Vintage Christmas Gift Labels
And now for something a little different! No Snoozles or Blurzles. So here's the deal: many years ago, after my grandmother passed away, we were going through her desk - where she paid bills, wrote cards and letters, kept decks of cards for bridge, and so on. In one drawer was a little green envelope with small un-gummed (stick them on with mucilage!) Christmas labels that appear to be from the 1920s. Or earlier? I suspect that they are pre-Great Depression at least. I found them to be very charming, and my mom gave them to me, happily. I thought it would be fun to scan them and share them with you!
A Dickensian coach travels along a snowy lane at night, laden with passengers and parcels.
This one hints at the existence of motorcars - it doesn't really narrow down the date much, but I'm still leaning toward "the 1920s".
A candle held in a candlestick feels very classic, perhaps thanks to 'A Christmas Carol", The colorful pattern reminds me a bit of Gustav Klimt artwork.
These old "tear off" paper calendars were a staple of silent movies!
It's hard to know which direction the letter "S" is supposed to go, especially when you've been taught to write by Spanky and Alfalfa. The kid reminds me of early Maxfield Parrish illustrations.
Is using my X-ray vision the same as "peeking"?
I've never tried a traditional English Christmas pudding, is it like a fruit cake? Do you drench it in brandy and set it alight? Do you wear it on your head?
"Peeking" - Peking - I get it!
I think Wally Boag's grandfather must have written these puns. It's the only explanation.
A toy soldier guards this package, you'd better not mess with him.
And lastly - a bunch of old-fashioned alarm clocks remind us that there is PLENTY of time until December 25th.
I hope you have enjoyed these vintage gift labels!
3 comments:
Major-
What a charming assortment of labels. I now feel the need to add some nice fresh blue ink to the ink bottle on my writing desk and verify I have enough mucilage for this season's needs.
Thanks, Major.
I like the style of the first tag. No idea what decade it's from. It has a late 1950s Disney feel to it.
The second photo has a font that might be considered Art Nouveau, which might place it in the early 1920s. And the girl in the 'car' has that Gibson Girl look. Of course, the font could be used any time after that era as well. So...
3) That is one melty candle! Not sure why, but I don't associate this type of artistic design with the 1920s... or any other decade really. I'd say 1940s or early '50s?
4) Why would they include fish eggs on a Christmas tag? ;-)
5) That kid looks too young, maybe three years old, to have painted that message. I think Spanky and Alfalfa did the writing and then stuck the paint brush in the kid's hand.
6) More fish eggs. Major, yes it's a type of fruitcake. With raisins, prunes, etc., plus sugar and spices. I think it's held together with bread rather than flour. And yes, brandy (or rum) is often poured on top and set ablaze.
7) That looks like a snake basket to me. That Asian kid is gonna get one big surprise when a cobra comes slithering out!
8) Oooh! I like the artwork on this bell-and-holly tag. (Must be made by Bell and Howell.) I think this is my favorite of the bunch... even with the fish eggs. (The horse and coach tag is a close second.)
9) Ha! I like how they sweetened up the terse message by adding "please" at the end.
10) I'm sure I saw one of those alarm clocks in a 1930s Warner Bros. cartoon... Porky Pig, I think.
Well, I still don't understand the connection between fish eggs and Christmas. ;-) But thanks for the colorful and whimsical Christmas tags, Major.
I love the graphics on all of these. Gee every single one of them seems to be warning the receiver about not opening until Xmas. That must have been a bigger "thing" in ye olden days.
I have also never tried traditional English pudding, but I think it is closer to what we think of as a cake. You know, those British, with their "petrol," "flats," "chips," and "lifts"......not to mention them always "minding the gap." Now will someone please bring me some figgy pudding. I wonder if figgy pudding is also more like cake, or if it is closer to what we think of as pudding?
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