Scarves of South Pacific
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World War II scarves, like the one featured on the cover, were sold in stores across the United States and American GIs abroad could purchase them in their canteens and mail these lightweight gifts back home to their sweethearts and families. The cover scarf is made of rayon, since in wartime all silk was needed in the production of parachutes.
The post-war era saw a trend of commemorative silk scarves made for hit shows on Broadway, which was at a high point in the post-war period. For South Pacific, thirteen scarves were designed as souvenirs of the show: one for almost every song. The scarves were sold at department stores such as Macy's, and customers could have them torn off bolts of silk, leaving the edges raw. The scarf on this page was inspired by the song "Bali Haii." Mary Martin, one of the stars of the show, was the spokesperson for the line, and each scarf had "Cohama Scarf Inspired by the Broadway Musical Hit South Pacific Starring Mary Martin," printed along the bottom and carried Martin's signature. World War II and post-war Broadway show scarves come up for sale from time to time on e-Bay.
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