dating the 1940s pattern

In the previous posts I had originally thought that the pattern I used was from the 1940s.  There is no copyright date on the pattern, so I guessed according to the dress design and the hairstyles on the package. I did some more research and have come to the conclusion that it is actually from 1940.

I found this page Cemetarian: Advance Patterns of New York which shows several examples.  The pattern I have is by Advance and cost 15c.  Looking at the photos, I thought perhaps it was from the late 1930s then. (if you bother to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page, which I didn't bother to do, there is a list of approximate copyright dates).

So I remembered a wonderful book that I have Blueprints of Fashion: Home Sewing Patterns of the 1940s There is a pattern dating guide in the appendix of the book.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who collects vintage sewing patterns, I have found it to be invaluable.  It's full of information, patterns and merchandise photos, and whats-more, it has an entire chapter dedicated to the history of the pattern companies in general.  (The author also has another entire book dedicated to the 50s Blueprints of Fashion: Home Sewing Patterns of the 1950s (Schiffer Book for Collectors and Designers,)  I recommend buying both, this guy really did his research!)

According to the dating guide, my pattern is from 1940.  Bingo!