The Wicked Witch

Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz.

Photo: Virgil Apger/Fondation John Kobal.

"I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog too!"—The Wicked Witch of the West.

I have witches on the brain this week (see yesterday's post) so naturally I am reminded of perhaps the greatest witch of the silver screen—the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz (1939). Margaret Hamilton was amazing in the role that she truly made her own. Who can ever forget that green face and pointed nose or that cackling laugh?

In real life Hamilton was a former kindergarden teacher who adored children and animals. She got asked so many times by little kids why she was mean to Dorothy that she appeared on an episode of Mister Roger's Neighborhood to explain that it was all pretend. I always felt a little bad for the Wicked Witch. But those flying monkeys of hers? Scary.

Have a wonderful weekend my pretties.

Witch Hosiery

Ipswich, Massachusetts is a town I know well having spent many a summer day at Crane Beach and eating fried clams at the famed Clam Box. So I was delighted to find these vintage 1920s ads for Ipswich Hosiery.

The town has been home to numerous industries throughout the years including lace and stocking making. In 1868 the Ipswich Hosiery Mills was founded and by the turn of the century was the largest stocking mill in the country.

The symbol for the company was a witch (it should be noted that the last witchcraft trial in America was held in Ipswich in 1878). At first the company's witch was portrayed as an old hag but by the 1920s had morphed into a pretty, modern witch.

It's certainly an interesting marketing plan, comparing women to witches. Not sure if it led to the company finally closing in 1929 but there's no denying the ads are awfully attractive. 

For more witch and other Halloween-themed ads check out the Vintage Halloween Treats! tumblr here.