This intriguing postcard begs a few questions. Who are these women? Do the costumes hint at a theatrical production, or perhaps a fancy dress party? And is that a toy balloon, seen between the two women sat on the floor?
Here is a close up view:
It appears to have an eye, so perhaps there is a face drawn on it.
Published by the U.S.A. Studios, the stamp box design on the postcard dates it to 1907-1911. Mass production of toy balloons did not start until the 1930s, although hand-made rubber balloons were available before then and extremely attractive (and sometimes dangerous!) to young children.
Edwardian newspapers reported the dangers of toy balloons, including a young boy who followed his balloon out of an upstairs window and somehow lived to tell the tale. Another young child swallowed a balloon, which then inflated each time a breath was taken (it was quickly extracted and the child survived). And the following report tells of a boy who swallowed the wooden whistle attached to his balloon, and thereafter whistled when he breathed. Thankfully the whistle was later ejected during a coughing fit:
Belper News – Friday 05 June 1908
But our balloon doesn’t look like a rubber one. It has texture. Perhaps the following newspaper extract, which describes how to make a balloon from strong tissue paper, provides a clue:
Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser – Friday 06 March 1903
Of course, none of this tells us who the women are or what they were doing, but they have provided a journey of discovery and the enjoyment of their wonderful photograph.
And I thank them very much for that!
–
Newspaper clippings from The British Newspaper Archive © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.