This week’s Typofiles is a little different; it’s a look way back at some amazing packaging. When I was in Palm Springs last month with Star, we noticed what appeared to be a store full of vintage goods from across the street.
Curious about its contents, we entered (a fee of 95 cents will get you in) and it became clear that nothing was for sale; this was a general store frozen in time.
Ruddy’s 1930s General Store Museum was completed in 1987 and donated to the city by James Ruddy, who had been building his collection of products for 35 years. The result is one of the largest and most complete displays of general merchandise in the U.S. Every detail in the store is authentic — unbelievably, more than 6,000 unused items line its walls.
The packaging and type treatments were so inspiring to take in, especially since so many of these brands no longer exist. If you’re a designer or just an antiques aficionado, you must make a point of visiting this museum at 221 South Palm Canyon Drive. I’m sure glad I did.
You can view all of The Typofiles right here.
Eric says: