Jessie Willcox Smith & a Little Contest

 

 

 

 

One of the rare images from my Green Tiger Press archive is the one shown here by Jessie Willcox Smith, "Washing Day for Doll Clothes". The sentimental way in which she captures moments from childhood reminds me in this particular instance of the illustrations from the "Dick and Jane" readers that I grew up with as a child of the 1950's.

Vintage collectors know that often we try to collect the essence of our childhood, what we delighted in at Grandma's house, the favorite casserole dish of our Mom. I suppose my attraction to the Green Tiger Press images that led me to collect them close to a generation ago could be explained in that way. I love classic children's books and their timeless illustrations and have surrounded myself with them all my life.

What do you collect that reminds you of your childhood? Please leave a comment below and at the end of the week (next Sunday, August 23rd, 2009 at 11:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Saving Time), I will hold a drawing with a number generated at random.org and send the winner an image from my Green Tiger Press archive.

Hint: in addition to answering the question about your personal collections, please mention a favorite fairy tale or character from children's literature, and I'll do my best to select a Green Tiger Press card that complements that theme for the winner. Thanks, and happy reminiscing!

Aunt Betty and I, June 1951

Aunt Betty and I, June 1951, originally uploaded by confections.

I've been doing some serious genealogical research this week and have been in correspondence with my cousin Diana, whose mother is seen in this vintage photo along with me as a baby.

We're putting our heads together to solve a few family mysteries and are making some progress. I feel like I'm part Hercule Poirot and part Miss Jane Marple as I put the puzzle pieces together.

My grandparents' old wicker chair seen here lasted many decades and may still be in use somewhere on the planet....

Cottage in Little Italy, San Diego, California

Cottage in Little Italy, San Diego, California, originally uploaded by confections.

I parked in front of this sweet cottage in the heart of Little Italy in San Diego the other day. It was a Friday afternoon, people were gathering for dinner at the many enticing restaurants. I indulged in some pistachio gelato at Cafe Zucchero and had a passagiato through the neighborhood. A little bit of Roma right in my own hometown....

My Brother at the Muncie, Indiana, Municipal Pool, Mid-1960's

My Brother at the Muncie, Indiana, Municipal Pool, Mid-1960's, originally uploaded by confections.

Last night I discovered that I can scan slides with my funky scanner--not at very high resolution (300 dpi for now), but they will be in digital format if I decide to undertake this massive project. I'm researching the additional hardware that I will need to scan them at 4,000 dpi.

This motion shot of my brother jumping off the diving board in the mid-1960's is a bit blurry, but I like it nonetheless. It captures the essence of the sweltering midwest summer and the relief of jumping into that swimming pool.

Who knows what I'll find as I unearth the carousels of time....

Julie and Julia

My sister and I saw this delightful film on opening night. Grab a friend who loves a good meal and go!



And if you want to read the blog that resulted in Julie Powell's book of the same name, the archives are still online.

"She Wore the Star-Dress, which Sparkled at Every Step", by Arthur Rackham

"She Wore the Star-Dress, which Sparkled at Every Step", by Arthur Rackham, originally uploaded by confections.

This is one of my all-time favorite images by Arthur Rackham that was reproduced by the legendary Green Tiger Press.

The illustration was made for the Grimm's fairy tale "Little Brother and Little Sister" (1917).

This image inspires me--the voluminous sparkly gown, the woman with her long golden hair, the dancing slippers on the lower right--she could well be Cinderella getting ready for the ball.

Home is in My Mother's Eyes by Jessie Willcox Smith

Home is in My Mother's Eyes by Jessie Willcox Smith, originally uploaded by confections.

One of my favorites by Jessie Willcox Smith from my Green Tiger Press archives.