This scan if from my private collection of print memorabilia and curiosities – a 1922 print advertisement for a “Chinese Good Luck Ring” sponsored by Fanny Brice of the Ziegfield Follies. For those not familiar with the name Franny Brice, you might want to look up both her and the Barbra Streisand movie, Funny Girl. Unfortunately, I am not sure what magazine or print material this came from. It’s original size is 5″ x 5.75″
I did, however, include an image of the back cover. Hey, I’ll take an indian blanket for only $5.95! But that seems to be a lot of money for 1922. Just for the fun of it, I plugged in the price of the ring and the blanket into a price inflation calculator to let us know how much these items would cost today in 2021:
That $5.95 blanket? That would be around $93.00 in today’s money
the 25 cent silver plate version of the ring would be $3.91 today.
the $1.50 sterling silver ring would be close to $23.50.
the $2.50 14k gold filled version would run us a little over $39.00
I hope you’re enjoying these vintage advertisements as much as I do collecting them. You will notice that they all have some sort of metaphysical theme, which is what draws my interest. Let me know in the comments. Below is the word-for-word text version of the advertisement.
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A CHINESE GOOD LUCK RING
Will Make This Your Big Year
Fanny Brice, of Ziegfeld’s Follies, says “My Chinese Good Luck Ring surrounds me with good fortune.” An eminent Psycho-Analyst remarks, “Undoubtedly the wearer of a symbol of Good Luck such as the Chinese Good Luck Ring will experience Good Luck. It stimulates the imagination; the wearer is alert to the idea that good fortune is just around the corner. The owner of this mysterious talisman is in a sub-conscious mental state which makes him ready to meet Good Luck and Opportunity at least half way—instead of passing on the other side of the road.
From far away China, out of Asiatic Antiquity, comes a symbol of Good Luck. You may call it mysticism of the Orient, but the fact remains that this charmed Chinese Good Luck Ring has stood for health, happiness, prosperity and prolonged life during hundreds of years. This odd finger circlet first attracted New York’s smart set. The demand swept across the country almost over night. At the exclusive clubs, in society, in the Theatre world, even in the foreign legation at Washington, you see this unique token being worn. Stories of amazing fortune have begun to multiply among the owners of the Chinese Good Luck Ring. Write today. You will admire this unique ring. It comes in silver plate, sterling silver and 14k. gold.
This odd-looking ring excites great interest when observed on your finger—the unusual gift. Write at once for this odd Chinese Good Luck Ring Obtainable either in Silver Plate with Platinum Finish, or Sterling Silver, or 14 Karat Gold Filled. Order by No.
No. 8235. Silver Plate, Platinum finish .. . .25c
No. 8236. Sterling Silver. Price $1.50
No. 8237. 14 Karat Gold Filled $2.50
Chinese Good Luck Tie Clasp Amazing stories of Good be Luck are being told by wearers of this Good Luck Tie Clasp. Gold plated, with very handsome enameled tops with Mystic lucky Chinese symbols.
No. 8238. Good Luck Tie Clasp, 25c
GOOD LUCK – HEALTH – HAPPINESS – PROSPERITY
JOHNSON SMITH & COMPANY,
RACINE, WISCONSIN