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Innovative Schuster's Department store of Retro Milwaukee, pioneers in adopting 'trading stamps' in 1891 and an early version of the charge card, the 'Budga-Plate'. Also famous for the Milwaukee locution "Down by Schuster's, where the streetcar bends the corner around" |
Schuster's Billie The Brownie
Billie
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Yes Retro kids, it's Billie the Brownie. Billie was first seen in 1927, a creation of the Schuster's Department Store in Milwaukee. Billie had his own radio show and was last heard from in 1955. The Billie doll pictured was marketed in the 1930's.
Here is an excellent link for more Billie history and/or a CD!http://www.milwaukeecountyhistsoc.org/museum_store/cds_dvds.html Update!! 4-1-2009 It has recently been brought to our attention that Billie the Brownie has been found alive and well in Germany! Seems he changed his identity in 1956 and moved to East Germany to become a star. Here is the shocking photographic proof including video links.
Billie the
Brownie in East Germany
A picture postcard from 1950 with Billie's old pal Santa, at Maders Restaurant in Milwaukee.
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