1948: Macy’s top-selling Holiday gifts

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Macy’s, New York, stocked around 400k items in 1948. For the holiday season, the store hired an auxiliary staff of 14,000 to meet the Christmas demands of around 25k daily customers.

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Handkerchiefs – 300k, 33¢ each

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Christmas card sets – 100k, 47¢ / set

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Nylons – 77k, $1.68 / pair

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White cotton shirt – 30k, $1.98 each

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Striped Pyjamas – 30k, $2.77 /pair

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Macy’s brand scotch – 30k, $4.99

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“Suzy” perfume – 20k, $4.19

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Leatherette handbag – 20k, $2.19

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Canister of candy – 20k, $3.98 / set

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Ballpoint pen – 60k, 92¢

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Men’s blue shorts – 50k, 69¢

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Men’s wool socks – 40k, 94¢ / pair

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Simulated pearls – 30k, $2.77

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Child’s blue underwear – 25k, 64¢

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Rayon tie – 21.3k, $1.41

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Rayon slippers – 18k, $2.34 / pair

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Leather jewel box – 17k, $4.98

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Strauss Waltz album – 15k, $1.99

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Images: Nina Leen / LIFE / Getty

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