Anachronism

Created by Danil Polevoy. Take a look at these old photos... something's a bit... OFF.

Eggnog (with REAL egg)

Yesterday, I bought the book The Wicked West by Sherry Monaham. I'm super excited about the book since it goes almost hand in hand with a book I previously read titled, Soiled Doves by Anne Seagraves. Anyways, The Wicked West contains some liquor recipes from "the olden days" including Eggnog which is mostly enjoyed during the holidays. These days, raw eggs aren't included in the commercial eggnog you buy in stores, which is why you have to make your own at home. Unless you're using eggs straight out of a chicken, make sure to buy pasteurized eggs to avoid salmonella. Also, the addition of alcohol in your drink will lessen your chance for contamination.

Recipe of Eggnog

(Use a large bar glass)

Rich mill

1 fresh egg

3/4 tablespoon sugar

1/3 glass of ice

1 small jigger of white rum

1 jigger of brandy

Fill the glass with rich milk (half and half will work well; shake or stir ... the ingredients well together, and strain into a large bar glass; grate a little nutmeg on top, and serve. It is proper for the bartender to ask the customer what flavor he prefers, whether St. Croix or Jamaica rum. It is wise to be careful not to put too much ice into your mixing goblet, as by straining you might not be able to fill the glass properly, as it ought to be.

Cite: Monahan, Sherry A. The Wicked West: Boozers, Cruisers, Gamblers, and More. Tucson, AZ: Rio Nuevo, 2005. Print.

The Landlord's Game aka Monopoly

Monopoly is by far my favorite board game. The original Monopoly was actually called The Landlords Game. The Landlord's Game is based on the principles of Georgism. Georgism is quote,

"named after Henry George (1839-1897), is a philosophy and economic ideology that holds that everyone owns what they create, but that everything found in nature, most importantly land, belongs equally to all of humanity. The Georgist philosophy is usually associated with the idea of a single tax on the value of land. Georgists argue that a tax on land value is efficient, fair and equitable, and will accrue sufficient revenue so that other taxes, which are less fair and efficient, can be reduced or eliminated."

The first version of The Landlord's Game circa 1904. - notice, "Go" is know as "Mother Earth" and spaces charge you for "absolute necessities" such as coal, bread, shelter, clothing.

The second version of The Landlord's Game circa 1924 - notice some properties belonging to Chicago.

Magie, the game's developer who loved and supported Georgism, sold the game's concept to The Parker Brothers in 1935 for $500, which is equivalent to $7734.46 via 2009. Although The Landlord's Game originally took inspiration from New York City, the modern editions of Monopoly are classically based on Atlantic City.

The characters in Monopoly are listed:

• Rich Uncle Pennybags aka Milburn Pennybags aka Mr. Monopoly- the main Monopoly character
• Jake the Jailbird - the guy in jail
• Officer Edgar Mallory - the police officer
• Madge Pennybags - Milburn's Wife
• Sandy, Andy, Randy - Mr. Monopoly's niece and nephews.

Milburn Pennybags is also named the 6th richest fictional character according to Forbes magazine. I didn't make this stuff up, guys.

For more info on different editions of Monopoly look HERE.

Playing Post Office

In 1847, a 5-cent and 10-cent stamp was released from the post office. They were the first self-adhesive stamps issued and called "LICK and STICK." This inspired the children's kissing game, Post Office. Rules below.

Post Office Rules:

1. Divide the group into two: Boys(A) and Girls(B).

2. Group A goes into another room, such as a bedroom, which is called "the post office."

3. Each person from the stationary group(B) individually visits "the post office"—once there, they get a kiss from every member in the room. They then return to their original room.

4. Once everyone in the first group (A) has taken a turn, the other group (B) begins sending members to the first room. In this way every member of both groups is guaranteed a kiss from every member of the opposite group.

Recipe for LICK and STICK

1. Mix the gelatin and the water together in a pan.
2. Heat the mix over a medium heat until the gelatin is dissolved.

3.Add the peppermint extract and let the mix cool.

4. Paint a thin layer onto the back of any picture, envelope and let it dry.

Okay.. now go have some Lick and Stick fun.

Sick? Put on a Flannel Shirt and Eat Some Onions.

This week I'm so utterly sick.. not really.. but I'm pretending to be more sick than I really am. But... here are some old time killing germs techniques that can get you back on your feet fast.

1. Flannel

That's right, saddle up to buy a flannel shirt and some flannel sheets. Red flannel was say to work the best at getting rid at rheumatism and back pain.

And now for the science: Other than using flannel to keep you warm, Alum was used in the drying process when making red flannel. Other than alum's drying properties, it has medicinal and cosmetic properties as well. Alum has long been used as an astringent after shaving or waxing. It's also a main ingredient in deodorant, combating underarm bacteria all day long, all day strong. Alum is also included in vaccines to help the body fight better the germs in those vaccines. Why do you think Paul Bunyan was so strong?

2. Skunk Oil or Bear's Oil

I guess this is where the "spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down" saying comes from. It was traditionary, to cure a cold, place a few drops of skunk oil onto a teaspoon on sugar and swallow it. Although, if you didn't want to eat it, you could do Bear's Oil.. which is second best. Then you rubbed it on your chest to make your breathe easier apparently. And as much as you're thinking how awful skunk oil must smell, it really doesn't smell too bad. Skunk oil is obtained from some glands in the skunks back--not it's stink glands. These glands store fat for the skunk in the wintertime when it goes to hibernate.

There is no science behind this one, children. Although, It is said to have a warming sensation when rubbed on the skin. If you do find some info... please comment below.

Note: if you're into rubbing things on your chest and have not skunk oil or bear oil... you can use butter, an bird oil, lard, turpentine, or any other greasy thing you have around your house.

3. Onions

This one is good 'cause I love onions... especially caramelized. And seriously, a lot of old time remedies having to do with onions include sugar. The most popular way to include onions into your sick diet is to make Onion Syrup.

Onion Syrup

Dice a large onion in a bowl and layer it with two or three table spoons of sugar.

Let sit a couple of hours and drain the sugar-onion water in a a vial.

You now have onion syrup.

Take one tablespoon every 2 hours.

And now for the science: Onions are a good source of fructo-oligosaccharides, which means, they fight the growth of bacteria esp. in the colon. They also help cardiovascular health and fight cancer.

If you hate eating onions, you coule always tie them around your neck to ward off colds, or slice them and put them in your shoes before putting your shoes on. That'll help. Still wanting French Onion Soup.. X-tra cheese.

Source: Janos, Elisabeth. Country Folk Medicine: Tales of Skunk Oil, Sassafras Tea and Other Old-time Remedies. Guilford, CT: Lyons, 2004. Print.

Happy Thanksgiving!

You too can make Pilgrim vs Indian outfits out of paper for this Thanksgiving. Copy and blow up the below pattern for Pilgrim. Indians should go tanning and wear a flap over their genitals and a headband wiwith a feather. :D

Cocaine Tooth Drops

COCAINE

TOOTHACHE DROPS

Instantaneous Cure! Price 15 Cents.

Prepared by the Lloyd Manufactureing Co.

219 Hudson Ave., Albany, N.Y.

For sale by all Druggists

(Registered March 1885.) See other Side.

The Real Black Friday

Every year, after filling their bellies with caloric goodness, American housewives wake up at the crack of way-too-damn-early to purchase as many discounts their minivan can hold. That day is called Black Friday -- a 1960's tradition to go out and shop 'til you drop and then some. Now, when I think of Black Friday, I always think about it having a negative conotation since black uaully means darkness and all things bad. But, black, in the 1960's version of Black Friday actually represents being in the black. Back when accounting ledgers were done by hand, RED used to mean you were loosing profits, and BLACK meant you were making profits. And the fact that it was the largest purchasing day of the year meant all of your accounts were in the black again. $_$ cha-ching!

Here at Victorian Supremacy, we're not so cheerful. Black Friday hasn't always meant Black Friday. Before today's meaning of glorified consumer indulgence, Black Friday meant an American Banker and American Financier's glorified day of over indulgence. In 1869, Jay Gould and James Fisk made an attempt to corner the gold market. Not just a little try.. but I very good try. It was a good enough try to cause gold prices to skyrocket and scare the American public into a Financial Panic on September 12 1869. By buying all the gold on the market, Gould and Fisk increased gold prices from $130 to $160 in a matter of weeks. When the government caught wind of their scandal, Fisk and Gould were ordered to sell $4,000,000 of their gold and buy government bonds instead. This massive selling caused a huge drop in the markets and the financial crisis that we call today the original Black Friday.

The Perfect Victorian Tree Decorations

Wax Tapers  aka Open Fire

Wax tapers are basically long really long dipped candles.  The lights on a Christmas tree represent the stars in the night sky. You can learn the ins and out and how to make your own wax tapers here.  Just don't burn the house down.  But open fires weren't the only dangerous thing Victorians put on a dead tree in their living room.

Tinsel aka Lead

Tinsel was originally made of real silver in the 1600's. Later, since silver tarnsihes, it was manufactured from tin. There are two types of tinsel: Icicle tinsel and Garland tinsel.
Icicle tinsel is a strip of metal that has been twisted and hangs like an icicle from the tree branches.

Garland tinsel is what we think of tinsel today -- the messy metallic strings that rest on the tree boughs. Metallic tinsel strands were made mostly from fool's gold which made it really expensive to throw over a tree.  Along with fool's gold, tinsel was also made from lead. It is still eaten by pets to this day. Safe Stuff this tinsel is.

buy official Victorian icicle tinsel HERE.

Various Food Items - Popcorn, Cranberries, Marzipan aka Stuff that Tastes Like Crap. 

Since Christmas tree was a mostly German inspired tradition, and since Marzipan is a german invention, it was used to decorate the Christmas Tree.  Marzipan is traditionally shaped into shapes resembling fruits and placed on the tree.

Stringing together Popcorn and Cranberries is a traditional family pastime at Christmas still. the Popcorn resting on the boughs of the evergreen looks like fresh snow and the Cranberries, as the deteriorate,  would probably give off a nice smell.. much like in medieval times with those clove oranges (See Pomander).

Presents

Christmas time in upon us once again.. consider these 1893 etiquette rules when receiving or giving your gift this year.

HOW TO RECEIVE A PRESENT

"Receive a present in the spirit in which it is given and with a quiet expression of thanks. On the other hand, never, when what you have given in admired, spoil the effect by saying it is of no value, or worse still, that you have no use for it, have others, or anything of that kind. Simply remark that you are gratified at finding it has given pleasure. "

REFUSING A GIFT

"Never refuse a gift if offered in kindness unless the circumstancess are such that you cannot with propriety or consistency receive it. Neither in receiving a present make such comments as 'I am ashamed to rob you;' 'I a sure I ought not to take it,' which seem to indicate that your friend cannot afford the gift"

VALUE OF PRESENTS

"In the eyes of persons of delicacy, presents are of no worth, except from the manner in which they are bestowed; strive then to gain them this value."

source: Wells, Richard A. Manners Culture and Dress. Springfield, MA: King Richardson and Co, 1893.

Past into Present

Pictures from The Leningrad Blockade in Russia. From 1941-1944.

"During nine hundred (!) days a few million people city of Leningrad suffered from cold and hunger, being deprived of almost all supplies of food and fuel. Many thousands died, those who survived remember this not very willingly. The situation with food was so heavy, no food was sold/distributed among people except a few grams (not even tens or hundred grams) of bread, and not each day, that people had to eat stuff that they would never eat in normal life, like making soups of leather boots (because leather is of animal origin) or boiling the wallpaper because the glue with which they were attached to walls contained a bit of organic stuff. Of course many occasions of cannibalism occurred."

LINK

I would really like the try to make photos like these of Columbus. although they won't be that emotional.. I still think it's still interesting.

Bear Your Soul.

Bears have quite a little history with humans. We're both omnivores for one. In the past, they've had the nickname of "four legged humans", "chief's son" , or "old man in fur garment." Some kings even believed their decedents were bears. Other folktale mention humas descending from bears. Even women mating with bears in the mountains.

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The Ainu people of Japan held special places in their hearts for bears. Infact, their own beliefs was based on bears.

"The Ainu practiced an elaborate bear cult into the 1920s which immediately calls to mind the Paleolithic bear cult and the epiphany of the Great Goddess as Bear Mother. The Ainu captured a bear cub, nurtured it for months and then sacrificed it during an elaborate ritual. They are the only people to have retained a full fledged bear cult into the twentieth century and the Paleolithic elements are unmistakable; the Ainu are truly spectacular from a Western anthropologist's viewpoint."

Their bear ritual went like so:
First, a baby bear would be captured and brought to the village. He would be kept and fed for 2-3 years until nice and fat. During mid-winter, at midnight, while the bear had the most fat on him and thickest fur.

They would shoot the bear with ceremonial arrows and then kill it by crushing it with a log.

Women weren't allowed to participate in this festival. The bear is placed on an alter as a sacrafice and there are lots of celebrations with sake and hard liquor.
Organs in the head are removed and replaced with flowers. Afterwards, the bear's skulls are repected by putting them in their huts.

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Animals from the Past

Animals all the way from 1878. I hear birds and a cow, but not much else.. What do you hear?

Link Here

Saint Valentine's Day Greetings

This week's podcast is now out!

Listen Now

In this episode, we mention the first Valentine's Poem. You can read it below, first in it's original writing and then in the English translation.

Charle's d'Orleans - A Farewell to Love

Je suis desja d'amour tanné,
Ma tres doulce Valentinée, Car pour moi fustes trop tart née, Et moy pour vous fus trop tost né. Dieu lui pardoint qui estrené
M'a de vous, pour toute l'année.
Je suis desja, etc.
Ma tres doulce, etc. Bien m'estoye suspeconné, Qu'auroye telle destinée, Ains que passast ceste journée,
Combien qu'Amours l'eust ordonné.
Je suis desja, etc.

I am already sick of love,
My very gentle Valentine,
Since for me you were born too soon,
And I for you was born too late.
God forgives he who has estranged
Me from you for the whole year.
I am already, etc.
My very gentle, etc.
Well might I have suspected,
That such a destiny,
Thus would have happened this day,
How much that Love would have commanded.
I am already, etc.

A Very Early Valentine written in 1848 from a Lady to her Lover.

Valentine's Day at the Post Office. Everyone is sorting the large amount of letters.

An Example of a mock Valentine. This one sent by a lady to an unwanted suitor.

Cherubs are a popular image to see on Valentines Cards.
HAPPY ST. VALENTINE'S DAY, LOVELIES!

Look into the Future

Oooh swish! I know this is a little after our time,but this video is still interesting. I don't see anyone going around with lightbulbs attached to their head and telephones attached to their chests.. although, we do have our cellphones. And we do have our cantilever heels ala Marc Jacobs and such.

Episode 2 : Queen Victoria

Episode 2 is now out! you can download it here:

Listen

This week is about Queen Victoria, whom the Victorian time period is named for. I've included this post as a supplement to the podcast including some images of the topics we discussed.

Queen Victoria's Wedding Day. She established the tradition of wearing white.

The Royal Wedding Shoes. They are made by Gundry & Sons and addressed to the queen on the insole's label. Gundry & Sons, located in Soho Square, London, also made shoes for other royalty.
Watercolor of Prince Albert by Queen Victoria herself.
The Royal Family - Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and 5 of her 9 children.

Queen Victoria with one of her pet dogs, Sharp. She loved her dogs dearly and had portraits made of them. Sharp was a Border Collie. The Queen is actually smiling a little in the photo.

Sharp's GraveStereo view of the Queen's funeral. At front is the coffin follower by hundreds upon thousands of mourners. After the podcast was recorded, we realized that we didn't really touch on any of the Queen's accomplishments or influences in today's society. There is so much information about the Queen, it could take a lifetime to study. We wanted to touch on interesting points about her that you didn't know before. If you want to read all about Queen Victoria, I suggest selecting a reading from archive.org about her. If you want to see photos of the family, Victoria's sketches, pictures of the children, please visit Images of Her World. I hope you enjoy this weeks podcast.

Pepsi-Cola

In light of Pepsi's new logo change. I'd thought it'd be interesting to look at Pepsi's first logotype:
Now that is what I call a typeface. Pepsi was originally called Brad's Drink named after the creator, Caleb Bradham. The logotype was designed by one of Bradham's neighbors. Named Pepsi-Cola in 1989, the name comes from the ingredients pepsin and kola nut. Pepsin is actually an enzyme that helps in digestion. Which is reason why it might have helps as a tonic for stomach aches. The Cola Nut comes from the Kola Tree in Africa. The nuts contain caffeine and can also stimulate the digestion of food in the stomach.

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Being a Hobo: Lesson 1

I first found out about hobo signs when playing the game Nancy Drew and The Secret of the Old Clock. If anyone still plays computer games and likes solving mysteries, I'd recommend it. It's placed back in 1930 like when the original book was written. I'm just a true Nancy Drew fan. Onto the topic, Hobo signs were used by hobos to tell other hobos things. These signs were written on fence posts, scribbled in dirt, or on the side of buildings, etc. Although, hobo signs probably differed a bit by region.

Below are the hobo signs featured in The Secret of the Old Clock game:

They can then be compared to these thanks to Fran's Hobo Page:

And now, you are ready to start wondering aimlessly from town to town. Hobo Lingo is lesson 2.

Chinese Etiquette

At archive.org, there is a Chinese etiquette book titled Instruction for Chinese Women and Girls.
It's written in English, I assume for Chinese immigrants. The best thing about it is that it's from 1900, so it is very interesting to compare regular turn of the century etiquette with Chinese etiquette from the same year. It's actually a little hilarious for me, because some rules still apply when I'm with my mom.As most people think Victorian etiquette is strict, the Chinese etiquette seems a lot stricter than American etiquette at that time. There is more of a focus on respecting elders and men as the female is the lesser being to do all the work and house slaving. Late to bed and early to rise.

"The most important is to be pure and upright in morals; If pure, you are clean inside and outside; Chastity is your body's glory. Having it, all your acts shine. When walking, look straight, turn not your head; Talking, restrain your voice within your teeth; Sitting, don't shake your knees a common fault with men; Standing, keep quiet your skirts; When pleased, laugh not aloud; If angry, still make no noise[...] Fully understand. Boys and girls must not together be. With outside business you have no concern; Therefore, go not beyond the court. If necessary outside to go, Exhibit not your form, But screen your face with fan or veil. To men who are not with you related you may not speak. With women and girls of not careful conduct you may not associate. Following virtue, decorum, and uprightness, you so accomplish the end of your being. "

On raising a girl:

"Girls must dwell in the secluded rooms ; Seldom permit them to go outside. When they are called they must come ; When told to go, let them obey. If disobedient in the least, Use small switches and punish them. "

On having a husband:

"When a girl leaves her father's house Her husband thereafter Is her nearest relative. In her former state, before she was born, Her relations in the present world were fixed. Her husband is to her as heaven ! How dare she fail to reverence him ? The husband commands, the wife obeys ; Yet let there be mutual grace and love [...]When the 'husband goes out The wife should respectfully ask how far he must walk. If by the middle of the night He has not returned home, She may not sleep, but must still wait for him, Keep the light burning and his food hot, Until she hears his knock at the door. Do not imitate lazy women Who go to bed before it is dark. "

If this is interesting, you can download the text file or a pdf of the book.

New Podcast!

Well, we've finally finished the first podcast. I've been wanting to get started on this forever! The first episode, is just a pilot. I do think the later episodes will improve. The topic is New Year. Anyway, please comment and let me know what you think about it! Enjoy!

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