Victoria's Rusty Knickers

‘The Best French Folders - Spectacles to suit all Sights’ - Optician’s Advert published in London - 1882

Heroic lighthouse keeper Ida Lewis, photographed after rescuing two Union Civil War veterans from the waters off Newport, Rhode Island.

“During a snowstorm on March 29, 1869 Ida ran to her boat without taking the time to put on a coat or shoes. With the help of her younger brother, she was able to haul the two men into her boat and bring them to the lighthouse. For her heroism she became the first woman to receive a gold Congressional medal for lifesaving. Because of her many rescues, Ida Lewis became the best-known lighthouse keeper of her day. During her 39 years on Lime Rock, she is credited with saving 18 lives, although unofficial reports suggest the number may have been as high as 36.” (source Wikipedia)

Photo by Manchester Bros. in Providence - 1869

The archetypal Gentleman - posing with fez, guitar, potted plant and the indispensably manly spittoon - plus, his read glows in the dark…

Photo by Pratt of Aurora, Illinois - late 1800s

Dapper young Lad posing for a Portrait - Sixteenth Plate Ambrotype taken in the United States - 1850s

‘The great Temple of Abu Simbel’ - Illustration by David Roberts, R.A. From ‘Eygpt and Nubia’, published in 1842

Abolitionist Theodore Dwight Weld (1803 - 1895) sits for a portrait with his Granddaughter - at Pelham’s Studio, 44 Boylston Street in Boston - late 1800s

Two Brothers in chequered Pants - Sixth Plate Ambrotype taken in the United States - mid 1800s

‘The Fossil Elk’ - Engraving published by W. H. Lizars in Edinburgh - 1830s

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Major Daniel Gano - County Court Clerk who created the first Commercial Greenhouse and Botanical Gardens in Cincinnatti - 1872

Die Cut Trade Card advertising Colburn’s Philadelphia Mustard - Published in the 1880s

Lomer Griffin - Age 116 - The Oldest Man Living, born April 22nd 1759 (pictured with his son). Photo taken in March, 1875 by W. H. Cunningham in Lodi, Ohio.

Good old Lomer would be 252 today.

‘A Family Quarrel’ - Uncle Sam (holding a torn map of the United States) argues with a lady wearing an 1860s Confederate flag pinny as a slave tiptoes by. Cartoon published by Brady, New York - 1861 to ‘70 

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House Servants posing with the Tools of their Trade, a Dog and a Cat - Photo by C. Volkers of 117 Smith Street, Brooklyn New York - 1870’s