How to Build a Snow Giant in 1895

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Nov 26, 2016
Location
central NC
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(Public Domain)

For many of us the winter months bring back fond memories of building snowmen, snowwomen or snow people - whichever you prefer to call it. For some of us the winter months still bring us opportunities to test our sculpting skills. Well, The Modern Playmate published directions for building a snow giant back in 1895. Sound familiar? Why do you suppose they were called snow giants?

"The first process in this, as in all large constructions in snow, is to roll up large snowballs; two large ones are wanted for the body, and one of lesser dimensions for the head… Having selected a suitable site, one of the great snowballs must be rolled thither, and firmly set in its place by mounding up and ramming the snow all round it, and the top flattened off to receive No. 2. Now comes the difficulty how to lift No. 2 into its place. A hand-barrow, shutter, or hurdle are the best things, but if none of these be available, a very effectual substitute may be extemporized out of a few stout sticks lashed crosswise… No. 3 must be set up in like manner, and the block now stands ready for the sculptor. The elaboration of detail must, of course, depend upon the genius of the carver… the most satisfactory tool to work with is a pointed mason’s trowel: with this the whole of the carving, however elaborate, may be done… By the way, it is quite useless to attempt to stick limbs or features on–they must all be cut out of the solid mass. Your snow giant complete, the more eccentric the accessories with which you can provide him the better, such as a shocking bad hat, a long pipe, a besom for a sceptre, or, best of all, a good big dilapidated umbrella; and having got him you may do what you like with him; but decidedly the very worst use you can put him to is to knock him to pieces."
-J. G. Wood

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OMG! They had directions for building a snow pig too...

"Snow Statuary. The statuary may be of various kinds. It is very seldom that pigs are sculptured in marble or cast in bronze, and it would be well to make some of snow, so as to have statues not likely to be found elsewhere. An oblong mass of snow forms the body; the legs, nose, and ears are made of sticks surrounded by snow, and a bit of rope nicely curled will make a very good tail. The various parts can be shaped and carved according to the skill of the young artist. A number of pigs, of different sizes, will give a lively and social air to the yard of a snow-house."
- Daniel Carter Beard, What to Do and How to Do It

This winter might be your chance to decorate your yard with pigs!
 
View attachment 341899
(Public Domain)

For many of us the winter months bring back fond memories of building snowmen, snowwomen or snow people - whichever you prefer to call it. For some of us the winter months still bring us opportunities to test our sculpting skills. Well, The Modern Playmate published directions for building a snow giant back in 1895. Sound familiar? Why do you suppose they were called snow giants?

"The first process in this, as in all large constructions in snow, is to roll up large snowballs; two large ones are wanted for the body, and one of lesser dimensions for the head… Having selected a suitable site, one of the great snowballs must be rolled thither, and firmly set in its place by mounding up and ramming the snow all round it, and the top flattened off to receive No. 2. Now comes the difficulty how to lift No. 2 into its place. A hand-barrow, shutter, or hurdle are the best things, but if none of these be available, a very effectual substitute may be extemporized out of a few stout sticks lashed crosswise… No. 3 must be set up in like manner, and the block now stands ready for the sculptor. The elaboration of detail must, of course, depend upon the genius of the carver… the most satisfactory tool to work with is a pointed mason’s trowel: with this the whole of the carving, however elaborate, may be done… By the way, it is quite useless to attempt to stick limbs or features on–they must all be cut out of the solid mass. Your snow giant complete, the more eccentric the accessories with which you can provide him the better, such as a shocking bad hat, a long pipe, a besom for a sceptre, or, best of all, a good big dilapidated umbrella; and having got him you may do what you like with him; but decidedly the very worst use you can put him to is to knock him to pieces."
-J. G. Wood

Never heard them called gaints, but maks sense to smal 5-6 year old I suppose
 

OMG! They had directions for building a snow pig too...

"Snow Statuary. The statuary may be of various kinds. It is very seldom that pigs are sculptured in marble or cast in bronze, and it would be well to make some of snow, so as to have statues not likely to be found elsewhere. An oblong mass of snow forms the body; the legs, nose, and ears are made of sticks surrounded by snow, and a bit of rope nicely curled will make a very good tail. The various parts can be shaped and carved according to the skill of the young artist. A number of pigs, of different sizes, will give a lively and social air to the yard of a snow-house."
- Daniel Carter Beard, What to Do and How to Do It

This winter might be your chance to decorate your yard with pigs!
Now that is different.
 
We once made a snow guinea pig when my son was quite young. We were in Michigan for Christmas, and there was quite a bit of snow on the ground.
 
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