Mid-Century Bowl-O-Rama

Cover
Bowling a Strike 
Lonie Bee 
March 15, 1941

 

Bowling was taking over America in 1941. An enjoyable pastime to take one’s mind off of the looming war in Europe, this covers by Lonie Bee showed that it was an activity that could be pursued by women as well as men.

 

Ad
Saturday Evening Post Subscription Offer 
December 27, 1941 (Click to Enlarge)

 

Bowling was popular enough in the 1940s to serve as an effective enticement for a four-year Post subscription.

 

Ad
Bowling Carnival Advertisement 
January 3, 1942 (Click to Enlarge)

 

Who could resist signing up for the Brunswick Bowling Carnival?

 

Cover
Camel Cigarette Advertisement 
January 31, 1942 (Click to Enlarge)

 

In 1942, this Camel ad featured bowling champ “Low” Jackson. “Light up a slower-burning Camel and watch this champion of champions in action.”

 

Cover
Beech-Nut Gum Advertisement 
August 29, 1942 (Click to Enlarge)

 

“Even in 1911, when lady bowlers wore clothes like this, the fine, distinctive flavor of Beech-Nut Gum made bowling more pleasant.”

 

Ad
Winchester Batteries Advertisement 
May 1, 1943 (Click to Enlarge)

 

“For ‘strike-bowling’, you need the extra freshness that keeps you going—results in  accuracy, rhythm and timing. In blackouts, man-made or natural, WINCHESTER Batteries too, keep going—now remain FRESH 50% LONGER!”

 

Cover
Bowling a Split
Stan Ekman
January 6, 1945

 

The idea for this Post cover came to Stanley Ekman when he was having a very tough night on the alleys in his neighborhood Glen Oaks Acres League at Wilmette, Illinois. “To top it all,” Mr. Ekman says, “my wife was trimming me badly.” The interior details of the cover were sketched in the King Pin Alleys in Wilmette and the Arena Alleys, Chicago.

 

Cover
Bowling a Strike 
George Hughes 
January 28, 1950

 

What do you do when your date blithely kicks off her heels, grabs a ball, skates forward on her slippery nylons, lets fly, and all ten pins rise into the air and disappear in clattery triumph?