Sunday Viewing: Cranford, 2007

Directed by Simon Curtis and Steve Hudson, and written by Heidi Thomas, the television series, Cranford debuted on BBC 1 in December of 2007. The program, and it’s second series, are based on three novellas by Elizabeth Gaskell published between 1849 and 1858: Cranford, My Lady Ludlow, and Mr Harrison's Confessions. The beautiful and lavishly produced series stars Francesca Annis, Eileen Adkins, Claudie Blakely, John Bowe, Jim Carter, Judi Dench, Lisa Dillon, Barbara Flynn, Michael Gambon, Alex Jennings, Greg Wise and about every other character actor working in historical drama in the U.K. The first series consists of five episodes and the second of two.

The series concerns the both the tidy and untidy lives of the residents of (the fictional town of) Cranford in the county of Cheshire in North West England in the early 1840’s. Though the world is changing around them and the empire is facing a new Industrial Age at the hands of the young Queen, the residents of the town are resistant to change. They are more concerned with the comings and goings of their neighbors and are easily distracted by the daily routine of their town. When a new doctor comes to town, every lady and gentleman in the village is quite distraught, suspicious and intrigued. Imagine how they’ll react when the railroad threatens to bring chaos to their bucolic world.

This is a strange program, and it’s rather difficult to keep track of the enormous cast who all start to blend together in their bonnets and ruffles, but it’s beautifully filmed, brilliantly acted and very well written. If you’re willing to pay attention, the plot is quite interesting. If you’re not willing to pay attention, you could always just sit back and watch the pretty pictures.

Besides, anything with Judi Dench and Eileen Atkins can’t be bad. Can it?

Mastery of Design: A Diamond Hairpin, 1830-1840

Butterfly Hairpin
Diamonds, Silver, Gold
1830-1840
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Set in silver on a gold frame, rose-cut and brilliant diamonds sparkle in the form of a butterfly. This magnificent diamond hairpin was part of the early Nineteenth Century’s Romantic movement and its reliance on natural forms and designs.


Very often, until the rise of platinum and white gold, diamonds were set in silver prongs so that yellow or rose gold setting would not distract from the diamond or alter its color.

Reminder: "Punch's Cousin" Will Return on Monday

Just as Ulrika Rittenhouse was about to get herself smothered by Arthur, Iolanthe Evangeline arrived and proved to be the unlikely heroine. Iolanthe convinced Arthru and Gerard to be on their way while making a veiled threat about Julian and Robert. After Arthur and Gerry departed, Ulrika became to awaken from her drug-induced state of confusion and she and Iolanthe engaged in an increasingly spirited argument. Ulrika revealed to Iolanthe that she hadn’t given Arthur the diamond, but rather she had tricked him into finding the fake that she had made to fool Iolanthe. Iolanthe was impressed and offered Ulrika a partnership—again.


While Adrienne and Charles waited with the stolen baby, Cecil and Robert tried to deal with Mr. Scaramouche. When Robert sedated Julian/Punch, the two entities united and Julian was able to finally express his own grief and frustration, causing Scaramouche to become small and inconsequential. Julian insisted that Mr. Punch not lock up Scaramouche, stating that bottling up one’s anger is worse than letting it lead a natural life.

Meanwhile, Arthru appeared to see Cecil. Robert was furious to see the return of the man, but more so furious when Barbara immediately told them that the diamond was fake. In order to verify this fact, Robert and Cecil took the diamond upstairs to be examined by Julian while Barbara was left to deal with her wicked husband.

This week, as Punch’s Cousin continues, we revisit Edward Cage and his strong desire to get back his son. Furthermore, while Iolanthe and Ulrika are plotting, so are Marie Laveau and Charles’ brother, Giovanni. And, Adrienne will find herself in a very dangerous situation, the results of which could change the story forever.

As Mr. Punch gets back into life, will Julian settle further into the depths of their psyche? Will Robert ever have a chance to see Julian again? And, how will Julian fare with Scaramouche on the loose? Expect some strange and exciting events this week.

Many thanks to all of you who have been reading Punch’s Cousin, and I’d like to add my continued appreciation for all of your kind comments.

Card of the Day: The Memorial Service to Lord Kitchener

The death of Lord Kitchener was one of the defining events of the First World War and shocked Britons and people around the world. The event is commemorated in the set of Wills Cigarette Cards which was produced in 1935 for the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Mary of Teck.


The reverse of the card reads:

THE MEMORIAL SERVICE TO LORD KITCHENER

Few men have been trusted by the British nation as was Lord Kitchener of Khartuom, and the loss of this outstanding personality at the height of the War was felt alike by the King and by the humblest of his subjects. “K. of K.’ went down in the cruiser Hampshire (which was mined or torpedoed off the Orkneys), while on a mission to the Emperor Nicholas of Russia. When the news was received, the blinds were drawn at the War Office and the Admiralty, and many flags were lowered to half-mast. On June 13th, 1916, The King, the Queen, Queen Alexandra and others of the Royal Family drove to a memorial service at St. Paul’s Cathedral attended by 4,000 people.

Oddly enough, the anniversary of that memorial service is tomorrow, June 13. Now, I’m posting these cards in their original order, but this is the second time that the dates of the events depicted have coincided with the present date. How weird.

Sunday Morning Special: “Bertie,” by Kate Bush

In honor of my Bertie’s birthday yesterday, here’s the wonderful song by Kate Bush written for her son, also Bertie, in 2005.

Object of the Day: Museum Edition: A Pressed Glass Plate for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, 1887

My plate, 1897

Well, would you look at that! Several weeks ago, I shared with you a recent edition to my collection of Royal memorabilia. I’d never seen a plate like this pressed glass beauty created for Queen Victoria’s 1897 Diamond Jubilee.


It seems, there are more of them, and even some produced ten years earlier for the 1887 Golden Jubilee. Look, here’s one in the Victoria & Albert Museum! This one doesn’t have the gold backing that mine does, but perhaps that addition only came with the Diamond Jubilee Version. This particular plate is nearly identical to the one in my collection.

Made by Sowerby Ellison Glassworks in 1887, this plate was one way to meet the tremendous public demand for objects commemorating the Queen’s jubilee. I’m just so tickled to this this item in the V&A!

The Victoria & Albert Museum

The Victoria & Albert Museum

Coming this Week at "Stalking the Belle Époque"

In addition to the usual gems, antiques, art and interesting tidbits we offer up each week at Stalking the Belle Époque, this week, since Father’s Day in the U.S. is next Sunday, we’ll be taking a look at the fathers who have made a difference in the arts and humanities throughout the ages.


From Prince Albert to amazing artistic dynasties, we’ll examine the role of fatherhood through the ages. Of course, we’ll also have Punch’s Cousin, a Gratuitous Bertie Dog Picture, both a person and a humanitarian of the week, a look at some classic films and much, much more.

Don’t forget to come by tomorrow to see a very special, “Treat of the Week” as we unveil Bertie’s birthday cake! That’s always an exciting event!

Here’s wishing everyone a great week!