How to Cook Potatoes

Fashion illustration
by June Anderson.

Wednesday, May 10, 1950

112 West 86th Street

New York City, NY

Dear Art,

Well, darling, we cooked our first meal in the new apartment tonight and I still feel alright.  Shirl made most of it – I had to stay after school for quick sketch.  But I supervised the cooking of the potatoes – she wanted to take them off when I came in, but I made her leave them on for 15 more minutes.  They came out just about right.  Just listen to me brag!  And wait till tomorrow – when I’m supposed to do most of the cooking!

Really the only trouble here is that they’ve turned off the heat already.  It gets really cold at night.  I hope hot weather comes quick.  Aside from that, this place really is cozy and homey.  I’d like you to come in sometime to see it.

I was talking to June O’Neal today. She kind of frightened me.  I found out she’d been going out with a boy for over a year and they were pretty serious, too.  Yet they broke up.  After such a long time, too.  I hope, darling, I’m in no danger of having that happen to me.

Shirl’s out with Ted – they are still going strong.  I’ve been here alone for about two hours and haven’t done a thing, just listening to the radio and reading.  I really must do some work now.  I’m way behind.

They just finished playing “My Love Loves Me”* on the radio.  Do you, darling?

Don’t forget – I’ll be home on Friday and waiting for you.  Oh, darling, why does the week have to be so long – and the weekend so short?  I miss you so.

All my love,

June

* The link is to a version by Anita Carter, a member of the famous Carter family.  She began recording in 1950 so June may have heard Carter on the radio.  It’s more likely that she heard a version by Fran Warren that appears to have been popular in the late 1940s.  Nevertheless, Carter’s version is so beautiful that I have no qualms about linking to it. 

(Tomorrow – I only know I love you.)

© 2011 Lee Price

Excuse the Language, Please

Tuesday, May 9, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June,

It was a wonderful weekend, darling.  This week I plan to write just two letters to you, dear.  I’ll see you Friday at eight, won’t I?

I went to the movies tonight and saw The Damned Don’t Cry (excuse the language, please).  It was pretty good.

Did you see the Herald Tribune?  The races in Westhampton were on the front page.  There were almost 20,000 people there.  About an hour after the race was over a car cracked up going around the tracks by itself, leaving one guy in bad 

shape.  They didn’t quite get the races over without an accident.

As I said before, darling, it was wonderful to have you home this week and I love you so very very much.  You know that I do.  Take good care of yourself and I hope you got moved okay.  Good night, darling.

Lots of love,

Art

(Tomorrow – first meal in the new apartment.)

© 2011 Lee Price

New Address!

Monday, May 8, 1950

NEW ADDRESS!

112 West 86th Street

New York City, NY

Dear Art,

Fashion illustration by
June Anderson.

I had an absolutely wonderful weekend, darling – I’m so in love with you.  I glow inside every time I think of our time together.

Oh, did I almost forget to tell you?  I have moved!  See?  When thinking of you and how I love you, the little things like moving just slip my mind.  Shirl and I officially moved into the new apartment tonight.  (Shirl did most of the moving work.)  It’s very cozy and sweet.  And there is a sink in the kitchen so now we will start cooking more.

Shirl and I went shopping after school.  We bought dishes, can openers, pots (a double boiler), glasses, tablecloths, etc.  And we bought groceries, too.  I think it’s going to be very nice here.

They’re singing on the radio, “A man’s a fool to be alone when the sun goes down.”  I’m a woman and just lonesome.  Ted and Shirl are in the other room and I’m leaving them alone to have some time together.  I must confess I’m jealous.  Even just after just seeing you over the weekend, I wish it were you and I out in the living room.  Oh, how I wish it were!

Hmmm, how come my pleasure of being out with you still increases after almost a year?  My heart tells me you feel the same as I do.  Please take care of yourself and be good until I see you again.  Friday at 8?  I’ll be home!  Now I must do some homework.

All my love,

P.S.  My telephone # is Schuyler 4-9399 (I’m not sure of the spelling of Schuyler, it’s pronounced SKY).

(Tomorrow – excuse the language, please.)

© 2011 Lee Price

Just Finished My Income Tax

“Well, I just finished filling out my income tax.  I finally got around to it.  I wasn’t in any hurry since I won’t get anything back.”

                                                                       Art Price

                                                                       Letter to June Anderson, March 9, 1950

Income tax was just as much a routine part of life in 1950 as it is today.  So what was Art paying in taxes?  With the 1950 median family income at $3,300, I think it’s safe to assume that Art’s annual earnings for working full-time at Roulston’s grocery store were less than $2,000, putting him in 1950’s  lowest tax bracket.  Paying a marginal tax rate of 20%, he would have contributed $200 in taxes for every $1,000 earned (without figuring in any deductions).

In 1950, the average family income of $3,300 would have been taxed at a 22% marginal tax rate.  Tax rates escalated upward with income, topping out at 91% for individuals or families earning $200,000 or more.  Many deductions were allowed, so it can be assumed that most high earners significantly reduced their tax burden from that 91% rate.

To compare this with taxes in 2011, the lowest marginal tax rate today is 10% – this means, a person earning less than $17,000 per year contributes $100 in tax for every $1,000 earned (half the 1950 rate).  Then the tax rate increases with income, topping out at 35% for people earning $379,150 or more.  Many deductions are still allowed that significantly reduce the amount paid into the system by both low and high earners.

In other words, income taxes are much lower now than in 1950 for both low and high earners.

Information for this entry was drawn from the document “Federal Individual Income Tax Rates History” on the Tax Foundation website.

(For Monday – a bad day at the races.)
 

© 2011 Lee Price

"...except the parts with the dog."

Detail of a fashion illustration by June Anderson.

Wednesday, May 3, 1950

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City, NY

Dear Art,

Painting of a dog by Art Price.

I still think about the wonderful time I had this past weekend.  I loved every minute of it – except the parts with the dog.  But with you – Oh!  my darling!  By the way, how is your car now?

Shirl just came in.  She was out with Ted tonight.  Lucky kids – she gets to go out with her boyfriend.  But I’ll be with you all weekend – won’t I?

Shirl and I are going room hunting tomorrow.  Now don’t start in about not being able to make decisions or something like that.  You see, it’s this way.  The other kids have decided not to move until Camille’s exams are over in the middle of June.  Knowing them, Shirl’s worried that they might change their
minds and decide not to move at all.

Charcoal sketch of a dog
by Art Price

Therefore, Shirl and I have decided to look for an apartment for the two of us.  Then if the kids find an apartment for five of us later on, we’ll move in with them – if not, we’ll still be set for summer.  Tomorrow I’ll report present at school, then leave right away, and look for an apartment with Shirl.  I hope we can find something.

I’m slowly catching up on schoolwork, which makes me very happy;  and doing it without too much effort on my part which is even better.

Art, it’s getting late – I have to set my hair and take a shower, and I’m getting sleepy already.  So till I see you Friday,

All my love,

June

P.S.  We haven’t found a place to stay yet.  We’re still looking, though.  I just wanted to add that I got your letter and am terribly sorry to hear you’re feeling bad.  I certainly hope you will feel better soon.  Baby yourself a couple of days.  Bye now,

Love,

June

(For Friday – gas prices and taxes.)
 

© 2011 Lee Price

A Rose-Tinted World

Pencil sketch by June Anderson.

Monday, May 1, 1950

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City, NY

Dear Art,

My world is completely rose-tinted tonight.  Shirl’s been teasing me all day.  It seems like I’ve been walking around with my head up in the clouds ever since last night with you.  And apparently it’s quite noticeable, too.  I’d say to everybody I’d meet, “My, I had a wonderful weekend.”  And they would ask me what I did, and I would say, “Oh, nothing in particular.”  But I did.  I went out with you and it was wonderful, and darling, I love you.  I feel so good.

I’m coming home this weekend.  Shirl’s going to stay with June O’Neal in the city.  I was invited, too, but of course I said no.  So I’ll see you Friday, darling.

Now I’m going to take a quick shower and pop right into bed.  It’s getting late. Four more days, darling, and I’ll be home.

All my love,

June

(For Wednesday – room hunting in the city.)
 

© 2011 Lee Price

Sleeping to Make the Time Pass

Detailed drawing of stitching by June Anderson.

Thursday, April 27, 1950

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City, NY

Dear Art,

Fashion illustration by
June Anderson.

Sweetheart, don’t worry about me.  I’m sorry I get moody and fuss about it to you.  Besides, if I can’t get along less than two weeks without you, it’s just too bad for me.  I know I have to get used to it.

The time is passing so slowly.  Ted and Shirl are out on a date tonight.  I think Shirl and I may have changed our minds and decided to move again.  But I can’t swear to it so I won’t say anymore about it.

This is my last letter before I leave, darling.  I love you and I’ll enlarge upon that statement this weekend.

Darling, it’s five minutes to one now and I’m ready to go to bed.  Shirl’s here.  I did some homework – quite a bit and that makes me feel pretty good.  I’m going to bed now.  The more I sleep, the quicker the time passes till I see you again.  I love you, darling.

All my love,

June

(For Monday – a rose-tinted world.)
 

© 2011 Lee Price