Saturday, November 15, 2008

Priscilla of Boston

No, not the famous wedding dress designer (who didn't open until 1945) but an 1887 textiles spinner who specialized in window treatments and worked out of Whitney's Linen Store on Tremont Street.

This trade card is notable for its respectful portrayal of a black woman, without racist caricature. One can deduce that Priscilla's reputation as an expert designer was well known in the city, and Whitney's took pride in promoting her work and location at their store.

2 comments:

  1. The colors in that card are beautiful too. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm glad you like it! It really is a riot of color. One can only imagine the stately Boston homes that these "window decorations" graced.

    ReplyDelete