The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-06


that bring It more and more into Christ
mas shopping lists. This year oriental
rugs are destined to be a leader in the
sales of furniture shops, and already a
goodly. number Of them are stored away
carefully tagged for delivery as holiday
gifts. These should certainly gladden. the
heart Of any one, whether the extremist
In aesthetics or In utility, or the more
comfortable moderate.
At a big sale OF silks this week the shop
management estimated that at least 10
per cent of the very heavy sales were for
holiday gifts, as the purchases for indi-
vidual use were practically. over for the
fall. In the dry goods shops generally
the demand for fine dress goods, silks and
linens has been very noticeable. The
sharp weather and snow would alone
have given an energetic FLIP to trade in
mems apparel but clothing shops have
been doing a business that clearly indi-
Gated the beginning Of holiday activities,
for the proportion of women buyers has
been largely increased and ties have
been sold by the dozen instead of singly,
and other articles similarly. E.Io
Books, Pictures and Jewels.
Among the stocks that Christmas shop
pers make heavy demands upon are
books fancy goods, pictures. jewelry and
furs. AS in these goods the most 1ex-
trayagant purses may lavish their wealth
there is usually a considerable early sale.
Books must be carefully examined and
considered, If one has regard for their
suitability; pictures must be framed and
rush work is necessarily imperfect work
jewels frequently have special settings or
pieces require some alteration and people
usually prefer to select their furs in the
pelt and have them made up in designs
they have selected. -E,t
The number of seal coats and Persian
broadta1l trimmed with sable being made
up new on holiday orders is rushing all
the shops. The real holiday demand be-
gan with the first nippy days and for two
weeks nearly all of the trade has been for
holiday gifts. In the more expensive
furs, especially for coats or large capes,
few givers venture to select without con-
sulting the fortunate person who is to
wear them and there are fewer surprises
in gifts of fur than in most lines. Sable
furs are favorites and mink is In strong
demand for expensive gifts while the new
gray squirrel is the favorite in cheaper
furs.
Picture framing has been feeling the
effect Of the approaching festival season
Of the year for some time, for in addi-
ton to the early orders there are large
| amounts Of work to do for stock, as
there is a large class of people who
prefer to buy pictures framed, especially
in the less expensive things All discrim
fully the value of early selections, when
there Is leisure to make careful decisions
and one Is not elbowed and excited by
the rushing throngs. The array in the
picture shops is fascinating and encour-
| aging, there is so much that is good and
so much of it that Is very moderate In
price; in fact, the very best in the world
Of art Is brought within the reach of all
in the very cheap but admirable repro
auctions.
Treasures In Studios.
In addition to the stocks in the stores
! all of the Minneapolis studios have treas
| ures worthy of place in the homes and
they should not beforgotten in the fas-
citations Of the maelstroms Of the
stores. No formal invitation or introduce
ton is necessary to make would-be pur-
chaser welcome in any Of the studios AND
all the artists gladly show their work tc
all interested enough to examine them
| The proverbial bonanza gold mine seems
to have been discovered by the bookshelf
ers, for one reported sales this week two
and a half times as large for a CORE
spending period last year and with daz-
zling prospects for the season, while the
rest chorus the same ideas. Standard
| books and those Of known merit have
the place Of favor, although gift books
have their share of popularity. This year
rare books and fine bindings are occu-
plying large share Of attention in the
minds Of the most fastidious and thought
full purchasers and the shop that caters
| especially to that business is reaping g
| harvest already. 49, e.. -
The moral Of this is-be assured thai
+ everything is already in the shops, and, i
you would save your own nerves and be
merciful to shop employees, do YOU
| Christmas shopping now and in tina
way benefit yourself and confer a benefit