Sunday Morning Special: The Kids in the Shoe - Max Fleischer

Here’s another “Color Classics” cartoon from Max Flesischer.  This one, from 1935, is a retelling of the story of the Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe.   Distributed by Paramount Studios, it was directed by Dave Fleischer. 

Mastery of Design: The Tiffany & Co. Archaeological Pendant, 1880

Necklace and Pendant
Tiffany & Co, 1880
The Victoria & Albert Museum

In the late Nineteenth Century, across the U.S. and Europe, jewelry designers turned to the styles of the Ancients, basing new creations on then-recent archaeological discoveries.  One of the first firms to do this was the Italian Castellani family.

Other designers quickly followed suit.  This example comes from America and is the work of Tiffany & Co.  Dating to about 1880, this gold necklace and pendant was inspired by Roman and Etruscan jewelry.  Part of a suite, this necklace was accompanied by matching earrings.

The Art of Play: Gustav the Busy Miller, 1930

Gustav the Busy Miller
E. P. Lehman Co., 1930
The Victoria & Albert Museum

This mechanical toy dates to 1930.  Made in Germany for export to England, it is called “Gustav the Busy Miller.” 

The toy consists of a flour mill; a long green metal tube with a set of ratchet slots. Within the mill is a spiraled length of metal.  Attached to the outside by a series of  slots is the miller "Gustav”--a metal figure printed white, black and beige who climbs the pole by means of a cogged wheel.

Gustav’s arms and legs are loosely joined by tongue tabs at the shoulders and hips. The top of his head—a condition which must be uncomfortable—is shaped like a dish which will hold the sack of flour. The weight of the sack on the hook allows the Gustav to climb and turn the red sails to tighten the mechanism. The miller's head collects the sack and allows the mechanism to unwind while the figure goes back down.

Gustav was made by the E. P. Lehmann C0. 

Unusual Artifacts: A Dutch Mill-Glass, 1570

Dutch Mill Glass
Mouth-Blown Glass with diamond point engraving and a silver mount.
Glass: 1570.  Mount:  c. Nineteenth Century
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Though we tend to think of drinking games as being a modern invention isolated to college fraternities, the phenomenon has been around since the Sixteenth Century (or at least documented since then).  Such sport was quite popular in the Netherlands where special objects were created to encourage alcohol consumption in a social and playful manner.

Here’s such an object.  Here we see a goblet which was specially crafted for use in a drinking game. When the whistle is blown, both the windmill and the hands of the clock start turning.At this time, the drinker would have been called upon to empty the entire contents of the glass before the windmill stopped turning.  If the drinker failed, the glass was refilled and he had to try again as many times as indicated by the clock.

The windmill mounted to the goblet most likely dates from around 1800--replacing an earlier, similar mount.  However, the engraving on the glass is contemporary with the glass itself—around 1570—and it is written so it can be read only when the glass is turned upside down.

The glass is engraved with a diamond point with scrolls and the inscription: “CONCORDE EN VNITE.”

Announcing Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square

On July 26, 2010, I introduced readers of Stalking the Belle Époque to a new online novel Punch’s Cousin.  The story, as of this week entering 485 chapters, is set in 1852 and follows the life of Julian, Duke of Fallbridge and his companion Dr. Robert Halifax.  Julian, a jeweler for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, has traveled to New Orleans in search of his sister, Lady Barbara, who fled England with her illegitimate baby and the family’s priceless blue diamond—looking to sell her child and begin a misguided life as a prostitute. 

Along the way, Julian discovered quite a lot about himself—most especially that within him, another personality (or personalities) dwelled.  The dominant personality—in this time before Dissociative Identity Disorder was understood—was that of Mr. Punch, the long-beloved puppet anti-hero who this year will celebrate his 350^th birthday.  As a boy, Julian’s only friend was his puppet figure of Mr. Punch.  Years of confiding in the puppet caused agoraphobic and abused Julian to develop an alternate personality called “Mr. Punch” who was stronger and braver (albeit a little rougher and more prone to hitting).

Throughout their journey, Mr. Punch/Julian and Robert endured many tortures at the hands of a murderous “madam” called Iolanthe Evangeline, Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau, and an insidiously evil man named Edward Cage.  When Punch/Julian began to develop a relationship with his sister’s son, he realized that he wanted to raise the child as his own.  However, Mr. Cage had already purchased the child from Iolanthe Evangeline.  Punch, Robert, Robert’s family and their servants then battled to rescue the boy as well as regain the missing diamond.

This week, with Chapter 485, we’ll begin the conclusion of their long battle.  Punch’s Cousin will conclude with Chapter 500.  All five hundred chapters will remain permanently in the Punch’s Cousin Chapter Archive which includes two summaries up to Chapters 100 and 200 respectively.

In its place, a new story will debut—Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square.  The story will begin with the return of the Duke of Fallbridge/Mr. Punch and Dr. Robert Halifax to London where they will take up residence in Julian’s posh London townhouse in Belgrave Square.  Though a Duke, Julian is a favorite of the Queen, and therefore, will be required to return to his post as an advisor to Their Majesties, Victoria and Albert—working with Prince Albert especially on his many jewelry projects.

Life in the Royal Court will not be easy for Julian/Mr. Punch who will continue to struggle with the personalities within their shared body.  They’ll also have to contend with unexpected prejudices and rivalries as they struggle to maintain their place in the Court without losing their right to live free and comfortable lives.

I look forward to sharing this story with all of you.  I have been so touched with all of the support I’ve received from Punch’s Cousin’s many faithful readers.  Punch’s Cousin had many literary and plot ties to my first novel, The Garnet Red.  So, if you enjoyed Mr. Punch’s time in New Orleans, The Garnet Red would be a fun read for you.

I’m also very glad to continue the story of our Mr. Punch, Julian and Robert.  I’ve grown very fond of Mr. Punch—my version of the character.  Since I’m one of the few “Punch & Judy Men” in the U.S., it’s been a joy for me to adapt the traditional puppet story into this work and I am quite excited to see how his tale continues.

I hope you all enjoy the conclusion of Punch’s Cousin.  I assure you that Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square will be a gripping and emotional ride that will keep you coming back for more.  This story, like the last, will be posted every day except Sunday.  Look for more information in coming days…

Painting of the Day: Dedham Lock and Mill, 1820

Dedham Lock and Mill
John Constable, 1820
The Victoria & Albert Museum

This bucolic landscape painting depicts a mill that belonged to famed painter John Constable's father, Golding Constable.  Also seen in the view is the River Stour, and the tower of Dedham church.  Constable painted several views of this scene, first in oil sketches.  This is the third and last version of the subject and remains one of Constable’s most famous paintings. 

The artist’s father owned Dedham Mill, and John worked there as a boy, on and around the river Stour.  Constable aimed to recreate the place as truthfully as possible.  He wrote: “Painting is for me another word for feeling, and I associate my ‘careless boyhood’ with all that lies on the banks of the Stour; these scenes made me a painter, and I am grateful.”

Object of the Day: J. & P. Coats Presents "The Model of the Old Mill."

We’ve now seen several trade cards advertising J. & P. Coats thread.  Usually, these chromolithograph cards feature images of chubby-cheeked tots and pernicious cats.  This one is a little different. 

This card dates specifically to August of 1885 and not only advertises for Coats, but also an exhibit which was sponsored by Coats in Louisville, Kentucky.

The card shows a structure which has been made from 80,264 spools of Coats thread (as indicated in the drawing).  It reads, “The Old Stone Mill at Newport.”  The following text accompanies the image:

J. & P. Coats’

Exhibit at the Southern Exposition

Louisville, 1885

Opens Aug. 15^th         Closes Oct. 24^th

The reverse of the card reads:

J. & P. Coats’

Exhibit at Louisville, Ky.

Model of the Old Mill

Newport, R.I.

“There for my lady’s bower

Built I the lofty tower,

Which, to this very hour,

Stands looking seaward.”

(Longfellow’s “Skeleton in Armour”)

80,264 Spools J. & P. Coats’ Thread

158 different Shades of Color, supported by Eight Columns

Navy Blue                   Cardinal Red

Dark Green                 Terracotta

Dark Brown                Heliotrope

Bronze                         Peacock Blue

108,000 Spools of J. & P. Coats’ thread

shown in different forms,

At the Exhibit of

J. & P. Coats

S.E. Section of Exposition Building.  3 to 7, M to O.

Near Fourth Avenue Entrance

Sadly, I was unable to find any photos of this spectacle, but I’ll bet it was pretty grand.