The illustrations of George Barbier evoke the joy of life!
Costumes Parisiens, 1913.
Le Fue [The Fire], 1925
A Gibson Girl Valentine from 1907!
On Valentine’s Day, 1907, Miss Lillian Moore of St. Louis received this rather salacious unsigned Valentine from a suitor.
At least, it seems salacious for a young Edwardian lady to receive. Wouldn’t the neighbors gossip?
I wonder if Miss Lillian Moore even knew who sent this Valentine? After all, there’s no message or signature. Perhaps she was the routine recipient of bold postcards.
(Oh, if I could transport myself back to 1907, I’m afraid I would still be behind the times!)
Separately, this 110-year-old Valentine has held up very well. I was delighted to find the glitter still in place! I hope that Lillian Moore did not toy with this young fellow’s heart. Few things are as romantic as a sparkly Valentine!
Charles Dana Gibson and his Gibson Girls
The last two posts have been about Evelyn Nesbit, and although there’s at least one more to go, I want to take a slight detour and talk about the Gibson Girls!
The Gibson Girls are the invention of Charles Dana Gibson, an American illustrator.
His illustrations appeared in the 1890s, and by the turn of the century, they were instantly recognizable icons and household names. And quite possibly the first pin-ups to ever exist!
