The Gibson Girl image spread far and wide through American culture and society. She appeared in songs and operettas, clothing lines, hairstyles, and wallpaper designs, to mention only a few examples. James Montgomery Flagg, Howard Chandler Christy, Wladyslaw Benda, and Nell Brinkley, all peers of Gibson, introduced their own rival icons of feminine beauty, but none came close to winning the great following of the Gibson Girl.

The Gibson Girl Phenomenon

The Gibson Girl image spread far and wide through American culture and society. She appeared in songs and operettas, clothing lines, hairstyles, and wallpaper designs, to mention only a few examples. James Montgomery Flagg, Howard Chandler Christy, Wladyslaw Benda, and Nell Brinkley, all peers of Gibson, introduced their own rival icons of feminine beauty, but none came close to winning the great following of the Gibson Girl.

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  • Charles Dana Gibson. The Education of Mr. Pipp. New York: R. H. Russell, Publisher. 1899. Private loan. Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress (022.00.00)

  • Charles Dana Gibson. Design for Wall Paper. Suitable for a Bachelor Apartment. Published in Life, September 18, 1902. General Collections, Library of Congress. (023.00.00)

  • E. C. Kammermeyer. The Gibson Girl: March and Two Step. Cover for sheet music. New York: Sol Bloom, 1902. Music Division, Library of Congress (024.00.00)

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