Artist - Margaret G. Hays

No Text.

4 1/8" x 5 1/2"
dated 1916
Flat
Figure holding an American Flag and Firecrackers with Cherries at her Feet
published by Ernest Nister and EP Dutton
marked: Printed in Bavaria
No 2755
Signed by Margaret G Hays

Margaret Gebbie Hays (1874 - 1925) was the older sister of Grace Drayton (nee Viola Grace Gebbie). The two collaborated on a comic strip titled The Turr'ble Tales of Kaptin Kiddo and other projects, like the book Vegetable Verselets for Humorous Vegetarians, published by J. B. Lippincott in 1911. They also created the Kiddie Land series of books together. Like her sister, Hays created many paper dolls. Postcard collectors look for her paper doll postcards. These featured a doll with a couple of outfits to be cut out from the card.

Hays was a talented writer as well as an illustrator with a variety of published works including an impressive number of books, credited to her name. She was even a song lyricist, writing the words for Her Poke Bonnet, a song with music by Louis Lichtenstein, in 1910. As if that were not enough, she was also a published poet, writing rhyming verse to go with her own illustrations.

My Valentine Polly Pig-tail, dressed in blue, Says she's very fond of you.

4" x 6 1/2"
circa 1910s
Flat
Figure with Large Hat
published by Ernest Nister and EP Dutton
marked: Printed in Bavaria
No 2733
Signed by Margaret G Hays
easel stand on the back

Her career in writing and illustrating began with newspaper comics. Her first work appeared in the Philadelphia Press in 1906. The bulk of her published work appears to date to the 1910s.

Frank A. Hays was the husband of Margaret (nick named Peg). His company, Children's Novelty Co, was a maker of dolls. They produced dolls created by his wife and her famous sister. The patents for the Bobby Bobbykins and Dolly Dollykins dolls both bear his name with a filing date of June 8, 1909.

My Dear Valentine Now I'm dressed in leaves so lucky, We'll get married, won't we, ducky?

4" x 6 1/2"
circa 1910s
Flat
Figure with Large Hat
published by Ernest Nister and EP Dutton
marked: Printed in Bavaria
No 2729
Signed by Margaret G Hays
easel stand on the back

Continuing the family tradition of working in the arts, Frank and Margaret's daughter Mary Hays Huber  was also an illustrator who created valentines among her other works. You can see a card by Huber on our page featuring cats.

My I'll gaily sail Life's stormy sea Dear Valentine If You're with me.

5 1/8" x 4 1/2"
circa 1910s
Figures in a Boat
published by E. H. Fisher
mechanical flat
Signed by Margaret G Hays
easel stand on the back

Your captivating style is such It makes me love you very much My Valentine.

3 7/8" x 5 7/8"
dated 1913
Flat
Figure with Large Hat
published by Ernest Nister and EP Dutton
marked: Printed in Bavaria
No 3054
Signed by Margaret G Hays
easel stand on the back

Your pretty hat, sweet Valentine, Has captured this poor heart of mine.

3 7/8" x 6"
dated 1913
Flat
Figure with Large Hat
published by Ernest Nister and EP Dutton
marked: Printed in Bavaria
No 3055
Signed by Margaret G Hays
easel stand on the back


**********************************************************************
Companies Hays is known to have worked with (this list is by no means to be considered complete):

• Ernest Nister/E P Dutton
• H. E. Fisher

************************************************************************

Sources:

Little Verses and Big Names, by Stewart Edward White, George H. Doran Co, 1905

Grace Drayton, a Children’s Illustrator Who also Painted Young Women--a Biographical Sketch; by W. E. McGrath