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Tag: vintage dance cards

My Recent Vintage Finds in October and November

I have not done a “my recent vintage finds” blog post in quite some time, only because I’m not doing as much shopping as I used to but I did find some great stuff recently at great prices that I wanted to share with you today.

We begin with the most expensive item on this list, the book pictured below. Okay I’m just kidding this book was found on the side of the road by my eagle eye friend and so ended up being FREE.

1950s-vintage-book-on-marriage

The book was written in 1949 and given to Maria in 1969 before her wedding (I’m assuming). It is filled with goodies on what to expect on the honeymoon (does not go to much into “adult time”), how to spend money, working, kids, how to keep from fighting all the time, religion etc. BUT all done with mid-century thinking, so you know it’s filled with “wife at home, father is the man of the house” content. It might be fun to do a blog post at later date on some of the key points in the book. Stay tuned.

1950s-vintage-book-on-marriage-inside-cover

Another image from inside of the book that I wanted to share because there are so many vintage goodies to look at (like her skirt, the luggage, the car etc).

1950s-vintage-image-of-couple

The weather in Toronto has been so lovely for late Fall almost Winter, so I have been taking advantage of it by getting out and going for walks. I was joined this past Sunday by a dear friend and we decided to hit up a great Vintage Shopping destination, ‘Kensington Market‘ here in Toronto to see if we could score any great finds. I was not overly lucky this trip but I did find this fun 1970’s skirt at Exile Vintage for a great price. This will be perfect for everything from dancing, to moving thru all the seasons in vintage style.

1970s-vintage-skirt

Toronto recently hosted a very big Vintage and Antique market in October. It’s one of my top vintage shows in the city because many of my favorite stores and vendors are all together under one roof. This year I was on a super limited budget so I could have purchased way more than I did, but in the end I’m very happy with my finds.

Like this adorable vintage brooch. Perfect for Novelty Brooch Friday and to channel the artist I will never be.

vintage-brooch

Christmas is just around the corner and these vintage deer and tree mini’s will play center stage in something I plan/hope to make.

1950s-kitschy-christmas-decorations

I love vintage magazines, just as much as I love my vintage pictures and so you can image how thrilled I was to have found these 2 Canadian 1947 Chatelaine Magazines.

If you read my blog you will also know that I recently shared an article from the June magazine entitled “15 Fashion Tips from a June 1947 Chatelaine“. It was a fun post to write, filled with lots of wonderful tips for the budding vintage fashionista.

vintage-chatelaine-magazines-1940s

Vintage Dance Cards like the beauties below are really fantastic finds especially when they have been used like the ones below. I found these at my favorite booth/store ‘Gadabout Vintage‘.

1940s-vintage-dance-cards

1941-vintage-dance-cards-inside

When I can find a piece of Toronto history from the 1920’s-50’s I try to scoop it up right away. Finding this 1930’s Canadian National Exhibition Fashion Show Pamphlet was truly exciting! First up I never knew they ran a fashion show at the CNE (it’s a large fair) in the 30’s but now we do and the music was provided by a live big band. How glorious!

cne-fashion-show-1930s-vintage-pamphlet

Here is a glimpse of the advertising inside the pamphlet. Look at those 30’s designs! Wow!

1930s-vintage-advertising

And last but not least Gadabout Vintage brought a bevy of wonderful vintage images for myself (and others) to browse thru. Here is what I found….

Three young women in the 1940’s. This image caught my eye because I love getting fashion inspiration from real women and this picture is an excellent example of 40’s everyday fashion.

1940s-vintage-image-of-woman-on-front-steps

I picked the next image because I liked this woman’s 1940’s style and how happy she looks. I could not leave her behind.

1940s-vintage-image-of-women-on-front-lawn-in-fur-coat

The third Image I found is just super because it came with a description on the back. I love when that happens because it just brings the picture to life.

1930s-vintage-image-back

Here is “Me”, a 1930’s beauty in white.

1930s-vintage-image-of-woman

And here is the Governors palace today and the front door where the lovely woman above is standing. This connection would not of been possible without the writing on the back of the picture.

Governors Palace, Williamsburg

Lastly this weekend I’m attending the annual ‘Swing out to Victory‘, it’s an amazing 1940’s event held in a warplane museum with a big band. It’s a sold out event and it’s going to be amazing! Follow me on Instagram to see all the magic and you can check out a past post I wrote on the event HERE.

Liz

Vintage Dance Cards

(updated February 2023)

I don’t know what came over me but recently I have been very enamored with finding “vintage dance cards” for my collection of “vintage stuff” at home. I just think they are so fun and wonderful to see when they have the card all filled up. I can just imagine all the glorious dances that the holder of the card would have had and I love seeing a story being told when you read who received those dances that night.

girl filling out her dance card 1940s
Source: eBay

Lets explore the world of “Dance Cards” together.

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

Note: If an item is no longer for sale after you click on it, don’t worry! Etsy & eBay are updated daily with 1000’s of products. Take a look around and see what you find!

Vintage Dance Cards

The History of Dance Cards

A dance card or programme du bal (also known by its German-language name, Tanzkarte) is used by a woman to record the names of the gentlemen with whom she intends to dance each successive dance at a formal ball. They appear to have originated in the 18th century, but their use first became widespread in 19th century Vienna, especially at the massive balls during Fasching before Lent.

An actual dance card is typically a booklet with a decorative cover, listing dance titles, composers, and the person with whom the woman intended to dance. Typically, it would have a cover indicating the sponsoring organization of the ball and a decorative cord by which it could be attached to a lady’s wrist or ball gown. From the 19th century until World War I, dance cards for the elite of Austria-Hungary were often very elaborate, with some even incorporating precious metals and jewels.

In modern times the expression “dance card” is often used metaphorically, as when someone says “pencil me into your dance card,” meaning “find some time to spend with me”. Conversely, someone’s “dance card is full” implies that even though they may be interested, they have no time for another person (Source).

Now for some wonderful examples of Dance Cards

This early 1900’s dance card from Stratton Park Pavilion in Cheyenne Canon, Colorado is a real interesting read. I recommend taking a moment to check out the “rules”.

Early 1900's dance card rules. Rules on how to behave at the dance.
1900's dance card for waltzes and two steps. vintage dance card.

Source: eBay

The Senior Class of 1946 presents ‘The Senior Prom’ April 12th, 1946 at Linden High School, New Jersey.

1940s Senior Prom Vintage Dance Card

The Order of Dance “prompts” are so fun! “Gee! you’re cute” and “Huba-Huba” HA!

1940s vintage dance card

Source: eBay

May 16th, 1947 Junior Prom in the Cafeteria.

1940s Vintage Dance Card for Junior Prom
Source: Etsy-The Vintage Hunter

CLEARLY this lovely gal had only eyes for one gentleman..Ronald Howell.

1940s Vintage Dance Card for a Junior Prom
Source: Etsy-The Vintage Hunter

The below 1941 dance card is from my personal collection. It’s for a ‘Meds Myster Dance’ and it has a fun halloween like theme to it.

1940s Vintage Dance Card-1941 for a Med Mystery Dance.

I’m thinking this colourful 1920s dance card was for a nautical themed dance.

1920's Vintage Art Deco Dance Card featuring a vintage boat
Source: Etsy-puffadonna
1920s Vintage Dance Card
Source: Etsy-puffadonna

Dance card from the 1926 Boston University Junior Prom held at the Hotel Somerset. Partially filled in with names, some crossed out (wonder what happened there?).

1926 Boston University Junior Promenade Dance Card
1926 Boston University Junior Promenade Dance Card

Source: Etsy

These vintage dance cards are lovely and evocative of more elegant and formal times. This listing is for six 1920s dance Fraternity Dance cards. See the collection HERE (and to purchase if you like).

These vintage dance cards are lovely and evocative of more elegant and formal times. This listing is for six 1920s dance Fraternity Dance cards.
These vintage dance cards are lovely and evocative of more elegant and formal times. This listing is for six 1920s dance Fraternity Dance cards.

Source: Etsy

The Gold design on the cover of this University of Michigan 1931 Senior Ball card is really fantastic!

1930s Vintage Dance Card for a senior ball.
Source: Etsy-DickandJanesbooks

And the inscription on the back eludes to a very interesting night, I think.

1930s Dance Card featuring an inscription on the inside
Source: Etsy-DickandJanesbooks

Not all dance cards were made of cardboard or decorative paper some were made out of materials like wood, leather and even metal.

Here is a delightful example of a wood dance card.

1930s Vintage Dance Card for a Senior Ball.
Source: Syracuse University Archives

At this particular Senior Ball of 1939 the famous Musician “Bobby Hackett” was playing with his Orchestra. Now that would have been a treat!

1930s vintage dance card Senior Ball
Source: jazzlives.wordpress.com

Here is another example of a “story” being told in a dance card. Someone by the name of “Gene” got the first dance, middle 2 dances and the last dance at the Ball. Did the romance of the night take these two off to marriage with kids? Or did they go their separate ways after the dance was done? We will never know but we can imagine, can’t we?

1930s vintage dance card
Source: jazzlives.wordpress.com

Now weren’t all those dance cards wonderful? Such a fun tradition, that sadly no longer exists and maybe for the best but as the Queen of Nostalgia I can’t help but yearn for maybe a night where it comes back. Maybe one day.

FURTHER READING:

Liz πŸ™‚