A girl with a rose pinned to her hat.
My favorite postcard.
It is her eyes that take me in.
Who was she?
The postcard is French, though the image credit says the girl is English.
A signature is barely a clue.
Is she still alive?
Whatever became of the girl with the rose pinned to her hat?
At the brocante, at the same stand with the postcard, a few sheets were piled on the table.
Richly detailed monograms with handmade lace edges… I studied the intricacies, traced the monogram with my finger.
The dealer asked me, "Do you know why the bedsheets are elaborate?"
I understood that she wasn't asking me, rather it was a way to introduce me to something she knew.
I shook my head no.
She said, "Sheets like this were made for the birthing bed. It was part of a young woman's trousseau. Since birthing was at home, after the baby was born the bed was stripped clean. Then the lovely handiwork was spread out: Sheets with lace and large monograms, pillow shams to match… when the new mother and child received their guests in the bedroom, the bedsheets showed them off proudly.
I often wondered why these sorts of sheets seemed hardly worn, often in perfect condition… they were simply not used on a everyday base, they were used only for receiving guests into the bedroom.
Did the girl with the rose pinned to her hat fall in love… if these bedsheets were used for the birth occasion, were they also used or were others made for the marriage bed?
I imagine that years ago, under the linen sheet, she was with the man she loved. He held
her through the night as their baby sucked from her breast. I wonder did she trace the monogram with her finger, then gently pull the lace trim around her baby's face?
Thank you for the stories you added yesterday. I appreciated everyone of them. Happy Anniversary Patt. I hope you man is feeling better Amanda, and what girl doesn't remember going to buy her first bra! If I hadn't picked the winners randomly I would have given the card to your daughter Alena.
The random winners of yesterday's offering of the nineteen century postcards are:
Marilyn: The Hair-do Maiden.
Holly Montford: The Pink Thing.
Elaine L.: The Easter Bunny Man
Paula: The Easter Egg with Ribbon.
Pam: The Backdrop.
Jen: The Easter Egg Bra
(Please send me your addresses by email.)
—————————————————-
Later Note:
A blog reader of Tongue in Cheek wrote in the comment section:
"Dear Corey,
The lovely girl with the rose hat in your
postcard was actually a young Gladys Cooper – a very famous English
Edwardian actress. I've actually started to collect photo postcards of
her, and I guess they were all the rage early in the 20th century. She
actually had a long career, and had 3 children (2 girls and a boy). She
is often pictured with the children in postcards – especially her
eldest daughter, Joan. Joan appeared on stage as well, from a young
age.
-Karen"
Thank you Karen!
Leave a Reply