A Mysterious Tale…or Perhaps Tail
The following intriguing article first appeared in the September 1809 edition of La Belle Assemblèe, and I thought you might find it interesting. Is it
Tag: Marissa Doyle
Fish, Preciousssss
Ah, holiday customs. At my house, we’ve developed one we’re very fond of: after exchanging presents and eating Christmas dinner and pulling crackers (we lurrrrve
Christmas in a Nutshell
Did you know that Christmas as we know it is very much a 19th century invention, courtesy of Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens? The Queen
Flirting with Props, Part 4: Parasols
I must say that I regret that parasols are no longer in fashion—a pity, as they have a long history stretching back to the ancient
Flirting with Props, Part 3: Fans
In our primer on Victorian flirtation techniques, we’ve learned how to utilize the handkerchief and the gloves to conduct our secret intrigues; now, it is
Flirting with Props, Part 2: Gloves
Gloves…once an essential part of both ladies’ and gentlemen’s wardrobes. If you had any claim to gentility you did not stir out of doors without
Flirting with Props, Part 1: the Handkerchief
Are you familiar with The Language of Flowers, Kate Greenaway’s delightful little 1884 volume of flowers and their symbolism? Well, flowers weren’t the only item
Fetch the Comfy Chair!
In addition to the fashion prints I so love, the journal Ackermann’s Repository of the Arts, that splendidly illustrated journal of early 19th century culture
The Marvelous Mrs. Fish
One of the most interesting people I’ve “met” over the course of doing research for my non-nineteenth century books is Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish, known as
Death and Dyeing
You may know that I collect early nineteenth century ladies’ magazines, because I adore the fashion plates. Here’s one of my favorites, an 1835 Evening
Fun in the Sun…Not
This parasol from my collection is not Victorian—I’m guessing it’s ca. early twentieth century—but the tassel and beautiful repoussé silver handle (I wish it showed
A Lot of Hot Air…Or Was It?
My dear nephew (thanks, Ian!) sent me the following item, which first appeared in the Northampton Mercury on July 23, 1808, and again on the
Fly the Friendly Skies…of the Aerostation Company!
I don’t have a lot to say in this week’s post, because really, there’s not much I can add to this item from the July