Details -
Uncredited photo, but I've seen the blonde model in other Virginia Thoren photos for fur ads - so it may be her again. But of no importance at the moment.
Here we have South West African Persian Lamb, aka Astrakhan, which reminds me of that Harry Potter title as in prisoner of. In 1959, "South West Africa" was a part of South Africa; it is now the Republic of Namibia. I am ashamed that I knew so little about Namibia - including its history as a German colony.
A potted history: Starting in 1907, German furrier Paul Thorer - of a house of furriers dating back to the early 1600s -- encouraged the breeding of karakul sheep in Namibia. In 1973, the peak of production, breeders sold more than 3 million pelts - known as black diamonds - to European furriers. Then came a drought and a backlash to the fur industry, and a near total collapse of a decent living for Namibian farmers. More recently, there has been more drought, but an increase in interest in karakul sheep, both for fur and for wool for carpets. According to figures from Swakara, the present-day trade organization, a bit more than 55,000 pelts were sold at the most recent fair in Copenhagen - high demand, sold out. That is a 98 per cent decrease from 1973.
Persian Lamb, or karakul, is what Hamid Karzai's little hat is made of. The breed is one of the oldest of domesticated animals and does well in harsh climates of all kinds: hence Namibia. Here is an American take on Karakul sheep:
Did you watch the video? Did you notice the skip over the lamb pelts? The very best lamb pelt is from still-born lambs. This is common among karakuls - harsh conditions cause frequent aborted pregnancies. But regular lamb pelts are good, too. So. . . pelts there are.
The lambs are so cute - and lamb korma is so tasty.
I didn't watch the video exposing the cruelty of the Namibian fur industry. Probably is cruel. Keeping a goldfish is cruel. Yet raising sheep for food and trade has kept a lot of us alive for millennia. It would be conflicted to feel sorry for people suffering in Africa and then go livid when they pursue an old business that nets farmers food and cash and an interesting perch in the fashion industry.
Back to the ad. These "blacker, brighter, lighter" coats, we are startled to read, are special "AA" designs. Spill proof? No - "meticulously proportioned" for the Average American under 5' 5." Petite does sound so much better. But what was the issue about sizes? No idea -- moderately detailed search turned up nothing.
Jack Zimmerman, the designer of the coats, of whom I could find no information beyond that he was a designer of fur coats . . . Oh, well. The discovery of Namibia will have to suffice. There is a place there called the Skeleton Coast . . . very enticing.
Earlier I had mentioned that the fine jewelers almost always used black and white, while the costume jewelry people advertised in glorious color. I find I am wrong on both counts - but here not too wrong. The jewelry is black or clear -- or for an amazing bit of synchronicity in page mateage -- "black diamonds" and "clear crystal."
The brand name of "Albert Weiss" has been, or was at one time, "revitalized." I can find no more about it than anyone else with a minute and a browser.
This Week At the Movies (Why not give it its own title?) --
* Pleasant assassin arrives in town; chaos ensues.
* Tidy, almost noirish, pacifist Western that could have been great if had been more fully developed.
* Audie Murphy just good enough and strange enough to pull it off. Other male lead, whoever it was, completely miscast. Virginia Grey underused. But, still, interesting enough to almost recommend.
Next week -- the real goods.
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