Dear Slorose:
The Buster Brown character (quite a little scamp) and his dog, Tige,
were first created by artist Richard F. Outcault and then acquired by
the Brown Shoe Company for the promotion of a line of Buster Brown
Shoes. I once possessed an Outcault book of Buster Brown verse which
was a delightful collection from the 1920s. See "The Life and Times
of Buster Brown" at http://www.brownshoe.com/busterbrown/busbrwn_history.asp
A comprehensive history of the shoe company and their association with
Outcault is located at
http://www.angelfire.com/ny/nyuk/busterbrown.html - I also discovered
advertising references. Buster Brown shoes were associated with
Brownbilt Shoes (http://www.bullworks.net/virtual/newstuff/buster.htm),
too. There are advertising examples located at that site as well.
"Tige the Dog - Canine companion of Buster Brown, the commercial
mascot for Buster Brown shoes. Buster's catchphrase is ""I'm Buster
Brown, I live in a shoe. That's my dog, Tige, he lives there too!"
(referring to the company label inside their shoes). In 1902, artist
Richard F. Outcault created the Buster Brown comic strip (retired in
the 1920s) about a "little Lord Fauntleroy" child and his playful dog.
Buster was constantly getting into trouble, and being rescued from his
predicaments the help of his little dog Tige. Tige, who's name is
short for "Tiger" was modeled after Outcault's own pet. Outcault later
franchised the Buster Brown name to a variety of companies, the most
notable being Buster Brown shoes."
From http://www.tvacres.com/adanimals_tigebustebrown.htm
Buster Brown buttons, shoehorns, balloons, keychains, etc. were often
given away as advertising premiums when buying the brand. As a child,
I had a Buster Brown button that was given to me when my mother bought
me a pair of their shoes (early 1960s) - I wish I still had that
button!
BUSTER BROWN AND TIGE IMAGES from a Google Image Search:
Magazine Ads and fashion spreads [Rockwellian-type illustrations]
http://paperboynews.com/images/y/y3044.jpg
http://paperboynews.com/images/y/y3047.jpg
http://www.yesterdayland.com/images/popopedia/shows/fashion/fa1152.jpg
http://www.reviewshoes.com/images/logos/busterb_logo.gif (recent)
http://theimaginaryworld.com/rnn75.jpg
Buttons [including one for Hose Supporter, also a BBS product]
http://www.tias.com/stores/gator/pictures/pr154a.jpg
http://histclo.hispeed.com/image/fc/graphics/bb-hs01.jpg
http://www.bullworks.net/virtual/newstuff/busterkn.jpg
Keychain Fob
http://www.tias.com/stores/gator/pictures/pr152a.jpg
Clicker [the Buster Brown Hosiery ad section of Brown usually showed
Tige and Buster pulling on a sock]
http://michelesworld.net/dmm/frog/gremlin/bbtoy.jpg
The Brown Shoe Company is still in business and their website begins
at http://www.brownshoe.com/ - they also offer a history of the
company at http://www.brownshoe.com/history/index.asp. A general
Buster Brown page may be viewed at
http://michelesworld.net/dmm/frog/gremlin/buster.htm
Thank you for asking this interesting question - one that allowed me
to experience a pleasant blast from the past. :) Should you require
any clarification of the links or info I have located, please request
it and I will be happy to respond.
SEARCH STRATEGY:
"Buster Brown" advertising
"Buster Brown" book
"Buster Brown" trademark
"Buster Brown"
"Brownbilt Shoes"
"Brown Shoe Company" |
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