Coin Op & Advertising - Spring Classic Part 1 - Day 3
Lot 2250a:
Description
These two vintage Esquire Varga calendars serve as poignant bookends to the American war effort during the 1940s. The 1943 edition, released as the country was fully mobilizing, and the 1945 edition, capturing the final months of conflict, represent the intersection of homefront morale and the iconic “Varga Girl” artistry.
The monthly poems within these calendars provide a distinct historical lens, frequently referencing wartime service, civilian contributions, and the personal anxieties of the era. Many of the illustrated women are depicted wearing the uniforms of various military service branches or sporting military medals, emphasizing the deep connection between the domestic homefront and the global theater of war.
Both pieces are exceptionally well-preserved, suggesting they were carefully kept as keepsakes rather than used as functional wall calendars. The wire-o plastic spiral bindings are complete, and the hanging holes show no signs of structural stress or usage. Objectively, both are in very good condition with only minor, expected corner bumps. Please note that the 1945 calendar correctly identifies itself, whereas the 1943 edition features an incorrect, handwritten “1954” annotation on the reverse. H 12.25″, W 12″, D 0.5″ Please see photos for condition.
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