Maudi Darrell Edwardian Actress

Maudi Darrel was born in 1882 in London, her father was Hugh J Didcott an agent  remembered by Chance-Newton and Harry Randell in their books.

She married Scottish Laird Ian Bullough on the 24th March, 1909 but sadly died in 1910 after complications following an operation for an appendicitis.
The Edwardian actress starred as Victoria Siddons in The Gay Gordons, at the Aldwych Theatre, London, on 11 September 1907.  Darrell also played Victoria Siddons during the London run and again on the UK tour during 1908.  Maudi also starred in The Beauty of Bath, The things you never learn at school and The frolic of the breeze.

Under the Floorboards an interesting blog i came across

http://www.wallwork.me.uk/floorboards.html

The original floorboards of the cottages which, combined, now form our house were 8 1/2 inches wide but only 9/16" thick. The ravages of wear, woodworm and poor repairs over a century and a half left many gaps through which everyday items could be lost. Only the rich had carpets; these were certainly not houses for the rich


Later, the cottages became dilapidated. A section of the roof collapsed and dirt and rain got in. Some parts may have been used as storage for the farm. When the building was renovated as a single dwelling, the builders swept some of the accumulated debris into available gaps in the floor.

Whilst repairing floors and installing wiring, we have found many items which give a clue to the lives of past inhabitants. Here are some of the items we have found.
http://www.wallwork.me.uk/floorboards.html

What should this subject be called? "Floorboard archaeology"? "Subsolum archaeology"? ("subsolumology" doesn't sound quite right...)

Fabulous 1940's Jester knitting patterns

These two lovely RARE 1940's Jester knitting patterns are just a delight. 

Orange Beauty

When i returned home from my holiday at the begining of September, i was shocked to see a trailing plant i had purchased just before i went away had almost died!
I immediately plunged it into a bucket of water although i really thought i had lost it, all the leaves were crispy!

Anyway it did survive and here it is in all its glory:-

Thumbergia (Orange Beauty)

Museum buttons

While on holiday in Hereford last week i photographed a few buttons from various museums that i visited, the buttons below are from Leominster Folk Museum (prononced Lemster) in the UK.

These tiny buttons are 19th century Hoptons Cordonnet buttons which were made  from doubled twisted coarse silk thread.

These are Mother of Pearl buttons, used on a wide variety of clothing especially childrens clothes such as Christening Robes or even Workwear. These days such buttons are prized by people who make hand made jewellery.

This plain brown Victorian dress had a set of 8 black glass buttons with gold lustre flower detail, at specialistauctions we have a variety of antique/vintage glass buttons for sale

just click to visit the glass buttons categories      Glass buttons and Glass button

The buttons below are in the Hereford museum

Horn was a by-product of the cattle industry and was used for domestic items such as lanterns, horn beakers and buttons. These buttons along with bone would be used on everyday clothes such as workwear (smocks). The buttons above are sliced slivers worked into shape and polished.

Horn products for sale at specialistauctions

Powder horn

Stylish Vintage Footwear

Several days ago i visited a Footwear museum  at Lamberts Mill, Rawtenstall, Lancashire, a small museum with an interesting collection of shoes, photos, advertisements and shoe making equipment.

Below a pair of circa 1900 wedding shoes, notice the shoe buttons.

This pair of vintage  black leather shoes have the shoe buttons but also are decorated with cut steel buckles.

Above 3 footwear advertisements

Below 2 pairs of vintage shoes you can purchase at http://www.specialistauctions.com/

Swan & Edgar shoes 1910 - 1920

1950's Bombshell heels

Past Present Future - it's a gift at Age Of Aquarius

Never mind an Octopus named Paul being a psychic prophesier.. there is much to be said for trying a bit of prognosticating yourself!

At least, you have four years till the next world cup to practice your skills!

Cast your eye over the AgeOfAquarius and you will see it all clearly.... New Age, Metaphysical, Spiritual, Pagan and Goddess related offerings....

Destiny awaits... at www.specialistauctions.com!

Lucky Japanese Cash Coin x3 Iching I Ching Divination Fortune Telling £1.99

Three Japanese cash coins called "Go-En". These are great prosperity and luck coins for keeping in your purse to increase your financial flow $ >> £ >> € >> or for using in I ching fortune readings. "Go-en" is the Japanese word for "Fate" or "Good Luck". For this reason the coin is thought to be the luckiest and people keep it for that good reason and many give this auspicious offering when praying at temples and shrines.

You can also tell your fate and fortune with either Japanese or Chinese cash coins using the ancient system for fortune telling called the I Ching. For that you need three 'cash' coins - the ones with a hole in the middle, as we have here!
http://www.specialistauctions.com/auctiondetails.php?id=1444823


Others might just hold out for a miracle though.. and this religious charm is a favourite of many...

Old Aluminium Miraculous MEDAL Aluminium Mary Catholic Immaculate Conception £0.99

For wearing around the neck, or indeed for a rosary. The text around the edge is in Latin. Regina sine labe originali concepta O.P.N. [Ora Pro Nobis] Queen conceived without original sin [Pray For Us]

This is the Miraculous medal, also known as the Medal of the Immaculate Conception - it is called this because of three apparitions that were said to have been given to Sister/Saint Catherine Labouré in 1830. The story tells that a vision of a child (said perhaps to have been a guardian angel) woke her and summoned her to the chapel, where upon she met and conversed with the Virgin Mary. Mary told her that should would be giving her a mission. In a later vision Mary said: “Have a medal struck upon this model. Those who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck.”

The first Medals were made in 1832 and were distributed in Paris, France. It was reported that almost immediately the blessings that Mary had promised began to shower down on those who wore her Medal. The devotion spread like wildfire. Marvels of grace and health, peace and prosperity, following in its wake. Before long people were calling it the “Miraculous” Medal - hence its name today.

http://www.specialistauctions.com/auctiondetails.php?id=1446024


Or you could pick up a beautiful Tarot deck and see what your spread reveals....

Medicine Woman Tarot Deck Native American Visionary Cards £9.99

The images are in the Native American fashion. Carol Bridges, the artist has created a postive, harmonic deck that with its gentle pastle drawings, gives all due reverance to the American Indian traditions.

http://www.specialistauctions.com/auctiondetails.php?id=1473529


Failing that, you could just relax, sit back and light some of the best incense in the world.. saying... "Whatever dude!"


Nag Champa Worlds Best Incense Satya Sai Baba £0.99

http://www.specialistauctions.com/auctiondetails.php?id=1473532

1930's Bathing Beauties

At the weekend i visited The Town Museum in Leyland near  Preston, Lancashire, UK.

The display cabinet below caught my eye, the 1930's bathing hat designs are just so stylish!