Figure 1.--Of all the manufacturers of garter waists and hose supporters during the 1920s in America, the Hickory brand (manufactured by Stein & Company of Chicago) was the best known and most widely advertised. There was no gender distinction between Hickory garters and garter waists for boys and girls, and they were made in sizes for children from 2-14 years of age. Hickory therefore showed both boys and girls in their illustrations. There was no gender distinction between Hickory garters and garter waists for boys and girls. Hickory therefore showed both boys and girls in their illustrations. Even when boys wore knickers rather than short trousers, they often wore long stockings underneath and thus required waists with hose supporters attached.

Of all the manufacturers of garter waists and hose supporters during the 1920s in America, the Hickory brand (manufactured by Stein & Company of Chicago) was the best known and most widely advertised. There was no gender distinction between Hickory garters and garter waists for boys and girls, and they were made in sizes for children from 2-14 years of age. Hickory therefore showed both boys and girls in their illustrations. Even when boys wore knickers rather than short trousers, they often wore long stockings underneath and thus required waists with hose supporters attached. The two ads reproduced here, interestingly, show boys--boys normally wearing black garters rather than the white supporters that became more usual during the 1930s and early 1940s. The ads also show boys wearing black stockings, so there was apparently some color coordination between the black stockings and the black hose supporters. Although hose supporters were almost universally worn by boys during the 1920s, the Hickory advertisements make a special appeal to the threatened masculinity of boys who didn't want to be associated with girls just because they wore the same kind of stockings and support garments.

Stein & Company

Of all the manufacturers of garter waists and hose supporters during the 1920s in America, the Hickory brand (manufactured by Stein & Company was the best known and most widely advertised. They had offices in both Chicago and New York. Hickory Garters were widely used by American children to hold up their long stockings. Hickory was a national brand name. They were sold all over the country in various stores and were widely advertised in magazines. They advertized extensively in Parents' Magazine. The fact that they were also sold by Sears doesn't rule them out. Stein also made garters for adukts. Their adukt male line was Paris Garters.

Local Newspapers

HBC has founnd advertisements in major magazines like The Ladies Home Journal and . These adverisements are easy to find as many libraries have collections of the magaazines. Clothing advertisements, however, were not just un magazines, but also local newsppers. These adverisements are much more difficult to find. The ad here hor Hickory Garters was found in the Bridgeport Telegram (March 31, 1921, p. 12). We supect that the company placed this same ad in ,any newspapers around the country at this time.

Garters

Garter or gartier is of historic origins. It appears to have entered the English language from Old North French in the early 14th century. The word was derived for the French word describing the bend of the knee. It came to be the symbol for an English knightly order--the Order of the Garter. The garter is a device to hold up hosiery. They were worn by both adults and children. There are two basic types. One was an elastic band worn around the leg. This type was commonly used by children to hold up kneesocks. Scouts were noted for adding a colored tab to the garter. It was commonly used before kneesocks with elasticised tops became popular. Another type was an elastic strap suspended from an undergarment. These were worn by both boys and girls to hold up long stockings.

Gender

There was no gender distinction between Hickory garters and garter waists for boys and girls. Hickory therefore showed both boys and girls in their illustrations. Even when boys wore knickers rather than short trousers, they often wore long stockings underneath and thus required waists with hose supporters attached. Although hose supporters were almost universally worn by boys during the 1920s, the Hickory advertisements make a special appeal to the threatened masculinity of boys who didn't want to be associated with girls just because they wore the same kind of stockings and support garments. We have the boy (of about ten or eleven) remarking on how strong the pin is--a pin which doesn't bend or break under the pressure that an active lad puts on his garters by playing rough games. And the idiom is very boyish too: "Hey Mother" (says Bob) "--is this pin made or iron of sumpfin?" And Bob's mother replies that "the extra strong pin is one of the five famous Hickory Garter features". The others are of course listed in the ad copy below.

Age

Hickory Garters were made in sizes for children from two 2-14 years of age. Notice tht the particular garter show in the illustration was Size A. This was for children 12-13 years of age. The designation Siz A was presumably a sizing system destinctive to Stein's Hickory Garters.

Color

The ad reproduced here, interestingly, show boys--boys normally wearing black garters rather than the white supporters that became more usual during the 1930s and early 1940s. The ad also show boys wearing black stockings, so there was apparently some color coordination between the black stockings and the black hose supporters.

Ad Copy

The adcopy read, "Hey Mother--is this pin made of iron or sumpfin?" "You know, Mother, this pin never bends or breaks, like those did on the garters I used to wear. Why's that?" "Because, Bob, the extra strong pin is one of the five famous Hickory Garter features. The other four are: 1. The only children's garter made with the patented rubber cushion clasp, which holds stockings firmly between rubber and rubber. Saves stockings and darnings. 2. Easily adjusted buckle [for length and tautness]. 3.Highest quality elastic and webbing, thoroughly tested, uniformly excellent. 4. Guarantee with every pair assures your complete satisfaction or your money back. Hickory Garters at your dealer: In Five Sizes [to fit boys and girls from 2 to 14]. A. Stein & Company. Makers of Paris Garters for men. Chicago. New York."

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Created: 3:22 AM 8/26/2008
Last updated: 3:22 AM 8/26/2008