As every Downton Abbey fan knows, season 4 begins shortly. In one’s eagerness for the new season to begin, some strange side effects may start occurring. Be aware that images unrelated to the show once seen will suddenly take on new meanings. You’ve been warned…
Take for instance, this 1942 fiction illustration by Al Parker for the Ladies’ Home Journal.
by Al Parker for Ladies’ Home Journal, April 1942
Now imagine the bright red drapes are white, and suddenly, the Downton fan is reminded of Lavinia in her white nightgown right before she elegantly dies from Spanish Flu, with Matthew by her bedside. Now, why Matthew is wearing that hat and scarf is another question, plus why is his hand so bloody? Matthew doesn’t get bloody until the next season, because, alas, he dies too.
Too much death … let’s move on.
by J. C. Leyendecker, for Saturday Evening Post, May 19, 1917
Ah, this Saturday Evening Post cover reminds one of Daisy and William, right before the war and before William, uh … dies. At least Daisy’s getting to wear a nice dress.
But still, let’s try to find a character that doesn’t die.
by Edward Penfield, for Colliers, October 10, 1914
That reminds us of … yet another character who dies … let’s keep searching …
Prophylactic Toothbrushes advertisement from McCall’s, May 1930
Wait, that looks like Mary… getting dental work? Perhaps her grief over Matthew’s demise caused her some tooth pain? However, this does look way too happy for Mary (or for anyone going to the dentist).
by Wilmont Emerton Heitland, for McCall’s, February 1929.
That’s better … Mary looks much more glum and somber now.
by Etienne Drian, publication and date unknown
That gives us time to stop and wonder why exactly is Edith staring into the silver? Carson the butler would not approve.
Community Plate advertisement from Delineator, June 1929
Nor would Carson approve of this place setting advertisement.
The ad mentions the soup spoon, but is it a bouillon spoon or just a regular soup spoon? Plus, there’s no mention of the jam spoon, the grapefruit spoon, the melon spoon, or the egg spoon. Who knows how many additional forks have been omitted besides the oyster fork and salad fork?
Now here’s an ad that should please Carson.
Oh wait, this won’t work. Canned soup would never do.
Campbell’s Soup advertisement from Ladies’ Home Journal, November 1911
Plus, when is anyone at Downton ever silently critical? Now let’s just let Carson go back to supervising the silverware and hope he never walks in on this …
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« December 2013 | Main | February 2014 »
January 2014
01/30/2014
Celebrate National Soup Month With Campbell’s Soup
January is National Soup Month. Let’s celebrate with some Campbell’s Soup.
by Grace Drayon, from American Magazine, December 1923
The Campbell’s Soup Company was founded in 1869 (under a different name, the Joseph A. Campbell Preserve Company) and was originally focused on canning tomatoes, soups, and other products. In 1897, a process was invented to remove the water from the soup, which made shipping less costly and reduced the price of a can of soup from 30c to 10c. Campbell’s started to shift its focus more towards soup – they originally had five soup varieties: Tomato, Vegetable, Chicken, Oxtail, and Consomme.
In 1898, the classic red and white soup can label was created, based on the colors of Cornell University. A company executive had attended a Cornell football game and was so impressed with the vivrant colors, he convinced the company that red and white should be the new colors of the soup label.
By Grace Drayton, from Delineator, December 1917
In 1904, Campbell’s added another significant marketing change, after seeing an advertising submission with sketches of children on it. Children’s book illustrator Grace Wiederseim had sketched some round-faced children on the advertising layout that her husband, Theodore Wiederseim, had been working on. The Campbell’s executives loved the addition of children to the advertisements, and the Campbell’s Soup Kids were born.
By Grace Drayton, from Delineator, September 1918
The Kids first appeared on streetcar advertisements, but eventually were on advertisements found in all the major magazines, including American Magazine, Delineator, Ladies’ Home Journal, and Saturday Evening Post. Originally, the children behaved and dressed as ordinary children. Eventually, the children acted more like adults, giving the consumers advice about health and saving money. They also started playing “dress-up,” often appearing in uniforms as chefs and policemen.
by Grace Drayton, from Saturday Evening Post, June 29, 1918
During World War I, the Kids started dressing as Uncle Sam. They reminded consumers, housewives in particular, that by feeding the family Campbell’s Soup, they were helping the country in its conservation efforts, and staying healthy as well on the homefront. By this time, there were 21 soup varieties.
by Grace Drayton, from Ladies’ Home Journal, January 1919
After the war, Uncle Sam continued to appear in advertisements, stressing how patriotic and economical it was to continue to feed one’s family and war heroes with Campbell’s Soup.
by Grace Drayton, unknown publication and date
By this time, Grace Weiderseim had already divorced her husband (in 1911) and married W. Heyward Drayton III. She then signed her artwork Grace Drayton. When she divorced Drayton in 1923, she continued to use the name Drayton for her artwork. Little is known about Weiderseim’s art training. She is listed in Philadelphia’s School of Design for Women class list for 1893, but does not appear on the graduation list. She did register for artist Robert Henri’s class on drawing antiques.
by Grace Drayton, from Delineator, November 1918
Campbell’s made the Campbell’s Soup Kids a trademark. The company would feature them at the bottom of advertisements that weren’t drawn by Weiderseim (Drayton).
by unknown artist, from Ladies’ Home Journal, February 1911
Modern Graphic History Library hopes you enjoy these last days of January with some Campbell’s Soup, courtesy of the Campbell’s Soup Kids.
Credits:
The images featured here are from Modern Graphic History Library’s Periodicals Collection and the Walt Reed Illustration Archive.
Information for this blog came from:
Bellis, Mary. Hmm Hmm Good : The Trademarks and History of Campbell’s Soup. About.com, date unknown.
McGrath, W. E. Grace Drayton, a Children’s Illustrator Who also Painted Young Women–a Biographical Sketch. 2006
Spotlight on Golden Age Advertising : Campbell’s Soup. Digital Deli Online, date unknown.
01/22/2014
Celebrate “Answer Your Cat’s Question” Day
Today is Answer Your Cat’s Question Day. We suggest you start preparing your research, since you never know what question your cat may ask.
by Stanley M. Arthurs, unknown publication and date
Of course, the key to successfully celebrating this special day is to figure out exactly what question your cat is asking.
by Robert O. Reid, in Saturday Evening Post, 1942
“What is so important about your toothbrush that you are holding on to it tighter than you are to me? And why was this method of transportation chosen? I realize that I didn’t cooperate when you tried to put me in the cat carrier, but was this the only alternative?”
by John Held, Jr., from McCall’s, August 1927
“Why am I the only one who doesn’t have a tissue? Is this because the box of Kleenex got shredded? I keep telling you, the dog did that. Speaking of which, why isn’t the dog sick?”
from Ladies’ Home Journal, October 1915, by unknown illustrator
“When did I ever agree to help out with the housework? I’m certain I would have remembered, because I don’t do housework. Ok, look — pretty ribbon!”
by Al Parker, for Women’s Home Companion, May 1935
“Why did you ever choose this run-down place to stay? Who recommended your travel agent? You don’t expect me to help clean this place up, do you? Although, I do know a cat who you might be able to trick into mopping the floor…”
Modern Graphic History Library wishes you lots of luck in answering all your cat’s questions today.
Credits:
The O’Cedar Mop advertisement is from Modern Graphic History Library’s Periodicals Collection.
The Al Parker image is from the Charles Craver Collection.
The rest of the images are from the Walt Reed Illustration Archive.
01/15/2014
Tips For Eating Healthy
A very popular New Year’s resolution is to eat healthier and to lose some weight.
by Neysa McMein, McCall’s, October 1929
Self-help books are very useful. Make sure to find a quiet place to read without any distractions.
by Norman Rockwell, Saturday Evening Post, January 3, 1953
Look for foods that are wholesome …
Crisco advertisement from September 1913 Ladies’ Home Journal, artist unknown
Always eat your vegetables…
Article from December 1913 Ladies Home Journal
And eat plenty of dairy products…
White Mountain advertisement from July 1913 Ladies’ Home Journal, artist unknown
It’s good to drink plenty of liquids …
Pepsi advertisement from March 1958 McCall’s, artist unknown
And try to avoid sweets …
Lucky Strike advertisement from March 1929 Delineator, artist unknown
There’s lots of advice for keeping a resolution of eating healthier. However, taking advice from vintage magazine advertisements could end up making you even less healthy than before.
Credits:
The Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post cover is from the Walt Reed Illustration Archive.
All other images are from Modern Graphic History Library’s Periodicals Collection.
01/09/2014
Happy Birthday John Held, Jr.
Illustrator and cartoonist John Held, Jr. (1889 – 1958) would have been 125 years old this week.
The Girl Who Went For A Ride In A Balloon, Life, January 14, 1926
Held’s artwork helped to define the Roaring Twenties era of the short-haired, bead-twirling, fun-loving flapper. His flapper illustrations have become the archetype that others look to when capturing that era.
from How To Improve The Kiss In 12 Lessons, publication and date unknown
Held was born in Salt Lake City and studied art from his father and from Brigham Young’s grandson, sculptor Mahonri M. Young. Held sold his first drawing to Life at age 15. In 1912, he relocated to New York to break into the magazine market. In 1918, he was recruited by U.S. Naval Intelligence to secretly sketch the coast line of Central America and scout for military operation sites while officially studying Mayan art on an archeology expedition.
War Babies, Judge, November 25, 1922
After the war, Held returned to magazine illustration where he showed his expertise at humorous cartoon drawing as well as 19th-century woodcut-style illustrations. He was a regular contributor to Life, Judge, New Yorker, and Vanity Fair, drawing covers, as well as writing and illustrating double-page humor pieces.
The Fellow Who Thought He’d Try His First High-Dive When No One Was Looking, Life, date unknown
Held is best known for his iconic flappers, who danced, drank, smoked cigarettes and often were paired with an awkward-looking guy. His flappers appeared in New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Liberty, and Cosmopolitan, but most notably on the covers of Life.
She Missed The Boat, Life, April 28, 1927
After World War I, Life was losing circulation, having lost 500,000 readers between 1920 – 1922. The magazine was now owned by Charles Dana Gibson, the illustrator behind the Gibson Girl. Gibson sought to bring “new life” to Life. Gibson also knew that his Gibson Girl drawings were no longer the fashion, so new styles of illustration were needed. John Held, Jr. was one of the artists brought in to help Life remain current and fashionable during the 1920s.
The All Year Round Girl, Life, December 17, 1925
Held’s cartoon-style flappers (as well as his co-eds) were exaggerations: unrealistically tall and skinny and clothed in extremely short skirts. Held’s illustration style shows how elements of modern art were being incorporated into magazine and advertising illustration. Held’s flappers and co-eds had minimal details and always had accentuated diagonal lines. When compared to Gibson Girls, these figures felt very stylized and two-dimensional.
woodcut-style Life Savers advertisement, Hearst’s International-Cosmopolitan, April 1933
During the Depression-era 1930s, there was less demand for flapper artwork. Held illustrated more for advertising clients, including Tintex, which promoted an inexpensive way to restore or change color to old clothes during cost-conscious times.
Tintex advertisement, Modern Screen Magazine, 1930s
During the 1930s, Held also wrote and illustrated books, including a book of dog stories. One of his dog stories of a pampered Scottish terrier named MacDunald appeared in Cosmopolitian.
from MacDunald, Cosmopolitian, June 1930
The market for Held’s illustrations ended with the start of World War II. He focused on different art styles, including watercolors and sculpture. In addition, he was Harvard’s artist-in-residence in 1940 and University of Georgia’s artist-in-residence in 1941. Held died in 1958 from throat cancer, leaving a legacy of iconic images representing a lost era.
Credits:
The John Held, Jr. images shown here are from Modern Graphic History Library’s Walt Reed Illustration Archive.
Information for this article came from the following:
- John Held, Jr. Wikipedia, date unknown.
- Kitch, Caroline. The Girl On The Magazine Cover. University of North Carolina Press, 2001.
- Reed, Walt. The Illustrator in America, 1986-2000. The Society of Illustrators, 2001.
- Vadeboncoeur, Jim. Illustrators: John Held, Jr, 1998.
01/02/2014
Side Effects Of Downton Abbey Obsession
As every Downton Abbey fan knows, season 4 begins shortly. In one’s eagerness for the new season to begin, some strange side effects may start occuring. Be aware that images unrelated to the show once seen will suddenly take on new meanings. You’ve been warned…
Take for instance, this 1942 fiction illustration by Al Parker for the Ladies’ Home Journal.
by Al Parker for Ladies’ Home Journal, April 1942
Now imagine the bright red drapes are white, and suddenly, the Downton fan is reminded of Lavinia in her white nightgown right before she elegantly dies from Spanish Flu, with Matthew by her bedside. Now, why Matthew is wearing that hat and scarf is another question, plus why is his hand so bloody? Matthew doesn’t get bloody until the next season, because, alas, he dies too.
Too much death … let’s move on.
by J. C. Leyendecker, for Saturday Evening Post, May 19, 1917
Ah, this Saturday Evening Post cover reminds one of Daisy and William, right before the war and before William, uh … dies. At least Daisy’s getting to wear a nice dress.
But still, let’s try to find a character that doesn’t die.
by Edward Penfield, for Colliers, October 10, 1914
That reminds us of … yet another character who dies … let’s keep searching …
Prophylactic Toothbrushes advertisement from McCall’s, May 1930
Wait, that looks like Mary… getting dental work? Perhaps her grief over Matthew’s demise caused her some tooth pain? However, this does look way too happy for Mary (or for anyone going to the dentist).
by Wilmont Emerton Heitland, for McCall’s, February 1929.
That’s better … Mary looks much more glum and somber now.
by Etienne Drian, publication and date unknown
That gives us time to stop and wonder why exactly is Edith staring into the silver? Carson the butler would not approve.
Community Plate advertisement from Delineator, June 1929
Nor would Carson approve of this placesetting advertisement.
The ad mentions the soup spoon, but is it a boullion spoon or just a regular soup spoon? Plus, there’s no mention of the jam spoon, the grapefruit spoon, the melon spoon, or the egg spoon. Who knows how many additional forks have been omitted besides the oyster fork and salad fork?
Now here’s an ad that should please Carson.
Oh wait, this won’t work. Canned soup would never do.
Campbell’s Soup advertisement from Ladies’ Home Journal, November 1911
Plus, when is anyone at Downton ever silently critical? Now let’s just let Carson go back to supervising the silverwear and hope he never walks in on this …
by Charles Dana Gibson, unknown publication and date
It would be interesting to see how the yellow Labradors, not to mention Carson, react to a cat. Perhaps this season …
Credits:
The Al Parker images is from the Al Parker Collection.
The Wilmont Emerton Heitland image is from the Charles Craver Collection.
The Charles Dana Gibson image is from the Walt Reed Illustration Archive.
All other images are from the Periodicals Collection.
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