The morning times., 1896-04-12
SHE MAKES POSTERS.
Roma ntic-LOOking Boston Girl Fa-
nous at Twenty-one.

Boston, April 10-''How much more de-
lightfuIly social said Miss Susan Hale:
'how much more ease and abandon there
always seems to be in a reception or an
at home in studio than the same sort
OF function given in a drawing ROOM
AT this remark we paused in our con-
versation aud glanced bout the room, and
certainly a more animated and picturesque
scene rarely meets the eye. outside the
day was dull and dreary enough, but in
the charmingly artistic atelier of Miss
Laura c. Hills, overlooking Baylstou street,
Boston, the mellow light diffused from
open fire, antique lanterns and candles
fantastically ARA uged, the warmth OF color
that glowed from painting and sketch, the
refined detail, the coy detail and groups
Of gay and eager takers refreshed ones
spirit like glimpse into fairyland All
this, however, was but the harmonious set
ting for far and away the most picturesque
feature OF the afternoon, which was none
other than the beautiful poster lady. Miss
Ethel Reed, for whom the reception was
given in honor Of her recent enga cement
to Mr.. Philip Hale.
She might almost have stepped from one
OF her black and white posters as she
stood there, her pale, strong profile CON-
ing out from a mass of soft, black hair
brought well down over her ears, dressed
in simple black gown, with white mus
lin cape coming up close about the neck,
and trimmed all around with a narrow
frill, almost exactly as she appears in the
portrait Of Ethel Reed, by HERSELF
which, by the way, led to her acquaint-
ance with Mr.. Hale.
Upon his first view Of this picture Mr.
Hale exclaimed: Il should like TO see the
woman who lookslike that
A friend at once offered to present him,
and was not long in obtaining permis-
sion to do so, and the romantic old story
of love at first sight was enacted over
again as freshly and naturally as in the
good old primeval days. Several repre-
sentatves of the Hale family were pres
ent al this reception. and when l re-
Sumed conversation with Miss Hale she
said that they were all so happy over
Philips enga cement, as the loss of his
brilliant and well-beloved brother last
year had plunged him into melancholy
from which it had seemed impossible to
emerge. until, like sudden light in the
darkness, came his chance meeting with
Miss Reed.
Miss Ethel Reed ranks among the foremost
poster makers of America. and has at
tracted considerable attention in both Eng
land and France. She has sprung very
rapidly into fame. her first poster being
sent 10 a Boston Sunday newspaper Feb
ruary "a, 1895, bringing instant and
spontaneous recognition. Since that time
she has had more orders for posters, de-
signs for book covers, illustrations for
books. ETC., than she could possibly fill,
her posters, Miss Traumerei,'' Behind
the Arras,'' Fairy Tales" 1.-The White
Wampumi' and others, having attracted
national reputation. These are all char
acteriZed by the same broad effect of
decoration, great dash and brlliancy in
form and color, flowing lines. and grace
fu curves.
Although Miss Reed has no doubt felt
the influence of the Beardsey school in
her disposition of black and white, her
work is instinct with originality and YER
satility. Her work is all conceived with
perfect freshness and freedom, her bril-
liant imagination being apparently un-
trammeled by schools or CONVENT ons
She works wholly by moods, doing not b.
ing for days, then in frenzy of work
turning out one brilliant design after