Mastery of Design: Queen Alexandra's Fabergé Horse, 1907

"Field Marshal" by Carl Fabergé 
Commissioned by King Edward VII for Queen Alexandra, 1907-8
The Royal Collection
Crown Copyright
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Alexandra, while her husband, King Edward VII, amused himself with a string of other women, passed the time going deaf and collecting expensive objects.  She especially enjoyed collecting miniature animals by Carl Fabergé (1846-1920) and others from his famous workshop.

Here, we see one of Queen Alexandra’s menagerie of precious animals. This horse, called “Field Marshal,” was made in 1907 of Aventurine quartz with eyes of cabochon sapphires.  The figure was  commissioned by Edward VII and given to Queen Alexandra for her birthday, December 1, 1908

This is one of at least three shire horses modeled as part of the famed “Sandringham Commission.”  This one is a portrait model of the champion “Field Marshal.”   

Sunday Morning Special: Hunky and Spunky in "Snubbed by a Snob," 1940

Hunky and Spunky were created by Fleischer Studios for Paramount Pictures and ran from 1938 to 1941. The series revolved around a mother burro, Hunky, and her son, Spunky, and takes place in the old west, where a prospector attempts to make Spunky into his pack animal.

The original film in the series, “Hunky and Spunky,” was nominated for the 1939 Academy Award for Best Short Subject (Cartoons). Fleischer Studios would then produce six more cartoons featuring Hunky and Spunky: Always Kickin' (1939), The Barnyard Brat (1939), A Kick in Time (1940), Snubbed by a Snob (1940), You Can't Shoe a Horsefly (1940), and Vitamin Hay (1941). The series ended in 1941 with Vitamin Hay.

In this 1940 entry in the series, we see Hunky and Spunky try to socialize with a pair of thoroughbred racehorses. Spunky ends up being “snubbed” by the two, but when he saves the colt from a mad bull, the steeds are more than willing to make friends.

Antique Image of the Day: Harry Taft, America's Greatest Whistling Comedian, 1904

Harry Taft
Caricature by George Cooke, 1904
The Victoria & Albert Museum

 

Harry Taft was a celebrated Music Hall performer who rose to popularity as a whistler.  He would often sign photographs or drawings, as he has done here, “Yours whistling, Harry Taft.”  During this time, the Edwardian variety stage, was, curiously, the home of many whistling acts including Arthur Slater, “The Whistling Man in White,” and Tom Murray, “The Champion Whistler.”

Harry whistled solo, and to piano accompaniment. One of his most popular routines was, in 1899 his rendition of “Listen To The Mocking Bird” which was recorded by Emile Berliner, the American who developed the gramophone.

This caricature of Harry was drawn when he was performing at the Grand Theatre of Varieties, Hanley, during the week of 26 September 1904. For the performance, he was billed as “America’s Greatest Whistling Comedian.”  According to the V&A, “This is one of the many superb caricatures of Edwardian music hall performers that were drawn by the artist George Cooke when he was based at the Grand Theatre.”  These drawings were compiled in a series of albums.

Cooke has depicted Harry Taft, full-length, bending at the knees to feed a miniature grey pony. Taft is wearing his signature black bowler hat, a black jacket, a red spotted kerchief, and brown checked trousers.

The Art of Play: A Jigsaw Puzzle, "His Majesty the King and TRH Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret Rose," 1938

Puzzle by Chad Valley depicting
King George VI with Princesses Margaret and Elizabeth, 1938
The Victoria & Albert Museum

 

In the 1930s, as today, games were designed to suit the age and ability of children.  One of the most popular “games” was the traditional jigsaw puzzle.  These color-printed cardboard puzzles often featured images of the Royal Family.  After the Abdication Kerfuffle ™, as King George VI ascended the throne, he was a figure to whom the children of Britain could relate since he was the father of two young girls—Princess Elizabeth (now Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II) and Princess Margaret Rose. 

This puzzle shows the continuing interest in the British Royal Family with a picture of King George VI (ruled 1936–52) and his two daughters riding ponies in Windsor Park in April of 1938.  The puzzle was made by the Chad Valley Company Limited.

Coming Soon: Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square

On July 26, 2010, I introduced readers of Stalking the Belle Époque to a new online novel Punch’s Cousin.  The story, as of this week entering 497 chapters, is set in 1852 and follows the life of Julian, Duke of Fallbridge and his companion Dr. Robert Halifax.  Julian, a jeweler for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, has traveled to New Orleans in search of his sister, Lady Barbara, who fled England with her illegitimate baby and the family’s priceless blue diamond—looking to sell her child and begin a misguided life as a prostitute.

Along the way, Julian discovered quite a lot about himself—most especially that within him, another personality (or personalities) dwelled.  The dominant personality—in this time before Dissociative Identity Disorder was understood—was that of Mr. Punch, the long-beloved puppet anti-hero who this year will celebrate his 350th birthday.  As a boy, Julian’s only friend was his puppet figure of Mr. Punch.  Years of confiding in the puppet caused agoraphobic and abused Julian to develop an alternate personality called “Mr. Punch” who was stronger and braver (albeit a little rougher and more prone to hitting).


Throughout their journey, Mr. Punch/Julian and Robert endured many tortures at the hands of a murderous “madam” called Iolanthe Evangeline, Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau, and an insidiously evil man named Edward Cage.  When Punch/Julian began to develop a relationship with his sister’s son, he realized that he wanted to raise the child as his own.  However, Mr. Cage had already purchased the child from Iolanthe Evangeline.  Punch, Robert, Robert’s family and their servants then battled to rescue the boy as well as regain the missing diamond.

This week, with Chapter 497, we’ll begin the conclusion of their long battle. Punch’s Cousin will conclude with Chapter 500 on March 29, 2012.  All five hundred chapters will remain permanently in the Punch’s Cousin Chapter Archive which includes two summaries up to Chapters 100 and 200 respectively.

In its place, a new story will debut on April 2, 2012—Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square.  The story will begin with the return of the Duke of Fallbridge/Mr. Punch and Dr. Robert Halifax to London where they will take up residence in Julian’s posh London townhouse in Belgrave Square.  Though a Duke, Julian is a favorite of the Queen, and therefore, will be required to return to his post as an advisor to Their Majesties, Victoria and Albert—working with Prince Albert especially on his many jewelry projects.

Life in the Royal Court will not be easy for Julian/Mr. Punch who will continue to struggle with the personalities within their shared body.  They’ll also have to contend with unexpected prejudices and rivalries as they struggle to maintain their place in the Court without losing their right to live free and comfortable lives.

I look forward to sharing this story with all of you.  I have been so touched with all of the support I’ve received from Punch’s Cousin’s many faithful readers.  Punch’s Cousin had many literary and plot ties to my first novel,The Garnet Red.  So, if you enjoyed Mr. Punch’s time in New Orleans, The Garnet Red would be a fun read for you.

I’m also very glad to continue the story of our Mr. Punch, Julian and Robert.  I’ve grown very fond of Mr. Punch—my version of the character.  Since I’m one of the few “Punch & Judy Men” in the U.S., it’s been a joy for me to adapt the traditional puppet story into this work and I am quite excited to see how his tale continues.

I hope you all enjoy the conclusion of Punch’s Cousin.  I assure you that Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square will be a gripping and emotional ride that will keep you coming back for more.  This story, like the last, will be posted every day except Sunday.  Look for more information in coming days…

Drawing of the Day: Alexander the Circus Pony, 1940-60

Sketch from "Alexander the Circus Pony,"
Phyllis Ginger, 1940-60
The Victoria & Albert Museum

 

Well, look, it’s Alexander the Circus Pony!  I’m unfamiliar with Alexander the Circus Pony, but if I were a pony I would want that to be my name.

This drawing is by Phyllis Ginger (1907-2005) and was created for the children's story, “Alexander, the Circus Pony.”  This book was Miss Ginger’s primary commission from Puffin books in which the entire book, story and illustrations were her own exclusive creation. Published in 1943, the book was quite popular in Britain and has been reprinted many times.

Here, we can see Ginger’s trademark bright and brilliant watercolor style.  Previously, Ginger had been best known as topographical watercolor artist, who donated her talents to the Pilgrim Trust’s World War II “Recording Britain” project.  Throughout her early career, Ginger longed to be an illustrator.  She finally achieved her dream with “Alexander” and, then, illustrated another children's story featuring a horse a few years later, “The Mushroom Pony,” which was written by Joan Lamburn.

A Preliminary Sketch for "Alexander"

Object of the Day: Another J. & P. Coats Thread Trade Card

 

For some reason this lot of Victorian trade cards has more than its fair share of cards advertising for J. & P. Coats thread company.  This one depicts the usual jolly scene of children, but this one is more pastoral than the others.  Here, we see an older girl holding a pony steady as it feeds from the apron of her younger sister.  A giant spool of white Coats thread has rolled into the foreground.  Okay, I know it’s not really a giant spool of thread, but that’s what it looks like.

Above the scene the usual slogan has been printed:

White, Black & Colors for Hand and Machine.

The reverse of the card is the standard Coats & Co. advertising image of a spool of thread with the copy:

J&P. Coats’ Best Six Chord Thread

White, Black and Colors for Hand and Machine.

I do like this Coats cards.  Despite the usual theme of cherubic tots, they really are quite varied between mildly comic scenes and genre images.  The people at Coats really seemed to understand the value of this little advertising tool, and, consequently, they were very prolific.