The art of decorating dry goods windows and interiors

by L. Frank Baum

This novel effect, as shown in the picture, is a pleasing centerpiece to any class of displayed goods. The background was a scene, painted in oil colors on a 7 × 9 canvas, of a rough, “choppy” sea, the water in natural colors, the sky nearly black, except where the edges of the clouds are lit up by the rising moon. At the horizon a hole is cut for moon, and beneath that, and all the way down to bottom of the canvas, little slits were cut in the crests of the waves, the width of space in which slits were cut widening while going downward. White celluloid was glued to back of moon and also all the slits, and back of celluloid yellow tissue paper was glued. On front of canvas edges of slits were tipped with gilt and silver metal flitters sprinkled liberally between. Divide the canvas into two parts by cutting through where the sky line and water meet. Each part was mounted on a frame, the water part put on very loosely, allowing three or four inches play. When set up the water canvas laps over the sky a trifle, and is set one-half inch forward to allow sail to pass through, which is a piece of cardboard painted gray, and fastened on an endless band. An incandescent light is placed back of moon, also one lower down, back of slits, and an electric fan stood back of water canvas. When set in motion the sail projects through and passes across the canvas between the two frames at the horizon, and the canvas on water frame being loose, the fan gives it a pitching, rolling motion. When seen from sidewalk no division of canvas is detected, and the illusion of the moving sail and rolling waters, reflecting the moon’s light, is perfect. This arrangement is so simple and easy that any one can do it, and it is bound to be an overwhelming attraction anywhere. This display was the invention of Oscar M. Condit.

DESIGN SHOWING A MOONLIGHT SCENE.—Condit.

AN ALLEGORICAL DESIGN.

In giving a description of this allegorical effect you will at once see that it is on the “theatrical” order. A great many of our merchants have ideas of their own in regard to the value of decorations of this kind—in fact, we know of a merchant who will not allow a wax figure in his windows, another who considers a landscape effect abominable, another who will not allow contrasting backgrounds, and so on without end. The fact remains, nevertheless, that the writer believes show windows were made for the purpose of showing goods, that the people may see what you have and patronize you accordingly. It is with the intention of giving you a show window distinctively attractive in itself, that can be gotten up at a trifling expense and possess sufficient animation to attract the attention of the public, that the accompanying design is presented. It is suitable for almost any line of goods, and requires no materials outside of the average property room, unless it be the flasher; but as these are now so much used we assume you have one either of your own make, such as has been previously described, or one of the many for sale on the market. Outside of this you will require fourteen red, fourteen white and seven green lamps for the figure and border, and the necessary amount of stationary lights to show off the goods displayed properly, but not strong enough to dim the colors of the figure. Next select a suitable life-size figure, mount it on a pedestal about one foot high, and drape in any filmy white material you may have. Set the figure somewhat back on the pedestal, so as to leave room for three footlights of different colors in front, which can be screened from the outside by a piece of new tin set at such angle as to reflect the colored rays upon the white figure, and properly covered up on the side toward the street. The sword may be made of a piece of lath covered with silver paper or white cloth. For the girdle use a modern stock article, and a limited amount of tinsel properly distributed will improve the looks of the entire window. For the wings take two thin sticks extending from the bottom of the wings below the hips to the extreme tip. Draw it into the shape of a bow, with a string attached to each end, the same as a small boy would make a bow. About two-thirds of the way down, at a point just behind the shoulders nail a piece of board about 6 × 12 inches. Now take a number of lath, saw them in two parts lengthwise and nail to this board, diverging in the direction shown in the cut forming the frame for the wings. They are to be covered with a transparent white material for two reasons: The lights on the wings are behind the cloth, showing through (not in front), and it must be white because there are colored lamps to be shown through it. The covering on the wings should be properly gathered and pleated to give the appearance of feathers, in the same direction as the diverging ribs. A very thin shellac (almost watery with alcohol) colored with aniline makes a very good dip for coloring lamps for temporary inside work. Use very little aniline, as deep colors do not give the desired effect. The background can be made of panels about one foot wide and eight long, all converging to the center. In this case, however, it will be found better to put the lamps studding the panels on the front side. The panels can be made of all white or alternate white and delicate pink, with lights therein to correspond. Behind the whole about two feet put a purple background perfectly plain—at least from the level of the hips up, if not entirely.

The wiring is done according to Fig. 2. Circuit No. 1 connects to each alternate light in the border which are to be red; No. 2 goes to each alternate light in the border which will be white; No. 3 to one red footlight and three red lights in each wing; No. 4 to one white footlight and three white in each wing. No. 5 to one green footlight and three green lights in each wing. While but one line is shown in the cut, it will be understood that two wires are required. Now take the left hand wire of each of the five circuits and connect them to the left hand service main, using a fuse in each. Take the right hand wire of circuit No. 1 and connect to the left hand brush of flasher, the right hand wire of No. 2 to the next brush, and so on. Connect the right hand service to the standard of the flasher.