Category Archives: business

Cost of a Woman’s Clothing in the Regency Era

Recently, I had someone ask me about the cost of such items as court gowns for presentation to the queen and dresses for the London season. Another question came only a week or so later asking about food stuffs, etc. … Continue reading

Posted in British currency, British history, business, customs and tradiitons, fashion, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, marriage, marriage customs, Pride and Prejudice, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

“Black Friday’s” Tumultuous History

There are several versions of how the term “Black Friday” originated. Some say “Black Friday” came about because to the chaos in Philadelphia in the 1950s at the traditional Army-Navy football game. This was a game we always watched in … Continue reading

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James Lackington: The Man Who Revolutionized Book Stores

In a time when we bemoan the loss of Borders, Waldenbooks, and fear the demise of Barnes & Noble and Books-a-Million, it is hard for us to imagine what it must have been like for those who entered “The Dome … Continue reading

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Auctioning Off Household Goods During the Regency Era, Part 2

You may find Part 1 HERE. One thing we should assume in sales of household goods, meaning furniture, portraits, silver, etc., is this was an activity of the wealthier tradesmen, the gentry, and the aristocracy. After all, who wished to … Continue reading

Posted in British history, business, estates, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Living in the Regency, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Capability Brown, England’s Greatest Landscape Artist: “This site has great capabilities.”

Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown changed the face of eighteenth century England, designing country estates and mansions, moving hills and making flowing lakes and serpentine rivers, a magical world of green. (About Capability Brown) The fifth child of William Brown, the land … Continue reading

Posted in British history, business, estates, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, real life tales, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The “Feejee Mermaid,” Another P. T. Barnum Hoax

I have always been a Hugh Jackman fan, first for his musical performance, and, then, because he portrayed my favorite X-man, James “Logan” Howlett, on a string of Marvel Universe films. Therefore, I dearly loved the film, “The Greatest Showman.” … Continue reading

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Do You Know the Word “Blaginism”?

The word “blaginism” was coined by Soviet officials to mean “selfish exhibitionism.” You see, a pilot named Ivan Blagin caused the Soviets much embarrassment. Let me see if I can summarize what happened. Joseph Stalin wished the Soviets to rule … Continue reading

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What Do You Know of Gail Borden, American Inventor of “Condensed Milk”?

Born November 9, 1801 in New York state, Borden spent parts of his childhood in New York, Kentucky, and Indiana. When his father expressed a desire for more fertile lands than he owned in New York, the elder Borden made … Continue reading

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Jacob Rey (aka John King), a Jewish Money Lender in George III’s England

In A Touch of Love, book 6 in my highly popular Realm series, I  ventured into territory many Regency era writers avoid: the question of religious practices during the Regency. Georgette Heyer’s portrayal of Jews during the reign of George III … Continue reading

Posted in British history, business, Georgian England, Great Britain, history, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Life Below Stairs: English Servants Emigrating to Australia, Part I

In the mid to late 1840s, many girls in service decided to make the arduous journey from England to Australian ports. One must remember that the journey took three to four months to complete, depending upon the weather and the … Continue reading

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