I need at least five sources that will give me food and automobile
prices from 1955-60 and from today.  One source that has been
suggested for the earlier prices are microfilm copies of ads from
newspapers and magazines.  I also need to know the average incomes of
blacks and whites from 1955-60 and today.

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Clarification of Question by daisy57-ga on 11 May 2004 06:03 PDT

When can I expect to get an answer to this question?

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Clarification of Question by daisy57-ga on 11 May 2004 11:05 PDT

What if I compared prices between now and 1980-85?  Would that
information be easier to find.  If so, please answer the question I
asked before but substitute 1980-85 for 1955-60.  Thanks.

Daisy57 --

The sources that I'd suggest for prices would be:

1.  any newspaper on microfilm.  Most libraries have local newspapers,
the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times from that era.  The New
York Times is available in full-text search back to 1851 online via a
service that many public libraries have for free called Proquest
Historical newspapers.

2.  "Statistical Abstract of the United States," U.S. Bureau of the
Census.   The statistical abstracts include time series data for
previous decades.  You can find the current statistical abstract and
versions back to 1995 here:
U.S. Census Bureau
"Statistical Abstract of the United States"
http://www.census.gov/prod/www/statistical-abstract-us.html

Should you need an earlier version, a suggestion would be to contact a
good reference or business library.   This is something that they tend
to keep on their shelves.

3.  A book called "The Value of a Dollar, 1860-1999" edited by Scott
Derby and published by Grey Horse Publishing is an interesting summary
of prices quoted in various publications.  There are lots of car
prices.  And did you know that Life Magazine was advertising bras for
$3 in 1961?
Grey Horse Publishing
http://www.greyhouse.com/value.htm

You may be interested in the Amazon.com comments on this book:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1891482491/qid=1084479305/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/104-6058330-5571112?v=glance&s=books#product-details

4.  An excellent way to look at automobiles and consumer goods would
be to consult a library with old copies of Consumer Reports.

5.  This website:
Baby Boomer Headquarters
http://www.bbhq.com/prices.htm

6.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics in the U.S. Department of Labor is
charged with monitoring consumer prices and maintaining the integrity
of the Consumer Price Index (CPI):
Bureau of Labor Statistics
"Consumer Price Indexes"
http://www.bls.gov/cpi/home.htm

7.  And finally, the U.S. Census Bureau tracks income by ethnicity
(and LOTS of other measures).  Current numbers are here:
Department of Commerce
"Income"
http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/income.html

And the Census Bureau produces lots of detailed reports.  This one
probably has the race breakdown that you're seeking:
Department of Commerce
"Income and Poverty 2000" (September, 2001)
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2001/PressBri.pdf

Google search strategy:
"what things cost"
"value of a dollar"

Well that's 7.  That's what happens with inflation ;=)

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA

Daisy~

I'm sure that a number of Researchers have attempted to answer your
question; however, it's a toughie, and may not be "answerable." You
are only charged a 50 cent listing fee if your question goes
unanswered.

Regards,
Kriswrite

The US census taken in 1960 includes economic data, including by race
for the United States.  Are you looking for the US or another country?
 Most libraries have access to the census data.  You can get recent
census data (1990 and 2000) from census.gov.

If you are only looking for the Consumer Price Index.  It is available
since 1947 here: http://www.census.gov/hhes/income/income02/cpiurs.html
more information is available here: http://www.bls.gov/cpi/home.htm