How to Build, Garden, and Decorate It”.

1930s vintage magazine cover from Better Homes and Gardens April 1936 featuring a 1930s couple looking at model of their home they can build

I love this cover from September 1938, as I am a balcony gardener and very proud of my space (scroll to the end to see an image of my balcony). Now I don’t look as cute as our cover model with her big wide brimmed hat, but my flowers do!

Articles inside include: “Three homes in white”; “Let go..and sleep”; “A better home at sea”; “How to plan next Spring’s bulb garden now”.

1930s vintage magazine for Better Homes & Gardens from September 1938 featuring a cover model on her balcony garden holding a watering can and wearing a wide brim hat.

The 1940’s Magazine Covers

“Gardening Guide” June 1940 features a woman in her gardening overalls consulting the guide on where to put her flowers in her garden. Hope she figured it out!

Articles inside include: “MORE dollars & sense in home planning”; “June indoor (& outdoor) gardening guide”; “For the bride”.

1940s vintage magazine for Better Homes & Gardens June 1940 featuring a woman with 1940s hairstyle and ribbon in her hair in overalls standing in her flower garden with a question mark on her face.

October 1940 features a stylish woman in 1940s fashion (what a stunning hat and two piece suit!) holding fabrics for her home redesign.

Articles Inside: “Fall Furnishings – Rooms Transformed and Pictured in COLOR”

1940s vintage magazine cover for Better Homes & Gardens October 1940 featuring a stylish women in a two piece suit and a 1940s hat holding fabrics for her home decor

The United States did not enter WW2 until December 1941. I was very interested in seeing when the articles in this magazine went from “change your wallpaper each season” to “wartime tips for your home”. I previewed each month from January 1942 on and this is when I saw the change….

February 1942. No articles on anything to do with war but just a letter from the editor on Pearl Harbour.

1940s vintage magazine cover for Better Homes & Gardens February 1942 featuring a flower garden in front of a house

June 1943 of Better Homes & Gardens had the “most” articles on Wartime topics then any of the months before it (after June there would be more and more).

Wartime Articles featured:

  • Building Tomorrow on the Home Front (article on encourgement of the youth who are at home)
  • If You’re Needed in a War Plant, Mother . . .Excerpt from the statement of policy of the War Manpower Commission
  • Yankee Kitchens GO ON THE Production Line (article about women who cannot work IN a factory but picking up war work in their home so that they can still do their part)
  • Mother Eisenhower TALKS ABOUT Her Most Famous Son
  • Salting – ANOTHER way to keep part of that victory garden until next winter is to salt it down.
  • Live Outdoors This Summer (article on how to enjoy your backyard when you can’t travel)

On a side note, I ADORE the backyard patio furniture on the cover. That fridged umbrella and the matching chair our lady is enjoying a book in, is fantastic!

1940s vintage magazine cover from June 1943 featuring on the cover a women enjoying her floral garden while sitting on her backyard patio furniture including a fridged umbrella.

We will now skip ahead to the end of the war and the end of the decade with this December 1949 Christmas themed cover. “Christmas is celebrated all over the country, in whatever house you own”

Articles inside include: “Decorate with Christmas Cards”; “Decorate your table for Christmas”; “How to make foil trees”; “Treat yourself to a midwinter garden”

1940s vintage maagazine cover featuring a 4 different styles of homes from Mid Century style to traditional with a Christmas tree and family in the center. Christmas is where ever you celebrate it.

The 1950’s Magazine Covers

June always seems to have good covers as seen in this June 1950 cover. I love the shift to Mid-Century design happening here with the clean lines and that fireplace (must be cold in June wherever this is).

Articles inside include: “Old fashioned charm in modern kitchens”; “How to beat the heat”; “Get double value from your flowers”; “Cool Summer Living”.

1950s vintage magazine cover featuring a 1950s Mid century livingroom decor and design as seen in a Better Homes & Gardens Magazine June 1951

Here in Canada, many retired adults making the trip to Florida to avoid the cold winters we experience in most of my country. They are called ‘snowbirds’ and they love the state of Florida. I envision that some of them still live in cute Mid-Century homes like the one pictured below in this February 1952 magazine.

Articles inside include: “How much does college really cost?”; “Your house can grow with your family”; “Summer furniture you can make”; “There’s living space in your garage”.

1950s vintage magazine for Better Homes & Gardens from February 1952 featuring a Mid Century Florida Home complete with Mid Century Patio furniture on the front lawn.

June 1955 – The Big Barbecue Better Homes & Gardens Roundup.

Sample of what is inside (future blog post coming on this issue):

  • WHAT’S NEW in home furnishings
  • How to talk to the person you married
  • Detroit looks ahead
  • Growing plants in boxes
  • News in dishes: NEUTRALS
  • A cruise on the Great Lakes and so much more!
1950s Vintage Magazine: Better Homes and Gardens June 1955 featuring the Big Barbecue Roundup. The Cover has a father and his two sons cooking food over a big outdoor fireplace made of stone with a mid century lamp on the fireplace.

April 1957 is showcasing a pretty impressive late 1950s kitchen and dining design. I love the indoor outdoor look.

Articles inside include: “Three simple steps to remodeled storage”; “Decorative ways to blend TV into a room”; “It’s rhubarb time!”; “How to drive safely at night”.

1950s vintage magazine cover featuring a 1950s Mid century kitchen and a 1950s housewife from April 1957

The 1960’s Magazine Cover

The homes in this May 1960’s edition of Better Homes & Gardens are pretty impressive inside this magazine. I recommend taking the time to check it out (If you like Mid Century Design).

There is a also a recipe for “cheesecake pie” if you like to bake.

1960s vintage magazine cover from Better Homes and Gardens from May 1960 featuring a Mid Century Home and patio area. The photo features a young girl in early 1960s fashion and her grandfather enjoying Mid Century Patio Furniture.

November 1963: “Party Ideas & Foods – A Big Special Section! Our Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes….And more!”

1960s vintage magazine cover from Better Homes and Gardens from November 1963 featuring party food ideas and thanksgiving food recipes

I suddenly have a craving for pancakes or waffles with strawberries and whip cream! Maybe it’s this delish looking January 1966 cover that is doing it? (I think it is!)

Articles inside include: “Our best new recipes for small appliances”; “Furniture refinishing”; “Five European vacations that include time to relax”.

1960s vintage magazine cover from Better Homes and Gardens from January 1966 featuring waffles covered in strawberries on the cover. The magazine features new recipes for small appliances and so much more!

Our last magazine cover is from March 1966 and features a groovy orange fridge and a space age dining table. Fun (if you like orange)!

Articles inside include: “10 showcase kitchens”; “Show-off desserts”; “Crafty craft ideas”

1960s vintage magazine from March 1966 and features a groovy orange fridge and a space age dining table. Fun (if you like orange)!

I hope you enjoyed this post, it was quite an endeavour to put together because I wanted to share almost EVERY cover with you. I guess I will just have to do another post (or two). Please share in the comments section below, what your favourite was above or anything else you wish to chat about on this magazine.

Vintage Inn NEWS!

My blog ‘The Vintage Inn Blog’ is STILL on Feedspots “Best Nostalgia Blogs” on the web! I am #12 out of 25. I am also still on their list for “Best Vintage Blog” several years running (#19 out of 80).


What I love about this list is that they use stats to make their decisions…
“The list is curated from thousands of blogs on the web and ranked by traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness.”


As a marketing professional, I really appreciate this. Thank you to my readers for making this happen!

Thanks for dropping by! Oh and here is my balcony garden!

Small Balcony Inspiration: Tropical Balcony with flowers
Small Balcony Inspiration: Tropical Balcony with flowers

Further Reading:

Liz


Jun
2023

A Vintage Canadian Brand – Robin Hood Flour

categories: Vintage Advertising, Vintage Canada, vintage cooking

Are you a fan of vintage advertising and vintage recipes? If so, you’ll be delighted to learn about the history of Canadian brand, Robin Hood Flour—the flour used in countless classic recipes and iconic advertising campaigns.

This article will take you back to the very beginning and provide you with insight into the captivating history of the Robin Hood brand. Discover how the company has evolved and learn about some of the most memorable ads that featured the iconic flour. Finally, we’ll explore some of the vintage recipes you can make with Robin Hood flour—decadent desserts.

So, curl up with your favorite drink, and let’s dive into the fascinating world of Robin Hood Flour!

Robin Hood Flour logo on bag.

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

From its modest beginnings in Moose Jaw in 1909, Robin Hood has established itself as a household name through hard work, foresight and innovation. Its green-and-red archer emblem has become a familiar and highly regarded symbol of quality and good value from coast to coast (Source).

Brief History of Robin Hood Flour

  • 1909 Francis Atherton Bean, President of International Milling in Minneapolis, decided it was a good time to buy a mill in Moose Jaw, Canada.
  • To honour his new staff of 50 workers and 12 field salesmen, Bean held a gala banquet and a “christening ceremony” where a barrel of wheat was turned out. In a short time, the mill had become a vital fixture in the local economy. Bean had it remodelled, and in less than two years it was producing over 1,600 barrels of flour a day.
1940s vintage postcard image of Robin Hood Flour Mill, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

1940s postcard of the Robin Hood Flour Mill, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan (Source)

  • As early as 1925, Charles Ritz the new president of the company made sure Robin Hood was a part of as many baking fairs and local exhibitions as possible. He also saw the importance of exporting flour and oats to struggling nations. And within the next ten years, millions of tonnes of Robin Hood products travelled from docks in Vancouver to shores all over the world.
  • 1930s was a decade of extraordinary growth. Its uniformly milled flour was now famous for its consistent quality, and it was in demand. 
  • Robin Hood during wartime. Munitions factories employed women and teenagers, and life staples, like flour, were in demand. Robin Hood responded by working at full tilt for the war effort. A new factory was built in Humberstone (present day Port Colborne-image below), and business was booming. During the war years, Robin Hood became increasingly involved in the community. It produced the popular radio show, “On Parade.” Similar to “Name That Tune”, it offered prizes to winners and brought thousands of households some cheerful relief from wartime hardship.

Listen to 4 mins HERE (or click on the image to be taken to Soundcloud to listen for free)

1940s Radio Show from Robin Hood Flour On Parade.
Former Robin Hood silos and mill in Port Colborne Ontario.
  • 1950s. Robin Hood milled “G.R. Flour”, and sent thousands of tonnes overseas as foreign aid. “G.R. Flour” was known by two names, “George Rex Flour”, after the English King, and “Government Reserve Flour” because it fed thousands of needy Europeans. Robin Hood also responded to a crisis at home. In the summer of 1950, Winnipeg had the worst flood in the history of North America. Robin Hood donated clothes, supplies, and a $10,000 cheque for the flood relief fund.
    • In the late 50s and early 1960s, the company even used a jingle made from the theme tune of the classic TV series The Adventures of Robin Hood which starred Richard Greene (Source).
  • 1960s.  By the end of the decade Robin Hood was producing hundreds of products from its traditional flour, to oat cereals to baking mixes and other condiments marketed under the well-known Bicks brand as well as other brands.
    • By 1966, some years after this photograph was taken, about 3,000 carloads of flour were shipped from the mill annually (Source).
1930s Photo or a 1940s Photo of Workers in overalls load bags of flour onto a rail car at the Robin Hood Mill.

1930s Photo or a 1940s Photo of Workers in overalls load bags of flour onto a rail car at the Robin Hood Mill (Source)

  • 1970s. The seventies were a decade of cultural commotion that influenced demands and tastes in food. Microwave ovens grew in popularity. Families became smaller and more women were working. People wanted smaller quantities, quality and convenience. Robin Hood’s baking professionals focused on easy, imaginative recipes that used wholesome ingredients. And, in step with the times, Robin Hood produced the popular show, “Take Kerr”, hosted by Graham Kerr, the dashing “Galloping Gourmet” (1970’s photo below).
    • Through a series of acquisitions and restructurings, the company became International Multifoods Corporation in 1970.
  • 1980s. There was an increase in away-from-home baking and people were demanding quality, convenience and value-added products. Robin Hood’s baking professionals responded by providing high-quality convenience foods. During this time of intense economic competition, Robin Hood renewed its focus on quality, service and building trusted partnerships with customers and suppliers.
  • Today.
    • In June 2004, The J.M. Smucker Company purchased three milling facilities in Canada from International Multifoods, including the Robin Hood brand. In 2006, Smuckers announced the sale of the milling facilities in Canada for US$78 million to Horizon Milling G.P., a unit of Cargill. Under the agreement, Horizon Milling owns and operates the Canadian mills in Saskatoon, Montreal and Burlington that manufacture Robin Hood branded products. Horizon Milling markets Robin Hood products directly to the food service and industrial sector in Canada, U.S. and Caribbean. Smuckers continues to market Robin Hood products to the retail market (Source).

1940s vintage photo of two women in a cottage washing dishes with a Robin Hood Flour sign in the background.

1940s vintage photo of two women in a cottage washing dishes with a robin hood flour sign in the background on the wall.

Source: eBay

The Vintage Advertising

1912 Robin Hood display in the window of Edward Parr Cash Grocery (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan).

A sign in the centre boasts “Robin Hood – the first choice of the people”. Bags and canisters of flour, rolled oats and porridge oats and wheat in a variety of sizes are topped by several cardboard cutout signs of Robin Hood with bow and arrows, the Union Jack and Red Ensign.

1912 Robin Hood display in the window of Edward Parr Cash Grocery (Saskatoon). A sign in the centre boasts "Robin Hood - the first choice of the people". Bags and canisters of flour, rolled oats and porridge oats and wheat in a variety of data-lazy-sizes are topped by several cardboard cutout signs of Robin Hood with bow and arrows, the Union Jack and Red Ensign.

Source: Saskatoon Public Library 

1935 vintage ad for Robin Hood Flour featuring “Robin Hood” holding a bag of flour standing over baking treats.

1930s vintage ad: 1935 vintage ad for Robin Hood Flour.

Source: Pinterest

1930s vintage ad for the flour featuring an offer for Jason sewing scissors with purchase.

1930s vintage advertisement for Robin Hood Flour featuring an offer for Jason sewing scissors with purchase.

Source: eBay

“Win a 1949 Ford”. A 1948 print ad featuring a contest to name the “Mystery Rolls” to win a 1949 Ford Sedan and $25,500 worth of prizes!

1940s vintage ad: 1948 Print Ad for Robin Hood Flour featuring a contest to name the "Mystery Rolls" to win a 1949 Ford Sedan and $25,500 worth of prizes!

Source: eBay

“To Introduce the NEW Robin Hood Bag! This Smart, Modern Recipe Box for only $0.50”.

1950s vintage advertising featuring a recipe box offer.

1950s vintage advertising for Robin Hood Flour featuring a recipe box offer

Source: Pinterest

This 1954 ad is very interesting because the coupon is good for ANY can or bag of coffee, not one specific brand. Just thinking about how they kept track of that behind the scenes, makes my brain hurt. ha!

1950s Vintage ad: Vintage 1954 Robin Hood Flour Newspaper Print Ad featuring an illustration of a coffee can, a bag of flour and women drinking coffee. Save up to $0.25 on coffee with coupon.

Source: eBay

1958 ad “Save up to $0.30 on Robin Hood Flour. Coupon on the bag“.

1950s vintage ad for Robin Hood Flour from 1958 talking about saving $0.30 on your next purchase.

Source: eBay

Some of these vintage ads feature recipes you can try at home

Peanut Whirls cookies recipe as seen on this 1959 ad.

1950s vintage ad for Robin Hood Flour featuring a 1950s dessert Recipe for Peanut Whirls cookies.

Source: eBay

1961 ad featuring a recipe for a wonderful looking cake called “The Robin Hood Sunshine Cake”.

Further Reading: Vintage Cake Ideas As Seen Thru 1920s-1950s Ads

1960s vintage ad for Robin Hood flour. 1961 ad featuring a recipe for a wonderful looking cake called "The Robin Hood Sunshine Cake".

Vintage baking recipe for ‘Robin Hood Sunshine Cake’ featured above.

Source: Pinterest

“Perfect for Parties…Cherry Petal Tarts made the Robin Hood ‘No-sift’ Way!“. 1963 ad featuring a baking recipe for those yummy Cherry Petal Tarts .

1960s vintage ad for 1963 Print Ad Robin Hood Flour featuring a Cherry Petal Tarts Recipe

Source: eBay

“She’s Baking rolls.” 1968 advertisement.

“So how does she do it? It’s easy with the new CoolRise method of yeast baking the Robin Hood Flour people developed. Just let the refrigerator do the work. The dough rises there”.

Further Reading: ‘All The Ways We Blow Dry Our Hair’-Vintage History of the Hair Dryer

1960s vintage ad for Robin Hood Flour from 1968 featuring a busy mother at the hair salon under a dryer while her rolls bake at home.

Source: Etsy – Yellowdoormerc

Vintage Baking Books & Recipes

Note: I have a collection of vintage baking books and cookbooks on Etsy that are available right now. It’s updated monthly.

1912 ‘Delicious Recipes Made With Robin Hood Flour‘ pamphlet. Featuring recipes for sponge cake, tea cake, pie crusts and more ((see inside).

1912 vintage baking book from Robin Hood Flour featuring various Baking recipes

“How to make better baked goods”.

"How to make better baked goods" from Robin Hood Flour as seen in a 1912 baking pamphlet featuring some baking recipes like tea cakes and pie crust.

Source: Archive.org

“Bread Baking Made Easy”. 1949 baking book featuring a young woman baking the bread and then another image of her in a 1940s hat and clothes heading out with the baked bread beside her.

1940s vintage baking book from 1949 from Robin hood flour. "Bread Baking Made Easy" featuring a young woman baking the bread and then another image of her 1940s hat and clothes heading out with baked bread beside her.

“Knocking the “Knack” of out Bread-Making“. See all the baking recipes HERE.

1940s vintage baking book from 1949 from Robin hood flour. "Bread Baking Made Easy

Source: Archive.org

The “Velvet Touch” baking recipes (circa 1940s) featuring Velvet Cake and Pastry Flour by Rita Martin for Robin Hood Flour Mills Limited.

1940s baking book featuring vintage baking recipes. The "Velvet Touch" Velvet Cake and Pastry Flour by Rita Martin Robin Hood Flour Mills Limited

I LOVE pie! Way more then cake and other desserts and these recipes for Rhubarb Custard Pie, Cocoanut Cream Pie and more are making me hungry.

See other vintage baking recipes from this book HERE. You can also purchase your own copy on Etsy HERE.

1940s vintage pie recipes as seen in a vintage baking book by Robin Hood Flour. You can make apple pie, cherry pie, cocoanut cream pie and so much more!

Source: Archive.org

1950s Robin Hood ‘No Sift Recipes Cookies’ recipe book (Avail to purchase on Etsy HERE).

1950s Vintage Robin Hood No Sift Recipes Cookies Cook Booklet. Fun 1950s Cookie Recipes to enjoy.

Here is a sample of the kind of recipes in the book, a ‘Basic Drop Cookie’. Yummy!

1950s vintage baking recipe for Drop Cookies from Robin Hood Flour vintage baking book

Source: Etsy – VintageCottage2020

1964 “Let’s Bake – The Robin Hood ‘No-Sift’ Way” Recipe Cook / Baking book“.

I love the fun midcentury graphics and font.

Vintage 1964 Let’s Bake The Robin Hood Flour No Sift Recipe Cookbook with cool Mid Century graphics and font on the cover.
1964 Let’s Bake The Robin Hood Flour No Sift Recipe Cookbook / Baking book with fun vintage recipes for cookies and so much more.

Source: Etsy –OrtusCasus

It’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas baking. 1950s “No-Sift Christmas Recipes” book.

See all the Christmas desserts HERE.

1950s vintage baking book for no-sift christmas dessert recipes featuring robin hood flour.
1950s vintage baking book for no-sift christmas dessert recipes featuring robin hood flour. Lots of cool vintage Christmas desserts to chose from.

Learn how to make a “Holiday Braid” and “Candied Fruit Bread” in this recipe book.

1950s vintage baking book for no-sift christmas dessert recipes featuring robin hood flour. Lots of cool vintage Christmas desserts to chose from like a fruit bread and a Holiday Braid bread.

Source: Archive.org

I hope you enjoyed learning a bit about this Canadian brand and seeing some of the fun vintage ads and recipes. Please let me know if you have memories of Robin Hood Flour or what your favourite baking recipes are in the comments section below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Further Reading:

Liz