In 1950, I started working as a secretary for Procter & Gamble in their downtown corporate offices. I worked in the very interesting TV and Radio Advertising Department when television was becoming more and more popular. I loved the job, the beautiful old Gwynne Building where P&G was located then, and being in downtown Cincinnati every day.
Long before Pawn Stars was popular on TV, there were several small pawn shops in downtown Cincinnati. Although my parents never went to pawn shops, one of my aunts was a steady customer. She was always in trouble financially, yet each Christmas we were amazed to see the gorgeous gifts she received. I remember one year she showed off an enormous dresser set with elaborate brushes, mirror, manicure tools – all in a satin lined chest. We only saw it once because it was immediately pawned and not redeemed. That’s what happened to all of her elaborate gifts.
This was the first Christmas that I was out of high school, working for the grand sum of $30/week and paying $10 board. I felt I was flush with money and wanted to get my mother something really special. Mother had never owned a wrist watch in her life and I thought this would be the best gift I could give her. I don’t know why I didn’t go to one of the big department stores in town, but for some reason I chose to go to a pawn shop to buy her watch. I had never been inside this kind of store before but the gentleman was very nice to me and sold me a lovely watch for, as I recall, $15. I could hardly wait until Christmas Eve to surprise Mother.
I haven’t been in a pawn shop since that first visit, but I have a soft place in my heart for the little store tucked away on Vine Street in downtown Cincinnati in 1950 where I bought a special Christmas gift for my mother.
LILLIAN'S CUPBOARD 
What a beautiful watch! I know your mother must have been thrilled…
Lovely watch and so feminine. I have my mother’s watch and it looks much like yours. She passed away in 1945 so it must be about the same vintage as yours. Hubby still in the hospital, hope he comes home Monday.
Such a lovely watch, Im sure your Mother loved it!
I enjoyed reading your story.
Merry Christmas!
What a sweet story, Lillian! I bet your Mom cherished that watch the rest of her life. I love reading about your early days. I thought I was ancient, getting paid $5/hr. at my first nursing job. You’ve got me beat! LOL
That’s a beautiful watch, and I know your mother loved it, after protesting that you shouldn’t have spent so much on her. =) I go to pawn shops a lot – it used to be a great bargain place for jewelry and musical instruments, but now not as much on the bargain side. I did get a great 6′ ladder this year, though!
A beautiful story to go along with a beautiful watch…and very special family. Truly great memories. 🙂
What a sweet story and lovely watch. Merry Christmas to you, your daughter, and little dog!
What a lovely memory
Such nice memories and your Aunt sounds like quite a character.What a great job you had in 1950 – right as TV was really taking off. Thanks for sharing.
What a great story and wonderful memory, thank for sharing it with us.
I am way behind on my reading and have found a quiet few moments on Christmas night to read………..and I am so lucky that I chose this one! It’s a lovely story and a lovely watch too.
$30 a week is what my mother (also Lillian) said she was making when she married my dad and she still had to pay her mom rent out of that.