SERIES: Pictorial History of the Sports and Pastimes of All Nations

SCENES: Children fishing; knitting; ice skating

SIZE: 3" x 5"

ARTIST: Not signed, but reportedly Frances Brundage

DATE: 1893

LITHOGRAPHER: Kaufman & Strauss

CONDITION: Just good, I'd say. This card is generally only lightly soiled. However, the back has a strip of scrapbook paper stuck along the right edge. There are also a couple small tears along that edge, one of which translates into a small patch of surface paper loss on the front, next to the foot of the little girl fishing. The card has several mild creases. (Please see scans.)

MULTIPLE ITEM SHIPPING DISCOUNT: I will ship up to 4 cards for the single base shipping charge shown. For purchases of more than 4 cards, the shipping charge will increase by just a small increment for every 4 additional cards.

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REVERSE TEXT: HOLLAND
HOLLAND "the land of dikes and ditches," notwithstanding its flat surface, is one of the most picturesque of countries. Phlegmatic and unromantic as the Dutchmen are they yet present to the eye of fancy some of the quaintest of studies. The mere idea of Holland calls to mind Delft ware, tulips, scrupulous cleanliness, rotund and pot-bellied burghers and rosy-cheeked buxom housewives.

Bowling is a favorite sport with the Dutch, and has been so for the last three hundred years. The alleys are frequented by the most solid and staid citizens. Indeed bowling-clubs are an institution and election to the most exclusive of these is a great mark of distinction.

When the winter is cold enough to seal up the water and stop navigation, and consequently business, the people go on the ice which everywhere abounds, and give themselves up to enjoyment. Booths are erected; ice-boats like great birds fly over the misty white surface, and skaters abound everywhere. The skates are very long, those of the adult being sometimes two feet. The old folks who are beyond their skating days, sit on chairs provided for them, with their feet on specially constructed fire-stoves, watching and laughing at the younkers. Here on the ice are often spent the happiest of Dutch Jan's and Greta's courting days.

One of the prettiest customs on the ice is as follows: when a girl appears, a lively competition ensues among the young men to put on her skates. The winner, if he insists upon it, is rewarded by a kiss from the girl whom he has thus served.

Dutchmen are born fishermen too, even the children sit on the string-pieces of the dikes and skilfully ply the line and reel.

Every Jungfrau in Holland is an adept at knitting. It is a passion as well as an employment.