Antique Victorian 1897 Postcard Prints Cupid Awake Cupid Asleep MB Parkinson 6"

Description

Pair of antique sepia toned, Victorian lithographed post card sized prints titled "Cupid Awake" and "Cupid Asleep." Both depict a curly haired toddler portraying the role of Cupid with ubiquitous bow and arrow, resting with eyes closed, and eyes open. Copyright 1897 by MB Parkinson. Matching textured gilt wood frames.

"Morris Burke Parkinson (1847-1926) was a photographer who is perhaps best known for his images of a 4-year-old girl named Josephine Anderson, who was the daughter of one of Parkinson’s friends. The female friend was a single mother who needed to work, and Parkinson often served as her babysitter. Parkinson immortalized little Josephine in the photographs “Cupid Awake” and “Cupid Asleep,” which were copyrighted in the late 1890s. The Taber-Prang Art Company of Springfield, Massachusetts, distributed the prints.These two ubiquitous images — both of Josephine holding arrows, one while awake and one while asleep — are just two of several other Parkinson “cupid” images, which include “Cupid At Rest,” “Cupid Interested,” “Cupid Waiting” and “Cupid Watching.” These were sold in inexpensive frames in mass market stores such as Sears and in five-and-dime stores. Parkinson was born near Buffalo, New York, but as an infant he and his family moved by wagon to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he grew up. As an adult photographer, Parkinson is associated with Boston, but it is often noted that he also worked in New York." (Source: Santa Maria times)

Condition

Good Overall - Gentle weear to frames

Dimensions

4.5" x 0.5" x 6" / Sans Frame - 3.25" x 5" (Width x Depth x Height)