Van Raalte Gloves

Van Raalte made so many styles of gloves over the years and did not trademark glove names, so it's often difficult to date them accurately. I've used the newspaper archives and vintage advertisements as a rough guide to dating.

Silk Gloves and Leather Lined Silk Gloves: (1913 to approx 1930):

First of all a correction: My timeline info gives 1918 as the date Niagara Silk Mills was purchased by Van Raalte Silk Mills , however I recently found the following advertisement on Ebay dated a year prior. I can't find any trademark or patent info on "Niagara Maid" or "Niagara Silk Mills", so we need to assume VR bought them sometime in the late teens. I've never come across any silk garment with the Niagara Maid label, so please contact me if you have one.

Van Raalte "Niagara Maid" Silk Underwear Ad from Oct 6th 1917 Dry Goods Economist Magazine, courtesy of Millcliff

By 1920 VR seems to have abandoned the "Niagara Maid" name in it's advertisements. But I did find one newspaper ad for Dec 16th, 1925 advertising 600 pairs of Niagara Maid silk hose on Sale for $1.65!

1920 Double Tipped Silk Gloves ad also from Millcliff

The very last advertisement I can find for Van Raalte Silk Gloves is dated Oct 20, 1930 from The Argus, an Australian newspaper. They mention only having a table full of oddments, so we can assume this was a clear out of old stock.

Rayon Gloves (1939 to early 1950s):
I found an article in the New York Times dated Dec 2, 1939 which appear to have been their introduction...

"Gloves knit of nylon and rayon have gone on the 'market at $8 a dozen to retail at $1.25 a pair. They are manufactured by the Van Raalte Company..."

"Hands Away Sleight of hand glove fashion which frees fingertips at will but keeps arms glamorously deep in rich rayon jersey", 1945 (art work by Leisin Lenin), ad courtesy of Adventures Into The Past

The last reference I can find of VR rayon gloves is in 1950; an ad for amer-suede, sueded finish rayon gloves.

Nylon Gloves: (1939 to 1960s???)
Manufacturers only really started using nylon on a mass scale after WWII. Women loved it for it's terrific fit and ease of care. Some of the glove styles were incredibly glamorous!

1948 ad (artwork by Henry Luhrs), main image features evening gloves of black ruched nylon net embellished with sequins. Courtesy of Adventures Into The Past


By the mid 50s Van Raalte was advertising Nylon gloves in an astonishing array of colors and styles.

1956 Nylon Gloves ad - courtesy of Adventures Into The Past

In checking the Newspapers archive the last advertisement I found for nylon gloves was in 1958, however I know Van Raalte continued to make gloves into the 60s, and probably well into the 70s. See this blog post for a look at a cool pair of 60s mod thumbless gloves. And note the 60s font is different.

XOXO Empress Jade Vintage

PHILMY

The only Van Raalte Trademark we could find for "Philmy" related specifically to hosiery, but we have seen several lingerie garments with this label dating from the 40s and 50s.

This remarkable Philmy full slip is currently listed on Ebay. Due to the crystal pleats we are dating this as 1950s. The tag is quite faded, but still legible.

Here is a delightful 50s Philmy half slip with deep pleated lace & chiffon hem from Heavenly Vintage Lingerie

MYTH

"MYTH" was one of Van Raalte's extra special lines of lingerie, often including unique lace or appliques. These pieces were constructed in sumptuous, ultra silky, semi sheer nylon or chiffon. A delight to wear. We just have to ask, why don't they make thing like this anymore?

Here is a lovely example of an early nylon Myth nightgown dating to the late 40s or early 50s. Courtesy of Empress Jade Vintage

Here is a gorgeous example of a Myth chiffon babydoll with unique floral appliques - Courtesy of Pink Girl Vintage Lingerie

Totally wild scarlet & black tiger print long leg panties (panty slip) courtesy of Heavenly Vintage Lingerie

The cutest ever Myth "Bananas" long leg panty slip Courtesy of Midnight Glamour

TAFFEKNIT

If you like the SWISHY sound of nylon taffeta, look no further than Van Raalte's TAFFEKNIT. This wonderful fabric has a subtle sheen and the crisp unmistakable sexy swish of taffeta. The Van Raalte company registered the trademark for this fabric in May 1968, but it was in use by the company as early as March 25th, 1963.



A gorgeous topaz blue Taffeknit full slip with ecru lace, available at Empress Jade Vintage

SHEERIO

Van Raalte's SHEERIO line, used the most beautiful silky and ultra sheer nylon imaginable. Most of the labels I've seen have the SHEERIO name on them, but occasionally you will see the same fabric called PHILMY Sheerio, or sometimes just PHYLMY. These pieces are becoming harder to find and are commanding high prices, so if you have an opportunity to own a Sheerio piece do not pass it up.

"Sheerio" trademark registered in 1934, but was in use as early as 1931. The trademark was renewed by Van Raalte in 1974. It is now dead.


Here is a great Sheerio Ad from 1949


A superb PHYLMY full slip with embroidered chiffon Empress Jade Vintage


A delicious crystal pleat Sheerio nightgown and a rare Sheerio teddy both courtesy of Heavenly Vintage Lingerie

A pale blue flounced Sheerio nightgown with embroidered chiffon - courtesy of Heartsvintage

Van Raalte TIMELINE

This is a work in progress, so if you have any additional information, or if you see any errors please let us know.

• 1902 or 1907 (conflicting dates at to start of company on VR family website) - Emanuel and Zealie Van Raalte start E. & Z. VAN RAALTE COMPANY in New York City 
• 1910 - First American made veiling produced in a new factory built by Van Raaltes' in Lakeview, NJ
• 1913   - accrording to the US trademark database this logo was first in use 1913

• 1918
  Van Raalte Silk Mills takes over Niagara Silk Mills who are known for their "Niagara Maid" line of gloves, stockings and underwear.
• 1927 "Because you love nice things" advertizing campaign starts
• 1937 - The Van Raalte Mill in Boonton NJ manufactures the first fully fashioned nylon stockings as part of the testing process for Duponts new nylon fiber.
• 1938 - E. I. du Pont de Nemours (Dupont) announces the invention of nylon to the public.
• 1939 - Dupont promotes nylon at the NY World's Fair.
• 1940, 15 May - "N" DAY declared by Dupont. Nylon stockings first go on sale and 5 million pairs are sold in a single day!
• 1941, 26 July - US Government bans use of silk except for military use.
• 1945 - Van Raalte counterfeit "nylon" stockings are sold by profiteers and company gets complaints.
• 1977 - Kellwood Company acquires the US rights to the Van Raalte brand of women's hosiery and bodywear
• 1994 - Warnarco acquired Van Raalte trademark for apparel sold to Sears Roebuck
• 1995 - Sears announces their exclusive Van Raalte Lingerie to be sold in their stores