How sweet is this vintage Valentine?
Ellen Clapsaddle was the most prolific American commercial artist of postcards and greeting cards of her time.
Born in 1865 in New York state she attended art school on a scholarship and upon graduation supported herself and her mother giving art lessons as well as painting and portrait work that she was commissioned to do for wealthy clients.
At that time Germany was the center of the high end publishing world and she spent several years in Germany refining and perfecting her art working with engravers at the German publishing factories. Upon her return to the United States she formed the Wolf Company and was the first and only female artist of her time to establish her own publishing company with the financial backing of the Wolf brothers. She was the sole artist and designer for the Wolf Company.
The souvenir postcard industry was booming and Ellen and the Wolf brothers were making a lot of money which they invested in the German factories that produced the greeting cards and postcards she was creating. And then World War I came along in 1914. Most of the factories in Germany were leveled as a result of the war as well as all of Ellen's artwork and records. With the destruction of her entire life's work and penniless, Ellen traveled to Germany during this period to see if there was anything left of her work to save.
When she arrived in Germany and realized that her life's work was gone as well as her life savings Ellen wandered the streets and witnessed the horrors of war first hand. Not having heard from Ellen the Wolf brothers borrowed money and traveled to Germany to search for her. When they finally found her wandering the streets she was sick and had suffered a mental breakdown. Her health and spirit were totally broken. She was 59 years old.
The Wolf brothers brought her back to the United States and took care of her for the rest of their lives.
Her work is highly collectible and is easily recognizable because of her unique style. I have posted several of her works here because I just adore her work but never knew her tragic story. She gave the world such sweetness and beauty I felt compelled to tell you her story. Thank you Ellen! Your art made the world a better place.
This sweet little Ellen Clapsaddle Valentine
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Here is the back of the card with the original stamp
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Enjoy!
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