THERE are many ancient ads for wholesale clothing concerns in the Garment District, Midtown between 5th and 8th Avenues, 29th to 41st Streets. Most of them are nonsdescript, with just words in block lettering, and building owners prefer to let them fade in the sun instead of spending money to power wash them away; this means that many businesses which were in these locations for only a few years have been preserved for decades.
Baar & Beards, formerly at #37 West 15th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, is a bit different; this ad features a spinning LP album (meaning it was likely placed after 1948) and advertised the firm’s “Top Hit” line of clothing. The firm was founded by Sylvan M. Baar (1897-1975) and Milton Beards (1906-1987) and manufactured women’s neckwear such as collars and scarves, spelled “scarfs” on this faded ad. The company collaborated with Japanese artisans in the 1950s and 1960s, employing materials like silk, chiffon, rayon, and acrylic. Their scarves are still considered collector’s and fashion items. The firm occupied #15 West 37th from 1941 to 1998, moving to 5th Avenue that years, according to Walter Grutchfield. I do not know if the 5th Avenue location is still extant.
Check out the ForgottenBook, take a look at the gift shop. As always, “comment…as you see fit.” I earn a small payment when you click on any ad on the site.
6/26/25
2 comments
It looks like the company has been gathered to its ancestors. State corporation records show it to be inactive and all the products shown online are from eBay or similar used-item sellers.
How do you tell from an advertisement a LP phonograph record from
records made previously to LPs?