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J.C. Penney's 1975 catalog: Not Suitable For Young Children
My father, who worked at J.C. Penney's for 35 years, is a wholesome guy. Readers of my book may remember that he was a former Boy Scout, crossing guard, and designated driver. So I ask you, what was he thinking when he brought this lawless J.C. Penney catalog into our home?
Check out the Hugh Hefner-style furry black toilet seat. Grab your newspaper and kick back in sanitary comfort (click on photos for full-sized glory!)
The blue-clad International Male in the upper-right-hand corner: tell me, what is that outfit for, exactly? Bathing? Sleeping? Entertaining?
On the left: the single most depressing 'toy' I've ever seen. Hang on for a few years, kid, and your big dreams can come true.
In the lower left hand corner: 'His N' Hers Tiger-Print Underwear.' Imagine if my parents had rolled downstairs wearing that in the morning. Hello, therapist's couch.
Get your guns here! All sizes, all colors!
Floor mats for your car with a stoned bear saying 'If It Feels Good, Do It!' Good advice. Good advice.
To match your black fake-fur toilet seat, a groovy black acrylic fake-fur bedspread. Don't smoke in bed, though. One spark and you've got a not-so-groovy chemical fire that will rage for days!
I don't know what I love the most about this attempt of Penneys to capture the 'Superfly' market. It may be the hat. No, the chest hair. No, the halter top on the guy in the middle. No, the horn necklace. No, the mustaches.
Finally, take a look at the top right-hand corner. Yes, J.C. Penney water pipes, which 'can be smoked by 3 persons at one time.' In the catalog copy, they don't even bother writing 'for tobacco use only.'
My dad also worked for JCP for about the same number of years. I don't remember these treasures, but I do remember reading through the catalog for Christmas ideas. If it was in there, then I had a chance of getting it.
BTW, it was the same year that Sears had the "Man on page 602" debacle: http://www.snopes.com/business/hidden/sears.asp
Posted by:awhite | September 24, 2007 at 11:59 AM
Fantastic find!
Posted by:Billy Fezzi | September 24, 2007 at 12:05 PM
awesome!
those outfits go well with rifles
and bongs
classy
Posted by:fatrobot@gmail.com | September 24, 2007 at 01:25 PM
My first car, a 1973 VW Bug purchased in 1988 had those ladybug floormats in them--I loved them!
Posted by:Lesley | September 24, 2007 at 01:42 PM
that page of men's underware. Oh my god! I bet that got a number of my gay brothers who were teenagers in 1975 through some very long nights. That makes me both very giggly and very sad.
Posted by:Bret | September 24, 2007 at 02:05 PM
What a great time, albeit tacky.
Posted by:Chris | September 24, 2007 at 02:44 PM
Yea for hookas, pimp suits and fuzzy toilet seat covers. In fact, I think I still have a fuzzy toilet seat cover in storage. Thanks for the reminder!
Posted by:Bonnie | September 24, 2007 at 04:06 PM
J.C. Penney's recommends you *only* use our guns to kill for food. Same goes for our underwear.
Posted by:bobby | September 24, 2007 at 04:13 PM
I sooooo want that crossbow!
Posted by:Bill Peschel | September 24, 2007 at 06:15 PM
Seeing these pictures made me realize that it wasn't just disco that turned me into a hardcore punk anarchist in the 80's. I must give some credit to the J.C. Penney's catalog. And to a lesser extent; the Sears catalog. Bad flashback. So... much... polyester...
Posted by:John | September 25, 2007 at 05:47 AM
I laughed out loud at this. As a current JCPenney associate, I love pulling out those old catalogs and looking at the merchandise. Gives everyone a good laugh. It's also fun to play find the celebrity (before they were famous).
Posted by:su | September 25, 2007 at 06:37 AM
That guy in the baby blue pantsuit looks like Denham from the IT Crowd.
Posted by:Adam | September 25, 2007 at 07:41 AM
I feel so nostalgic when I gaze upon the men's underwear section... if only I could find my husband a set of the meshies; we could really relive the Boogie Nights glory days!
Posted by:flazzard | September 25, 2007 at 08:05 AM
I don't know what's funnier, the catalog or your hilarious comments!
Posted by:Julie | September 25, 2007 at 09:14 AM
I'm digging the suburban pimp attire! "Yeah, baby!
Posted by:Schratboy | September 25, 2007 at 09:53 AM
Jancee,
I caught your bio regarding your book and comments in the Sunday's Star-Ledger! It's great the buzz you've recieved for your work! I can't wait for the new book! I continue to check your ethical section in Oprah's mag! I didn't know she is the richest woman in the world!
Sincerely,
Brian
Posted by:brian r johnson | September 25, 2007 at 10:21 AM
Hey...I have the blue-clad International Male undies!!!
Posted by:Brian M | September 25, 2007 at 05:12 PM
Who knew that JC Penney's had a Pimp Department?
Posted by:Aden | September 26, 2007 at 02:43 PM
HILARIOUS! Thank you for sharing. Those images were almost as much fun as watching reruns of 70s game shows on GSN.
Posted by:Perplexio | September 27, 2007 at 11:08 AM
PS: I never got the "carpeted bathroom" thing. It just seemed like a bad idea all around as far as mold/mildew growth are concerned. Although in the 70s I don't know that they were paying as close attention to that.
Posted by:Perplexio | September 27, 2007 at 11:44 AM
From the looks of the merchandise (guns, underwear & water pipes) JCPenney has become much more wholesome and wiser in it 100 plus years.
Posted by:ann | September 27, 2007 at 11:45 AM
YEA..JC WAS A BOY SCOUT AND A CROSSING GUARD BUT THAT STILL CAN'T EXPLAIN HOW HE TALKED THE ALABAMA BEAUTY INTO MARRIAGE. YOU FAVOR YOUR MOM. AS MARTHA WOULD SAY "AND THATS A GOOD THING".
Posted by:STEPHEN CARTER | September 28, 2007 at 05:14 AM
Hmmm, the same year that the AMC Pacer was released. Good times, pimp hats and Pacers!
Posted by:carbuzzard | September 28, 2007 at 01:49 PM
I actually really coveted that burger king hut as a child.
Sad, and true.
Posted by:Sarah | September 29, 2007 at 06:43 AM
Aahh,the'70's!!Weird Clothing Styles;Cheap Prices!!
Posted by:King Bushwick the Toity Toid | September 29, 2007 at 09:45 AM