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SPORTS AND PASTIMES OF ALL NATIONS
#13 - RUSSIA
Size: 5" x 3"
Copyrighted: 1893
Lithographer: Kaufmann & Strauss
  
| "COPYRIGHT" Text Variations |
| There are two
varieties (that I know of) in the
"COPYRIGHT" text which appears on this
card, as shown below. In both cases, the text
appears in the lower right corner of the card. |
Text reads: "PAINTING COPYRIGHTED 1893 ARBUCKLE BROS."
This is the more common wording that appears on
the cards in this series. |
Text reads: "COPYRIGHT, 1893, BY ARBUCKLE BROS.N.Y." (This
is the variety shown on the full-size card
above.) This is a less common wording that's only
known to appear on a limited number of cards in
this series. |
| (For an overview
of the copyright variations in Sports & Pastimes, click
here.) |
| Reverse - Text |
Left section:
GRIND
YOUR COFFEE AT HOME
Right section: |
| RUSSIA. |
| AS
FAR as it is possible to define
the characteristics of a nation
spreading over such vast
territory, the Russians are
hospitable, charitable,
tender-hearted, yet eminently
practical. They are fond of
nature too, more the creatures of
sentiment than of conviction,
patient, inclined to fatalism and
remarkably sociable. |
| It
is this last quality which makes
the observation of Christmas so
great a pleasure in anticipation.
Early in November, the coming
celebration is projected. Among
the rich, one hospitable mansion
of the circle is selected, and
this becomes the scene of the
festivities which last from
Christmas Eve till Twelfth Night.
Six nights and days of joyous
misrule ensue. A general feature
of these games is the advent of
parties of maskers, who go from
house to house, disguised as
characters from the nativity of
Christ, especially as the Three
Wise Men. These recite religious
verses, entertain the company
variously, and enjoy welcome
hospitality. |
| The
sleighs and sledges of the
Russians, with the bell-hoops
over the horses, and the gay
plumes waving in the wind, are
the most picturesque vehicles
imaginable. |
| Russian
boys and girls are not satisfied
with the sleds the youth of other
lands mainly use. They employ
huge bob-sleds wherewith to
coast. These are sometimes long
enough to accomodate parties of
fifteen and twenty each. Russian
children never lie on their
sleighs belly-whopper. They
always sit. |
| A
universal Russian institution is
the samovar. A cup of tea from
this--tea comes overland to
Russia--is said to be divine. The
samovar is the sign manual of
Russian hospitality, and stands
ever ready for use, in every
Russian home. |
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NOTE: To see non-Arbuckle usage of this
supposedly copyrighted Arbuckle illustration,
click  here.
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