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This is not a trade card. It’s not really a scrap either. Scraps were made specifically as scraps, intended to be used for scrapbooks and other projects. This is an image from a magazine which has been carefully and meticulously cut out. Many, many Victorian women and men cut images from publications and used them as scraps. You can tell the difference—if you can get a look at the reverse of one—is that these cut-out pieces are printed on the back, not with a business’ information, but with the remainder of whatever was on the next page. In this case, it’s various ads for coffee and, oddly enough, chemicals.
I can see why this was cut out as it’s an attractive scene printed on very thick paper. I’d guess it was on the cover of a magazine or a smaller publication printed in Chicago, Illinois. It has all the hallmarks of 1880s commercial art—a charming landscape with an overlay of flowers. The flowers in question are red carnations. In the fashionable “Language of Flowers” which was prevalent at the time, especially in Britain, red carnations symbolized deep affection. They were assigned such phrases as, “Alas my heart!” or “My heart aches for you!”
Since we’re doing daily caption contests this week (except for tomorrow, I admit) to mark our second anniversary, let’s see what you’ve got to say about this image. It’s not an ad, but you can make it an ad if you want. What’s happening in this scene? Why was this particular image saved? Did it mean something to someone? I’ve so enjoyed your comments this week, so let’s keep it going.
23 comments:
After years and years, just when all hope was lost, Little Red-Riding Hood finally emerged, older and wiser, from the forest. Never would she speak of the events that occurred there...
At least not until her book came out,
She wandered, alone, down the desolate country lane; always feeling a dull pain in the back of her head and an unexplainable urge to have a cup of coffee.
" Prudence, Hilda, where are you? Hurry the giant carnations are going to swallow us up and will be late for the sale at the SteamPunk Ruffle Zone.
Prudence, Hilda. Why don't you answer me? It's me, the other one."
Hooray for continuity! Very funny, Darcy!
I'm touched. I'm also touched in the head. I bow to your wit.
We are all touched, April...in the head.
I'm really glad I'm not the only one who thinks that tne carnations are going to eat her.
I suppose that's how they make Carnation Instant Breakfast.
Ha! Yes, it is.
'Grandma lied. Her house is nowhere near here.'
It was a plot between grandma and the giant, flesh-eating carnations.
Ok, I can't help myself...
Red could feel the cool edge of the blade hidden under her skirts. The wolf bastard would pay.
And you're still touched. Yay!
Powdered milk just wasn't worth the effort.
I concur, Gene.
Liza and Lorna always claimed that their mother didn't need to fear the flying monkeys anymore. They said Sid Luft had killed them all. But Judy knew better. Walking through the woods that October, Judy knew what she had to do. That was the day that Joey Luft would forever regret his angel-bellboy Halloween costume.
I love this. Can we do this everyday?
No.
: )
I will eventually run out of cards. No, really.
However, since you like it, we will do it a couple times a week.
All I can think of is the song Hey there little redvriding hood.
You're everything that a big, bad wolf could want, Barb.
Funny stuff!
Angelo, tomorrow's riddle is short in your honor.
This is the prequel to Little Shop of Horrors - AUDREY: Emporium of Mild Distress.
Bop-shoo-wop.
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