Saturday, September 1, 2012

Object of the Day, Caption Contest: Tot in Cleveland



Click on image to enlarge.



With compliments 
GEORGE WALTHER, 
Crockery, China and Glassware, 
Table Cutlery, and a full line of House Fur-
nishing Goods. 
358 Ontario St. CLEVELAND, O. 

So, with the compliments of Mr. Walther, we have this melancholy, heavy-lidded child who, in a fit of depression, has forced her head through a wall. Perhaps she’s upset because she is so, apparently, sleepy.

This card from my collection is one of a curious lot of pale children with large heads who have decided to ram their craniums through some sort of paper screen. The others, boys, look rather pleased with themselves. This young lady, however, looks as if she’s ready to give up the ghost.

During an era of bright colors, florid designs, and rosy-cheeked tots, every so often, some pallid, morose Victorian child like this one pops up and leaves us, over one hundred years later, to wonder why she’s so sad, and, just what the advertiser was thinking.

These trade cards were designed and distributed to be collected so that the advertiser’s name was always in front of a potential customer. They were meant to be delightful and pretty. Still, there’s always the odd one which looks like it’s depicting a cast member from a questionable local production of “Our Town.”

So, despite her sadness, let’s make her the subject of a nice Saturday-before-American-Labor-Day Caption Contest. Do you feel the need, upon examining her wide, staring gaze and mournful countenance, to purchase cutlery? If so, why? 

Have fun. Answers in the comments, etc.



16 comments:

Matt said...

Introducing Wednesday Addams, now in Blueberry flavor.

Joseph Crisalli said...

Snap, snap.

Carolyn said...

She needs a nap more than crockery.

Joseph Crisalli said...

But what of those common crockery emergencies?

April said...

She didn't have a problem until she met that sheep.

Joseph Crisalli said...

Who, of course, worked for Bo Peep.

Sam P said...

This is your Victorian child on wool.

Joseph Crisalli said...

Any questions?

Darcy said...

Yes it's me, the other one. I've escaped from the giant carnations and am blasting my way out of the Steampunk Ruffle Zone. My head really hurts and now people are throwing crockery at me. All I ever really wanted to do was see the "Revenge of the Knife and Fork" floor show at Collasal Cutlery but they wouldn't take me. What's left for me now? All hope is gone, I guess it's time for Welcome Soap.

Dashwood said...

Scissors Cuts Paper

Paper Covers Rock

Tragic Kid Shoves Head through Paper

Yep, that's how it works.

Joseph Crisalli said...

Ha! "The Other One". Is back, and, this time it's personal! Wonderful!

Joseph Crisalli said...

It's a variation of Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock.

Rock, Paper, Scissors, Tragic Tot.

Gene said...

She needs some Scrofula oil.

Joseph Crisalli said...

We all do in our own way.

Angelo said...

My niece has the same look. I don't like her.

Joseph Crisalli said...

I can see why.