Yesterday's Print

Showing 138 posts tagged georgian era

A collection of old photographs, historic newspaper clippings and assorted excerpts highlighting the parallels of past and present. Featuring weird, funny and baffling headlines, articles and advertisements! Visit www.yesterdays-print.com 

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The Times, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 9, 1879 During the Regency, Victorian and Edwardian eras it was considered a very big slight if a recognized artist’s paintings were “skied” (placed above the line of vision) or “floored” (placed below the...   High-res

The Times, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 9, 1879

During the Regency, Victorian and Edwardian eras it was considered a very big slight if a recognized artist’s paintings were “skied” (placed above the line of vision) or “floored” (placed below the line of vision) in a gallery exhibit. While usually there was a practical reason for skying a painting, it was also a common way for the committee to show favoritism. 

One man, in 1910, who had seen his painting placed in a favorable spot and was content, returned the next day - varnishing day - and found it skyed in another room. He left in a huff and came back with a fishing pole and attempted to knock the painting down and destroy it. When security kicked him out, he came back in disguise and shot the painting four times. 

Here are a couple illustrations showing what flooring and skying looked like:

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Flooring could be much worse if the room or the painting were smaller, with people having to bend and crane to view. Here’s a modern example of “floored” paintings:

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The Pennsylvania Gazette, Pittsburgh, March 23, 1769 Whereas Elizabeth, my wife, by the advice of her relations and children, hath gone and left me, and continues to stay from me, though often invited to return; and as I have threatenings frequently...   High-res

The Pennsylvania Gazette, Pittsburgh, March 23, 1769

Whereas Elizabeth, my wife, by the advice of her relations and children, hath gone and left me, and continues to stay from me, though often invited to return; and as I have threatenings frequently hinted to me, that I will be sued for a separate maintenance to my wife, it puts me under the disagreeable necessity of thus publickly warning all persons not to trust or credit her on my account, as I will pay no debt of her contracting after this date; and if she returns to the duty of a wife, as she ought, I will always maintain her according to my ability.  

The Public Advertiser, London, May 20, 1758 The True Delescot’s Original Opiate, so famous for the Teeth, Gums, and Breath (with the Tincture for immediate curing the Tooth ache) which was prepared for upwards of 60 Years at the Royal Bagnio in St....   High-res

The Public Advertiser, London, May 20, 1758

The True Delescot’s Original Opiate, so famous for the Teeth, Gums, and Breath (with the Tincture for immediate curing the Tooth ache) which was prepared for upwards of 60 Years at the Royal Bagnio in St. Jame’s-street, is now faithfully prepared, and sold in any Quantities, with directions, at Eaton’s Glass and China Shop in Little Rider-street, near the Bagnio, and at the Civet Cat, a Perfume and Snuff-shop, near the Admiralty, just below Charing-cross; likewise (as usual) at the most eminent Coffee-houses, Toyshops, Perfume-shops, &c. in London and Westminster.

Each Pot and Bottle that is genuine has these Words on the Seal, by LEGGE and Comp.

Buy your opiates at the toy shop! 

If anyone’s wondering, a bagnio was a bathhouse, known as a place to do your “sweating, bathing, shaving and cupping” and sometimes drink some Turkish coffee after your Turkish bath. Less legitimate ones were basically just brothels or no-questions-asked boarding houses. 

The Public Advertiser, London, May 20, 1758

Lost Yesterday, going from the Naked Boy next Door to the East India Warehouses, and thro’ Fenchurch Buildings, up Leadenhall-street to Birchin Lane, and so to Lombard-street, to Sir Charles Asgill and Co. a Bill for Ten Pounds, drawn by Holden on Mess. Holden’s, wrote on the Back payable at Sir Ch. Asgill’s and Co. last Indorsers Mess. Brassey, Lee and Co.

Whoever will bring the said Bill to the Naked Boy as above, shall receive Ten Shillings Reward. No greater Reward will be offered. 

From what I can tell, the Naked Boy they’re referring to is now known as the Golden Boy. Wikipedia says of him:

The Golden Boy of Pye Corner is a small monument located on the corner of Giltspur Street and Cock Lane in Smithfield, central London. It marks the spot where the 1666 Great Fire of London was stopped. The statue is made of wood and is covered with gold. The building which incorporates it is a Grade II listed building.

It bears the following small inscription below it:

“This Boy is in Memmory Put up for the late FIRE of LONDON Occasion’d by the Sin of Gluttony.”

(That inscription is a bit of a pun - sin of gluttony - playing on the fact that the great fire began in Pudding Lane and ended at Pye Corner.)