1942. This wasn’t a fun Christmas. The war shouldered aside nearly every other concern, at least to judge from the papers. There weren’t many goods around, and if a company advertised anything, it was their patriotic zeal. Like this one, the ads mostly said: we have nothing to sell, but we hope these conditions change soon. Meanwhile, think well of us.

Brown and Bigelow sold calendars, playing cards, etc. They’re still around. The fellow to whom they wished HELL is, of course, right where they suggested he go.