History's Runway: A Seaside Dress, 1872

Seaside Day Dress
England, c. 1872
This and all related images from:
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Inspired by the classic sailor suit, this day dress was made in the early 1870s as a sporting outfit to be worn for a day at the seaside—walking or boating. Constructed of easily-laundered (by Victorian standards) cotton, the outfit is meant to be practical without sacrificing style.

A hip-length jacket with a square collar is finished in scarf ends. The overskirt boasts patch pockets with another pocket in the seam. A stitched bow adorns the belt. Unlined, the ensemble would have been ideal for a warm day.  Bone buttons offer a charming contrast to the combination of medium blue and ecru stripes and the rich, deep blue of the finish-work.

It was made in the United Kingdom, likely in London. Few such example of sporting outfits of this period remain. Though the materials were durable, these types of ensembles were more quickly consumed due to the nature of their use.

You'll see that, as was the style of the time, this was worn with a bustle beneath the dress.  The skirts are shorter than would have been acceptable for city-wear, but this served to keep the hem from dragging in the sand.  

Print of the Day: Southend, Seaside Excursions, 1925

Southend:  Seaside Excursions
Herrick, 1925
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Frederick Charles Herrick (1887-1970) designed this poster in 1925 for the Underground Electric Railways Co. of London, Ltd. Printed by Baynard Press, the chromolithograph depicts a woman in a blue bathing costume and orange swim cap as she readies herself for a day at the seaside with her friends who seem to like to wave. The dark background serves to set off the type: “Southend: Seaside Excursions.” Meant to entice post-Great War tourists, the poster was designed to advertise inexpensive train fare to seaside destinations—still considered a suitable spot for a one-day holiday.

Friday Fun: Professor Mark Poulton talks about Punch and Judy.. with a little help from Mr Punch

Weymouth-based Punch and Judy Professor Mark Poulton tells us a little about his impressive career as a Punch and Judy man, Punch’s history and legacy, and allows Mr. Punch to make an appearance as well!

Enjoy!

Drawing of the Day: By the Seaside, The Sands of Ramsgate, 1856

By the Seaside No. 1
The Sands of Ramsgate
After McConnell
The British Museum

This satirical print was engraved by Joseph Swain after nine original drawings by William McConnell. The drawings date to 1856 and the set is entitled “By the Seaside, No. 1. The Sands at Ramsgate.” The set was published in “The Illustrated Times” in August of 1856. It’s a charming view of the seaside on a summer day. 

 “Snapshots” of individuals from the crowds of people on holiday at the seaside, give us a look at the accepted archetypes of holiday tourists of the era. The attributes of the English seaside of the mid-Nineteenth Century, are readily apparent. We see the bathing machine and the ubiquitous seaside Punch and Judy Show which many will always associate with a carefree summer day.

Unusual Artifacts: A Deceptive Glass, 1820-1830

Deceptive Glass or "Lick"
Britain, 1820-1830
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Long before people expected outrageously large servings, consumers were content with, in some cases, just a satisfying taste of a favorite treat. Take, for example, ice cream. In the early Nineteenth Century, ice cream and ices—especially those served at the seaside as a cooling treat—were not offered up in giant scoops, but were sold as a “lick.”

With the advent of new “ice cream making machines,” these frozen novelties were quite en vogue. But, people didn’t really want a whole bowlful. Instead, they wanted just enough to cool them off and give them a nice taste in their mouths. And, so, glasses such as this one—called “licks” or “deceptive glasses”—were commonly used by vendors at the beach and at fairgrounds.

While the glass looks as if it’s a normal drinking vessel, it’s not. It is, in fact, almost entirely solid glass. There’s only a modest indentation in the bowl which allows for a smear of ice cream to be applied by the vendor. This smear would be licked off and the glass returned to the vendor who would, in most cases not washing it first, apply another smear and sell it to the next customer.

The lick is constructed of solid leaded glass and makes for a rather attractive, sparklingly clear artifact. The vessel was made by hand and probably took two people at once to construct. 

Print of the Day: Southend, Seaside Excursions, 1925

Southend:  Seaside Excursions
Herrick, 1925
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Frederick Charles Herrick (1887-1970) designed this poster in 1925 for the Underground Electric Railways Co. of London, Ltd. Printed by Baynard Press, the chromolithograph depicts a woman in a blue bathing costume and orange swim cap as she readies herself for a day at the seaside with her friends who seem to like to wave. The dark background serves to set off the type: “Southend: Seaside Excursions.” Meant to entice post-Great War tourists, the poster was designed to advertise inexpensive train fare to seaside destinations—still considered a suitable spot for a one-day holiday.

History's Runway: A Seaside Dress, 1872

Seaside Day Dress
England, c. 1872
This and all related images from:
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Inspired by the classic sailor suit, this day dress was made in the early 1870s as a sporting outfit to be worn for a day at the seaside—walking or boating. Constructed of easily-laundered (by Victorian standards) cotton, the outfit is meant to be practical without sacrificing style.

A hip-length jacket with a square collar is finished in scarf ends. The overskirt boasts patch pockets with another pocket in the seam. A stitched bow adorns the belt. Unlined, the ensemble would have been ideal for a warm day.  Bone buttons offer a charming contrast to the combination of medium blue and ecru stripes and the rich, deep blue of the finish-work.

It was made in the United Kingdom, likely in London. Few such example of sporting outfits of this period remain. Though the materials were durable, these types of ensembles were more quickly consumed due to the nature of their use.

You'll see that, as was the style of the time, this was worn with a bustle beneath the dress.  The skirts are shorter than would have been acceptable for city-wear, but this served to keep the hem from dragging in the sand.  

Object of the Day, Caption Contest: At the Seaside

Click on image to be beside the sea.

Published in the late Nineteenth Century by Chas. Shield & Sons of Gold Street in New York City, this chromolithograph was printed, but never used by anyone as a proper trade card. Therefore, it remains unusually crisp and bright—saved from the stress of over-printing and commercial distribution. This is the sort of card which was purchased for a catalog and probably handed out as a premium or free gift with purchase. Likely, it was immediately spirited away and placed in an album where it was protected from sunlight and oily fingers for over a century.

It depicts a tender scene of a young couple snuggling beneath an umbrella. Well, tender to most people. To me, beaches don’t make me think romantic thoughts. They’re my idea of hell—close to angry waters filled with all manner of waste—both natural and otherwise—corpses of assorted species, vicious creatures and potential demise. Not to mention the sand—squishy, clinging, abrasive sand, the smell of salty decay and the sting of cruel winds. So, to me, this is a scene of two people huddling together to save their lives, their clothes soaking in moisture from the porous mess beneath them. They’re cold. They’re frightened. Before them, ships carry people off into the perilous waters. The only comfort they have comes from the color of their umbrella, a nod to Mr. Punch—the only bright spot on the sea.

But, that’s just me. Admittedly, I’m not right—in a host of ways.

I just think this is the perfect opportunity for a caption contest. You know how it works.

Painting of the Day: Boat on the Shore, c. 1845

Click image to be depressed.

Boat on the Shore
Charles Hoguet, c. 1850
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Charles Hoguet (1821-1870) was is best remembered for his attractive seascapes as well as his still-lives and landscapes. The sea had always fascinated Hoguet who had, at an early age, studied with the seascape painter Wilhelm August Christian Leopold Krause (1802-1864) and, then, later completed his apprenticeship in Paris with Eugène Ciceri (1813-90). Marine paintings won Hoguet medals in Paris in 1848 and 1859.

The artist’s marine works are typified by an almost monochromatic palette of cool hues. The painting pictured above is an excellent example of his work. Painted around 1845, the piece nods at Seventeenth Century Dutch paintings while keeping a then-modern approach to the scene. 

The Home Beautiful: The Trinity House Beaker, c. 1790

Trinity House Mug
Lowestoft, England
Robert Allen, c. 1790
This and all related images from:
The Victoria & Albert Museum

A mug of soft-paste porcelain, this vessel features a scrolled handle, gilding and enamel painting.  The mug has been painted with the arms and the motto of the “Trinity House” (a local gathering place) as seen above a view of Lowestoft in England.  Lowestoft, being a seaside community, naturally lends itself to images of lighthouses.  These are pictured in an oval panel against a ground of gilt stars. 

This piece was made around 1790 by the Lowestoft Porcelain Factory.  It was likely painted by one Robert Allen (1744-1835). 

Print of the Day: Punch and Judy at the Seaside, 1886

Click image to enlarge
Punch and Judy at the Seaside, Llandudno
R. Barnes for the "Graphic"
Britain, 1886
The British Puppet and Model Theatre Guild Collection at
The Victoria & Albert Museum

This 1886 print by R. Barned depicts a seaside crowd watching a Punch & Judy show. By the Nineteenth Century, Mr. Punch and friends were one of the most popular forms of seaside entertainment. This print is housed in the V&A’s British Puppet and Model Theatre Guild Collection and was originally published in the “Graphic Magazine,” on September 10, 1886.The show seen here takes place at Llandudno and the “Professor” depicted is Richard Codman.

Richard Codman began performing his famous Punch & Judy Show in 1850 and quickly became a main attraction at the seafront at Llandudno. Richard was the first “Professor” in the celebrated Codman Family, passing the tradition on to his son. Now, the sixth generation of Codmans is still performing regularly in the same spot in Llandudno.

Check back later for a “Friday Fun” video of the current generation of the Codman family performing with Mr. Punch and his puppet kin.