Regency Illuminations
If you turned a corner at Vauxhall Gardens two centuries ago, you were likely to stumble across the Regency version of a hologram: a huge backlit transparency depicting a natural wonder like Fingal's cave (above), a battle victory, or a romantic scene from some far-off place. At a time when electric lighting was yet to be invented, the public was enthralled by these illuminations. Regency Illuminations In addition to huge public displays, transparencies were hot hobby trend for genteel ladies, who painted images on paper or lightweight fabrics like silk and muslin, [...]
Almack’s History
As Ton Central for Regency high society, Almack's was all about exclusivity. That meant keeping out “mushrooms” (rich social climbers) and other undesirables. Almack's - a History To keep things classy, a cabal of gatekeepers from the highest ranks of society – the Ladies Committee - issued annual (sometimes monthly) vouchers to a closely-vetted list of subscribers. A voucher was a kind of pre-approval, enabling the holder to purchase tickets to balls. They could also bring a guest; those up to snuff were granted “stranger’s tickets.” Vouchers were printed on heavy card and at about 2.5 [...]
Ices at Gunters
If you were a celebrity wedding planner in 1812, you might want your wedding ices made by Gunter's Tea Shop. A foodie destination from the mid 1700s, Gunter's made a range of ice creams and confectionery that would rock a dessert aficionado's world today let alone at a time when no one had fridges, or even electricity. The public must have found the idea of an ice cream sundae astonishing. Obviously such luxury did not come cheaply. Trade card for then Pot and Pineapple Known initially as The Pot and Pineapple, Gunter's was established [...]
Other Interesting Posts
Outsiders Within – Romani in the Regency
By the time 'Gypsies' appeared on the pages of Jane Austen, Sir Walter Scott and Maria Edgeworth, Romani people had been in England for centuries. Sidebar: Believing the copper-skinned migrants to hail from Egypt, the Europeans had coined the term "Gypsies" for these migrants. Some consider [...]
