February 5, 2011
February 1, 2011
Vintage Drugstore Carnival: 'Ovaltine'... To wake up GAY in the morning!
"Why be content to waken tired, listless, or low in the morning - when you should be gay and radiantly alive? Why not follow this simple plan thousands are using for sparkling morning freshness? Just drink a warm cup of Ovaltine at bedtime each night."
So, where's the disclaimer that states side effects include an increased desire to participate in same-sex frivolities before lunch?
~ Image taken from the postcard book, "Just what the doctor ordered": Health and Grooming in the Classic Age of Advertising. Published by Prion Books Limited, London. ~
January 28, 2011
Who, me? I got an award?
I'm sending a great big (((HUG))) and a "Thank you!" out to Lisa, aka Tikimama, over at Atomic Tea Party for this very flattering award. It's so nice to get awards like this periodically because aside from reader comments, you really don't know how you and your blog are being received. And it just feels really good knowing that someone thinks I'm "a great read!"
December 20, 2010
Show & Tell: Our Playmobil Victorian dollhouse, a Christmas tradition.
I have mentioned before that I never really outgrew toys, right? Well, here's even more proof of it! Yes, this beautiful Playmobil Victorian dollhouse has graced our home for the holidays, proudly displayed by, or near, the Christmas tree for almost 18 years. And it is certainly one of my favorite Christmas traditions!
When it isn't out at Christmastime, it's tucked away up in a closet the entire rest of the year, so you can imagine how dusty it gets. I actually kind of enjoy the whole process of taking it down, meticulously cleaning it (inside and out), and then, the BEST part of all... placing the furniture and people inside!!
The following photos are a somewhat goofy gallery of interior shots (plus a few exterior) just to give you a closer look. Btw, for some reason, I had a devil of a time getting the lighting just right. So if they seem a bit funky, that's why. Enjoy!
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| Here is the back side of the house, with "handy" access to all rooms and floors. |
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| These lovely ladies are relaxing in the living room and enjoying a command performance by the pianist on the left (you'll see his piano in the next shot). |
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| Here is the artist at work, on a piano that really plays! (Well, technically, it's just an electronic tune when you press down on the keys...) |
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| One of many maids, Sophie arranges place settings at the formal dining room table. |
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| Meanwhile, out in the nearby moonlit forest, a small family of deer is seen grazing along the barren, icy floor. |
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| Jane, the kitchen maid. |
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| Jacques, the house chef. |
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| Maxwell, the family dog. |
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| Grampa enjoys his newspaper next to a toasty fire. |
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| Unbeknownst to Grampa, a fiendish imposter lurks in the shadows nearby... |
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| Look out, Grampa... She's right behind you! |
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| Between the den and the veranda lies one of the bedrooms simply referred to as the Flower Room. (Notice the detail of the chamber pot sitting on the floor, next to the bed. Sign o' the times!) |
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| Out on the veranda, a professional photographer takes a lovely holiday portrait of a fine couple. |
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| Here we see the other bedroom, aka the Red Room, and it looks as though we've caught a young couple just settling in for a nice, long Winter's nap... |
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| Yet another maid, Louise, ensures that sanitary standards are upheld at all times in the house's one and only bathroom. (It ain't a fun gig.) |
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| As we progress up the stairs to the attic nursery, we can see both kitties AND kiddies. (Har, har! Get it?) |
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| Like typical children, this close to Christmas it's real hard to go to sleep! |
Well, folks, that concludes our tour of the Playmobil Victorian dollhouse. Sure hope you liked it! Until next time, I wish everyone a very merry Happy Holiday and a shiny New Year!!
~ All photos property of Anthony See. ~
December 6, 2010
"Hey, Santa! Whatcha sellin'?" - The jolly old elf in advertising.
How can anyone say "No" to a face like that? Besides, it's freakin' Santa Claus! And WHO doesn't like him?? Well, if YOU don't, go play on the freeway. You're dumb! Plus, you'll probably get coal in your stocking...
Anyway, for the rest of us who DO still like good ol' Saint Nick, I've compiled a gallery to display just some of the finer examples of his contribution to advertising. This would also be considered an "old skool" edition, mostly because I don't think any of these ads date past the 1960s. Oh, and F.Y.I., these are only the tip of the iceberg. As I continue to sort through and find more gems, I'm sure the urge to share will be much too hard to resist! So, for now, please enjoy what I've collected below.
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| I really like how colorful this is! And how great is it that the "train" is actually one of the Christmas crackers?! |
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| I think the detailed artwork in this is very impressive! Love the lettering font, too! |
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| As if Santa wasn't already huge enough with everyone, here he's quite literally HUGE... He's a GIANT! Just look at how he towers over those rocky mountains beneath him! And I'm sure it's because he eats lots and lots of Sunkist Seedless Navel Oranges! |
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| I can't even tell you how MUCH I absolutely LOVE this image! It just makes me HAPPY in all sorts of ways! Even just the name "Ribbon Candy Rocket" makes me giddy... Yep, I'm gay. |
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| I like this, but what I DON'T like is how Jack and Betty just demand, "Bring us Tinker Toys." WHERE, may I ask, is the "Please" in that request? Hmm? I think Santa ought to skip their house! |
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| Isn't this great? I just hope that was the LAST house on Santa's route... |
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| Again, another very pleasing one to me! |
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| I don't know about you, but a Thermos has NEVER been on MY Christmas wish list. |
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| It'd sure be a shame if all Santa was carrying in his bag-o-tricks was Colgate products, huh? He'd BETTER have some toys in there, too! |
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| Not sure if this is from the 1950s or '60s, but it rings early '60s to me, for some reason. Is Santa actually demonstrating that the television is slightly narrower than his own waistline? Could that really be a selling point? |
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| This is quite nice. It reminds me of Santa's Village! |
Well, that'll do it for today's gallery, kids. Check back again, real soon, to see what else is NEW at the circus! In the meantime, try to relax and enjoy the holiday season. "See" you later!
~ All images taken from the book, 'Christmas: Vintage Holiday Graphics'. Edited by Jim Heimann. Published by Taschen. ~
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