Simplicity PREVUE Free Fashion Forecast Catalog Appraisal
Category: Fashion Catalog
Description
This item is a vintage fashion catalog or flyer, titled "Simplicity PREVUE Free Fashion Forecast Compliments of S. S. KRESGE CO." Dated 1944 by Simplicity Pattern Co. Inc. It is a single sheet of paper, folded, with illustrations of three women wearing different dress styles. The dresses depicted appear to be from the mid-1940s based on the style and silhouette, consistent with the 1944 date. The colors in the illustrations are muted, featuring blue, grey, and a deep red or maroon. There are visible creases and folds on the paper, indicating it has been stored or handled. The paper appears to be thin, typical of promotional flyers of that era. The edges show some minor wear. There are numbers next to each illustration, likely pattern numbers (6600, 6604, and 6606 are partially visible). The overall condition appears fair, showing age and use, but the illustrations and text are still largely legible. The style of the garments reflects the practicality and elegance of wartime fashion.
Appraisal Report
Upon examination of the provided image, I assess this Simplicity PREVUE Free Fashion Forecast catalog from 1944. Authenticity appears high based on the visible style, typeface, and content aligning with known Simplicity promotional materials from the mid-1940s. The presence of S.S. Kresge Co. is consistent with retail distribution of Simplicity patterns during this period. Condition is fair; while complete and legible, the visible creases, folds, and minor edge wear indicate significant handling and storage challenges. The paper quality is typical for a promotional flyer of this age. The illustrations are clear, depicting garment styles characteristic of 1944 wartime fashion, including numbers that likely denote pattern identification. Market conditions for vintage sewing ephemera and fashion history artifacts are generally steady, with demand driven by collectors, fashion historians, and costume designers. Comparables in similar condition from this era typically fetch modest prices. Rarity is moderate; while not a high-ticket collectible, these promotional flyers were often discarded, making surviving examples of any condition relatively less common than the patterns themselves. Factors significantly impacting value are its documented age, association with a well-known pattern company and retailer, and its visual status as a fashion history snapshot. Limitations in authenticity verification from images alone include the inability to assess paper thickness, tactile feel, ink quality under magnification, or detect potential reprints or reproductions through in-person examination or testing. Full authentication would ideally require physical inspection to rule out modern reproductions, assessment of paper degradation, and potentially a blacklight test for phosphorescence, though provenance documentation confirming its origin from the period would be most definitive.
Appraisal Value
$20-40