1890? Two two-piece brass buttons, 9/16" in diameter, picturing " The Dog Who Carried His Master's Dinner."
This is perhaps the simplest of the buttons I have found. Until the Goldbarg offer, I did not know that this scene found its way onto a button. Almost the full top half of the button's circle is simple darkness. In addition to the dog and the lunch, there is only the raised ground beneath the animal. The button seems to have been constructed of the scene proper and a standard brass backing with a self-shank. BBB Plate 154 #29. In the Larner exemplar, this scene is, as BBB describes, "all tinted in red" (379).
1970? One valentine proclaiming "I'm not a dog in a manger but I want you for myself alone. Valentine." Made in U.S.A. $2.95 from Trish Rucker at Birdhouse Books, Decatur, GA, through eBay, Jan., '18.
I am delighted to find a good ol' time Valentine! I am surprised that the receiver is supposed to be able to recognize the Aesopic allusion. I do not think that "The Dog in the Manger" is a well known fable these days. So when was it well known?
1930? 7" white plate from Sarreguemines, France. Inside a 1.5" rim there is a representation of Grandville's "The Dog Carrying His Master's Dinner." The front carries two inscriptions: "Fables de la Fontaine" and "10. Le Chien Qui Porte a Son Cou le Diner de Son Maitre." The back has a "Digoin" stamp.
The attack of others against this dog is clear, as the illustration presents a close grouping of three figures. A dog behind the porter-dog grasps him with his paws. A dark fierce dog stands in his way. the basket around the porter-dog's neck is a focus of attention.
