PRICES: In January 1900, The Fair at 22 Main Street in Bradford was holding a marvelous after-Christmas sale.

“Ladies’ garments that speak for themselves through their price tickets will be the cause of great rejoicing among the hold-off coat buyers. Their fortune is all the more pronounced when the fact is considered that predictions point to rough winter weather to come.

“Our time lost on mild weather from September to January is your gain. These garments on hand are the product of the last part of the season and are therefore absolutely correct in style.”

For $5.50, The Fair offered a “jacket, superior in fit, finish and style of all fine wool Kersey, 3-button, double-breasted, satin lined all through. Nearly all sizes. 1899 price of $10.50.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index calculator, that discounted jacket would be $165.10 today.

“At $7.50 The Fair offers a ladies coat of fine imported cloth, very smooth and fine, double breasted, cloth buttons, scalloped front, coat back, stitched seams. We cannot help but make special mention of this coat. 1899 price $12.00.”

In today’s dollars, that would be $225.15, the calculator tells us.

“At $13 we offer a few (not over six) extremely fine custom tailored garments in light tan, castor, steel grey and frieze, lined with rich corded silks. Cloths best on the market, scalloped and stitched effects, velvet collar, two-seam back. The balance of this lot which was our exclusive style sold in the season for exactly $29.00

“We must clear the racks for spring suits,” The Fair advertised.

That $13 coat would be $390.23 today. At full price, it would be $870.50 in today’s currency.

We wonder if the jackets still would be “absolutely correct in style.”