Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Object of the Day: Giant Snails




Well-dressed children, a lamb, a precarious peacock and a deer rump—as if these weren’t enough, we’ve got some enormous snails. ENORMOUS SNAILS. Can you imagine what the French would do to those suckers?

Speaking of enormous, this card is actually quite large—double the size of most trade cards. The image on the obverse is wholly Victorian with its bucolic theme and frame-within-a-frame composition. It’s the sort of card which could have been used by any kind of business.

This one was never printed on the reverse. It was, however, handed out by someone for some reason because, clearly, it was collected and treasured. The back shows that it was, for over a century, glued into an album—serving to preserve it all this time. And, I’m glad.

Frighteningly large snails, aside, it’s quite a lovely chromolithograph. The perspective is unusually spot-on for Victorian advertising imagery. Look at the country manor house in the background. The detail in the image is beautiful. So, apparently, in a world where snails are almost as big as birds, we know, at least, that the children are well-dressed and that they possess strange powers over animals.

Only the girl in white doesn’t seem to be having a good time.



9 comments:

Dashwood said...

You didn't ask for a caption but:

The entire family gathered to plead with little Darcy NOT to eat these giant snails in her little white Communion dress. Even the family deer is trying to get eye-contact to convince her that her appetite for raw gastropods wasn't going to win her friends.

Joseph Crisalli said...

Ha! But, I think you may have just started a flame war with Darcy with your hint that she eats snails. It's like saying Violet Rutherford drinks gutter water. And, if you know what I mean by that, the Thanksgiving Fairy will grant you three wishes--as long as all of your answers are: turkey, dressing and pie.

Darcy said...

Dashwood, dearheart , I believe you've been misinformed.
I have NEVER eaten snails, neither raw nor cooked.
I have seen people eat them in French restaurants.
To me it seems that they are chewing on rubber erasers cooked in garlic butter.
Oh, but roast leg of lamb with mint jelly. Now there's a treat.
In the picture to which you refer, a young Bo Peep is holding a lamb that would become a lovely meal some day. And also add to the world supply of wool.
I think you must be spending your spare time drinking gutter water with Violet Rutherford to accuse me of eating raw snails. Or, perhaps your really Eddie Haskell.

Joseph Crisalli said...

Touché.

Matt said...

Burrrrrrrrrrrn, Dashwood. Darcy got you!

April said...

You got served, Dashwood. Flame on, Darcy.

Joseph Crisalli said...

And other internet slang, too.

Dashwood said...

Ooh.

First, profuse apology to Darcy and a plea for mercy. Next, a run for the FBI witness protection program. Darcy seems a peaceful sort but if I've offended Bo Peep...

My blood runs cold.

I blame the sheep.

Joseph Crisalli said...

The damage is already done, Dashwood.