17 November 1900: Turkeys in Finery Make the Point

On this day (and for most of November) in 1900, Athens Steam Laundry ran this eye-catching advertisement in the Athens Daily Banner:

 Men's cuffs and collars were separate from their shirts, so they could be laundered more often. They were often starched to remain rigid even when being worn on hot days or in warm rooms. Taking them to a professional laundry was not too different than a trip to the dry cleaner today.

Learn More:

• Athens Daily Banner, Jul. 1900 - Dec. 1900 on Microfilm in the Heritage collection.
• Off the Cuff: The Essential Style Guide for Men and the Women Who Love Them by Carson Kressley in the general collection.
• Esquire's Encyclopedia of  20th Century Men's Fashions by O. E. Shoeffler in the general collection.
• Thanksgiving: An American Holiday, An American History by Diana Karter Appelbaum in the general collection.
• Thanksgiving Turkeys by Patrick Merrick in the children's collection.
• Thanksgiving 101: Celebrate America's Favorite Holiday with America's Thanksgiving Expert by Rick Rodgers in the general collection.
• The Thanksgiving Cookbook by Holly Garrison in the general collection.
• Menswear at the Turn of the Century page on The Costumer's Manifesto website.