This post is an entry in the Best Treasure Find link-up over at Two Bears Farm.
Are you familiar with the Chessie kitten? Beginning in 1933, she was the symbol of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad. If you’re interested, here’s a link with Chessie’s history.
Years ago, I fell in love with Chessie and even stitched a needlework picture of her for Marshall’s room before he was born. He’s probably around four or five in this picture. And there’s the Chessie picture on the wall.
A few months ago, in a little thrift shop, I found an old picture of Chessie.
And a matching one of Peake, “Chessie’s Old Man”.
These were probably in a set of three, which would have included a picture of Chessie’s kittens, Nip and Tuck. The pictures are both 8 x 10’s, and I paid $10 for each of them. So far, I haven’t taken them anywhere to be appraised. The seal from the cabinet shop in Portsmouth, Virginia, where they were framed is on the back of each picture. The phone number shown for the shop is 2936-J.
So they’re definitely old. And one day I may find out that they weren’t the deal that I thought they were. But even if that should happen, they’d still be a “treasured find” to me.
these days of mine 
I remember the picture you stitched of the Chessie kitten. Appropriate since the whole family loves cats!
Treasures indeed. And great little slice of the area’s history!
Regardless of what they are worth – they are priceless if there’s a cool story such as this behind them 🙂
that’s sweet. didn’t know that image of chessie was linked to a company. 🙂
What a cool idea at Two Bears Farm. You just may win this one with your adorable entry/entries.
I had no idea that a railroad used a kitten for their marketing symbol. Thanks for the link to the history. I find the advertising back in the 30’s and 40’s so wonderful. Part of it might be the tones they used in their work – like in your “Chessie” prints.
It’s too bad the set of three got separated, I bet you would have LOVED to have all of them…I know I would have, as I really love old artwork/prints.
Happy weekend everyone!
I have never heard of Chessie, but what a wonderful find! The pictures are really sweet. I think it’s so interesting that the railroad used a kitten for a marketing symbol. Maybe one day you’ll get lucky and stumble upon the 3rd picture – stranger things have happened!
I learned something today! How very interesting! And with a phone number that short, I’d say it’s pretty old!
I love this picture of the kitten. Just sitting there, very regally. And yes, these are such treasured memories and it’s great you have a story along with them.
Those are indeed treasures. I come from a RR family and have variations of Chessie in several forms, and I think one of Nip & Tuck but I have never run across Peake!
Congratulations on great finds.
What a great find! Love the picture of the kitten. Interesting story. The short phone number is indeed very old and reminds me of my grandmother’s which I can still remember…257J! Have a nice weekend.
I’ve never even heard of Chessie but she now has a new fan. Very sweet!
I’ve seen Chessie, but didn’t realize there were other cats in her family. What a treasure you’ve found, Dianna!
Some of my most valuable possessions include a baseball card with my best friend’s name written on the back, a ceramic frog my grandma made me to hold my glasses at night, and a quilt made from my wife’s and my children’s clothes.
The lot of them wouldn’t appraise for more than $3… but those are some of the first things I’m taking with me if there’s a hurricane warning!
Darling pictures!! Wouldn’t it be nice, if someday you could find Nip and Tuck!! Don’t worry about their worth — they mean a lot to you.
I love the Chessie pics too, had them growing up at my Grandmas. Once ebay came to life I took to looking for them. Have a new set of the prints and a few of the other marketing items used by the railway. At the height all the dishes and napkins and other stuff had Chessie printed on it. Too precious. Check ebay and you will find the third print. And you did get a deal.
A very cool story from the area, and great additions to any prints or Chessie collection! One of the best is where Chessie’s dreaming of Peake in uniform, being awarded a medal ….
Loved the history. I didn’t know.
Loved the history. I did not know that.
lovely…..cute marshall picture!!!
What a great post. I didn’t know that they used the kittens for marketing. What a great idea. I agree what a great find!!
I never knew this story. Thanks for enlightening me. I had graphs to cross stitch the kitty, but I didn’t, so I gave them to Good Will. I may look for another sometime…….
Great find and thanks for the history!
I didn’t know that kitten picture history. It’s really interesting to learn. I couldn’t help but notice that your photo of Sundae in the sidebar looks a lot like the Chessie kitten. Sundae is so sweet. Great post and info. 🙂
I have never heard this story, but I love it! Also, finding hidden treasures like these pics is one of my favorite things!
I have all 3 pictures. I think they were my mothers who was from Ohio and born in 1933. I had them hanging in my childhood room then my own daughter’s room when she was young. I’ve always wondered if they were worth anything now. I also wonder if mine were calendar pictures. My frame job looks less than professional, but I love them!
I grew up in Michigan and we had several of these pictures. I cannot remember exactly, but I think we had 3 kittens sleeping together and then one of Chessie and one of Peake. Our cat growing up was named Chessie! No idea whatever happened to those pictures.
I just found a collection of 15 Chessie ads in a box. They are all on some type of construction paper, color , very old, and vary in size but most in the range of 13″x13″, 13″x14″, 14″x15″. Is anyone interested in buying them? I hate to leave them sitting in a box!