History

Sixteen-year-old boys loved her. Parents of 16-year-old boys did not.

Yes, long before Hugh Hefner donned his trademark smoking jacket, before Larry Flynt shocked a nation with Hustler, there was Miss Flossie Lee. In the 1890s, the Augusta, Maine, entrepreneur ran Art Photo Co., a corporation that promised to send photos of “the best female models” for a buck. Purportedly, the photos of scantily clad women were intended for “art studies, and as models for the student in figure work, or the young artist who finds the living model a too expensive luxury… ” But what they really were was porn.

Flossie Lee was the victim of her own success. She operated without any evident complaint in Maine, then she decided to go for the big time. “I am the acknowledged belle of my own city, and have beaux by the score,” she writes in an ad, “but wish to extend my acquaintance over the whole country.” The trouble was that shipping obscene material across state lines was a Federal offense.

Congressmen complained. The Assistant Attorney General was peppered with letters from the Post Office inquiring what sort of action could be taken against Miss Lee and her “forbidden circulations.” One man wrote the Secret Service Department in the U.S. Post Office asking if something could not be done to “break up such a bold-faced damnable firm as ‘Miss Flossy Lee.”‘

Miss Lee had fans in 16-year-olds, however. Jerome B. Gray caught his son with a few of the circulars and promptly sent them, along with an angry letter, to his congressman.

Medium Impression by Violet Bloom

The spirit attached to this beautiful old doll and photograph was known as Flossy Lee. It turns out that Flossy was quite the entrepreneur and began selling her photographs. Eventually, Flossy was ready to become acquainted with admirers all over the country. She placed advertisements in newspapers and for 25 cents she mailed out autographed photos of her beautiful self, plus a dozen naughty photos of other bewitching ladies. Her photos were a big hit among teenaged boys! When the father of one of the boys found the photos, he filed a formal complaint.

Many were surprised to learn Flossy Lee was actually a man named George Dunton. George was arrested and pleaded guilty to mailing obscene materials across state lines. George ended up in jail and even managed to escape for a few months, but finally gave himself up.

What came through to me was very interesting. George came from a big family and was always drawn to his older sister’s doll. He enjoyed watching his sister as she dressed. In his teens George enjoyed trying on her dresses and undergarments and experimenting with cosmetics and hair pieces. His new persona was the beautiful Flossy Lee. But one afternoon, George’s father walked in on him wearing his sister’s clothes and was so shocked and appalled that he told George to pack his things, get out of the house, and to never come back. George took along the doll and everything he was wearing.

George soon made his debut as the beautiful Flossy Lee and apparently had lots of suitors! Flossy began a mail order business, using a Post Office Box in Augusta, Maine. It turned out to be a success! There was a flourishing market for obscene, lewd, and lascivious photos. When she decided to branch out to other states, Flossy became a victim of her own success.

Flossy’s spirit enjoys taunting people and making them feel uncomfortable. If you dream of her, be prepared for anything! She dislikes people who refuse to accept her as she is and that could spark some angry behaviors. She loves beautiful things, flowers, and perfume. You may notice phantom fragrances wafting through the air. She is looking for a forever home with a special spirit keeper! She may be considered “high maintenance” but can make a loving spirit companion if you don’t cross her.

Who was Miss Flossie Lee? Archivist Joan Gearin has the answer. “He’s some guy in Maine with a PO Box,” she explained over the phone. Flossie Lee was like so many purported models-on-the Internet and 1-900 numbers hocking their wares: she was made up.” The real Miss Flossie may actually be a man named George Dunton, who pleaded guilty to the charge that he did “knowingly cause to be deposited for mailing in the mail of the said United States … certain obscene, lewd, and lascivious pictures.” He was jailed for four months in Portland, Maine. Flossie Lee was no more.