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The lady and the artist

May 24, 2007 by Vic

For some reason, this breathtaking image of Mrs. Jens Wolff, 1803-1815, by Sir Thomas Lawrence has me mesmerized. It turns out, she and the artist’s sister were friends, and she corresponded regularly with Sir Thomas until her death in 1829. Find out more about her relationship with the artist in the Life and Correspondence of Sir Thomas Lawrence, by D.E.Williams. The original text can be found on Google book search.

Posted in Regency |

Is there such a thing as too much Jane Austen? Never!

May 23, 2007 by Vic

In January 2008, Masterpiece Theatre will showcase “The Complete Jane Austen” on Sunday nights in the U.S., airing a new version of Persuasion and Sense and Sensibility, and other Austen favorites. To read more about this long event held decades ago, click on this link to Wikipedia.

This blog joined PBS to review the films throughout the season.

Posted in Film adaptation |

Jane Austen’s Will

May 23, 2007 by Vic

The website, Treasures from the National Archives, UK, links to a copy of Jane Austen’s Will which she wrote at Chawton just months before she died. Also find William Shakespeare’s Will on this site.

Here is the transcript of Jane’s Will:

I Jane Austen of the Parish of Chawton do by this my last will I testament give and bequeath to my dearest sister. Cassandra. Elizabeth everything of which I may die possessed of which may be hereafter due to me, subject to the payment of my Funeral expences, & to a Legacy of £50. to my Brother Henry, & £50 to all de Byion which I request may be paid as soon as convenient. And I appoint my said dear sister the executrix of this my last will & testament.

April 27 1817

Posted in Biography, Jane Austen's death |

Regency dress in the neoclassical style

May 22, 2007 by Vic

This regency dress is luscious. Just look at the superb workmanship. It’s a breathtaking hand-embroidered mull dress with whitework embroidery and a rare train. It is also a near-perfect embodiment of the Neoclassical style. (1800-1810) At $985 it sold quickly. What a steal.

To view the site with its samples of original clothing, Vintage Textile, click here.





Also on the site, an embroidered French silk purse, c.1780-1800 with the words, “Quand on aime tout est plaisir.” Plaisir? Oh, yes. How true.

Posted in Fashions, jane austen, Neoclassicism, Regency style | Tagged , , | 1 Comment »

The Etiquette of Using Calling Cards

May 21, 2007 by Vic

To the unrefined or underbred, the visiting card is but a trifling and insignificant bit of paper; but to the cultured disciple of social law, it conveys a subtle and unmistakable intelligence. Its texture, style of engraving, and even the hour of leaving it combine to place the stranger, whose name it bears, in a pleasant or a disagreeable attitude, even before his manners, conversation and face have been able to explain his social position. The higher the civilization of a community, the more careful it is to preserve the elegance of its social forms. It is quite as easy to express a perfect breeding in the fashionable formalities of cards, as by any other method, and perhaps, indeed, it is the safest herald of an introduction for a stranger. Its texture should be fine, its engraving a plain script, its size neither too small, so that its recipients shall say to themselves, ‘A whimsical person,’ nor too large to suggest ostentation. Refinement seldom touches extremes in anything. From “Our Deportment” by John H. Young, 1879 & 1881, p. 76. (Project Gutenberg)

Lady’s visiting card, Wikipedia, Public Domain

During the Georgian, Regency, and Victorian eras, calling cards were a necessary accessory for a gentleman or lady who called upon friends or acquaintances, or who wished to announce their presence in town. In fact, one wasn’t received unless one conveyed one’s card first. Gentlemen could place their addresses on their cards, but ladies could not, and a matron would naturally place her married name on her card, such as Mrs. John Smith. (Click on this link to see examples of Visiting Cards in the Regency.)

The best calling cards were made from plain, excellent quality paper and were engraved. They were kept in beautiful cases, such as the one above. A gentleman’s card case was slightly smaller than a lady’s, since he had to carry it in his pocket. Ornamentation on a card was considered to be poor taste, although as the 19th century progressed, the more colorful calling card seemed to become quite common.

For the recipient, calling cards were a handy way of recalling who had come to visit, and which calls needed to be returned. They were also effective in letting one know exactly where one stood in the social order. For example, if an individual received a calling card in lieu of a personal visit, well, then, the point was likely made.

For more information, click on this link: Calling Cards and the Etiquette of Paying Calls goes into some detail about using this important accessory.

Posted in Manners, Regency Etiquette | Tagged , , | 7 Comments »

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