3-053-597 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"Grandmother's Birthday", by Salentin, from a photograph by the Berlin Photographic Company, 1873. The custom of presenting flowers, fruits, or what not on the birthday...of relative or friend obtains all over the Continent...presents are sent from all quarters; but the prettiest usage of all is that of the children of the family, when, on the morning of the memorable day, they come in procession, if they are numerous enough, bringing their nosegays and other appropriate child-offerings, the eldest, or youngest, of the party often having also a congratulatory address or set speech prepared to deliver in honour of the auspicious day. It is no wonder that so charming a custom should be a favourite theme with Continental artists...In Germany, where life is still primitive, and old-world habits and ceremonies of all kinds are still fondly preserved, the birthday is kept with all honour, as we see in this pleasant picture by Herr Salentin. The picture speaks, however, so well for itself that we need say no more. Only we beg the reader to understand that it is always supposed that grandmother is profoundly ignorant of the preparations in her honour, and that the troop of her progeny of the second generation are treating her to a complete surprise'. From "Illustrated London News", 1873.