Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Valentine's Day Greetings

This is from the archives.
Happy Valentine's Day


 
This postcard is by Ellen Clapsaddle artist and entrepreneur.






I know you have had a hard life.
As Levon Helm sings "You got to move a long train."

How do I know?
Because you read to find the truth, you travel the world wide web of words
for
answers.

We found these 100 year old old postcards somewhere and I looked up the artist.
Ellen, according to accounts on the web, was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
She was doing this captivating art for card companies. She ended up in Germany and was probably on the verge of being more successful in creating and selling cards. She had a partner in New York. A well travelled woman of early 1900's. World War 1 broke out and she was caught up in who knows what?
She was lost, no one heard from her. Her partner found her 6 years later in bad shape. She died in a mental institution where she played with dolls. This postcard haunted me. Such a playful artist.
I think of Ellen when think I am having a hard day. What did she do to survive? Could I have?
Hope you have a brighter day thinking of Ellen.


 

4 comments:

  1. What an amazing story and card. Wow.
    Judy

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  2. I love her cards. I do have a few. My grandmothergave them to my mother who gave them to me. They're in storage. And gorgeous.

    I can't wait to meet up with them again. Along with a few other artists. =)

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  3. Oh...and Happy Valentine's Day. I keep forgetting it's Valentine's Day. LOL.

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  4. Happy Valentine's Day you all. Ellen had quite a story and google her artwork. Sherry-you commented before, it is cool that you have some more of those pretty cards. I love these comments. mary

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