Seltaeb & NEMS: How Does a Girl Keep Her “Coif” Neat?

How does a girl keep her “coif” neat while taking a spin in her boyfriend’s convertible? Wrap it with a Beatles Scarf, and all will be well, especially since it advertised “for the girls to wear on their heads or around their necks.”

NEMS Ent.

One style came as a square silk-type scarf measuring 26½” x26½” (66cm) and licensed with NEMS Ent. Ltd. The scarf fabric was white, with vivid colors of yellow, blue, red, and black. One corner of the material had silk-screened repeating image patterns of headshots of the band in black and white, as well as graphics of guitars, drums, and printed names of songs – Don’t Bother Me, Hold Me Tight, I Saw Her Standing There, Not A Second Time, Little Child, I Want To Hold Your Hand.

Seltaeb

The scarf came trimmed with a delicate fringe along the edge. The scarf also came in a 15″ x15″ version. These Beatle’s scarves (and same-design handkerchiefs) were produced under license from NEMS via Seltaeb by Durlacher & Company Limited.

These Beatle’s scarves (and same-design handkerchiefs) were produced under license from NEMS via Seltaeb by Durlacher & Company Limited, a scarf manufacturer and dealer in New York established in 1909. One address was 4711 Van Dam Street, Long Island City, NY 11101.

Lawsuit

Durlacher & Company was named in a NEMS Enterprises, Ltd. vs. Seltaeb, Incorporated lawsuit filed in the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, First Judicial Department, dated: New York, New York, July 6, 1965.

These original scarves had a fringe trim around the edges on a white background. Some reproductions have a different color background, and many do not have the fringe on the material.

Groovy Design

Another groovy design offered at this time was a 27″ square scarf that had Beatle autographs printed on the entire surface of the fabric. Also published on the material were four large records with “Beatles” in the center of each. Red, gold, and black print complemented the white fabric.

“I had Beatle stuff, too! I remember the charm bracelet, pencils, notebooks, purses, and scarves. I lived in Michigan in the early ’60s and used my lunch money to buy everything at the 5 and 10. Oh wow, I wish I still had it all!!!!”  – Karen Glasgow McGee

Beatles Official Headband

Dame Belt & Bag also made a slightly different style from cloth or canvas fabric. The triangular-shaped scarf measured approximately 23″ x15½” x15½” (another was 13″ x11″ x11″) and had leather ties sewn along the top edge for fastening. A repeated pattern of Beatle faces and autographs in black print adorned the fabric print. Sold in a plastic package – which included a group picture printed at the top and advertised the piece as the “official headband – the scarves came in various colors (blue, yellow, white, or red). The accessory was attached to a colored photo card that read “Beatles Official Headband.” Another packaging variation had a group picture with the identification: “The Beatles.” Other companies other than Dame also made a triangle scarf variation, but their licensing is yet to be determined.

Made for Seltaeb

The backing card on the package included a color photo of the group in a standing position. The item’s plastic packaging announced: “Made for Seltaeb by Dame – The Beatles Official Headband,” with a black and white headshot of the band.

Dame Belt & Bag was named in a NEMS Enterprises, Ltd vs. Seltaeb, Incorporated lawsuit filed in the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, First Judicial Department, dated: New York, New York, July 6, 1965.

Terry Crain

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