We have discussed, hereintofore, a number of important props used by courting couples on postcards of a hundred years ago or thereabouts. We have discussed park benches, rowboats, and hammocks. But romance is nothing if not inventive (say several websites that have turned up on my computer for absolutely NO REASON) and there were plenty of other possibilities.
A bygone blog here gave a very brief survey of lovers sitting on pianos, in response to the slogan used by myriad sheet music publishers: “Try This On Your Piano”. But that is hardly the only musical instrument used by resourceful couples. (What? Yes, sometimes organs were used…oh, I get it. Just put on this special Joker’s Cap and go sit in that corner over there.)
Frankly, just about anything handy can be used to make things more comfortable for courting couples.
Some of which may seem more natural to certain of the followers of this blog. The TBR in your TBR pile may stand for “Too Be Read” or “Torrid Book Reclining”.
However, the piece of furniture coming closest to the chair or the settee for romantic couples in postcards is probably the table. (What? Beds? This was a hundred years ago, klddo socko: couples were found on or in beds only in cards featuring married couples having a fight, or naughty postcards, which we will discuss at some future date. By the way, the really naughty cards didn’t use beds either: blankets would obstruct the view.)
The table was available in just about every room, unlike the couch. In those fr-off days, every kitchen had its table for food preparation and staging, and even bathrooms were generally provided with a table. (Note to self: a blog on the history and development of the kitchen counter. Don’t count on it any time soon.)
Those who look at postcards to learn about the styles of our ancestors will notice a vast variety in the tables available for hugging and/or kissing. I’m not perfectly sure whether this is a table or a plant stand: it seems too narrow to me to be considered a high stool
And in some whole nother blog we will discuss the whole history in American homes of the coffee table (or shincracker or kneebreaker or…well, I don’t see any other words on this list I actually care to get banned from this website for.).
The table, as opposed to the sofa or the park bench, seems to have been used for more spontaneous spooning. A kiss was called for, and anything handy to sit on to provide more stability was pressed (so to speak) into service. OR the couple had been using the table for the usual table things—a fondue party, say–, only to find matters escalating until one or more wound up using the table as a seat.
THIS couple, for example, is going to be ON the table in just about three minutes. And I’m guessing they will not be allowed in this restaurant ever again.
The table for sitting could be a prop on the dark side of romance, of course. I hate to finish with this sourpuss, but I must get back to writing my next best-selling novel. If we’re going to study the use of beds in naughty postcards, extra funding will be essential. Until then we’ll table the matter. (Don’t make that face: you knew it was going to be here.)
Blogsy Babbles 