Blog – Laughing Elephant

Peek Inside the Books of Ida Rentoul Outhwaite!

Let’s meet the 100+-year-old fairies of Ida Rentoul Outhwaite in their original form! The illustrator, alongside her collaborating family members, brought fairies to life for generations of children. Her whimsical characters and nature scenes captivated audiences locally, internationally, and now across time! Her hardbound books, featuring black-and-white pen drawings and full-color illustrations, were collectible and prized gifts—one even graced the young Princess Elizabeth. We welcome you into our library to see her first-edition books that have inspired our reproductions.

May 23, 2024 — Allison Frey

Tags: Celebrating Illustrators Fairies Ida Rentoul Outhwaite Laughing Elephant's Library

The Art of Vintage Advertising

We find inspiration for our products from a variety of sources, with vintage magazine ads being one of our primary influences. During an era when photography was not yet ubiquitous, talented artists crafted captivating illustrations to sell all sorts of products. Our catalog is a treasure trove of these timeless gems—in this blog post we are showcasing original ads alongside our reinterpretations of them!

March 29, 2024 — Allison Frey

Tags: Gert Sellheim Gustaf Tenggren Herbert Leupin Jean & Lucien Gongoro John Philip Falter Leonetto Cappiello Manolo Prieto Norman Rockwell René Gruau Théophile Steinlen Vintage Advertising

Illustrators Born in March

Let's celebrate the creativity that entered the world in the month of March! From the whimsical worlds of Dr. Seuss and Howard Pyle to the enchanting illustrations of Errol Le Cain and Peter Newell, each artist brings their own unique style and has delighted generations. Get lost in the intricate illustrations of Kay Nielsen and Harry Clarke, or explore the timeless charm of Kate Greenaway and Randolph Caldecott. Discover the innovative paper engineering of Robert Sabuda and the playful creations of Wanda Gág, plus the avant-garde designs of Fortunato Depero. Let us tell you more about the lives of these influential artists!

March 15, 2024 — Allison Frey

Tags: Birthday Celebrating Illustrators Howard Pyle Kay Nielsen Peter Newell

The Easter Bunny's on the Move!

Much like the United States Postal Service's unofficial motto, "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds," guarantees a speedy delivery of your greeting cards, the Easter Bunny is equally dedicated! In a lesser-known Easter Bunny fact, he employs various modes of transportation for Easter egg deliveries. To assist you in selecting this year's Easter cards to send via the USPS, let us showcase all the greeting cards and postcards depicting the various ways he delivers those eggs into our baskets—it's more than just hopping!

February 29, 2024 — Allison Frey

Tags: Bunnies Chickens Easter Golden Age of Postcards Spring

Illustrators Born In February

This month, we're honoring a diverse array of talented artists born in February! From the pioneer spirit of Laura Ingalls Wilder to the whimsical worlds of Adrienne Adams and Elsa Beskow, each artist brings their unique vision to life through their illustrations! Explore the intricate storytelling of David Small, the enchanting tales of Eleanor Farjeon, and the captivating scientific illustrations of Ernst Haeckel. Delve into the charming illustrations of Nancy Ekholm Burkert and Louis Slobodkin, the macabre elegance of Edward Gorey, and the fairy tale magic of Wilhelm Carl Grimm. Experience the imaginative artistry of Uri Schulevitz and the iconic illustrations of John Tenniel. Join us in celebrating the birthdays of these remarkable authors and illustrators, whose contributions continue to inspire and enchant readers of all ages!

February 01, 2024 — Allison Frey

Tags: Alice in Wonderland Alphonse Mucha Birthday Celebrating Illustrators Garth Williams The Brothers Grimm

Laughing Elephant's Top 10 Valentine’s Day Cards

We've analyzed our early data and are excited to unveil the Top 10 Valentine’s Day cards for this season of love, featuring some images adapted from vintage magazine covers, Art Deco reproductions, and Victorian & Edwardian postcards. If you're still deciding on the perfect Valentine’s Day cards to send this year, let the preferences of our early shoppers be your guide!

January 11, 2024 — Allison Frey

Tags: Charles H. Twelvetrees Jessie Willcox Smith Valentine's Day

Illustrators Born in January

This month, we're celebrating the imaginative worlds crafted by J.R.R. Tolkien, the surreal flair of Étienne Delessert, and the detailed artistry of Gustave Doré. Dive into the playful universes of Remy Charlip, experience the Roaring Twenties with John Held Jr., and explore the Australian bush through the eyes of Dorothy Wall and May Gibbs. Get cozy with Clement Hurd, meet Hugh Lofting's communicative animals, and enjoy wordless magic from Raymond Briggs and Brian Wildsmith. Embark on a visual journey around the world with A.M. Cassandre, meet the gentle friends illustrated by Rosemary Wells, and savor the sweet storytelling of Bill Peet. Happy January birthday to these literary greats!

January 09, 2024 — Allison Frey

Tags: A.M. Cassandre Alice in Wonderland Birthday Celebrating Illustrators Rene Cloke

Vintage Valentine Vibes

Journey into the past with a delightful exploration of vintage magazine covers, where skilled artists brought enchanting illustrations to life in the pre-photography era. Our catalog is a rich repository of these timeless treasures, and as Valentine's Day draws near, we're excited to spotlight a curated selection of covers filled with love, hearts, and roses! Join us in this blog as we unveil the original covers that inspired some of our most beloved valentines.

December 21, 2023 — Allison Frey

Tags: Charles H. Twelvetrees Erté Jessie Willcox Smith Roses Valentine's Day Vintage Magazine Covers Will Rannells

Illustrators Born in December

Embrace the winter vibes with the birthdays of some remarkable creatives born in December! Discover the understated revolutionary comics of James Thurber, explore the pachydermal legacy of Jean de Brunhoff, get lost in E.H. Shepard's Hundred Acre Wood talent, soar with the flying books of William Joyce, marvel at Quentin Blake's artistic and literary intersection, revel in the playfulness of Johnny Gruelle, appreciate the intricate work of Gennady Spirin, and be inspired by the art-inspiring creations of Rudyard Kipling. Join us in celebrating the diverse talents that December has bestowed upon the worlds of literature and art!

December 19, 2023 — Allison Frey

Tags: Birthday Celebrating Illustrators Johnny Gruelle

Party like it’s 1899!

In the whirlwind of holiday festivities, it may seem a bit premature to jump ahead to the next big celebration, but such is the rhythm of the greeting card business! With the need to ensure you have ample time to peruse, order, and receive our New Year's Eve cards, we're here to provide you with a sneak peek into what we've crafted for the upcoming year. For those eager to extend warm wishes to friends and family as 2023 bids adieu, let's dive into our collection and help you get a head start on spreading joy and anticipation for the promising year ahead!

December 06, 2023 — Allison Frey

Tags: Alphonse Mucha Cory Steffen Golden Age of Postcards Happy New Year Leonetto Cappiello Party & Celebration Vintage Advertising

Illustrators Born in November

November is a month filled with creative birthdays, showcasing iconic authors and illustrators who have left an indelible mark on the world of art and literature. Let us tell you about the fascinating lives and works of Margaret Bloy Graham, Gustaf Tenggren, Lothar Meggendorfer, Théophile Steinlen, John R. Neill, Robert Louis Stevenson, William Steig, Warwick Goble, Erté, P.D. Eastman, Helen Dryden, Charles M. Schulz, and William Blake. Whether these names are familiar or new, explore the unique artistic contributions each of these creators made to the world!

November 26, 2023 — Allison Frey

Tags: Birthday Celebrating Illustrators Erté Gustaf Tenggren John R. Neill Robert Louis Stevenson Théophile Steinlen Warwick Goble

It's a Family Affair

As we enter into the season of family-centered festivities, let's celebrate the interplay of art and kinship! Get ready to delve into the stories of families united in creativity: Louise Clasper Rumely and her daughter, Janet Susan Rumely, Percy Tarrant and his talented daughter, Margaret Tarrant, the harmonious partnership of Maud and Miska Petersham, the collaborative genius of Ida Rentoul Outhwaite with both her sister, Annie R. Rentoul, and her husband, Grenbry Outhwaite, and the extraordinary sibling connection between Maginel Wright Enright Barney and her renowned brother (can you guess who?). Lastly, we'll explore the creative legacy of the Darling family behind Laughing Elephant! These artistic unions have produced captivating works that continue to inspire and enchant us, and we can't wait to share more about them!

November 03, 2023 — Allison Frey

Tags: Alexandra Day Christmas Fairies Family Good Dog Carl Hanukkah Harold Darling Ida Rentoul Outhwaite Janet Susan Rumely Louise Clasper Rumely Maginel Wright Enright Barney Margaret Tarrant Maud & Miska Petersham Patricia Peacock-Evans Percy Tarrant

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