MARY BRASWELL: Santa shops Albany 1961

As the last leftover turkey sandwiches were packed for lunches, Southwest Georgia shoppers swarmed to Albany checking items off their Christmas gift lists. See what was available in December 1961.

Meeks —

212 N. Washington St.

— GE automatic portable phonograph with vinyl-clad steel case, 6 1/2-inch Dynapower speaker, plays stereo and monaural records; available in brown or blue-green … $59.95.

— Christmas lights sets with 20 bulbs; new system allows one bulb to go out while others stay on; includes flasher … $1.

— GE Toast-R-Oven with “a toaster upstairs and an oven downstairs” … $31.95

— Admiral 23-inch picture tube TV … $279.95 or just $219.95 with trade-in

Penney’s (before the J.C. was officially added) — Downtown

— Women’s 100 percent cashmere coats … $45

— Men’s plaid flannel robes … $3

— Gaymodes Seamless Hose … 69 cents per pair

— Bathroom Scales in blue, green, yellow or white … $3.99

— Stetson Melmac 48-piece service for 8; Break-resistant and dishwasher safe … $18.88

— — —

QUIK QUIZ

A suggested gift for the entire family in 1961 came with a price tag of $895. What was it?

a) A Rambler automobile

b) Color TV set

c) Fallout Shelter

d) Complete movie camera, projector and screen package

Answer is at the end of the column.

— — —

Citizens Discount Co. — 210 Tarver Ave.

— Machine washable electric blankets … $12.95

— Westinghouse steam and dry irons … $11.99

— Daisy Air Rifle … $7.59 (regularly $10)

— Shirt-pocket portable transistor radio with built-in speaker, ear phone and carrying case … $12.99

Churchwell’s —

Downtown on

Washington Street

— Samsonite Beauty Case — pick your size and style … $14.95-$25

— Men’s Ties — “Every tie in our wide selection is styled expressly to win masculine approval”… $1.50

— Exquisite Waltz-Length Nightgowns … $6.95-$12.95

Sears — 221 Oglethorpe Blvd.

— Six-foot modern aluminum Christmas trees with 46 branches … $4.99

— Harmony House Gala Color Wheels (for aluminum trees) … $8.99

— View-Master Stereo Picture Viewer with seven three dimensional full color pictures … $1.75

— Polaroid Land Camera-fully automatic, built-in flash gun … $110.45

— Roy Rogers boy’s knit pajamas, machine washable … $2.49

— Tinkertoys Starter Set … 88 cents

— Miniature Civil War Set — includes battlefield bunker, horses, caissons, mortars, a Southern mansion and a pistol that shoots plastic bullets to knock over polyethylene soldiers … $8.98

Friedman’s Jewelers —

Downtown

— Genuine Diamond Man’s Onyx Initial Ring … $14.95

— Stainless Steel 58-piece Service for 8 … $9.95

— Elgin Watches, men’s and women’s, 17 jewels … $19.95

— Lady Sunbeam Hairdryer … $29.95

Rhodes Furniture —

Jackson Street at Pine Avenue

— Mahogany luxury-styled bedroom suite with double dresser, panel bed and chest of drawers … $235

— “Gertie the Goose” child’s scooter; wide, safe and durable with white baked enamel finish … $3.95

— Miss America Beauty Doll … $4.88

— Pop-up Umbrellas … $1.98

— Maple Bunk beds with two innerspring “Bunkie” mattresses, ladder and guard rail … $78.88

Belk’s — Downtown

— Fake fur pocket stole-the luxury look of mink — with satin lining … $14.98

— Madame Alexander dolls … $4.99-$19.99

J and J Furniture —

121 E. Broad Ave.

— Student desk and chair with plasticized finish … $24.95

— Table lamp with ceramic base, 31-inch tall with linen-covered shade; five colors available … $3.95

— Frigidaire 2-speed, 2-cycle washing machine with automatic detergent, bleach and dye dispenser … $189.95

Friedlander’s Fashion Shop — 104 N. Washington St.

— Jeweled white Orlon cardigan sweaters with pearls, sequins and jewel trim (also available in heavenly pastels) … $10.95

— Natural mink stoles from T.M. Mutation Mink Breeders Association … regularly $349-$399 on sale for $299 (plus 10 percent federal tax)

Lane Drug Store —

Corner of Pine and Washington

— Norelco floating head electric shaver … $17.97

— Mr. or Mrs. Potato Head … $1.59

— HO 59-piece train set … $5.77

— Casper, the Talking Ghost — “Just pull the magic ring and hear him talk”… $6.99

Rosenberg’s —

126 N. Washington St.

— Shalimar Perfume … $6-$50

— Men’s dress shirts by Arrow … $4.25 and up

— Wool Pleated Skirts — solids and plaids … $6.99

— Furs including Beaver, Broadtail, Fox, Otter, Mink and Sable … Prices vary

Savelle’s — Downtown

and Midtown Shopping Center

— Parker 45 refillable ink pen with a 14-carat gold point … $5

— RCA Victor five-tube radio … $18.88, or Clock radio … $23.99

— Argus 560 Electromatic Color Slide Projector with 60-slide tray … $119.99

— Cultured Pearl Necklace … $3.99

W.T. Grant —

Midtown Shopping Center

— Dolly Strollers, 20-inches tall of metal construction with a safety bar in front … $2.29

— Confederate Cannon, muzzle-loading, unbreakable plastic, “authentic made” … $1.99

— Cinderella Top; Spin it and watch the castle open and Cinderella would appear … $2.66

— Official Spalding Basketball … $2.88

— Betsy Wetsy Doll — She drinks, wets and cries real tears … $7.77

Western Auto —

Midtown Shopping Center

— Deluxe Monopoly Game … $3.88

— Royalite Portable Typewriter, including carrying case … $49.95

— Detective Set with shoulder holster, pistol, Tommy gun and handcuffs … $3.99

— “Jet Swept” 26-inch Western Flyer bicycle with luggage rack on back and two-cell chrome headlight … $39.88

Starbrokers — 237 Broad Ave.

— Zebco “202” Rod and Reel … $8.95

— Collier’s 20-Volume Encyclopedia … $69.95

— Jr. Juke Box-electronically operated, 4-speed record player, red and white cabinet with inside lights … $29.95

— Zippo Lighters … $2.49

— Fender Guitars (only dealer in the area) … $99.95 and up

South Georgia Hardware Co. — Across from Midtown at 148 N. Slappey Blvd.

—Browning Automatic 12-Gauge … $134.50 and up

— Mirro Matic Electric Coffee Pot … $14.37

— Presto Hot Dog Roaster … $6.87

— Six-Quart Ice Cream Freezer … $11.87

QUIK QUIZ ANSWER: c) Fall Out Shelter … A Wonder Building at this price had accomodations for at least six people and was fully approved by the Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization.

Each week Albany Herald researcher Mary Braswell looks for interesting events, places and people from the past. You can contact her at (229) 888-9371 or [email protected]. Follow @ABH_MBraswell on Twitter.