You Know I Like Van Helsing!!!...

Poxed, --- Victorian Syphilis...

In the Victorian era, syphilis, caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, was a significant public health concern. The disease was often associated with poverty, prostitution, and moral decay, leading to the stigmatization of those afflicted. Despite the widespread belief that syphilis was incurable, some treatments were attempted, but they were largely ineffective and often caused severe side effects. The most common treatment during this time was mercury-based remedies, which were known for their antimicrobial properties but also for their toxic nature. These treatments included pills, ointments, and injections, but they did not provide a cure for syphilis. Philandering husbands might bring the disease home to their wives. >>>

Penny Dreadfuls & The Series, --- "Penny Dreadful".....

>>> "Penny Dreadful," the series... The title refers to the penny dreadfuls, a type of 19th-century British fiction publication with lurid and sensational subject matter. The series draws upon many public domain characters from 19th-century Victorian Gothic fiction, including Dorian Gray from Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray; Mina Harker, Abraham Van Helsing, John Seward, Renfield, and Count Dracula from Bram Stoker's Dracula; Victor Frankenstein and his monster from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein; and Henry Jekyll from Robert Louis Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, showing their origin stories as an explorer searches for his daughter. Justine from Justine, or The Misfortunes of Virtue by the Marquis de Sade also appears.

The Real Butch Cassidy "Wild Bunch"......

The Queen's Christmas Dinner... (Really???!!!)

Have A Foxy Christmas!!!...

Rock Candy...

Rock candy was indeed popular during the Victorian era. It became a symbol of both luxury and everyday indulgence, enjoyed by both children and adults. The rise of specialized candy shops and the accessibility of sugar through industrial advancements contributed to its widespread consumption. Rock candy was not only a treat but also served as a decorative element in various confections and was often used in social gatherings as a gesture of hospitality and generosity.

Steak & Kidney Pie...

Figgy Pudding, --- A Victorian Christmas Treat...

The Allure Of Laudanum For The Victorians....

Victorian Opium Dens...

Shockingly Bright Red Lipstick...

Symbol of rebellion, feminism, and moral decay... How was red lipstick seen in Victorian times In the Victorian era, red lipstick was seen as a symbol of rebellion, feminism, and moral decay. It was associated with the Victorian ideals of femininity, virtue, and respectability, which were rigid and often contradictory to the women's liberation movements of the time. The use of red lipstick was considered a departure from the norm and a challenge to the accepted ideals of womanhood. Despite the societal disdain, red lipstick became a symbol of empowerment and defiance, particularly among women who sought to break free from the constraints of Victorian society.

Victorians & The Effect Of Their Morals... (Ah, --- HUM!!!)

Movie "From Hell"...

Based on a fantasy graphic novel...

>>> In 1888, Mary Kelly and a small group of London prostitutes trudge through unrelenting daily misery. Their friend Ann Crook is a former prostitute now married to a wealthy painter named Albert, and she has recently given birth to a daughter, Alice. When Ann is kidnapped, the women are drawn into a conspiracy with links to high society. Ann's kidnapping is followed by the gruesome murder of another one of the women, and it soon becomes apparent that each of the prostitutes is being hunted, murdered and mutilated post-mortem by a killer called Jack the Ripper.

The prostitute murders grab the attention of Whitechapel police inspector Frederick Abberline, a brilliant yet troubled man whose police work is often aided by his psychic "visions". Abberline is still grieving the death of his wife during childbirth two years earlier. His colleague Sergeant Peter Godley tries to grasp Abberline's strange theories. Abberline's investigations reveal that an educated person, likely knowledgeable in human anatomy, is responsible for the murders because of the highly precise, surgical methods used. Ann is soon located in a workhouse after being lobotomized because doctors deemed her violent and insane. It is implied that the operation was performed in order to silence her. Abberline consults Sir William Gull, a physician to the royal family, drawing on his experience and knowledge of medicine. During this meeting, Gull deduces that Abberline is struggling with opium addiction. Gull's findings point Abberline to a darker, more organized conspiracy than he had originally suspected. Abberline becomes deeply involved with the case, which takes on personal meaning when he falls in love with Mary. Abberline deduces that Freemason influence is involved in the murders. His superior, a high-ranking Freemason, opposes Abberline's methods and suspends him from the case. Thereafter, Abberline persists and discovers that Gull is the killer. Gull was instructed to dispose of all witnesses to the forbidden marriage of painter Walter Sickert to Ann Crook, the mother of his legitimate daughter, Alice. Sickert is revealed to be Prince Albert, grandson of the reigning Queen Victoria. Albert is dying of syphilis, which makes baby Alice the soon-to-be heiress to the British throne. Gull boasts to Abberline that he will be remembered in history for giving "birth to the 20th century". Abberline draws his gun, vowing that Gull will never see the 20th century, but before he is able to shoot Gull, he is knocked out by Ben Kidney, another Freemason. The Freemasons try to eliminate Abberline without leaving any witnesses, but Abberline fights back and kills one of the assassins by overturning a carriage. Next, he rushes to save Mary but arrives too late, and blames his superior for not helping him or Godley on the cases. Going through the gruesome murder scene, Abberline discovers a brunette lock of hair differing from Mary's red, and conceals this evidence to protect her. Gull's increasingly sinister behaviour lends insight into his murderous, but calculating, mind. Rather than publicly charge Gull, the Freemasons lobotomize him to protect themselves and the royal family from the scandal. Gull defiantly states he has no equal among men, remaining unrepentant until the surgery, which renders him an invalid like Ann. Abberline goes to the Ten Bells Tavern in Whitechapel and receives a mysterious letter from Mary. It is revealed that Gull had mistaken another prostitute, Ada, for Mary and killed her instead. Cautious of being watched closely by Freemasons, Abberline decides not to look for her despite knowing she's out there. He burns Mary's letter, knowing that he can never have a normal life with her. Sergeant Godley later finds Abberline dead of an opium overdose. Distraught, Godley places two coins over Abberline's eyes and mournfully says, "Good night, sweet prince." Years later, Mary is shown to have adopted Alice, and the two are living in a cottage on a cliff by the sea in Ireland.

The Victorian Language Of Flowers...

When Gentlemen Used Calling Cards...

19th Century Calling Card Etiquette... The giving and receiving of calling cards developed a very elaborate set of rituals and rules that every gentleman tried to master. While one’s modern sensibilities might find these rigid formalities laughable, I’ve got to say there’s a certain appeal to it. Far more dignified than poking someone on Facebook, wouldn’t you say?. Just in case you step through a time warp and land in the 19th century, here’s your calling card etiquette survival guide. On a first visit to a household, a gentleman gave one card to each lady of the house. A married man had a medium sized card, while an unmarried man had a smaller card. Men’s cards were always smaller than women’s. When calling upon the lady of the house, if she was not home, but her daughter was, the gentleman sent in his card and departed, as it was not usual for a young lady to receive calls from a gentleman unless they were very intimate friends. Special significance was given to the turning down of the card’s corners: A visit in person (as opposed to being sent by a servant): the right hand upper corner A congratulatory visit: the left hand upper corner A condolence visit: the left hand lower corner Taking leave (if you were going on a long trip): right hand lower corner If there were two of more ladies in the household, the gentleman turned down a corner of the card to indicate that the call was designed for the whole family. ___ From "AOM," by Brett & Kate Mc Kay.

Vampires In New York City & Other Strange Tales...

ThOOOse Victorians!!!...

Victorians & Their Kitties...

Vampire Opera

Were DID The 1st Vampire Come From???!!!...

Victorian Vampirtes & Their Spaces...

The Legend Of the Corpse Bride...

The legend of La Pascualita, the Corpse Bride, is a captivating tale that has intrigued both locals and tourists alike. The mannequin, which first appeared in the window of a bridal shop in Chihuahua, Mexico, in 1930, is said to be the embalmed daughter of the store's former owner, Pascuala Esparza. She is believed to have died tragically on her wedding day after being bitten by a black widow spider. Despite the shop owner's denial, the mannequin's lifelike appearance and the eerie resemblance to Esparza's daughter have led to the widespread belief that she is indeed a corpse. The mannequin's hands, fingernails, and even her legs are said to have veins, adding to the realism of her portrayal. La Pascualita has become a symbol of the macabre and a source of fascination for those who seek to understand the mysteries of life and death. --- From "All That's Interesting".

The Life Of Edith Piaf...

My Favorite Opera, --- "La Boheme"...

So Sad, --- The Life Of The "Elephant Man"...

Joseph Carey Merrick (5 August 1862 – 11 April 1890) was an English man known for his severe physical deformities. He was first exhibited at a freak show under the stage name "The Elephant Man", and then went to live at the London Hospital, in Whitechapel, after meeting the surgeon Sir Frederick Treves. Despite his challenges, Merrick created detailed artistic works, such as intricate models of buildings, and became well known in London society. Merrick was born in Leicester and began to develop abnormally before the age of five. His mother died when he was eleven, and his father soon remarried. Rejected by his father and stepmother, he left home and went to live with his uncle, Charles Merrick. In 1879, 17-year-old Merrick entered the Leicester Union Workhouse. In 1884, he contacted a showman named Sam Torr and proposed that he might be exhibited. Torr arranged for a group of men to manage Merrick, whom they named "the Elephant Man". After touring the East Midlands, Merrick travelled to London to be exhibited in a penny gaff shop rented by showman Tom Norman. The shop was visited by surgeon Frederick Treves, who invited Merrick to be physically examined. Merrick was displayed by Treves at a meeting of the Pathological Society of London in 1884, after which Norman's shop was closed by the police. Merrick then joined Sam Roper's circus and then toured in Europe by an unknown manager. In Belgium, Merrick was robbed by his road manager and abandoned in Brussels. He eventually made his way back to the London Hospital, where he was allowed to stay for the rest of his life. Treves visited him daily, and the pair developed a close friendship. Merrick also received visits from some of the wealthy ladies and gentlemen of London society, including Alexandra, Princess of Wales. Merrick died in the hospital on 11 April 1890. Although the official cause of his death was asphyxia, Treves, who performed the postmortem, concluded that Merrick had died of a dislocated neck.

The Life Of Victorian Spinsters...

A Victorian Circus...

A mostly unrecognized little gem of a movie (1964), featuring the talents of Tony Randall. Dr. Lao's circus is a magical place for revealing the flaws and faults of it's visitors >>> >>> And, --- a circus came to town in "Doctor Quinn: Medicine Woman"... The 31 year old Joe Lando was one of the handsomest men I've ever seen...

One Of Madame Talbot's Beautiful Victorian Lowbrow Posters...

They're all done by hand...

A Holiday Tradition: "A Soul Cake"...

Souling is a Christian practice carried out during Allhallowtide and Christmastide, with origins in the medieval era. The custom was popular in England and is still practised to a minor extent in Sheffield and parts of Cheshire during Allhallowtide. The custom was also popular in Wales and has counterparts in Portugal and the Philippines (a former Spanish colony) that are practiced to this day. Souling was once performed throughout the British Isles and the earliest activity was reported in 1511, and Shakespeare mentioned "pulling like a beggar at Hallowmas" in The Two Gentlemen of Verona (1593). However, by the end of the 19th century, the extent of the practice during Allhallowtide was limited to parts of England and Wales. How to make soul cakes...

Victorian Werewolves & Vampires...

HOT VAMPIRES >>>

(Oh, COOL.) :O >>> From "League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen": Mina Harker, --- The Vampire... "WHAT makes you think I need protecting???!!!... >>>

Beautiful Victorian Women Brought To Life...

The Old Rue de Lappe...

Rue de Lappe >>> Metro : Bastille. 11th Arrondissement... This small paved street, whilst narrow and discrete, is still one of the hottest Parisian nightspots. Filled with bars, restaurants and trendy boutiques it really comes alive during the nightly “happy hours”. The street’s reputation emerged with the famous popular dance clubs located there before the war. Well located in the Bastille quarter, it was where Parisian’s came to dance and drink absinthe. The street was named after a market gardener, Gérard de Lappe, who once sold his wares here. The number of cafés opened in this spot by natives of the Auvergne region of France lead the writer Alphonse to label it a Auvergnat ghetto. Over the years though the jolly folk dances of the Auvergne region gave way to the java and then the Argentinean tango. Located at number 9 was the infamous Bal Vernet. Whereas at number 32 one could find Jo France, creator of le Bal à Jo, which came to be called the Balajo from 1936 onwards. Well known patrons of the Balajo were Arletty, Marlene Dietrich, Francis Carco, Joseph Kessel and numerous other personalities. Whilst closed during the war the Balajo afterwards welcomed many of the stars of the French Liberation, Edith Piaf, Django Reinhardt, Francis Lemarque and Mouloudji. Even today it manages to retain the feel and charm of yesteryear. --- From "Paris Mysterious".

Tuberculosis Beauty: Mimi Of The Opera "La Boheme" & Violetta Of The Oprea "La Traviata'" Died Of T.B. ...

Marie Duplessis, a Parisian courtesan and celebrity was a striking Victorian beauty, her glossy black hair framing a beautiful oval ivory skinned face with sparkling dark eyes. But, she was short-lived. She was afflicted with tuberculosis, which killed her when she was 23, in 1847.

...WHAT???!!!, --- you might say. How could being sick possibly be attractive? Oh, but you're considering what is appealing from a 21st century viewpoint. Back in Victorian times women were prized who had the palest skin possible. T.B., with accompanying weakness did often give it's sufferers an interesting, ghostly pallor, plus T.B. fevers added a "lovely" light pink flush to the cheeks. It was also considered feminine to be delicate and frail and in great need of sturdy, strong male protection. AH-HUM!!!... However, it was important to avoid dying, while being fashionably tubercular. Of course, spitting up blood was thought icky. Women who were very chic sometimes starved themselves too, to become wasp-waisted, admirably thin. Naturally, only upper class women could afford to do this because being chicly thin and weak would mean a woman couldn't work for her living, not having enough vitality to do so.