About 4 decades ago, I knew a very overweight young woman who went to an exercise club and was told to use one of these machines.  Try as she might, she couldn’t lose any weight from the belt that slapped her legs and hips silly.  She showed me the huge bruises the machine left – I was appalled, and immediately suggested she run, not walk, from that gym.

Sadly, this vintage set of photos shows the lengths that some women will go in the pursuit of beauty, taking to heart the quote attributed to Wallis Simpson, that one can “never be too rich or too thin”.  Of course, the “oscillating machine” is also supposed to work wonders on practically every internal organ as well.

If you look at the back of the frame, you’ll see the contents are held in place by nails, that on first glance I thought were older but despite the rust, probably aren’t extremely old. 

I then checked with my daughter, who has a degree in Art History from Skidmore College, who said that for paintings on canvas, staples replaced nails in the 1940s.  However, the nails and framing alone are no guarantee that this piece is 1940s or earlier, as how a piece is mounted and framed is subject to the preferences and whims of the person doing the work.

However, based on the overall characteristics: the fading of the print under the photos, the style, the framing, etc, it does seem that this piece is definitely vintage.  And the frame itself is probably quite old.

Condition:  The frame is in excellent condition.  There has been some fading of the photos and descriptions under them.  The backing has sustained some water damage but that hasn’t gone through to the front.  As you can see from the back (with the tiny nails holding the contents in place), this is almost certainly a vintage piece, although the original nails appear to have been replaced at some point.  

Dimensions:   28 1/2″ wide by 15 1/2″ high.

FIRM Price:  $45.00.  Plus 5.5% Maine State Sales Tax of $2.48. for a total of $47.48.

Unless we’re having a sale, which would be listed here, our prices are firm.  

Shipping & Delivery:  Free local pickup.  We can deliver within Lewiston-Auburn for a $10.00 delivery fee, or Gray/Portland (along the 202 Route, or just off it) early Wednesday mornings for the same $10.00.  Shipping is $25.00.

For other options, please review our most recent blog on Possible Delivery Options in the Next Week (use the search feature), or our Shipping & Delivery page at https://heritagecollectiblesmaine.com/details-shipping-information/.

Buying Details:  We are very low tech.  Payment can be made via PayPal, good check (please allow 1 week to clear if not known to us) or cash. 

FMI: https://heritagecollectiblesmaine.com/details-payment-pricing/.

Or you can email Linda at heritagecollectiblesmaine@gmail.com to arrange purchase, or for a somewhat faster response, text 207-740-2247.  Thanks!

All sales after expenses help support The Grief Warrior Project. https://heritagecollectiblesmaine.com/supporting-the-grief-warrior-project/

More Photos:  See below!