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I discovered that the generous sized towels which come with a dowel and string to hang are no longer inexpensive.

When I was in high school my mother started adding a linen calendar towel to her “Friends and Relatives Buying List,” as part of her seasonal gift-giving. After a few years we all began to expect such useful and pretty towels. They came in so many designs, Mom could order scenic towels which matched the tastes of almost everyone — flowers, animals, scenic views — and the nice thing, after the year’s use of the calendar, folks could actually dry the dishes with the nice linen cloth. And we did. Probably why so few of these towels are still around, collectible or not, my house or yours.

Years later, as sort of a memory idea for my Mother, I started to give the linen calendar towels too — sort of kept-on with her tradition. Suddenly I discovered that the generous sized towels which come with a dowel and string to hang are no longer an inexpensive item. At the start, we used to be able to buy such towels in 5 & 10’s for just a few dollars — maybe $1.99. Somehow, then, the towels seemed to go out of vogue, harder to find.

Wait! Now linen calendar towels are WAY back and available brand new from several online sources, much less as vintage items, collectibles. And no longer limited to multi-bird prints, or cardinals with a kitty watching or a simple pot of geraniums, you can have calendar towels with Mary Englebreit colorful designs or seascapes or hummingbirds. I found towels perfect for my Tennessee mountain cabin — several with bears, moose, pine trees, fishing scenes, and, for Florida, lighthouses, fish,and seascapes. Recently we ordered a gorgeous towel from Bermuda with tropical flowers — and on fine Irish linen — for my sister who really enjoys a year-round blooming garden.

Just going online there are many companies which can supply such towels, not so many local stores. Local retail stores, many of whom carry the same brands as online, sell out very quickly, early in the buy-the-calendar-for-next-year season — say October on. Use the keywords: linen calendar towels. I found Stevens and Miles Kimball and there are many, many more.

Now, all that said, we should note that online there are many collectible linen calendar towels up for auction. These are in good shape and were not used as drying cloths. While some were never taken out of the boxes, the ones that I saw online had probably been on a wall for a year and then, with many other things, were left behind. I see the same in garage sales and flea markets.

So part of your year-end shopping might include linen calendar towels. Keep in mind that I found some provided for mailing in suitable boxes, in envelopes and some just hanging on a corner post of a shelf, one on top of the other. Call around if this really interests you, but you can examine the many designs online at your leisure — if you have any!

Go to eBay to see some of the older towels and designs! When I look now at the old towels and more so when I purchase a new one, I think of my mom who first thought it would be fun as an add-in gift. Caution, though. Choose your recipients carefully. There are still some folks who may recall the towels as a very inexpensive retro idea, no longer in vogue. “Who would hang that in their kitchen?” is the nose-in-air, unappreciative attitude.

We never said these were high-end elegant items, but instead, fun, useful ones, say hanging on the way by that extra phone? Out on the Florida room porch? In a corner of the kitchen by a planning pad? Or, as, in my cabin, how’s about a touch of rustic color or humor about local animals, plants, or past-times plus the date to keep us straight!

And, of course, there are now none of those pretty, useful cheap dimestore versions — most now run about $7-11. Check out higher-end, well-known card stores. There are not so many dimestores, if any, either. Get or give a linen calendar towel? At least next New Year’s Day water glasses will receive elegant drying!

That’s what’s wonderful about collecting something Americana (most calendar towels we have seen are made in this country — check it out!) with multi-function which also fits various tastes and times!

© 2007 Rosemary Lee Potter. All Rights Reserved.

Rosemary Lee Potter is a confirmed victim of the collecting bug and can be reached by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or write to her in care of Tropical Breeze, P.O. Box 585, Safety Harbor, FL 34695.