A List of Your 15 Favorite Posts from the Last Two Years

Over the past two years, thus far, I’ve posted just shy of 4900 articles to Stalking the Belle Époque including the 588 Chapters of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square and Punch’s Cousin. There’s a little something for everyone here from discussions of antiques to the television programs which Bertie most enjoys.

Regular readers know that the ten most popular posts of “all time” are always listed on the right side of the page. However, here are fifteen more of your favorite posts. These posts are the among those which you have read the most.

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

1. Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House 

This magnificent work of art, housed in Windsor Castle, was made for Queen Mary, consort of King George V as a means of showcasing the finest in British craftsmanship. It remains a gorgeous testament to a brilliant period.

The Victoria & Albert Museum

2. The Diamond and Ruby Tiara 

Made in 1835, this tiara doubles as a necklace. Housed in the V&A, it’s indicative of the magnificent naturalistic jewelry which dominated Britain in the 1830s. 

The Winchester Mystery House

3. The Winchester Mystery House 

Sarah Winchester’s Sprawling Queen Anne mansion in San Jose California may appear, from the exterior, to be just another of America’s Victorian castles, but it holds a series of odd secrets and features no shortage of weirdness.

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

4. The Cambridge Emeralds 

Queen Mary managed to return many lost treasures to the Royal Collection, but she took special delight in her acquisition of her grandmother’s magnificent emeralds.

5. Buckingham Palace 

The primary official residence of the British monarch, Buckingham Palace began its long life as a country house. Centuries of expansion and alteration have made it into one of the grandest homes in the world.

6. Waveny House 

Known to fans of the dearly departed daytime drama, “All My Children,” know this fine Tudor-style estate as Cortlandt Manor, but Waveny House remains one of the most elegant historic homes in the U.S.

7. Pauline Collins and John Alderton 

They were Thomas and Sarah from the original “Upstairs, Downstairs,” and this real-life couple continue to be one of Britain’s premier acting families.

8. Belgrave Square 

At the heart of London’s posh City of Westminster, Belgrave Square has been the home of Britain’s elite for centuries.

BBC News

9. The Halo Tiara 

The world watched with pride as Prince William of Wales married his longtime love Katherine Middleton. The newly created Duchess of Cambridge was the focus of global attention as she appeared at Westminster Abbey on her wedding day. Wearing the “Halo Tiara,” the Duchess’ beauty was not outshined by the jewels, but rather, only heightened.

10. Queen Elizabeth II's Wedding Dress 

Sir Norman Hartnell designed this magnificent gown for the 1947 marriage of the future Queen Elizabeth II to Prince Philip.

The Victoria & Albert Museum

11. The Coral Tiara 

Tiaras seem to be popular. This unique creation of coral is one of the most unusual of the jeweled headpieces we’ve examined.

12. King Edward VII’s Dog Caesar 

While not a faithful husband, King Edward VII was loyal to his pets, and they to him. No dog was closer to the King than Caesar who famously followed his master’s coffin during his funeral procession.

The Victoria & Albert Museum

13. The Mrs. Roy Hudson Circle Gown 

This gown by the famous House of Worth is the epitome of 1950s glamour.

The Victoria & Albert Museum

14. The Janey Morris Brooch 

The wife of the celebrated designer William Morris, Jane Morris was also a favorite of the Pre-Raphaelite painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti who famously gifted her with many jewels including this stunning brooch. 

USA Network

15. Matt Bomer 

We are fans of Mr. Matt Bomer and, it seems, you are too. The talented star of USA’s “White Collar” has become quite the film star of late. However, more so than his celebrity and incredible good looks, it’s his spirit and humble charm which afford him limitless appeal.

Person(s) of the Week: Pauline Collins and John Alderton

Each week, I’d like to take a moment to credit someone who not only contributes to awareness of the past, but also makes the present considerably more beautiful. Our first ever “Person of the Week” should actually read “People of the Week” since we’re taking notice of famous couple Pauline Collins and John Alderton. As I mentioned on Sunday, Miss Collins and Mr. Alderton were part of the cast of Upstairs, Downstairs during the first and second series of the show’s run. Pauline Collins played Sarah, the headstrong sometimes-parlor-maid whose desire for a more exciting life gave rise to no small amount of capriciousness and rash behavior. Miss Collins’ husband, John Alderton joined Upstairs, Downstairs later as Thomas Watkins, the Welsh chauffeur. Also in search of bigger and better things, Thomas was quick with a plan and always looking for new opportunities. Thomas and Sarah proved to be a perfect match for one another and though their relationship was often tested by their impetuosity, they always returned to one another. In 1979, their adventures were detailed in their own program, Thomas and Sarah which sadly ran for only one series despite the fact that a second series was commissioned.

Collins’ and Alderton’s work in both Upstairs, Downstairs and Thomas and Sarah introduced a new generation of people to the life of the working class of the Edwardian Era. Their subtle performances and impeccable characterizations made the issues of that time period feel real and relevant to the viewers of the 1970’s. And, without a doubt, their stunning work made the modern day a lot more beautiful.

The couple met as young actors, having both appeared on the UK’s first medical drama, Emergency - Ward 10. Together they have starred in many programs. In addition to Upstairs, Downstairs and Thomas and Sarah, they appeared in the sitcom No, Honestly and the anthology series Wodehouse Playhouse, among other projects.

Their contributions to the arts and to drama are many. So many, in fact, that in 2001, Miss Collins was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Upon receiving the honor, an overwhelmed and humbled Pauline Collins—modestly unaware of her impact on modern culture--remarked, “What’s it for?”

Many thanks to this remarkable couple for all their work, for keeping the spirit of our important past alive and for making the world considerably more enjoyable.

Thomas and Sarah image courtesy of The Upstairs, Downstairs Web Pages.
Collins and Alderton at OBE Ceremony image courtesy of BBC News.

Sunday Viewing: Upstairs, Downstairs

In 1971, London Weekend Television debuted a new drama on ITV in England.  Created by Jean Marsh and Eileen Atkins, Upstairs, Downstairs, focused on the lives of the residents of an elegant Eaton Place townhouse--the wealthy Bellamy Family (upstairs) and their devoted staff (downstairs)--from the start of the Edwardian period to the Inter-War era.  Running for five seasons (and in the U.S. on PBS), Upstairs, Downstairs was an enormous hit due to the superb writing and brilliant performances of a cast that included, Jean Marsh as the constant and loyal Rose Buck, Gordon Jackson as the devoted butler Angus Hudson, Angela Baddeley as the no-nonsense Mrs. Bridges, Christopher Beeny as cheerful footman Edward, Rachel Gurney as Lady Marjorie Bellamy, David Langton as Richard Bellamy, and Simon Williams as their mercurial son.  Other notable cast members were a very young Lesley-Anne Down and real-life couple Pauline Collins and John Alderton as the impetuous Sarah and scheming Thomas.  The ever-delightful Collins and Alderton later had their own spin-off program, Thomas and Sarah and also worked together on many other projects including Wodehouse Playhouse.

Upstairs, Downstairs is truly a brilliant program.  From its historical accuracy to exciting storylines, the show is both exciting and touching.  I recently had the chance to view the entire series again thanks to my parents who purchased the DVDs.  I highly recommend it for hours of fun and escape to a time that was decidedly more beautiful, and, yet, strangely like our own in many ways.

Above Image Courtesy of The Upstairs, Downstairs Web Pages.