In search of your Marshall Field's photographs!

Ever take your kids to see the Marshall Field's Christmas windows? Or eat in the Walnut Room or get a makeover at the cosmetics counter?

I'm in search of personal photographs of Marshall Field's Department Store, especially the State St store, for an upcoming illustrated history of the fabled department store. The book, titled Remembering Marshall Field's, is slated for publication in April 2011.

All photographs are welcome, but especially these:

-- Photographs that show any departments of the store, even just in the background (for example, customers trying on a wedding gown in the bridal salon, school clothes shopping, trying on hats with friends, getting make-up tips, etc.)

-- Photographs of kids visiting Field's Santa

-- Photographs taken at a special event at the store, such as a booksigning, the Christmas decorations, the lightwell flag, a visit from a celebrity promoting some new merchandise, etc.)

-- Photographs showing behind-the-scenes (for example, employees eating in the employees lunchroom, stocking inventory, working the telephones, making candy)

-- Photographs from any decade are welcome. I am especially in need of photographs from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.

Photographs must be those that I can obtain permission to republish (such as something you took yourself) and I'll need to either be able to borrow it for a short while to scan it or obtain a high-resolution scan of it. Photographs must be received by me no later than August 31, 2010.

Yes, there are official photographs taken by store photographers and many of those will be included in the book. But it is the snapshots from the people who knew and loved the store that I'm interested in, the personal ones that could make this book something to treasure.

This is a wonderful way to preserve and honor this grande dame of department stores. Take a minute to look in your photograph albums and consider sharing your share memories with others.