Regency Fashion February 1814

I am squeaking this one in before we hit the end of the month. You may have noticed the pattern. I am trying to give you dresses exactly 200 years old. I have another couple for this month so I am going to put them in later this week, so you have them all. Back to regular scheduling for March.

While the title on the plate says "Dinner Dress"  The description calls it a Carriage Pelisse. I assume the two are not incompatible, and it is a carriage dress one could wear to dinner. It is certainly gorgeous enough to go anywhere and the detail says that each of those little tassels is a tie. Heaven help the poor maid having to do that one up and clearly one wouldn't be removing it when one arrived for dinner.  I love the elegant lines of this gown despite the fussiness of the trim.

Here is the description for your delectation  and delight from La Bell Assemblee January 1814 issue, February Fashions.

Orange Boven Carriage Pelisse

    A pelisse of the most delicate fawn colour Irish poplin, the skirt an easy fullness, the body tight to the shape, very short in the waist, and broad in the back. 

The front, as our readers will see by the Plate, is very elegantly ornamented with white satin points put on at each side of the front; a beautiful white silk trimming edges each point, and white silk tassels of the lightest and most beautiful texture tie the pelisse all down the front.

The sleeve is ornamented in a similar manner on a smaller scale, but without the tassels: the bottom of the pelisse and the cuffs are also ornamented with white satin points, edged with silk trimming to correspond, and on each hip is a very novel and tasteful ornament, about the size of a large Spanish button; it is composed of floss silk, in the form of a shell. 

A ruff of white satin cut in points, encircles the throat; it is supported, we believe, by ribband wire, or something of that sort, as it stands up round the throat, it is edged with a very fine narrow white lace. Head-dress a small Spanish cap of white satin, or fawn coloured velvet, tastefully ornamented with points edged with pearl, and a superb white ostrich feather, which falls to the left side. Fawn colour slippers and gloves. We have no hesitation in saying that this dress is the most elegant and novel that has appeared in the carriage costume for a considerable time.

Elegant and novel. I would have to agree.  Until next time, Happy Rambles

Fashion for February 1814

This is an evening gown from Ackerman's Repository for February 1814, described as an Evening or Dancing

The length clearly allows for some jigging about in those very energetic country dances.

A white crape petticoat, worn over gossamer satin, ornamented at the feet with rows of puckered net, with a centre border of blue satin or velvet, in puffs. 

A bodice of blue satin, with short full sleeves, and cuffs to correspond with the bottom of the dress. A full puckered border of net, or crape round the bosom. 

Stomacher and belt of white satin, with pearl or diamond clasp. 

Hair in disheveled curls, divided in front of the forehead, and ornamented with clusters of small variegated flowers; a large transparent Mechlin veil, thrown occasionally over the head, shading the bosom in front, and falling in graceful drapery beneath. 

Ear-rings, necklace and bracelets of Oriental pearl, or white cornelian.

 Slippers of white satin, with blue rosettes. White kid gloves; and fan of spangled crape and blue foil.

I like the idea of disheveled curls, don't you? 

Until next time......

Coming Soon

Here is your official Sneak Peek at my next cover and a little bit about the book.

Return of the Prodigal Gilvry will be out in May 2014 (April 15 in print) and is available for preorder.  Click here to order from Amazon


BEHIND THE HIGHLANDER'S SCARS…

Reeling from betrayal, the once devastatingly handsome Andrew Gilvry has returned to Scottish shores to fulfill a promise made to a dying man. The widowed Rowena MacDonald has been entrusted to his care, and Drew must do all he can to protect her….

LIES A DARK PASSION!

But Drew's honor is about to be tested—because there's something in Rowena's dove-gray eyes that awakens a flame long extinguished. And on a perilous journey across the Highlands, with only this alluring woman for company, how long can he deny his desires?

This is the last of the Gilvrys of Dunross series (boy, I am going to miss the Scottish Highlands), The series was a spin off from Captured for the Captain's Pleasure and  I am wondering if I should write Jaimie's story. He plays a much a very small part in several of these book. I suppose it will depend on popular demand.

Until next time .... well you know the drill.....

Fashion for January 2014

Today's offering is a Morning Carriage Dress from the December edition of La Belle Assemblee.

It think this outfit would have been perfect for February too. The description is as follows.

 Pelisse of the fashionable blue cloth, fastened down the front with small flaps, edged with silk trimming to correspond, in a manner that is perfectly novel, and that has a very singular effect; the cuff is also ornamented to correspond. 

A very small cottage bonnet, composed of white satin, and of a most becoming and novel shape; the front, which is very small, displays a rich quilling of lace to correspond with the triple lace ruff.

 The bonnet on the front is ornamented with a white satin ribband, which is so disposed as to have the appearance of a small wreath of white flowers; a white soft ribband ties it in a very full bow under the chin. Cloth half-boots to correspond with the dress. York tan gloves, and a seal-skin muff and tippet, finishes this dress.

Our modern day preferences would no doubt have us omitting the fur accoutrements, but since this is history, we include them.

Until Next time, Happy Rambles.

Gentlemen's Clothing

On the issue of a gentleman's pockets.

There has been some discussion among those who undertake research on the Regency about the issue of where a gentleman might "put stuff on his person and quite often asserting that men did not have pockets in their pants (as we call them today). 

I just read the following in La Belle Assemblee for January 1813, a description of an altercation regarding payment of his bill, between a Navy lieutenant and his host at a Tavern , namely the Horse and Groom Tavern, near the Asylum, London.

             "...a waiter was directed to follow him and saw him, whilst in his room, put a dagger into the pocket of his pantaloons; some further altercation ensued and he drew the dagger, and pointed it at the plaintiff."

So clearly pockets large enough for a dagger of polished steel with a broad keen blade some six inches long were included in the construction of men's pantaloons.  If I come across more detail, I shall be sure to add it to this snippet.

I should add the the officer offered the dagger to the judge as a gift, who took it and then told the lieutenant he must still find bail money to answer to the charge of an assault of an aggravated nature at Sessions, desipte the officer explaining that there was no altercation, he simply intended to show his friends the dagger.

Regency Houses - Saltram Continued

I could not leave the library without a picture of this desk and several other items that are evocative of the Regency.

Family tradition says this desk was given to Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough who gave it to her granddaughter who gave it to Lady Catherine Parker. Made of beechwood inlaid with brass and shell it is thought to be by Boulle (1642 - 1732), but it was restored badly in the nineteenth century when the red leather insert was added.

Even so, it really is a beautiful and extraordinary piece of furniture. On top is a silver gilt inkstand.

Naturally, since we are in the Regency, we have to feature other forms of entertainment. This is a rosewood games-table from the Regency era. Its cross over legs are painted to look like bronze and was made by the London firm J. McLane & Son (1770 to 1815)  The middle section of the top is reversible and is fitted with a backgammon board. Here we see it set for draughts.

I would love a table like this.

Another must have are library steps.


I lightened the picture because this corner was dark so the colour if off a bit.

These steps fold up to form a sabre-leg arm chair and is considered to be the Patent Metamorphic Library Chair by Morgan and Sanders pictured by Ackerman in 1811.

 I have no information of this gaming table, but just loved it enough to include it, because of the scoops for money or chips.  And the chairs.

 And so concludes our truncated tour of Saltram. There was much more to see and many more photos that I took, but I would encourage you to see it for yourself if you ever have the chance.


Until next time, Happy Rambles

Regency Fashion

January 2014

This is our second fashion plate for the month from Ackerman's Repository.

Morning Dress

A round robe of plain jaconot muslin, with spencer bodice, and rounded falling collar, edged with lace or needle-work; the same ornamenting the bottom of the dress. 

A loose robe pelisse of Indian muslin, thrown quite open in front, trimmed entirely round with a full gathered border of muslin or lace; the back confined at the bottom with a lemon-coloured ribband, brought round the waist, and tied in bows and ends in front. 

The Flushing mop cap, composed entirely of lace, ornamented with lemon-coloured ribband, which also confines it under the chin. A small rosary and cross of amber, twisted round the wrist, and a broach of the same confining the dress at the throat. Slippers and gloves of lemon-coloured kid.






Such a pretty Dress don't you think, and I like the stool and cushion she is perched on. It looks like summer more than winter to me. And a Flushing mob cap. Flushing is the English name for a harbour in the Netherlands, called Vlissingen. In case you wanted to know. Why there is a mob cap named after it, I do not profess to know. But it is very sweet.

That's it until next time, Happy Rambles.

Regency Fashion - January 2014

We are now well into the Regency of George Prince of Wales period and of course in the depths of the English winter.  Nothing like the kind of winter we have the northern parts of North America, still warm clothing is a wise thing.

This Promenade costume from an Ackerman plate looks toasty.

A Plain cambric robe, with long gathered sleeve and high arched collar, trimmed with net lace or muslin. A Spanish lapelled coat of fine orange Merino cloth; full epaulette ornaments on the shoulders: the whole lined throughout with white sarsnet, and trimmed with a raised border of white velvet or swansdown. 

A small, provincial bonnet of the same material as the coat, ornamented with full curled ostrich feather. White spotted ermine or Chinchilli muff. Gloves grey or light blue kid. Half-boots of orange-coloured jean or velvet.

Until next time, Happy Rambles.

Happy New Year

I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday celebrations and wish you all the best for 2014.

I must say Christmas 2013 will be one that stays long in my memory and with a cocktail of emotions, both good and bad.  We were hit by the ice storm on the Sunday before Christmas and it was almost Boxing Day morning, Dec 26, before power returned and even longer before we could honestly say we were back to normal, which is why I have been so slow posting this blog.

Really, we cannot complain. A great many people were hit a lot harder and for longer than we were. And we managed to get together with family and friends more or less as usual. Lots of laughter about do I use the generator to curl my hair, or keep the heat on the house?  Scarcrow hair is the new in-thing, right?

 Mostly, I am heartsick about the damage to the old trees in my neighbourhood. But we survived. And the trees will come back in their own good time.  I hope you also survived whatever came your way, and are looking forward to the coming year.

Lots of plans for 2014 and lots of fun information coming your way.

Regency Advertisements

La Belle Assemblee is a positive mine of information about what our Regency Ladies and Gentlemen might be interested in purchasing.  I thought it might be interesting to add these to my posts from time to time. Here is one for what we would call instant coffee.

Coffee Made in One Minute

Hawkins and Dunn's

Sold at their Manufactory, No. 79 Great Titchfield Streed, Mary-le-Bone, London and by various Grocers, Druggists, etc. in Town and Country in half pint bottles

• Turkey.....5s 0d
• Bourbon...3s 6d
• Plantation...2s 6d

                                                                             (including the bottle)

To make a cup of coffee no other trouble is required than merely to put about a teaspoon full of the Essence into a coffee cup, with the usual quantity of milk and sugar, and fill it with hot water.

The Essence is sold without sugar when wanted for immediate use; the half pint bottle containing one pound three ounces of coffee.

The Essence is also sold mixed with sugar for Hot Climates and for long keeping; the half pint bottle in that case containing one pound of coffee and six ounces of sugar at the same prices as above.

As good coffee cannot be made without pure water, Hawkins and Dunn have provided filtering vessels at four shillings and upwards.

Well I for one was surprised.

And I enjoyed this little Gem under the heading

Died

Lately at sea, Mr W. Clark, Captain of the Rebeca, privateer, of Folkstone, who, by frequent practice, had acquired the art of throwing the lead with his teeth father than almost any man could do with his hands; and in his last attempt, from having lost his balance, he fell a sacrifice to his dexterity.


Until next time, Happy Rambles

Regency Fashion

December 1813

The second offering for December, is quite glamerous IMHO

It is named a Kutusoff Mantle

Kutusoff was a Russian Prince and a great general for his country who died earlier in 1813.

The mantle is described as follows;

Pink or scarlet cloth mantle, trimmed with a broad velvet ribband to correspond, a spenser of the same materials, on sleeve of which is concealed by the folds of the mantle; the collar, which is high and puckered, fastens at the throat with a broach; and a long lappel [sic], which ends in a point, falls considerably over the left shoulder.  A Kutusoff hat of pink or scarlet cloth, turned up in front, with a little corner to the right side, ties under the chin, and is finished with aa pink or scarlet feather; a full puffing of lace or net is seen underneath. Plain cambric high dress, and pink or scarlet leather half boots.  Its effect upon a tall and graceful figure is amazingly striking and it is for the carriage costume, decidedly the most elegant cloak that we have seen for some seasons back, and does the greatest credit to the tasteful fancy of its inventress, Miss Powell, successor to Mrs Franklin, Piccadilly.

And so we are offered a couple of interesting tidbits, in particular, the name and location of one of the seamstresses to the ton  in addition to what I agree is a stunning ensemble.

Until next time, Happy Rambles.

Regency Fashion

December 1813

It wouldn't be fair to let a month go by, without a peek at the fashions since I was fortunate enough to purchase La Belle Assemblee for 1813, I have been posting pictures from exactly 200 years ago.

Our Fashionista has this to say in general terms:

The winter has now completely set in, and our elegantes cannot, as formerly, be charged with a want of sufficient clothing: no bare elbows or thin muslin dresses are now seen in the out-door costume; on the contrary, our very fashionable belles are apt to run into an opposite extreme, and we have observed some winter habiliments which would be very suitable to the Russian climate. 

A bit of sarcasm, perhaps?

This gown is an Opera Pelisse.

Described as follows:


Made of the richest orange or amber twilled sarsnet, lined with ermine, the collar, cape and cuffs are also of ermine.  In the form of this dress there is nothing peculiarly novel, but its general effect is strikingly elegant and highly appropriate to the season.  The waist is very short, and the sleeves not quite so loose as they have been worn. Small turn-up hat of the same materials as the pelisse, superbly ornamented with white ostrich feathers and tied under the chin with a ribband to correspond. White kid shoes and gloves.

We have another December fashion plate to share next time. Until then, Happy Rambles

Regency Library - Saltram

Saltram's Library is one of those amazing places in a house where you would like to be invited to spend an afternoon. Especially at this time of year.  While it isn't a small space, it has a very warm feel about it.

This first view gives a sense of its size and shape. Originally it was two rooms, the wall being where the columns are now with one are being the dining room. The guidebook says that at the end of the nineteenth century new book presses were set into the walls.  This was the first time I have seen them called book presses and I have been unable to locate a source for this description.  A description from the period describes them as bookcases.

The current arrangements date from 1819, so during the Regency.

The next pictures  shows the door which is open. When it is closed it would appear to look like any of the walls  of shelves. The books all date from the first Earl of Morley's time and contain a large collection of prints and original drawings. Note that the cornices and pediments to the book cases were added in the 20th century

Here are some more views you may enjoy. It is thought that the fireplaces and  over-mantel mirrors were purchased during the family's trip to France in 1818.

Until next time, Happy Rambles.

Contest Winner

And the winner is Debbie Mccreary.  Debbie, I am looking forward to hearing from you. Go to my website for my contact email.  Regrets to all the other entrants, I wanted each one of you to win.  I will be entering all of your names in the drawing for the grand prize and am keeping my fingers crossed for all of you.

Weapons - Eighteenth Century

I thought these weapons were really interesting.  The large one is described as a muzzle loading carbine for domestic defense or for use on horseback.

It is dated from 1762. It was made by Henry Hadley and the siversmith was Jeremiah Ashley. 

The other two is a pair of dueling pistols.

Next time we visit Saltram's Library.

Contest - Harlequin Historical Authors Advent Calendar

Today is my day for this contest.  To find get all the details go to my website. You can comment here, like me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter @annlethbridge to be entered for my prize, and to be entered  for the grand prize. The more days you enter on, the more chances you will have to win the grand prize, a fancy dancy Kindle.  Please make sure you read the rules.  Good luck to all. And Happy holidays. You will also find me hanging out on the ROMNA Blog today so if you fancy a chat, drop by and say hi..

Harlequin Historical Holiday Giveaway

It is that time of year again when the Harlequin Historical authors get together to have a fun month of prizes every day and one grand prize at the end. 

Look for this calendar on the participating authors websites and blogs.  You will find links by date to each author's page where they tell you how to win and what prizes they are offering.  The more times you enter the more chance you have of winning in the grand prize drawer at the end.   Find the interactive Calendar on my page, here. 

You must enter each author's contest on their day of the month. My day is December 3.


Good luck, enjoy the fun and have a wonderful holiday season.

Regency Houses ~ Saltram

Since no one guessed about the hole in the windowsill a couple of posts ago, I can tell you that it was a place to tip out the water used for bathing.

There was also a servants area upstairs, a room they used while working in the bedrooms to store linens and undertake other tasks out of sight. Known as the Service Room, some remedial cleaning would have also taken place here, shoes and boots. Perhaps the odd bit of mending.

Here are two storage areas, one inside the small room and one just outside on the landing.  These would have been full of linens, sheets, pillowslips etc. all waiting for someone to freshen up beds

 Some more tools of the trade of the upstairs maid. A bowl and a water can.  A drying rack or clothes horse. this one holds a carpet and since there was also a carpet beater hanging on the wall, see below, perhaps rugs were beaten in here also? maybe when it was raining.

And of course the delightful tin bath ready to be carried into to the bedroom of a guest or the master or mistress at a moments notice.

The table would have come in handy for the odd bit of polishing of a candlestick, and perhaps the housekeeper might have sat here while she inventoried her linens and noted what had to be repaired.
 
As promised here is our trusty carpet beater made out of cane.

Finally the view down into the courtyard. I suspect the master and mistress wouldn't want their servants day dreaming about the splendid vistas to be seen from other rooms in the house.\

Until next time happy rambles.

Falling For the Highland Rogue ~ Regency Romance

Falling for the Highland Rogue in stores today!

Disgraced lady Charity West lives in the dark world of the city's seedy underbelly. She's used and abused, yearning for freedom, and her distrust of men runs deep…until she meets Highland rogue Logan Gilvry.

Whisky runner Logan lives outside the law and is used to looking danger in the eye. Charity may just prove to be his most dangerous challenge yet. Her beauty is unrivaled, but it's her fire that lures Logan. He'll do anything to save Charity—even face her inevitable betrayal…. The Gilvrys of Dunross




Find it at:
Barnes and Noble
Chapters
Amazon.com
Amazon.ca
Amazon.co.uk

If you prefer an e-bok, it will be out  on December 1



 Prefer an e-book - it will be there on December 1

Night Out With Authors

On Monday I will be reading at the second Night Out With Authors from my latest novel, Falling For the Highland Rogue.

I am very honoured to be reading on the same night as Kelley Armstrong a New York Times best selling author located in the Toronto area. Click on the link if you want to know more about Night Out With Authors.

This is a new venture for me and three other authors, Margaret Moore, Mary Sullivan and Kate Bridges as we bring local authors and readers together from a variety of different genres for a night to talk about books and read from our works in a casual atmosphere.