If you are expecting a rehashing of the old Shakespearean tale, I’m happy to disappoint you. No, this is A Winter’s Tale from 1964, published by Glen of Michigan.
You might already know that Glen of Michigan a maker of sportswear, and from 1950 through 1970 they made the designs of architect Bill Atkinson. Atkinson accidentally found he had a talent for fashion after he designed a square dance skirt for his wife. Made from eight bandannas, the skirt was a big hit. Atkinson decided to make them to sell, and found a firm willing to take on his order, Glen Manufacturing, which was a maker of women’s housedresses. In 1951 he released his first full line of sportswear separates.
This is a promotional piece, probably sent to store buyers in anticipation of the up-coming season. They rewrote the final scene of A Winter’s Tale, and used illustrations of the clothing line to illustrate it. It was a very clever idea, and I can’t imagine that many of these little “catalogs” went into the trash. I do bet that many of them ended up in the homes of buyers, especially those who had little girls.
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
In the back of the booklet there is a listing of the garments in the collection, and swatches of the fabrics used. Note how they named the pieces, in keeping with the theme of the story. Such a charming idea!
And I found reference to another Bill Atkinson storybook catalog – A Tale of Two Collections, in 1955. I’m betting there are even more.
Here is a close-up shot of the velveteens used. And here is a link to the Lady Anne dress, model 536, on sale now at eBay:
The seller, MidMod14, has kindly given his permission to post a photo of the Lady Anne dress.
Anyone know something about the illustrator, Juliet McKellen?
The Vintage Traveler 
oooh, I love the neckline of that dress! Will have to investigate more – thanks Lizzie!
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Such a treasure and so darling! The illustrations are beautiful and it’s a brilliant piece of advertising. Thanks for sharing this Lizzie.
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Very interesting article, Lizzie…and I love the illustrations also. Thanks for sharing .
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I love that the illustrations are a nod to Aubrey Beardsley, who I recall was being “rediscovered” in the early ’60s.
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Lovely! Thanks.
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This is so cool! I find Glen of Michigan pieces frequently, but have never seen one of these books. That Lady Anne dress is just gorgeous.
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That book is a treasure that I would love to have, being an avid book collector and fashion lover. Lucky, lucky. The illustrations are phenomenal. And swatches! The dress is lovely.
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The book is quite a production and the illustrations are definitely a big nod to Beardsley. Anyone have information about the illustrator Juliet McKellen? The stencilled velvet dress is also quite interesting.
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I’ve looked and looked for info on Juliet McKellen with no luck.
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Given that the booklet is presented by “William Shakespeare Atkinson” (aka Bill Atkinson), what if the writer and illustrator was actually Somebody Else McKellen? In other words, “Juliet” McKellen was a joke in keeping with the whole thing.
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Oh my gosh! If that’s the case we’ll never find her!
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Of course it is. I’ve woken up from my slumber. Thanks Jessamyn. You’re obviously good at cryptic crosswords! I think it was the Glen of Michigan that threw me. I knew nothing about Bill Atkinson or G of M. I’m not American. But I was really intrigued by this write up, “The character of Atkinson’s clothes fits into the cracker-barrel atmosphere, as indeed does the personality of their tall, reticent designer.” He had a good sense of humour. Thanks Lizzie for investigating.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1130762/index.htm#
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Thank you! I knew nothing about Glen of Michigan. Given my love of all things medieval-ish, I adore these illustrations and the fabric for that dress. I’ll keep my eye out for clues regarding the illustrator.
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