tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post5759091186062020228..comments2024-03-13T07:34:24.149+00:00Comments on The Age of Uncertainty: A Bent CopperSteerforthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-2625283484945190092018-12-16T13:55:36.452+00:002018-12-16T13:55:36.452+00:00Very sorry Pete, but I sold the book several years...Very sorry Pete, but I sold the book several years ago. Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-492131632489072842018-12-07T15:53:39.296+00:002018-12-07T15:53:39.296+00:00Hey, Superintendent James Bent was actually my 4th...Hey, Superintendent James Bent was actually my 4th Great Grandfather - I have been on the lookout for an original copy of the book, is it something you would be tempted to part with?<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />PeteAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-5643380736375850322014-05-01T21:06:32.464+00:002014-05-01T21:06:32.464+00:00Regarding Peaky Blinders, I'd say give it a go...Regarding Peaky Blinders, I'd say give it a go. We weren't sure at first but before long we were hooked. It's violent of course but the acting is first rate. We too liked Silk and Line of Duty. Little Nellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-26425187588139770502014-04-28T00:09:28.527+00:002014-04-28T00:09:28.527+00:00The indoor manservant sounds fragile, like he woul...The indoor manservant sounds fragile, like he would disintegrate if exposed to rain. <br /><br />I enjoyed Peaky Blinders, although the six-episode format didn't do it any favours - a lot happens and so they didn't have time for enough character development. helenalexnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-58644350346442417432014-04-26T04:27:08.738+00:002014-04-26T04:27:08.738+00:00Emma's got it. A fringe of that time was a ver...Emma's got it. A fringe of that time was a very different beast from the simple straight bangs we know today. <br /><br />It was a bouffant, sugar-and-water reinforced edifice brushed forward right from the crown of the head,curled and made to stand up like a gorse hedge or an astrakhan hat, viz this photo of Alexandra which shows how elaborate the pin-curls were:<br />http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f78/opzich/184420Alexandra-12.jpg<br /><br />And here's richie-rich trendsetter Consuelo Vanderbilt who was a train-bearer for Alexandra at her coronation:<br />http://mrmhadams.typepad.com/.a/6a015434a64eda970c0177431259c6970d-pi<br /><br />The toffs had maidservants to spend all morning on tizzying up their curl display - <br />little wonder the mistresses did not want their maids devoting that amount of time and energy to their own coiffures. Dalenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-31011688593938878262014-04-25T23:03:56.545+00:002014-04-25T23:03:56.545+00:00Lucy - Thanks for suggesting Phil May - another pe...Lucy - Thanks for suggesting Phil May - another person I'd never heard of. I've just looked at some of his illustrations and the women look rather feisty. As you say, a stark contrast with their social superiors.<br /><br />Emma - That sounds plausible. How dare these girl spend time on such friperies! I suppose that a curl was a daringly insouciant gesture, rather like the Iranian women who push their headscarves back to give a glimpse of hair. The curl is a small but pronounced act of defiance.<br /><br /><br /><br />Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-71854545437930905412014-04-25T18:55:45.850+00:002014-04-25T18:55:45.850+00:00I remember reading somewhere that employers didn&#...I remember reading somewhere that employers didn't like their servants to have fringes as the servants would spend too much time curling them. That and the curled fringes didn't look neat and tidy under their caps, and a fringe was an indication of a girl of slightly 'fast' character. Presumably it was thought that if a maidservant had time to curl her hair then she wasn't being given enough to do ... Emmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-64961650657015067682014-04-25T16:28:18.028+00:002014-04-25T16:28:18.028+00:00Victorian England - how did it ever get that "...Victorian England - how did it ever get that "respectable" tag? ;-) Have a look at Phil May's drawings of East End girls. They had a fashion all of their own, very different from the "respectable" classes. PS Abram Games is brilliant.Lucy R. Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08632983296994349550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-83632765794138583582014-04-25T15:57:32.639+00:002014-04-25T15:57:32.639+00:00Annabel - I hadn't thought of that but yes, I ...Annabel - I hadn't thought of that but yes, I suppose it was to identify missing digits. Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-72523023416330744262014-04-25T15:40:19.582+00:002014-04-25T15:40:19.582+00:00Fabulous adverts and police autobiography(surely t...Fabulous adverts and police autobiography(surely that book must be worth something if he was such a local celeb?). Re the fringe issue, I don't understand it either. Nor why some of the servant ads are so specific about age and have to have a 19 year old or a 24 year old. Thank goodness we have (a few) employment laws nowadays. The Poet Laura-eatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07779308486569849157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-41566146266402161372014-04-25T14:06:22.858+00:002014-04-25T14:06:22.858+00:00That second mug-shot got me. Presumably they hold ...That second mug-shot got me. Presumably they hold their hands up to show any missing bits of finger?Annabel (gaskella)http://gaskella.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-79320871139011854282014-04-24T20:17:51.057+00:002014-04-24T20:17:51.057+00:00Mike - As much as I love Games's posters, I...Mike - As much as I love Games's posters, I'm glad that Penguin stayed with the traditional covers for a little longer.<br /><br />I'm glad to read that large swords in still in use by our Lord-Lieutenants.<br /><br />Anonymous - At first I thought it was a cryptic message, but I see what you mean and will now have to buy one for myself.<br /><br />Nell - Thanks. Is <i>Peaky Blinders</i> worth watching? I find a lot of British television drama quite disappointing these days and tend to see what other people think first. I enjoy <i>Silk, The Fall</i> and <i>Line of Duty</i>, but have also seen some real shockers. Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-26076454033654373122014-04-24T12:33:48.779+00:002014-04-24T12:33:48.779+00:00An interesting post all round, from the wonderful ...An interesting post all round, from the wonderful Zola ‘snap’ to the discussion of the benefits or otherwise of fringes. The mention of inner city gang culture reminded me of the recent TV series Peaky Blinders. Girlfriends of the gang members of the real Peaky Blinders wore a "well-developed fringe obscuring the whole of the forehead and descending nearly to the eyes.”<br /><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peaky_Blinders" rel="nofollow">Peaky Blinders</a>Little Nellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-26225908360684143412014-04-24T10:13:21.509+00:002014-04-24T10:13:21.509+00:00Jonathan Meades: Pidgin Snaps. A box of 'em.Jonathan Meades: Pidgin Snaps. A box of 'em.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-27961405693846435882014-04-24T09:48:45.836+00:002014-04-24T09:48:45.836+00:00Abram Games was also responsible for a terrific ba...Abram Games was also responsible for a terrific batch of illustrated Penguin covers, although he didn't illustrate all of them. http://vintagepenguins.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/abram-games-cover-experiment-1957-1958.html<br /><br />Interesting to see Lt-Col Bolitho advertising for a footman. His (I presume) great-grandson is Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall. He presided over my wife's UK citizenship ceremony, wearing a very large sword.MikePhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08589363260977274335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-62530663462950725212014-04-24T07:11:07.155+00:002014-04-24T07:11:07.155+00:00Ombhurbhuva - Thanks for reminding me that I reall...Ombhurbhuva - Thanks for reminding me that I really need to read <i>Trilby</i>. I wish I could get away with wearing the hat as well.<br /><br />Dale - I think you're right - it's all about knowing your place. I noticed that one advert asked for a "country girl", probably in the hope that she hadn't been corrupted by any notions about fringes.<br /><br />Carol - It's not just Zola. I can't think of a photo I've seen by any author, but I'm sure that many 20th century authors must have taken a fair number of snaps. I'd love to see photos by Huxley, Maugham, Bowen, Hemingway etc. Now there's an idea for a book.<br /><br />Laura - That makes sense and anything that smacks of individuality - of a life beyond their role as a servant - was clearly seen as a threat. It's remarkable that just two words - "No fringe" - tell us so much.Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-14751644650746929402014-04-24T02:38:35.253+00:002014-04-24T02:38:35.253+00:00My best guess with the fringes is that some people...My best guess with the fringes is that some people want their maids to all match. I don't have any evidence, but it sounds right to me. laurahttp://meliorazeses.tumblr.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-19929762321212379172014-04-23T23:44:16.380+00:002014-04-23T23:44:16.380+00:00How interesting! I've just been reading Edwar...How interesting! I've just been reading Edward Rutherford's novel "Paris," in which he mentions the flight of Zola to the UK during the Dreyfus trial. I agree that I've never seen a photo taken by him before. It's fascinating! And surprisingly clear for being so old. You really do find the most intriguing facts. Thanks for sharing. Canadian Chickadeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12995693884248628958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-46142668893084814362014-04-23T23:34:29.958+00:002014-04-23T23:34:29.958+00:00Depends when the advertisements were from. Fringes...Depends when the advertisements were from. Fringes were the height of fashion in the early 1890s - check out photos of those trendsetters, Lily Langtry and Princess Alexandra. Both fringe wearers. <br /><br />If servants wearing fringes were thought to be aping their betters, "knowing their place" could be a condition of employment.<br /><br />I possess a letter from the early 1890s written by a devout Baptist professor of botany, who railed against the fashion for wearing "ear-bobs" (earrings) as being vulgar and immodest.<br /><br />When you want to control women, start with their appearance.Dalenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-2929345308621210432014-04-23T22:59:52.000+00:002014-04-23T22:59:52.000+00:00George Du Maurier's 'Trilby'(pub.1894)...George Du Maurier's 'Trilby'(pub.1894)was depicted by him with a fringe. The book and hat and hair style were a great craze at the time. Obviously a gentleman would not countenance a bohemian element in a well-regulated household. ombhurbhuvahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07789523088428270027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-86555429612418566982014-04-23T22:14:53.706+00:002014-04-23T22:14:53.706+00:00Lucille - I wonder if Rog's link below has som...Lucille - I wonder if Rog's link below has something to do with it. Fringes were clearly a big deal at the time. I wonder what the anti-fringe element would make of today's tribal tattoos and body piercing?<br /><br />Rog - Fascinating stuff, thanks. I noticed that the girls wore clogs and shawls, but didn't see any mention of female fringes. It was interesting to see that respectable Victorian England also had a gang culture in the inner cities.<br /><br />Peter - Thanks for introducing me to the wonderful Abram Games. I recognised quite a few of the posters but hadn't connected them to this artist. I've just been looking at a website about him and admiring quality and variety of his work.<br /><br />But having just looked at his posters, I don't think he designed the Empire Youth Annual illustration. It has a nice post-Art Deco feel about it, like the Games posters, but I think the children are too conventional for his style.Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-40263446553556085852014-04-23T21:53:00.784+00:002014-04-23T21:53:00.784+00:00Is the artist for the Empire Youth Annual named? I...Is the artist for the Empire Youth Annual named? I could be wrong but it has the look of Abram Games. Anyone unfamiliar with this graphic designer/artist should simply enter his name in Google Images and then marvel at the creation and colour of his work.Peternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-81291294947603652572014-04-23T21:40:55.750+00:002014-04-23T21:40:55.750+00:00George Bull looks like the singer of the Specials....George Bull looks like the singer of the Specials.<br />I also found this regarding fringes:<br />http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ScuttlersRoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09430706557035189147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-32447722421084553192014-04-23T20:35:55.058+00:002014-04-23T20:35:55.058+00:00Servants: A Downstairs View of Twentieth-century B...Servants: A Downstairs View of Twentieth-century Britain<br />books.google.co.uk/books?isbn=1408834073<br />Lucy Lethbridge - 2013 - History<br />At an interview in Grosvenor Square, she was told she would have to cut her hair — 'No fringe allowed!' By the end of a week, Banks reported, she had called on ...<br />So it does seem to mean hair, but I'm none the wiser.Lucillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14414527658216916537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-43631061480993542362014-04-23T19:38:14.212+00:002014-04-23T19:38:14.212+00:00Rob - Funnily enough, that was going to be the tit...Rob - Funnily enough, that was going to be the title of this post until I got waylaid by Bent.Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.com