a family reunion, and hats!

For an infinite number of reasons, I love the internet. Here’s one at the top of the list.

Back in May we posted here about Jennie and Margaret Grumbine, the ladies who used to operate a millinery shop in our building many years ago.The information and pictures came from Kathy Grumbine Miller, a great-niece of theirs who used to visit them as a child.

A few months later our post caught the attention of Brenda, another great-niece of the Grumbine sisters. She actually still had some of their hats and hatboxes, and she was kind enough to send us some photos. Here are a few.

Can you imagine wearing this amazing thing? Such pink and purple extravagance – it reminds me of a dessert. For a night at the opera, perhaps?

This one looks a bit more everyday, yet undeniably elegant. For a luncheon, or perhaps church?

It’s amazing to see these fabulous hats marked with our address. Time has certainly brought many changes to our part of town.

The truly remarkable thing is that Kathy and Brenda had never met, even though they once lived a few blocks away from each other in the small town of Lewiston, PA. It turns out that their grandfathers were brothers, which makes them second cousins to each other. Brenda had moved away to Harrisburg when Kathy was very young, so their paths never crossed until now. They have connected through us and are now emailing. Perhaps they would never have met if not for our little blog about our store and crafts and West Philly and whatnot. How cool is that?

Have I mentioned that I love the internet? Yep, I’m pretty sure I have.

the very first second

It’s the first of our Second Saturday events, get it?

a show of work by digital collage artist Jen McCleary,plus special guest Shakey Lyman!

As part of the Satellite Second Saturday: Arts Galore on Baltimore series, we will be hosting a show by local artist Jen McCleary, whose work includes paintings, photography, digital collage and mixed media jewelry. We have represented her artwork for some time, like her amazing vintage optician’s lens pendants, but she will be bringing many new pieces that will be available only at the show, so be sure to check it out. We’ll also have refreshments, and as a special treat: live blues by the legendary Shakey Lyman!

The craft show on the triangle outside starts at 11 and will include over 20 local artisans. Jen’s show starts at 12, and Shakey will probably get going at about 1. We hear there’s even going to be a flea market at the church, so it sounds like a perfect day to head over to 50th & Baltimore! Hope the weather’s nice! Saturday, August 8.

millinery labels

What a thrill it was to open my mail this morning and find this, sent by Kathy Grumbine Miller, a great-niece of the Grumbine sisters who used to make ladies’ hats in our building many years ago. (See this post for more about them.) It’s a strip of silk ribbon labels, found in a forgotten drawer. They would have been sewn into the finished hats. They look brand new! I am particularly pleased that they say “west philadelphia”.

We have boxes, bags and now labels from the old millinery – but no hats! We have googled them to no avail. So next time you see a vintage ladies’ hat in a shop or flea market, please check the label! Snap a photo and send it to us if you get lucky. One must be out there somewhere…