Alexander Johnston CDVs featuring Maritime Workers circa 1870

I recently purchased these two carte-de-visite (CDV) photographs primarily for their subject matter. They were pretty much an impulse buy and I wondered if I might have paid a little to much for them. After doing a little research, I'm quite pleased to find out that my purchases turned out to be gems loaded with history.

These CDVs were photographed by Alexander Johnston (1839-1896). The Johnston family documented the town of Wick in the Scottish Highlands for over 100 years. Alexander Johnston started the family business in 1863. After his passing in 1896, the business went to his son William (1879-1950) who partnered with his uncle James Johnston (1854-1922). William's son Alex joined the business in 1932. After a 4 1/2 year stint in the RAF, William returned to the business in 1945 and ran it until his retirement in 1976. William's retirement brought an end to the family's 113 year photography business.

For more information on the Johnston Photography business visit the following sites:

The Johnston Collection

Heritage North

Back of the CDVs with Johnston's mark

Alexander Johnston

Circa 1915 Levi Strauss & Co. Overalls and Koveralls Advertising Piece

I recently added this great Levi Strauss & Company Overalls and Koveralls advertising piece to the collection. The piece was produced 1915 to promote the Two Horse Brand. The illustrations and color are amazing. When the piece is folded, it forms a pair of Levi's. Because of it's age, I didn't fold it. The folded one shown below is from my reference files.

1909 Lincoln Overall and Shirt Company Invoice

Nicely illustrated invoice from the Lincoln Overall and Shirt Company in Lincoln, Nebraska. The invoice is dated July 23, 1909. I like the illustration of "The Daylight Factory." I assume it was called this because of the amount of windows. This building is still standing in Lincoln at 206 North 14th Street. You can pick it out on Google maps from it's distinct architecture.

1889 Sweet, Orr & Co. Invoice

Sweet, Orr & Company invoice dated April 30, 1889. I would love to what all these pieces looked like.

Crown Overalls Waistband Labels

1940s Burlington Overalls Pocket Flasher

Nice two color pocket flasher from Burlington Manufacturing Company in Kansas City, Missouri advertising their Burlington Overalls. The piece is undated, but probably is from the 1940s.

Oshkosh B'Gosh Sta-Blue Denim Pocket Flasher

In line with yesterday's post showing Sears, Roebuck & Co's Hercules "Blue Blood," today we check out Oshkosh B'Gosh's Sta-Blu Denim. This nicely illustrated double-sided flasher goes into great length about their fit and Sta-Blu process which keeps denim from fading. There is no date on the piece, but I'd put it in the early 1940s. Oshkosh B'Gosh introduced their Sta-Blu Denim products in 1939.