Object of the Day: Stone Lithographs of King George V and Queen Mary, 1911

I recently purchased these stone lithographs of King George V and Queen Mary which date to 1910-1911 as George V ascended the throne. I’m always struck by the quality of printing in stone lithographs. One of the most exceptional aspects of stone lithography is the painterly quality of the printing and the brilliant, vivid reproduction of colors.

The King and Queen look quite regal and luxurious in their respective settings. And, now, they are forever joined (as it should be) in a frame which my father custom built, and with the help of my mother, managed to cut a very complicated mat.

Gratuitous Bertie Dog Picture: Every Bertie in His Humour

"By your expression, I'm guessing she forgot your lunch, too."

Image: Scene from Ben Jonson's 'Every Man in His Humour' (Act II, Scene I), Daniel Maclise, 1847-1848, The Victoria & Albert Museum

Unusual Artifacts: A Silk Theatre Program, 1900

Silk Program from the London Hippodrome, 1900
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Silk programs were often printed for special events such as coronations, command performances and opening nights of important shows. Here, we see a program on cream silk in navy-blue typography, edged with a cream silk fringe. It was created for the opening of the London Hippodrome in 1900 as evidenced by the title, “London Hippodrome” in navy-blue, followed lower down with “Grand Opening Night.”



It goes on to list a program of the acts for that night. This list of acts includes a wide range of circus and variety performances, cementing the Hippodrome's program for many years to come. Performances at the Hippodrome often included large scale aquatic acts in a 100,000 gallon water tank used in performances such as the Amphibious Burletta, Giddy Ostend who, in this program, is given the most prominent billing.

The Hippodrome around 1900.

History's Runway: A Costume from "A Midsummer Night's Dream," 1914

Theatre Costume
1914
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Naturally, some of the most unusual and interesting historical clothing that still remains are pieces which were designed for theatrical use. Here we see a theatre costume of a dress of white crêpe-de-chine. The skirt is stenciled with sprays of pink flowers and weighted with a fringe of tiny silver balls. Cap sleeves, a deep V-neck with a silver lamé infill at the base and gold ball buttons create an ethereal look. The tunic is gathered at the bust with a thin gold cord belt ending in golf briolettes and red beads. A deep macramé fringe, decorated at the top with small red beads completes the outfit.

This costume was commissioned by Harley Granville Barker (1877-1946) who was an established director and promoter of contemporary drama, directing three of Shakespeare's plays at the Savoy Theatre--The Winter's Tale, Twelfth Night (both 1912) and A Midsummer Night's Dream (1914). Barker did away with historical costume, inviting his designer, Norman Wilkinson (1882-1934), to create simple stylized period dress without attempting to imitate it.

This gown comes from Barker's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. The play's mortal characters wore costumes loosely based on Grecian dress while the fairies and ethereal characters wore sparkling costumes to match their gilded faces. Barker's then wife, Lillah McCarthy, played Helena, and for her first scene, she appeared in this dress of white crêpe-de-chine with mauve shoes and red beads. Helena's long blonde wig was adorned with a wreath of flowers.

Her Majesty's Furniture: The Richard Bridgens Chair, 1815

Chair, 1815
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Who doesn’t like a chair with a little fringe on it? While, the upholstery on this chair has been replaced, it has been done so using historical illustrations of the chair and by copying wool fragments of the original cover. Hidden under the upholstery, the chair is stamped with the numerals XXIV, suggesting that it was once a part of a large set which was housed at Battle Abbey.


Battle Abbey was founded by William the Conqueror on the site of the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The abbey was rebuilt by 1500. Between 1812 and 1822, Sir Godfrey Vassal Webster (1789-1836) , who inherited the abbey in 1810, ordered a massive program of restoration which included the reroofing of the medieval Great Hall and work on the former Abbot's house. Webster commissioned appropriate furniture, including this set of chairs which were used throughout the abbey.

The frame of the chair is of stained oak, partly gilded and painted crimson, with an upholstered back and seat and gilt brass adornment. The chair-back boasts rectangular upholstered panel which is flanked by two spirals and set between two cross rails, each of which is ornamented with five gilt-brass rosette studs. In the center of the crest is a large gilt-brass shield bearing the Webster family crest. The chair is upholstered in crimson cloth with a deep, dramatic fringe around the seat.

Punch’s Cousin, Chapter 396

“’Milla!” Gerard exclaimed as he stumbled into the kitchen of Dr. Biamenti’s house on Royal Street.


“Ga-Milla.” Gamilla responded irritably. “And, if you’re lookin’ for Charles and that Allen woman—they’re down in my room. Got herself all kinds of beat up. Serves her right.”

“I know.” Gerard shook his head. “It’s you I want.”

“Now, listen…” Gamilla wagged her finger.

“No, no.” Gerard continued. “I need your help. His Grace and the Halifaxes found little Colin.”

“Praise the Lord!” Gamilla whooped. “Where’s Master Fuller?”

“That we don’t know yet,” Gerard sighed. “That’s why I need you.”

“How’s that?” Gamilla narrowed her eyes.

“We got a notion that Miss Ulrika’s got Master Fuller, but we don’t know where she’s gone.”

“And, what’s that got to do with me?” Gamilla asked.

“Well, see…” Gerard grimaced. “The Duke…well, Mr. Punch…got Colin back by hittin’a guard over the head.”

“Lordy,” Gamilla clucked her tongue.

“And, he and Missus Adrienne and Mr. Cecil got themselves out of Mr. Cage’s place, but they left the doctor and Marjani behind.”

“That ain’t good.” Gamilla grumbled.

“But, see, if you went with me over to Mr. Cage’s, you could talk to their maid and see where Miss Ulrika went while I sneak in and help the doctor and Marjani get out of there.”

“Oh, no!” Gamilla spat. “I can’t be leavin’ this house with Meridian ailin’ and no one else here for to watch the place!”

“But, Charles is here.” Gerard argued.

“With that woman!” Gamilla waved a hand at Gerard. “Oh, no! Besides…ain’t like I’m so friendly with them folk in the kitchen at the Cages’. And, what if Odo is there? He’ll know what I’m about—sneaky, little worm.”

“Odo ain’t there.” Gerard shook his head. “And, you know the maid, Zettie, don’t ya?”

“I know her cuz we been on neighborin’ land for years, but it ain’t like I’m so friendly with her as to jus’ go visitin’.”

“Come on, Gamilla.” Gerard pleaded. “Missus Adrienne might never see Fuller again if we don’t do somethin’. And, there’s no tellin’ what that Mr. Cage will do to the doctor and Marjani. These folk been good to us. Even in the short amount of time I been with ‘em, they treated me better than my own kin. You been with ‘em for years, surely you’re not gonna be so disloyal as to not help ‘em out when they need ya the most.”

Gamilla frowned. “Go on down and tell Charles for to watch the house. I’ll get my coat.”





Did you miss Chapters 1-395? If so, you can read them here.

Obscure Book of the Day: The Official Program from the 1953 Coronation

This is just so neat. Here we see an actual official program from the 1953 Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. We found this in an antique store in Texas of all places!


Entitled, “The Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: Approved Souvenir Programme,” it is “Published by Gracious Permission of Her Majesty the Queen” by “King George’s Jubilee Trust.”

A verse by John Masefield, the Poet Laureate at the time begins the program alongside a beautiful portrait of the Queen. This is followed by a foreword by the Queen’s uncle, The Duke of Gloucester, photos of the Royal Family and a history of the Queen’s life.

The rest of the program includes maps, exact times and locations of events, the order of the ceremony, the participants, the celebrations to follow, and just about every other bit of information about the coronation that anyone could possibly want to know.

Let’s take a look inside…