…a dozen different hats

This anonymous Edwardian family group shows the great variety of hats that were worn in that period. Sensible bonnets for children, and for adults the larger and more flamboyant the better was the current fashion in that pre-war era. Naturally, one chose one’s hat and its adornments to suit one’s personality, and not everyone conformed to the standard pattern. The woman at the back, third from the left, is wearing the very latest style, a large flat cap that was a pointed counter to the fancy bows, feathers and frilly additions of most female head wear.

…a book of poetry 1778 (covers detached)

The Muse’s Mirrour was a book of poems by mainly amateur poets, though the credits list some illustrious names including playwright Richard Sheridan; Laurence Sterne, the author of Tristram Shandy; and radical politician John Wilkes.

The use in the text of the long “s”, easily mistaken for the letter “f”, and the many now obscure classical references, such as Phoebus and Phoebe – the sun and the moon – make comprehension sometimes difficult for the modern reader. Several poems are in Latin.

The book contains a true miscellany of poetry, some comic, some scurrilous, some philosophical, some tedious and worthy, reflections on life and mortality. They were essentially written by an educated elite, for an audience of their peers. 

Several poems attempt to ridicule their betters, though the names of the intended targets are usually only hinted at, but all would have instantly known who was meant.

An example in the book is an Epigram written by Kitty Carmine (an obvious nom-de-plume) “On seeing Lady A-----R’s picture.”

Lady A-----R was undoubtedly Lady Anstruther (1717-1802), wife of Sir John Anstruther, who was painted twice in her mid-forties by Sir Joshua Reynolds, the greatest portrait painter of his era. 

Considered a beauty in her day, she was also mocked in society for her supposedly humble origins.

The reference in the poem to Manly, is to Captain Manly, a plain speaking seafarer in a Restoration comedy by William Wycherley.

                                                 The Poem: 

…aluminium stamped nameplates, 1960’s.

The British Automatic Company Ltd (BAC) was a business that manufactured a variety of dispensing machines, including those for platform tickets and, remarkably, aspirins.

These miniature nameplates, stamped from thin aluminium strip, were produced by machines found mainly at railway stations. A preserved example can be found at the National Railway Museum, York.

One inserted the appropriate coin, swung the large arrow to the desired letter or number, and pressed down hard on the handle on the right. When finished, one swung the arrow to the far right, and pressed the handle. This would cut the strip and deliver it to you.

Photo: Reproduced with acknowledgement to Douglas Bryce, Pilton, Edinburgh