WALTER WELLMAN
Walter Wellman, he of the indecipherable signature, had an extensive career as a postcard artist. His earliest work can be seen in postcards from the late 1900's, but his glory years have to be the thirties thru forties (note the WWII morale booster near the bottom of the page). It was then that Wellman launched a series of linen cards featuring zaftig heroines: like the ones on display below.
What makes Wellman's work so attractive is his ability to capture a variety of plump to fat body types and to invest 'em all with the innocent sexuality of a Betty Boop. Note the heroines' bra-less breast lines, the frequent flash of stocking tops. There's a heap of hugging and ogling in Wellman's cards, and I can understand both impulses.
(But what's with that face on the swimsuit cutie's thigh? A self-portrait, perhaps?)
WB
EARLY WELLMAN
Most of Wellman's earliest cards featured slender Gibson Girl type heroines (at least one postcard history claims they were modeled after his wife), so it's possible that this is the earliest card by the artist to tackle the fuller figure. Copyrighted 1908, the card is neither as amusing nor as attractive as Wellman's work would later get: both male and female figures are unflatteringly caricatured. Perhaps as his wife grew older - and more softly matronly? - Wellman developed an eye toward appealingly rendering his BBW heroines.
LATER WELLMAN
(Signed)
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