Vintage children Christmas tags

  I've been having way too much fun going through Raphael Tuck & Sons' online postcard collection! I'm especially drawn to the adorable illustrations, like those by the Bowley sisters, Ada and May. 

    I ended up gathering some favorites and making a sheet of holiday tags - I'm excited to share them with you! Most of the illustrators are from the talented Miss Ada Bowley - I just couldn't resist sharing the joyful scenes she created. 

  

  Available as a PNG below or as a PDF file on Ko-Fi. Let me know - which one is your favorite? 

Girl Reading Bookplate, circa 1927

 

   I was intrigued by this bookplate, found in a copy of “Everything and Anything” by Dorothy Aldis, published in 1927.  I love the little girl reading, the doll sitting patiently, the scattered books. I see bookplates in books fairly often but this is the first one that I just had to save and share!

   Just for fun I removed little Marjory's name and enhanced the image a bit, so it's all ready for being used as a bookplate again...or maybe taking on new life as a craft element.  

  Remember to click on the image for a larger version and then save. And enjoy! 

Whimsical squirrel family, 1910

  I'm in awe of the cuteness of the illustrations from the 1910 book, "Blowing Away of Mr. Bushy Tail". In fact, the talented duo of Edith B. Davidson as author and Clara E. Atwood as illustrator published several adorable stories of anthropomorphic animal adventures around this time.

  In the above image, the squirrel family is facing hard times and has been forced to relocate to Grandmother Chipmunk's home. 

  The following illustration, from the same book, originally contained the copyright information. ("Copyright, 1910 By Duffield & Co." Just in case you were curious...)I couldn’t help but think it would make a great graphic featuring a blank sign, leaving space to add whatever you want. 

  Since "Mr. Bushy Tail" was published in New York in 1910, all these images are in the public domain and can be used freely. 

Grandmother surrounded by grandchildren, 1905

   Aww, this image! Granny has come to visit, and all the grandkids are eager to hear her stories and get her attention!

   This illustration, by Will Vawter for the book "Riley Songs o' Cheer" by James Whitcomb Riley (1905), accompanies a poem titled Granny that reads, in part:

"Granny's come to our house,

       Ho! my lawzy-daisy!

All the children round the place...

    That runs to kiss their Granny."

   Yes, I skipped some lines so it no longer rhymes, but you get the idea. Granny is the star of the day - and this illustration shows it!