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EADWEARD MUYBRIDGE: FATHER OF CINEMATOGRAPHY
Eadweard Muybridge (1830 ~1904)Eadweard Muybridge was born in Kingston on Thames in 1830, when he was known by the somewhat duller name of Edward James Muggeridge. At the age of 22 he left England for...
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HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN AND THE LITTLE MERMAID...
The Little Mermaid meets the Prince - by DulacHans Christian Andersen was the Danish author of many classic fairy tales such as The Snow Queen,Thumbelina, The Little Match Girl, The Ugly Duckling and...
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DAISY, DAISY, GIVE ME YOUR ANSWER DO...
In 1892, by which time the bicycle had become an everyday sight in Victorian life, Henry Dacre composed a song that became immensely popular, both in the London music halls, and also in America.The...
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TURKISH BATHS AND THE PERFUME OF 'HAMMAM BOUQUET'...
When writing her novel, The Somnambulist, the VV wanted to introduce a perfume that would have been in production during the mid nineteenth century; a fragrance that might have been suitable for men...
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RAILWAYS ~ A HISTORY IN DRAWINGS
On 19th August 2021 Thames and Hudson will be publishing Christopher Valkoinen's Railways ~ A History in Drawings.Magnificent engineering drawings spanning two centuries give unique design and social...
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THE REAL ALICE IN WONDERLAND ...
Alice Pleasance Liddell (1852-1934)In 1864, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson - a young clergyman and mathematics don at Oxford university - presented a little girl with the unique Christmas gift. A 15,000...
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THE SPIRIT ENGINEER: THE WORK OF WILLIAM JACKSON CRAWFORD ...
William Jackson Crawford was a paranormal investigator who the author A. J. West has given the name of The Spirit Engineer; a name that also happens to be the title for West's novel.In many ways...
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THE TRADITIONS OF HALLOWEEN...
Halloween is a tradition made popular in America, where pumpkin lanterns in front of doors invite children to 'Trick-or-Treat 'while dressed in spooky fancy dress, as skeletons, witches, or ghosts –...
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THE CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME BEGINS...
From the V & A ArchivesThis engraving is a reminder of the inspiration for the VV's first Victorian novel, The Somnambulist, which opens with the imaginary setting of a pantomime performance at...
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VICTORIA WOODHULL ~ THE FIRST WOMAN TO STAND FOR THE PRESIDENCY...
Victoria Woodhull 1838-1927The VV has been musing on the life of Victoria Woodhull – who was (although few have heard of her now) the very first woman who made a bid to stand for the American...
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THE REAL VAN GOGH: THE ARTIST AND HIS LETTERS
Vincent Van Gogh 30 March 1853-29 July 1890 - self portrait: As an ArtistHaving just been to see the recent Van Gogh exhibition at Tate Britain, I was reminded of another one in 2010 when much of the...
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THE SPIRIT ENGINEER: THE GHOSTLY INVESTIGATIONS OF WILLIAM JACKSON CRAWFORD ...
William Jackson Crawford was a paranormal investigator who the author A. J. West has written about his novel, The Spirit Engineer.In many ways William's life is a mystery, his story all but forgotten...
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THE VICTORIAN MIDGET, PRINCESS LOTTIE
Princess LottieIn my new Victorian gothic novel, The Fascination (published by Orenda Books in June 2023), I have a character who never grows in size beyond the age of five. There are many different...
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THE REAL VAN GOGH: THE ARTIST AND HIS LETTERS
Vincent Van Gogh 30 March 1853-29 July 1890 - self portrait: As an ArtistIn 2010 the RA in London exhibited the work of Vincent Van Gogh, with the artwork being complemented by some of the countless...
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THE MARGATE SHELL GROTTO...
In 1835, while attempting to dig a duck pond, a man named James Newlove and his son Joshua discovered a peculiar hole in the ground. When Joshua crept down inside it, he discovered over 70 feet of...
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STUFFED MONKEYS AND DOGS ...
Little NapChimpanzee circus performer dressed as Napoleon, early twentieth century.I found this photograph of a chimp dressed as Napoleon when I was writing my first novel, The Somnambulist. At the...
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RIDDLE OF A CURIOUS LOVE LETTER ...
This letter is held by the American Library of Congress. It dates from the 1850's, and whether the original version was genuine or contrived, it is a most delightful find. Do read the explanation at...
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THE FASCINATION BY ESSIE FOX. A NEW VICTORIAN GOTHIC NOVEL ...
My new Victorian gothic novel is called The Fascination. It's a book about finding acceptance in a world where anyone different is at risk of scorn or abuse ... or used for entertainment purposes. The...
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MARIE LLOYD ~ THE ONE AND ONLY ~ THE QUEEN OF THE MUSIC HALLS...
Today there are many people who know nothing of Marie Lloyd - which shows how ephemeral fame can be, and how the passing of the years will often dim collective memories. However, in her time, Miss...
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