The Winslow Papers Vintage Victorian Images

- November 30, 2020

I talk about how I always wanted to have a store, and how I actually took the leap in 2010. It's hard to believe it was ten years ago. It's really hard to believe I bought the items pictured more then twenty five years ago. I was working at Brielle Galleries at the time and saw a classified ad for Reproduction Victorian papers to be auctioned off at Allaire Airport. I couldn't believe how it all worked out, so I could attend. Glen gave me $60 to buy whatever I wanted as a Mother's Day present. When I walked into the hanger with my mom, I was so excited to see boxes and boxes of a product I loved and wanted to carry in my imaginary store. I always thought when the twins entered school, it would be great to have a store they could come to after school. We were a little late to the auction, so I didn't hear too much of the guidelines. But, I watched with horror as each lot was being bought by the same person. Obviously, someone with a big truck and huge warehouse to hold these big lots. After he bought these beautiful tall (about 36") victorian santas for practically nothing, I couldn't take it any more. I raised my hand to the auctioneer and he actually stopped between the bidding and listened to me. I said there were a lot of people in attendance and we all came to bid on these items, but the lots were too big for the normal person to store. Couldn't we have a chance, I asked? The auctioneer asked for a show of hands if they had the opportunity to bid on a set amount for a box, who would be interested. Almost everyone raised their hands (about 60 people). So, he said ok, he gave me first opportunity to bid and I would have first choice. I thought all these people would bid, and I hoped I could afford what the price would end up being. I bid $5.00 per box. They contained between 500 and 1,000 pcs. in each box. Then it went to the rest of the people and my heart was beating really fast. Well, they were really smart and didn't bid against me so we were able to each get a box for my starting bid. I was able to pick out ten boxes. 3 boxes of Valentine's, 3 boxes of Easters and 4 boxes of Christmas. They were 12" x12" cube boxes and were heavy! When I got them home, I was really happy, but where would I keep them. My husband helped me get them to the attic. I would decorate the house with them. The first Christmas I made some handpainted and decopauged ornaments put them in the Winslow Paper Holly girl box and presented them to the owner, (Ira) to see if I could sell them. We agreed on a price of $30 each, and I had a little extra money for gifts that year. I gave a lot away. I also did direct selling for a basket company and would give a package to each guest who attended. I would make bags and sell them at my garage sale or if I was doing a craft show. And, when I finally did have the store Greetings from Geralyn, I was able to sell some. So, I am down to probably 50 pcs. of each style. I will be listing them on my ebay site. They are in excellent condition and make great ornaments or gift tags. The holly girl box is great for gifts or storing ornaments. And, my favorite the mother child Christmas cheer basket box is great to hold holiday cards, napkins, cookies or candy treats. I will be changing from auction format to a buy it now format and will have some papers as low as 99 cents! During the late 80's and early 90's the victorian look was very big. With the popularity of Victoria magazine and celebration of the 100 year anniversary of the victorian style. There is a popular calender from Cynthia Hart and John Grossman and books to follow. They collected victorian scrap. When color printing and die cutting became popular during Victorian times, the little ads, trading cards were too pretty to throw away. So, victorian scrapbooks were born. John Grossman probably had the biggest collection of these papers and had a line of gift products called The Gifted Line. But, Judith Winslow was a big collector, too. She was located in the Trenton, New Jersey area. Most products are marked with the following: The Winslow Papers Trenton NJ Printed in USA This collection is reproduced from early examples of English and German chromolithography an early printing process circa 1870-1900 All designs 1989 By Judith Winslow for the Winslow Papers Co. I will be sad when all these papers are gone. But, I hope someone like me finds these beautiful. and will appreciate them, too.