A Hat Box

Michele found this hat box at a local estate sale last week. It is 7" in height when closed, and 9" wide flat edge to edge. This example just had to be animated. I thought about having a hat pop out after it opened, but for now you'll just have to imagine what type of hat might be inside. Look for us to feature an example of Harzfeld's packaging each Thursday.

Michele has been away in New York for a few days. This is her first time there and she's having a wonderful time. Joe's back in Kansas City raking leaves.

The book should be available around Thanksgiving! More details to come.

Last week we had the opportunity to meet and be interviewed by Rick Hellman from the The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle. It was fun and we greatly appreciated the opportunity.

Oh What Fun

We just received this photo of a sleigh owned by Larry Sherman. He's certain that it's from Harzfeld's and was displayed in the Christmas windows along with the mechanical Dresden dolls. We don't have any photos featuring the sleigh, so if you have memories or possibly photos of the sleigh, we would welcome them. It is circa 1880-1900. Larry is offering it for sale and is accepting bids from anyone interested.

Harzfeld’s: A Brief History preliminary cover design

We've continually underestimated the time this project would take. The History Press has been very kind in extending our deadlines. We actually just submitted our manuscript and it is now in an editing stage. More updates to come over the next several weeks.

Zafar Boutique and Salon

Just a couple blocks south from the original location of The Parisian, Zafar Boutique and Salon is about to open soon. The new locally owned business will feature a number of beauty services and women's fashions.

firststepfund.org article

kcstar.com article

September Issue

Last week we snuck away to a matinee showing of The September Issue. A documentary on the making of the 2007 September issue of Vogue magazine. Joe and I both give it three and a half stars. The players, the fashion, the process was great fun to observe, and I was especially taken with Grace Coddington. I have always been a fan of hers, and thoroughly enjoyed seeing this amazing creative director at work. Worth the watch!

Artnet Article by Brook S. Mason mentioning Anna Wintour and her Clarice Cliff pottery.

Enabler or Visionary?

Kim, one of our followers wrote a great article, Enabler or Visionary? The Man Behind the Green and White Stripes with a Harzfeld's focus for examiner.com. It provides a look at service back in the day. We appreciate the link she provided to our site harzfelds.com, which appears to need some updating. Hopefully that will happen soon.

Green Stripes as Shoes

Harzfeld's did quite the shoe business, but they never sold anything quite like this.

Check out the Mojito shoe concept by architect Julian Hakes at dezeen.com.

Paris of the Plains

Fall in Petticoat Lane is a recent entry focused on Harzfeld's on John Simonson's Blog, Paris of the Plains. Please visit to read this and other beautifully written remembrances of Kansas City's history.

Anthony Benton Gude

The Gold Rush Days & The California Migration
Third Panel 1997 Oil on Canvas 6' x 24'
Commissioned by St. Joseph Frontier Casino
Copyright Anthony Benton Gude

Visit anthonybentongude.com to see more work by this amazing artist and muralist. The work above is very similar in scale to his grandfather's mural for Harzfeld's, Achelous and Hercules. A waving of a hat appears in both works and is one of many connections you can make between the two artists' work.