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I. Magnin was a legendary San Francisco department store that was founded in 1876 by Mary Ann Magnin and her husband Isaac. Originally, the couple sold baby clothing, which Mary Ann made, and Isaac sold as a peddler. The following year they opened a store that sold the clothes along with ladies’ toiletries. They soon expanded their offerings with a selection of bridal fashions, lingerie, and trousseau items, all made from beautiful but expensive European fabrics and laces. I. Magnin developed a reputation for selling only the highest quality goods.

In 1906 their store was leveled by the Great San Francisco Earthquake, but that did not stop the Magnins. They continued to sell from their home until a new store could be rebuilt. In the next ten years the family began opening branch stores all over California. The Magnins’ four sons were also involved in the stores, with son Joseph eventually opening his own store, Joseph Magnin.

In 1944 the family sold their interest in the stores to Bullock’s, a Los Angeles department store and in 1964 Bullock’s became a part of Federated Department Stores. Then in 1988, Macy’s gained control of Federated. By 1994 the last I. Magnin stores were either closed or changed to the Macy’s name. Today, Macy’s has a house line called I. Magnin.

Written by fuzzylizzie

See vintage I. Magnin from VFG members on Etsy (paid link)


from a 1920s evening cape - Courtesy of diggin art

from a 1920s evening cape

Courtesy of diggin art

from a ca. 1921 dress - Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

from a ca. 1921 dress

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

from 1920s women's shoes - Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from 1920s women’s shoes

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1930s opera coat - Courtesy of stephneilf

from a 1930s opera coat

Courtesy of stephneilf

from a 1930s lingerie bag - Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1930s lingerie bag

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1940s evening gown - Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1940s evening gown

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

a late 1940s/early 1950s label - Courtesy of vintagetrend

a late 1940s/early 1950s label

Courtesy of vintagetrend

from a 1950s party dress - Courtesy of morningglorious

from a 1950s party dress

Courtesy of morningglorious

from a 1950s dress - Courtesy of Hollie Point Vintage

from a 1950s dress

Courtesy of Hollie Point Vintage

from a 1950s hat - Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1950s hat

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1950s dress - Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1950s dress

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1950s sweater - Courtesy of vintage-voyager.com

from a 1950s sweater

Courtesy of vintage-voyager.com

from a 1950s sweater - Courtesy of Augusta Auctions

from a 1950s sweater

Courtesy of Augusta Auctions

from a 1950s dress - Courtesy of denisebrain

from a 1950s dress

Courtesy of denisebrain

from an early 1960s jacket - Courtesy of denisebrain

from an early 1960s jacket

Courtesy of denisebrain

from an early-1960s skirt suit - Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from an early-1960s skirt suit

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a mid-1960s coat - Courtesy of claireshaeffer

from a mid-1960s coat

Courtesy of claireshaeffer

from a mid 1960s sweater - Courtesy of bigchief173

from a mid 1960s sweater

Courtesy of bigchief173

from a 1960s skirt suit - Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from a 1960s skirt suit

Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from a late 1960s dress - Courtesy of claireshaeffer

from a late 1960s dress

Courtesy of claireshaeffer

from a late 1960s dress - Courtesy of joules

from a late 1960s dress

Courtesy of joules

from an early-1970s robe - Courtesy of Straylight Vintage

from an early-1970s robe

Courtesy of Straylight Vintage

from a 1970s dress - Courtesy of claireshaeffer

from a 1970s dress

Courtesy of claireshaeffer

from the early 1970s - Courtesy of vintagetrend

from the early 1970s

Courtesy of vintagetrend

from 1970s pajamas - Courtesy of coutureallurevintage.com

from 1970s pajamas

Courtesy of coutureallurevintage.com

from an early 1980s blazer - Courtesy of claireshaeffer

from an early 1980s blazer

Courtesy of claireshaeffer

from a 1980s dress - Courtesy of denisebrain

from a 1980s dress

Courtesy of denisebrain

from a 1980s dress - Courtesy of denisebrain

from a 1980s dress

Courtesy of denisebrain

from a late-1980s coat - Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a late-1980s coat

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1990s sweater dress - Courtesy of vintagegent.com

from a 1990s sweater dress

Courtesy of vintagegent.com