Here's some of the books I own, that you might find interesting for all your 50s needs!

http://www.amazon.com/50s-Fash…..amp;sr=8-1 -50s fashion book by publisher, Taschen, the greatest source of photographic reference for any subject!

http://www.amazon.com/Gil-Elvg…..amp;sr=1-1 -Great collection of pinup paintings by Gil Elvgren, obtained on sale from Borders; super cheap!

http://www.amazon.com/Life-Mag…..amp;sr=1-1 -Life magazines from the era you're trying to reference, are the best references you could own! You can get a feel for how people spoke, through the writing style of the articles, fashion sense from ads, as well as what was on the mind of the average person during that era. Afterall, the mag's not called "LIFE" for nothin'! I obtained this piece at a local comic shop, Benders, that sells a bunch of Life and Time mags dating back to the 40s and earlier. Great references.