Harpers Bazaar Scarf 64

[AmiJane]

Hey all

I found this scarf in a large bundle of clothing from the 50s to the 80s and I found that originally it was a 1964 cover scarf for Harpers Bazaar. I have been unable to find any other like it, and it also has no labels. I'm guessing it is an original, but any advice would be appreciated on this.

Thank you
Ami

 

[BonniesVintageClothesLine]

Cool find! And, so nice to fine a photo from 1964 showing your scarf. Just researched a bit and came across this which might be helpful:
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/cu...25/richard-allan-london-harpers-bazaar-scarf/

It looks like yours may be from the 1960s because of the color which is pictured in the ad.

 

[retro ruth]

I've had a Richard Allan scarf in the past - he was a wonderful scarf designer. This is what I wrote after researching him a little:

Richard Allan founded his scarf company in the Swinging Sixties in London - he was an innovative producer of silk scarves in bold, abstract designs in distinct colours as well as striking monochromes. They often referenced the Art Nouveau style, drawing inspiration from both organic and geometric forms. The silk squares of heavyweight silk twill were screen printed at David Evans & Co in Crayford, Kent and finished by hand in London.​

This is mine, now sold. Does yours have a Richard Allan signature anywhere in the design? Maybe not, as it might not be easy to fit into the typographic design of this one.

 

[BonniesVintageClothesLine]

I'll bet his signature is on the later version that was recreated in the navy/red version in 2019. Might not have been on the original version. Your scarf is lovely, Ruth, and surely a treasure.

 

[AmiJane]

Hi and thank you both for your feedback I do have a couple of Richard Allen's ones also which have the signature on, he was an amazing designer wasn't he.
As a fairly new (earlier items) seller, do you mind me asking how you would go about pricing something like this? Feels pretty special to me with it making the cover, but no idea how special it really is.
Many thanks
Ami x

 

[AmiJane]

Sorry no I can't see a signature anywhere on it but I'm going to take a closer look in case I missed it

 

[Midge]

What a cool find! I can't add much, but another fan of Richard Allan here. I have a super-bright pink/purple paisley scarf by him that I pulled out of bin full of scarves at a flea market in London, and later I found the same one in a completely different colorway (red and grey on white).

ETA - unfortunately we can give value/pricing advice here but you might look for similar sold items, on Ebay for example.