Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-04
SIGNS OF CHRISTMAS.
Pittsburg Now Passing Through a
Season of Packages.
MANY PRETTY THINGS THIS YEAR.
Story Books and Calendars in Most Beauti-
full Designs.
cHINAwARE A PROMINENT FEATURE

The mysterious package season has, In
the course of ordinary human trials and
tribulations, made its appearance. Great
bundles jostle each other at every turn in
the streets and stores, and there is general
good-natured 'pushin' an a-shoyin',"
which Is always inseparable from the
Christmas buying season. There seems to
be no lack of money this year, and GER
tainlY the Pittsburg merchants have. not
been remiss in providing ways to spend it.
The most noticeable feature in Christmas
presents is the revival of seventeenth CEN
tury fashions and old styles generally.
1t would not seem like Christmas if there
were no story books for the little people.
All the old fairy tales are to be seen, but
are done up in such brilliant dresses that
they seem more enchanting than ever. The
large number of toy books shown is evil
dence that the childrens' appetite for pretty
pictures and stories has not diminished
"Shape books" are something new.
They are cut in artistic de-
signs and show figures of children,
dogs, cats,s houses, ETC., printed in very
bright tints AS to the calendar, there
never was such variety of it since King
Alfred's day. The calendars themselves
are of the least Importance. All the time
and attention have been given to the engray-
ings. the days of the week being stuck
away in one corner. There is the Beauty
Calendar" which gives you bewitchingly
lovely maiden every month in 1893
Some Fairyland Calendars.
There is the "Fairy Calendar" which
takes you through fairyland from beginning
to end. The columbus Calendars" show
that hero in all his struggles and victories.
Among the few sensible calendars is one
suggesting an easel with clock, memoranda
and calendar combined. A beautiful hand
painted affair is called the Perpetual Cal
endar" with ribbon drawn through to indi-
cate the days of the month; the ribbon is
stamped with the numbers.
Booklets and cards are shown in great va
riety. "How to Cook. Husbands" is the
name of q little book with hand painted
covers, the contents being collection of
cooking recipes which are supposed to put
the man of the house in good humor. All
the classics are brought forth in
handsome bindings and illustrated
with colored engravings and head and
tail pieces. An odd little card in cut art
work shows Cupid on a bicy Gle, which has
cards are pretty novelty. There are num-
Der of cute babies linked together, the whole
forming Ioyely combination of color.
The useful paper weight is shown in
metal ornaments, such as dogs, cats, fowls,
pigs, rabbits, foxes, etc. They are painted
in their natural colors, and are all hard at
work in their various lines of mischief or
business People who have q mania for
beautiful china will be glad to hear that it
is very popular as Christmas gifts this year.
1t Is Pretty, but Costly.
A pretty ware just out Is called Pitesur-
pate-paste upon paste. 1t is blue ware,
with white flowers and leaves of paste put
on with the fingers and then burned on.
One vase alone cost S18
Besides dainty cards and books there will
be no lack of useful presents this year. Ac-
cordipg to merchants, there has been more
furniture sold within the last week or two
than ls,r a long time. Solid chamber suits,
beautiful parlor cabinets of ONYX and brass,
which come as high as $500, and ONYX tables
which can be bought from S6 up to $40, are
sold for gifts. An add sort of chair Just
placed on view is of carved oak with sole
leather seat. tits called the cobblers chair
and is a low-backed rocker, something on
the order of the sleepy hollow"
The willow chairs, tables music
racks, etc, painted white, gold and
blue, make pretty gifts. A dainty and use
full article. baby's hamper-a large square
basket of willow lined with light blue satin
and white lace, with cute little places for
all the baby's toilet essentials. Something
that will please the boys, if the boys papa
has $50 to spare, is an electric line street
railway. 1t has the battery attachment
hidden by screen, but the cars are de-
lightfully real in construction-though of
miniature size, of course. The hobby-horse
is out in all his glory, but on new and
improved plan. He has taken on great
deal of flesh and is strong and stalwart,
with glossy tail and name, and altogether
is great Improvement over the painted
board profile horse of last year.
FINEST bon-bons. chocolates and confec-