Sunday, October 16, 2011

I'm Back! And I have a Mystery to Solve!

Favorite Girl_Heidi dress w-cat

Hello, fellow bloggers! I've been away from blogging for MUCH too long! I'll have a lot of reading to do, catching up with everybody and looking back over these past few months to see what you've all been up to. So don't be surprised to see comments from me on posts that you've already forgotten you wrote!

Lately, I've become a bit obsessed with the images of a little girl who lived over 100 years ago. She was a gorgeous little beauty, with curly hair and big eyes. She always is shown with her trademark tight-lipped smile. You may have seen her if you collect any sort of early 20th century photo postcards.

Favorite Girl_cat to cheek

Years ago, when I began collecting Victorian and Edwardian images, I kept coming across her. She must have been a famous model in her day. I have several of the postcards she appeared on, some even on my walls in frames, as if she were a relative of mine.

But who is she?

I've been really enjoying Pinterest, and collecting all sorts of beautiful images I come across on the internet that inspire me (some from my favorite bloggers, I may add!). During my hunt for images on Pinterest, I came across this little girl, and my interest in her was rekindled.

Favorite Girl_sister & sailor boy copy

I now have found over 100 images of her, and have found other collectors who have the same questions on the little girl's identity. Some believe she may have been the photographer's daughter, due to the shear volume of images bearing her likeness. Some believe she was French. And some (including me) think she had a sister, maybe a twin. Somebody must have known her or written about her. I am obsessed with finding out her true identity.

Favorite Girl_pillow & cat

Here are the images I own of my favorite little girl model. Some are from my collection of vintage images of children with cats, and I have a very beautiful series of the little girl herself.

Do any of you know who this pretty little girl was?

Favorite Girl Series_1

Favorite Girl Series_2

Favorite Girl Series_3

Favorite Girl Series_4

Favorite Girl Series_5

Favorite Girl Series_6

To view the Pinterest board I created to collect all the images I can find of my favorite child model, click here.

Labels: ,

16 Comments:

Blogger Sea Witch said...

That would be me. LOLOLOLOLOLOL...although I have always felt like I have lived in other times and certainly in the sea. So glad that you are back...you have been missed. Sea Witch

October 17, 2011 at 10:23 AM  
Blogger Pam Kessler said...

Wow, now that you have shown her I am intrigued too. I have seen the little girl around. I hope she had an amazing and interesting life. And I missed you!!!!

October 17, 2011 at 3:07 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Sea Witch-

I do believe you were a mermaid in your past life, lol! If the little girl ever posed as a mermaid, then I'll know for sure it was you. ;-)

-Pam

October 17, 2011 at 6:20 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Pam-

That is my hope for her, too. I see you've been Pinning lately as well! I'll have to catch up with your blog at House of Hawthornes!

-Pam

October 17, 2011 at 6:38 PM  
Blogger Rose ~Victorian Rose ~ said...

Hi Pam, you know I believe I have a few images with her in them too...just thought she was another pretty little girl from the late 1800's or early 1900's from some wealthy family that could afford to get her portrait taken often !
How have you been. Had a short snit with Google about my original blog..and thought I had lost it so started another one too.
Come by and visit me when you have a minute.

Rose

October 17, 2011 at 9:38 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Rose-

Yes, I'll have to catch up with your blog and check out your new one! How have you been?

I knew you would have seen this little girl, as you probably are drawn to old photography, being a professional yourself. Maybe she was rich... whoever photographed her must have made a bundle! I think the photography back then was so beautiful.

-Pam

October 19, 2011 at 7:59 AM  
Blogger Miss Sandra said...

Welcome back dear Pam! Indeed you have been missed. I hope you had a most delightful summer.
I too have seen images of this little girl. This is a mystery that I look forward to be solved. Someone has got to know the answer.
It's so lovely to see you again. Happy Autumn and blissful tidings! xo
Sandra

October 19, 2011 at 7:53 PM  
Blogger Anyes K. Busby - Studio Vignette Fine Art said...

Hello Pam,
Welcome back! Lovely photographs, but I"m sorry I can't help you. You may need one of those experts from Antiques Roadshow, best of luck.
Anyes
XX

October 20, 2011 at 6:26 AM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Miss Sandra-

Happy Autumn to you as well! It's good to be back. The little girl is Edwardian, so maybe she is your kin, lol! I look forward to catching up with your blog. :-)

-Pam

October 20, 2011 at 7:59 AM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Anyes-

I would love to have the Antiques Roadshow experts help me in my search! If they ever come to town, I may seriously consider going. Hope you had a great summer. I'll be catching up on your lovely blog soon!

-Pam

October 20, 2011 at 8:01 AM  
Blogger Katie@LeBeauPaonVictorien said...

Now I'm curious too! I just love a good mystery...hope you can solve this one!

October 20, 2011 at 8:48 AM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Katie-

I thought it would be easier to research this on the internet, but so far no luck. Someone, somewhere must know who she is!

-Pam

October 20, 2011 at 10:01 PM  
Blogger Jesse said...

Have you ever noticed the singularities in this girl and Lillian Gish. She had a sister and became a movie star. There is a pic of her and her sister where her hair is up could this be her as a child?

October 27, 2011 at 7:24 AM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Jesse-

Lillian and Dorothy Gish would be from the same time period. There's a chance, but I found a photo online of Lillian and her sister with their mother when they were girls, and it doesn't really match my girl. I always thought Lillian Gish was beautiful, too! I believe this little girl might be French, because the photographer's postcards seem to be either in French or German most often.

-Pam

October 27, 2011 at 6:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am also interested in this little girl. Another site was selling her pictures and one of the listings had her name as Ellen. I also saw it listed as Elen, with a sister named Erika.

October 31, 2011 at 9:54 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi-

OK, now we're getting somewhere! It would be interesting to know how they got the names. But that's a good starting point! Thank you! Please let me know if you find out anything else. :-)

-Pam

November 1, 2011 at 2:28 PM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home