Our digital lifeline to Otto Soglow's circus-themed scarf is somewhat tenuous. An example of it was listed on eBay some time ago where it was dated, certainly incorrectly, to the 1930s. A lone Pinterest user, Sue Otto, saved a single low-resolution image. And that's all we have to go on today.
Very well. Designed for Richard Farrar in the 1940s or '50s, Soglow's scarf gives us a lively three ring circus without a single focal point. The example on Pinterest is in red and green plus black and white. It seems an odd call that the scarf-buying public would want a sword-swallower included in the design, but that's Soglow for you.
This is likely the primary orientation:
This is the orientation seen on Pinterest:
February 19, 2019 Update: Another eBay sale archived on Worthpoint demonstrates another color scheme: light gray and red plus black and white. There are also some nice photos of details from the scarf.
January 25, 2020 Update: Jennifer C. Moyer shares an example of the scarf in orange and brown plus black and off-white. She writes that "it was actually my Grandmom’s (Estalee Veda ‘Mac’ McCoy Kreutz)" and she would like to have an estimate of its market value, if anyone knows. My thanks to Jennifer and her grandmother!
Note: The red and green scarf is certainly worthy of higher resolution photography. The design most likely exists in a variety of other colors not shown here which should be documented for posterity. If you've got one of these circus scarves in your wardrobe, why not snap a photo or two and send it this way?
My thanks to Joel Jacobus, the maestro of Charles Addams memorabilia, who alerted me to the existence of this scarf.
Original art by Otto Soglow occasionally appears on this blog, but I'd happily make room for more of it. Rare cartoons that have not already made it onto the internet would be welcome as well. And scarves. Don't forget those scarves.
Quick Links to the Attempted Bloggery Archives:
Otto Soglow
Richard Farrar Scarves
Women's Fashion
The Circus
Presidents' Day
Attempted Bloggery's Greatest Index on Earth!
Very well. Designed for Richard Farrar in the 1940s or '50s, Soglow's scarf gives us a lively three ring circus without a single focal point. The example on Pinterest is in red and green plus black and white. It seems an odd call that the scarf-buying public would want a sword-swallower included in the design, but that's Soglow for you.
This is likely the primary orientation:
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| Otto Soglow Circus scarf design for Richard Farrar |
This is the orientation seen on Pinterest:
 |
| Otto Soglow Circus scarf design for Richard Farrar Elephant orientation |
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| Otto Soglow Circus scarf design for Richard Farrar Sea lion orientation |
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| Otto Soglow Circus scarf design for Richard Farrar Lion tamer orientation |
February 19, 2019 Update: Another eBay sale archived on Worthpoint demonstrates another color scheme: light gray and red plus black and white. There are also some nice photos of details from the scarf.
 |
| Otto Soglow Circus scarf design for Richard Farrar Elephant orientation |
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| O. Soglow signature and Circus title |
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| Detail with three elephants |
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| Detail of clown corner |
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| Otto Soglow eBay Listing Archived on Worthpoint |
January 25, 2020 Update: Jennifer C. Moyer shares an example of the scarf in orange and brown plus black and off-white. She writes that "it was actually my Grandmom’s (Estalee Veda ‘Mac’ McCoy Kreutz)" and she would like to have an estimate of its market value, if anyone knows. My thanks to Jennifer and her grandmother!
 |
| Otto Soglow Circus scarf in orange and brown plus black and off-white Lion tamer orientation, apparently reversed (signature and title not visible) |
Note: The red and green scarf is certainly worthy of higher resolution photography. The design most likely exists in a variety of other colors not shown here which should be documented for posterity. If you've got one of these circus scarves in your wardrobe, why not snap a photo or two and send it this way?
My thanks to Joel Jacobus, the maestro of Charles Addams memorabilia, who alerted me to the existence of this scarf.
Original art by Otto Soglow occasionally appears on this blog, but I'd happily make room for more of it. Rare cartoons that have not already made it onto the internet would be welcome as well. And scarves. Don't forget those scarves.
Otto Soglow
Richard Farrar Scarves
Women's Fashion
The Circus
Presidents' Day
Attempted Bloggery's Greatest Index on Earth!
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