Life, 1911-12-07 · page 12 of 112
Life — December 7, 1911 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a nostalgic poem about cherished Christmas gifts from childhood, accompanied by illustrative sketches. The verses recall specific items: hand-painted game sets, lambregains (decorative fabric), a tin whistle, a Rogers Group statue, and notably "the worsted-work motto that hung on the wall"—a needle-work decorative piece. The bottom cartoon by Paul Goclfrey labeled "Typographically Speaking" appears to show extended and condensed roman typefaces personified as figures, likely a visual pun about printing terminology for modern readers unfamiliar with typography. The overall page is sentimental rather than satirical, celebrating Victorian-era domestic nostalgia and childhood memories.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
978 -LIFE- A Recollection H OW dear to my heart are the old Christmas presents, When fond recollection presents them to view; The hand-painted “ game sets” with woodcock and pheasants, ' The lambrequins, crewel-worked in olive and blue. The bead sofa cushion, the knit afghan nigh it, The tile pipe umbrella-stand, meant for the hall; The big Rogers Group—(father loved so to buy it!) And the worsted-work motto to hang on the wall. The old worsted motto, The Bristol-board motto, The rustic framed motto that hung on the wall. How well I remember the wording upon it; ’Twas “ God Bless Our Home” in letters quite wild. | And a worsted-work lady in worsted-work bonnet, Who held in her arms a worsted-work child. Some Florida grasses were bunched in behind it; 5 } (Quite'dusty,—though cleaned in the spring and the Adam: WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE FOR CHKISTMAS? fall.) “4 PAIR OF STOCKINGS TO HANG UP, I'd give a round sum if I only could find it,— That old worsted motto that hung on the wall. The old worsted motto, | The Bristol-board motto, The rustic framed motto that hung on the wall. Ma WAKER Though now I have many a painting and etching, Though I have engravings and Japanese prints; And quaint old framed samples (considered quite | fetching), And Impressionist pictures in marvelous tints; And photographs of every temple and grotto,— f think I'd be willing to part with them all If I could recover that precious old motto, The worsted-work motto that hung on the wall. The old worsted motto, The Bristol-board motto, The rustic framed motto that hung on the wall. N. B.—The above is entirely mendacious, That motto was really a perfect old fright. And should I recover it,—my goodness gracious! How quickly J’d tuck it away out of sight. But poets, you know, at this glad Christmas season, Must be reminiscent, and tender withal; We must strike a heart-interest, so that is the reason I sing the old motto that hung on the wall. The old worsted motto, The Bristol-board motto, TYPOGRAPHICALLY SPEAKING The rustic framed motto that hung on the wall. EXTENDED AND CONDENSED ROMAN : Carolyn Wells.