Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-04-09
EASTER ODDITIES.
Rare Articles Prepared for the Great
Christian Holiday
Pittsburgh Dispatch.

hafe AfttSlts EftphEcu ioA ttAS NAVHt
Christian Holiday.
Pittsburgh Dispatch
Within the next four or five days
the shop windows of the city will once
more take on a semi-holiday attire
Easter attractions IN many varied
forms.
"The tendency to observe the sacred
occasion in an elaborate manner is
growing rapidly" said a wellknown
Wood street confectoner yesterday.
aside from the universal religious
observances of the occasion thousands
and thousands of dollars are expended
in Easter novelties. | can remember
when this branch of trade amounted
to almost nothing In Pittsburgh. AT
present we make a speciality of it,
and it continues for three or four
weeks, being almost as extensive as
during the Christmas season.
The same is true of all of the whole
sale establishments of this city Each
year shows remarkable advancement
in the matter Of Easter eggs. The
memory of the average reader can
readily recall the time when the pro-
duct of the hen, gaudily colored, con-
stituted the highest attempt at art in
this line. To day France. Germany
and other nations of the earth furnish
hundreds of thousands of dollars
worth of costly Easter gifts to the
United States, while several large
firms in New York ard Brooklyn are
run exclusively in the interests of the
trade. These novelties vary in price
from cents to $50. The French
carry off the palm in the matter of
artistic designs At one large estab-
lishment in this city may be seen
specimens of this rare work.
One of the hanGsomest pieces in
the collection is chariot richly lined
with gold colored satin. The chariot
il drawn by four stuffed birds of beau
tiful plumage, while a queen songs
tress is deity mounted upon the his.
torical convey ance. holding the relns
of gold. Several Easter eggs of vari-
ed hues are at her feet, and tie pan
nels of the chariot are adorned with
landscape scenes. A great variety of
papier mace eggs are also on exhibit
ton. They are covered with satin in
a number of delicate colors, sky blue,
ETC., and hanS-painted. The moon
rising over a summer sea, with noun
tain craigs half penetrating the clouds;
groups of peasants ia the vineyards of
sunny France, delicate landscapes,
quaint old castles, graceful storks pos
ing in regulation style and song
birds fitting among leafy bowers are
among the many scenes thus presents
ed. Some of these eggs are embelhsh-
ed with delicate raised work of roses,
lilies, poisoning vines, etc. Among
other Partisan designs are hand-paint-
ed placques and easels, mounted with
satin eggs, and satin tam bourines sur
rounded with the same gaudy embelN
ishments.
The German idea is more practical
and blossoms forth in humber expires
sion. Huge erystallized eggs con
tanning panoramic views of ren,
beasts and solid rustic Genes are
among the leading attractions from
the lands of King William. Sorne of
the panoramic views are Of the revolv
ing order, being manipulated by
means of a string, at which a Verita-
Die menagcrie is revealed to the aston
ishsd observer. Gum-paste eggs with
embossed pictures, life-sized rabbits
mounted on FERNS containing Easter
eggs and similar designs are also to
be seen. Then another line Of new
things are presented in egg-shaped
baskets of gold and silver-hued straw
lined with beautiful silks, to be used
as Jewel cases. Among the promiscu
Gus display may be mentioned a rus
tic covered wagon of the gypsy order.
PeepinE over the dashboard is a tiny
bird with her nest, containing a tiny
egg. just at her side baskets with
little chickens peeping out from under
the lid candy boxes and beautiful
jewel eases in a variety of quality and
appropriate styles, caricature eggs,
showing Brother Jonathan, Uncle
Sam, clowns, cupids, etc, until the
fancy grows tired in contemplating
the display.
The trade has already opened in
this city. and the indications are
that the sales will be larger than for
years.