Something Special-- Dolly's Adventures-- A Vintage Die-Cut book

This little cardboard die-cut out book from about 1894 is charming and delightful.  This copy was owned by Alice Bloss when she was just 2 years old.  She probably received it for her second birthday on February 20, 1898.  This book shows lots of love-- the back cover is missing and the binding is broken  A single thread holds it together, and it looks like a hand sewing patch up.  Clearly this book was loved by little Alice.  This is a wonderful example of a young child's book from 19th century America.

This front cover still sports vibrant colors.  I'll post the inner pages, although when the hand sewing was done, I think the pages got mixed up.  The story and illustrations don't match up right anymore.

This copy is missing the back cover.  

My Stylin' Aunt's Sweaters from the 1940's

Aside from the awesome dresses and suits my Auntie Jeanne wore, she also had some great sweaters.

This knit sweater had no labels, but felt like 100% cotton.  Note the covered buttons and small collar.  The contrast cable detail on the yoke is stitched to the outside of the pebble stitch throughout the sweater.  Three-quarter length sleeves and a short waist give it a trendy look.

This black beaded sweater features full length sleeves and extensive beadwork.  Check out the details below.  Small seed beads are stitched into elaborate florals in the upper center back, the upper front and the sleeves and lower edges.  Fully lined.

The black sweater has a twin-- or nearly one.  

This cream sweater features amazing beadwork like the black one.  It's beads contrast slightly, as they are white and tan on the cream ground.  Full length sleeves, fully lined.  Lovely.

The back neck detail is exquisite.

My Stylin' Great Aunt's Fashions

I was given some awesome old clothes recently.  They used to belong to my Grandpa's sister, and she was a stylin' lady.  They are tiny, although the labels show them as size 12 or 14.  Apparently they changed the sizes over the years, as these clothes are about a size 6 in today's sizes.

This navy floral dress features an A line skirt and stiff collar, and pockets!  Auntie Jeanne had a hankerchief safety pinned into the front as well, a bonus.  This is real 1940's style at it's best.

Size 14 California Cottons by Libson

The dropped waist is fitted to the hips in a curve front bodice, then full through A line skirt.  V-neckline with self-collar adorn the top.  

Sleeves have band with sharp points at button.

The Handkerchief is pinned to the dress inside the front bodice.

This wool tweed suit dress looked amazing considering it's age.  Made by Millikin of 100% wool, by Lilly of California, Inc.  Los Angeles.  Gold and black tweek looks distinctively brown from a distance.  

This tailored suit features a single button band with covered buttons, deep flap pockets and a wide collar.  The skirt is straight with a backed slit for modesty.  

This simple sweater dress features a shaped square neckline and a self belt.  Fully lined.  The belt was made by Vogue in Studio City, California.

These lovely 1940's styles were beautiful then and still look great today.  

Thanks to my daughter Stephanie for her willingness to model these fashions for me!

Vintage Post Cards from the 1900's-- lovely artwork

This charming painting features an artist pallette shape and dogs chasing a cat, who escapes in the thumbhole of the pallette.  Reads, 'A Close Call' and is postmarked 1908.

This portrait is copyrighted 1908 NY.  

This veiled buxom woman stares without shame at the viewer.  Printed in Germany, it is postmarked September 1909.  

Another plunging neckline and direct gaze follows the viewer in this portrait.  Red flowers seem superimposed on this painting as an afterthought.  B. B. London printed this, postmarked August 1908.  

'Sables' shows a woman heavily draped in the fur.  Printed by the National Art Company, it's postmarked 1908.

This photo inserted within the heart is labeled 'Mostwood series pub by E, B and L Co. Detroit.'  Being good makes one happy.

This heavily embossed moth is amazing.  Postmarked 1908.  

This Stork proclaims a new arrival.  'Only Just Arrived, Haven't seen much of Life Yet.'  This embossed card is postmarked 1910.  

Vintage Postcards showing Bouquets from the 1900's.

Not all bouquets are of flowers.  This bouquet of acorns is postmarked 1908.  B B London, printed in Saxony.

This humorous one is embossed.  

Best Wishes features poppies deeply embossed in the Postcard.  BB London, printed in Saxony.  1909.

This deeply embossed card is dated 1910.

Remember me, commands this bouquet of embossed flowers.  

This embossed yellow daisy arrangement is surrounded by silver metallic ground.  Heavily embossed, it's postmarked 1910.

Best Wishes features a single flower and embossing behind it.  Postmarked 1910.

Another heavily embossed postcard, hand colored in bright pink and yellow, and cool teal.  Made in Germany, postmarked 1908.

Love to all-- this embossed floral says it simply.  Made in Germany, published by TP and Co, NY.

Good luck is offered in this 'Best Wishes' postcard through the lucky four leaf clover in this floral arrangement.  Heavily embossed, no date.

'To My Cousin' covers the front of this ornate card.  Ivy embellish the letters, while garlands of roses drape below.  A small inset of a Dutch hamlet, complete with a windmill, fills the upper left corner.  The thick embossed card was printed in Germany.  

This spray of Lavendar accompanies a floral arrow, ready to bring 'Best Wishes' to the recipient.  Heavily embossed, postmarked December 1907.

A small spray of roses rest beside the portrait of a lady.  'Good Luck' reads the gold leaf writing in the corner.  

The bouquet of pansies is original; 'Greetings from Porkey Pa' is dimensionally written by hand.  This embossed postcard is postmarked August 1909.

This ivy wreath centers on this friendship postcard.  'Friendship like the ivy clings close, whatever fortune brings.'  

This embossed wreath seems entangled in iron railing.  

'May every Day be Bright, and the Morrow Brighter.' embossed postcard August 1909.  A small bird looks over a rose arrangement with a flower in it's beak.