Postcard Image

Postcard Image
As the Victorian era passed into the Edwardian and Roaring Twenties, a market developed for bisque and china bawdy novelties and figurines of women in revealing outfits. Although now most of these figurines seem more coy and cute than ribald and risque, in their time they symbolized the casting off of the perceived restraints of the Victorian era.

These little lovelies included bathing beauties, who came clad in swimsuits of real lace or in stylish painted beach wear, as well as mermaids, harem ladies, and nudies, who were meant to wear nothing more than an engaging smile. Also produced were flippers, innocent appearing figurines who reveal a bawdy secret when flipped over, and squirters, figurines that were meant to squirt water out of an appropriate orifice.

Most were manufactured in Germany from the late 1800s through the 1930s, often showing remarkable artistry and imagination, with Japan entering the market during World War I.

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Happy Valentine's Day!

This embossed postcard sent February 15, 1912, features a rather wistful bathing belle gazing at heart-shaped clouds while Cupid loiters uselessly behind her.  The little slacker didn't even bother to bring his bow.  It's Valentine's Day, you feathered loafer--get that winged butt in the air and find her a beach beau!     


This frisky flapper bathing beauty with big blue googly eyes isn't waiting around for some flying naked toddler to find her a man.  Instead, her head swings back and forth on a small metal brad, allowing her to scan the seaside for suitable suitors.  Seven inches tall, the card was printed by George S. Carrington Greeting Card Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Illinois.





















This little sultana shyly offers her valentine.  The brad on her left shoulder allows her arm to move slightly up and down.  It is marked in a circle "Louis Katz 1926."



No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)