Baby Dolls of the past, pay homage to your predecessor: Thomas Edison’s talking doll, circa 1890.
If you’re not fiending for one of these dolls already, you can hear it speaking (what is supposedly a recitation of “Little Jack Horner”).
Tag: ephemera
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I’ve contracted a severe flu, so I’ll be using posts from my draft stash for a little while. I’m very sorry if it takes me a little while to comment back or return emails!
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On any given day, I’m guilty of countless curiosity tangents. After seeing one word or image that strikes me, I’m liable to spend (too much) time in search of related images, information and anecdotes.
Today? VINTAGE STRONGMEN, inspired by these bandages seen on Swissmiss:
Outlets for the general fascination with physical strength shape-shift through generations, but the fascination itself appears to be a constant of the human experience.
Since images like the ones above are easy enough to search out (if you’re so inclined…which you’re probably not), I’m going to focus on a few of the things that surprised me in my strongman odyssey.
I came across many more dolls and toys than I expected. Particularly modern ones. There’s a strongman revival in the works, folks. Believe it.
Perhaps the toy trend comes from the recent hipster adoption and pop culture resurrection of the handlebar moustache.
They just kept popping up!
Inherently contradictory paper strongman:
Awww…
There are a variety of vintage toys as well.
No idea about this one…
I really wonder what this old “Rover” LP sounds like:
For those who wanted to measure their own “strongmanity” (my adjective describing one’s degree of strongman attributes):
Lou has Muscles and Might (though surprisingly weak ankles):
Mildly uncomfortable…
More uncomfortable…
Best left unexplored, really…
Yearning to know more? Try a Composite Guide.
There were indeed comic representations too, but that’s a whole other story.
I’ll wrap it up here with a classic poster.
You’ll find the greatest wealth of images on Oldtime Strongman (I didn’t take images from the site for this post because I found the logos distracting to look at, but much effort clearly went into this site).
This post is dedicated to the mighty Buff Jenkins, who has helped me loosen many a jar lid. May your tankinis always be striped and well-fitted!
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Today I give you the results of this year’s Web scouring for the most absurd and disconcerting thrift store renditions of Santa Claus.
Because eyes are overrated anyway…
Especially anatomically correct eyes.
Actually, who needs a face, period?
When you have a face, things like THIS can happen:
He sees you when you’re sleeping, kiddies…
“Very superstitious…writings on the wall…”
I sense tragic comedy waiting to happen if THIS fellow ever attempted toy delivery:
No, this is not an intentional “craftastrophe.” I promise. It was found at a regular market (in the Twilight Zone?).
What? Santa is secure enough in his masculinity to wear pink and glow.
This post was brought to you by MAYBELLINE JESUS!
Be sure to check out:
Holiday Horrors Week: Santas
Image Odyssey: Scary Santa (Inanimate Object Version)
Serving in Santa -
A little gem from one of the masterminds at Unusual Life.
I have an odd love of “Santa in space” themed illustrations (as you can see here).
Hm…blueprints.
Amazing design from Mike Mitchell:
Look at the wood grain effect on this gingerbread house!
A vintage Krampus picture that is new to my collection this year:
When Christmas comes…without joy:
Ah, the ghosts of cleanings past…
For the Trekkies:
Finally, card that gets at the true meaning of Christmas:
And…
I have to admit that I find this pretty hilarious…and not just because I’m a Crazy Cat Lady in training:
This belongs somewhere in the Holiday Hair Hall of Fame:
Say what you will about Disney, but those Imagineers put together one hell of a light display on It’s a Small World:
Sense of direction is not always my strong point, but I’m fairly certain this card is geographically inaccurate:
I can almost hear a tiny chorus of voices…“I’m melting…meeeeeeelting…oh, what a world…”…
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Christmas came early for me this year, in the form of a truly awesome series of collector’s edition postcards from Wind Up Dreams and Vinyl Nightmares.
I think I’m going to have them framed because I doubt I could actually part with them and send them off as regular postcards.
Some of you may recall my previous post about John Purlia’s haven of incredible kitch and ephemera. He has put together some of my favorite photos of vintage toys and assorted goodies.
John’s Etsy store features a variety of prints ranging from reasonably priced glossy photos to limited edition collectors items.
In addition, I’m thrilled to welcome Wind Up Dreams and Vinyl Nightmares as a SheWalksSoftly sponsor (check out the nifty sidebar link)! It’s really my pleasure to promote artists whose work I enjoy so much.
Visit the website and the Etsy site.
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It’s almost time for me to leave town, so…cleaning off the desktop to make room for the hundreds of things that will undoubtedly accrue by the time I return.
I’ve never thought to do a pumpkin like this, but it looks great:
An antique bat sketch. Simple. Classy.
And as package design…
And…wrapped in pink…
Continuing with the results of my antique search (though this can be horrifying for multiple holidays):
Witch illustration:
I’d like to construct a replica of this game, because I doubt I’ll ever be able to find it:
Hot…
This horrid, HORRID thing came up in a search for “antique Halloween.” Most people who know me are aware that I have a general aversion to the human foot. A creation like this is entirely uncalled for. But I suppose this “lantern” qualifies as something I consider frightening.
Pardon me while I wash my eyes with bleach.
Let’s end on a romantic note, shall we?
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Tom Pritchard has one of the most amazing collections of Halloween artifacts I’ve ever come across. I’m a collector of many things…but I don’t collect anything formally, so I always admire the thoroughness and dedication it takes to put together a personal showcase like this.
German lanterns:
American lanterns:
Candy containers:
German noisemakers:
Pre-war masks:
Post-war masks:
These are only the title page images. See individual pieces and room displays here.
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I’ve posted a series of Day of the Dead paper cutouts, so I figured I’d take a sampling of other calaveras (skulls) in art.
Posada was known for his fantastic engravings, many of which features skulls and skeletons. It was hard to pick which ones to post.
This fellow is adorable!
How romantic…
Wonderful snowflake idea…
And a photo to finish up.
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Let’s start with a few old fashioned hairstyling devices…
You’re never too young to start paying a miserable price for beauty.
Lovely illusion…
This enticing image was a recent Suicide Food entry:
Precursor to the gold mine of sports drinks:
Although it was technically on Cake Wrecks, I think this cake is pretty great:
And for some reason this piece appeals to me.
So do these:
Party hat for the cephalopd inclined?
I would very much like to have this product by my bathtub:
Amazing.
Great new mandala designs by Shepard Fairey:
“Rats off to ya!”
Don’t you feel better, now that the anatomy has been explained? (I think I found this on Monster Brains…not sure)
Let’s put 20 seconds on the clock and see how many things we can find wrong with this picture. Okay…20 minutes…
Here’s something to get your mind off the Cabbage Patch dolls:
Halloween Countdown starts tomorrow so give me a hand with suggestions (*groooooan*)…
SheWalksSoftly 