What the heck is this???

[Lena_Horne]

I've been trying to figure it out for the past twenty-four hours when it occurred to me, who else to ask by my fellow Loungers? I recently picked up an April, 1958 issue of LIFE featuring John, Jackie and Caroline Kennedy on the cover.

Inside was a splendid--and I mean absolutely splendid--story, the last installment in a five part series about the Crisis in Education, something the current generation seems to believe they have the monopoly on. Either way, it featured the Little family of West Newton, Mass. and their complete dedication to learning. It's really a charming little piece, and also has some really wonderful pictures of the family of eight taking part in daily activities such as folk dancing, trips to museums, bicycle rides and so on. I suppose it helps that both parents, a grandparent, and great-uncle all had backgrounds in education, but nonetheless it made me wonder what ever happened to that family. I can only hope that their younger children didn't become sidetracked by sixties counterculture, as, in this respect, it would have truly been a shame.

Either way, that's not the point. In two of the pictures, their daughter Liz, who was fourteen at the time is still dressed at the end of the school day and is shown doing her homework and practicing the cello. At this point I was struck by how utterly wholesome this all seemed. Then, I spied, upon her arm, a peculiar armband that looked somewhat familiar. It looks to be a felt circle tied on by a strap with a W at the top and what appears to be a 58 at the bottom. It isn't very big, and I believe I might have seen it in the movies but never thought about what it could be.

I'm completely curious, is this part of some sort of graduation ritual for girls during the middle twentieth century? I've never seen anyone in modern times wearing it and all attempts at searching for "vintage school armband" as well as variants left me emptyhanded.

I'll scan the photo and post it so that I might provide an example of what I'm talking about.

Thank you ahead of time,

L_H

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I'd also like to know, Lena. I think I've seen this armband in old photos.

This is totally off topic, but it occurs to me that we have no idea what you look like. Have you ever considered posting a photo in the "What Do You Look Like" thread (over in the Observation Lounge)?

Just too curious for my own good. Forgive me if I've killed the cat with it.

.

 

[Lena_Horne]

Liz receiving her Mrs. Little's help on homework while mother is in the bath:

*click*



Chev: I'll think about it, but I don't really have any recent pictures. I'll probably take some soon though.

L_H

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Wow! A bubble bath shot!

.

 

[Lena_Horne]

So no one knows what that little arm band is called or what it refers to? Aw.

L_H

 

[Rick Blaine]

She almost looks as though...

So no one knows what that little arm band is called or what it refers to? Aw.

L_H

... she is wearing a Catholic school uniform?
perhaps some connection there ?
I agree, that thing is maddiningly familiar....

 

[Honest Abe]

maybe it's for pins? and she's wearing it on her arm instead of wrist...

 

[Lena_Horne]

... she is wearing a Catholic school uniform?
perhaps some connection there ?
I agree, that thing is maddiningly familiar....

The article does state that all of the children are in public school, so...no.[huh]

L_H

 

[carebear]

The 1958 and "58" seems too much to be coincidental or I'd guess it was a public school identifier. All the city schools would have the same uniform but she goes to the Ward 58 school or something, for example.

Given the year coincidence maybe it is a political button? "W" might refer to a candidate who was up for election in 1958. Might be someone local (school board or city council) so, even if the guess is right, it'd be a feat to track it down.

Looked quick on ebay under "vintage political buttons" but didn't find anything similar.

Orrrrrr,

Maybe all is not as rosy as presented by Life and she is really a member of a girl gang, the West 58-ers. She's a secret cig smokin', cat-fightin' hepkitten who breaks all the rules.

 

[Mr. 'H']

Now you have us ALL curious!!!

:eusa_doh:

 

[Nathan Flowers]

.

Moved at the request of the originator.

 

[Lena_Horne]

The 1958 and "58" seems too much to be coincidental or I'd guess it was a public school identifier. All the city schools would have the same uniform but she goes to the Ward 58 school or something, for example.

Given the year coincidence maybe it is a political button? "W" might refer to a candidate who was up for election in 1958. Might be someone local (school board or city council) so, even if the guess is right, it'd be a feat to track it down.

Looked quick on ebay under "vintage political buttons" but didn't find anything similar.

Orrrrrr,

Maybe all is not as rosy as presented by Life and she is really a member of a girl gang, the West 58-ers. She's a secret cig smokin', cat-fightin' hepkitten who breaks all the rules.

Heh. That last part is cute, even if it directly challenges that fantastic article.

I'm of the opinion that it is some sort of graduating class thing. As she's fourteen my guess would be she's about to leave Junior High and the band reflects that. But, perhaps I'm wrong. I really wish someone knew for sure.

L_H

 

[VanillaT]

Hmm, I have no idea but is it possible that it is some type of a mourning armband? Everytime I have seen someone wearing a band there it has been a black band signifying that the person is mourning the death of someone. Maybe I am off base here, but just a suggestion!