Four years ago or thereabouts, we considered in this space the postcards featuring round people, a race of jolly cartoon characters whose figures paid homage to the globe. A goodly number of postcards with suchlike folk on them have come into my inventory and, looking them over, I noticed something I don’t believe I paid much attention to at the time.
We discussed the last vestiges of a folk tradition that only rich people could really afford to be fat: they could afford the food. But I don’t believe we observed what snappy dressers those round rich men were.
Now, the majority of these postcards date from the first half of the twentieth century, a time when you didn’t NEED to be round to go out in public wearing loud checks nowadays largely restricted to stage and golf course. So the geometric fashions preferred by the round were perhaps reflecting reality.
It is equally likely that the spherical heroes offered a broader canvas for colorful display. (Note that the young ladies are limited to polka dots and stripes: easier to apply in a more restricted space.)
In any case, these chaps are not shy about their figures or their incomes. They can not only afford to buy plenty of food and fancy fashion. They also use their money to attract the young ladies almost invariably accompanying them.
It’s almost as if the hero is wearing those loud outfits because it attracts his prey. (Which regards HIM as HER prey. Circle of life, and all that.)
The cigar is apparently optional, for those of you who were planning to get all Freudian about it.
Alas, these associations sometimes led to the acquisition of trophy wives, and did not always work out as cheerfully as the earlier chapters of the story suggested.
Some rotund heroes accepted the difficulties of their chosen partner philosophically.
And some remained perfectly happy with their romantic purchases. (Yes, I know THIS gentleman has only a modest paunch, and conservative stripes. But SHE is wearing checks, and serves as a warning about what the NEXT blog will be discussing.)
Blogsy Babbles 