One of my new favorite items to find at thrifts

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

I've gotten all sucked into finding these World War II souvenier military pillow covers at thrifts. Anyone ever see these?

They're usually to Mother or (in the case of the one I found over the weekend) Sister, and a location where the GI has been posted (or stopped over). And they have this great kitschy artwork on them. Usually they're satin or velvet. And most often they have some sort of (often hideous) fringe.

The one I got over the weekend has a nice little poem to Sister, some very girly roses and then all sorts of military scenes and equipment printed on it. The contrast of the, er, guns and roses-- totally tickles me.

There's also an eagle on the top of it, but it's in this totally improper pink, white and blue. Other ones are usually done in blues, purples, reds and yellows.

If I get a chance this evening, I'll take a pic of it. They're pretty cheap for a bit of history at the thrifts-- about $2-$4.

Good fun and takes up less space than a velvet Elvis. :-)

[Other People s Junk]

Those are something I bet I would get if I saw them in the thrifts, but alas, I never have!  How fun that you are finding them!  Can't wait to see a pic!

[Mattie]

You actually find these at thrifts??  I'm so jealous!  Around here they're strictly an antique store item (at antique store prices, unfortunately).

[SecondhandSophisticate]

I've seen those at antique stores and on ebay...they are lovely!  I am suprised you can find them so inexpensively. Good for you; can't wait to see pics. Those pillows have such sweet sentiments on them.

I have a pillow that is in the genre,but much more new. It says Okinawa and is black "velvet" with an orange back and orange fringe.  It has colored scenes of Okinawa on it, like a velvet painting, but it pillow form. It's very kitschy.  The older ones are very beautiful with heavier fabric and more intricate work, it seems to me. 

Great score, TSR.  I bet they will look lovely in your home. 

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

Well, I posted a pic in the Photo Gallery-- because I can't seem to figure out how to do one here in the forum. I like how the poem refers to the sister as a "pal". You don't realize how rapidly language changes... We just don't use "pal" like that anymore.

Swell!

[SecondhandSophisticate]

So Sweet and innocent!  Can you imagine a boy sending a pillow like that to his sister today?  He'd be arrested, and then booked on "Oprah" and "Dr. Phil", write a book and retire in Switzerland on the royalties, only coming to the US under duress...

But I digress. It is a lovely piece of history with cheeful colors

SeSo

[Jay2TheRescue]

I was just at my grandparent's old house 2 weeks ago and those were all over the place.  My dad bought one for grandma at each stop he made.

-Jay

[Magpie18]

I know what those are & would recognize them if I saw them but... I have never seen any in a thriftstore here in Los Angeles area or Santa Barbara... only in the antique shops/ antique malls.

I look for jewelry in particular & there is a similar category of vintage jewelry, mother or sweetheart jewelry WW2 ( forget me not bracelets, mother pins, V for victory, coin bracelets with foreign period coins etc).  Those generally don't show up here in the thrifts either.