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Saturday, December 4

Another Fabulous Regency Era Gift for Your Consideration

John Rose Coalport Old English Trio Pattern, c. 1825
I drool. I sigh. These rose and green colors echo those in my dining room and living room. I MUST have this wonderful china. Then again, can my humble budge afford the $325 USD of this trio? I fear not. Plus I would not dare to use this china in fear of damaging the delicate edges.

If money were no object, I would click on the Ruby Lane antiques site, which offers these beautiful items for sale, and order the lot.

Friday, December 3

Friday Follow: Costume Chronicles

The latest edition of Costume Chronicles is out. Click on this link to download the PDF document.


In this issue: The Modernization of Jane Austen, Persuasion, Bride and Prejudice, Dashwood Sisters, First Impressions, and many more!

Thursday, December 2

A Lady Reading, Marguerite Gerard, 1795-1800


Gentle Readers, I have been without internet service for 30 hours, which is the reason for no posting early this Thursday. To assuage your desire for all things Regency, please enjoy this image of A Lady Reading by Marguerite Gerard, 1795-1800. Read more about this remarkable painter in Versailles and More.

Tuesday, November 30

Mansfield Park 1859 edition for sale

This lovely book is on sale for $ 749.99 by Ron Likes History.

Based on information from e-Bay, this Mansfield Park exemplar was published in New York by Derby & Jackson in 1859, and it is the first edition of the book in the United States.

I have no way to tell whether or not it is the very first American edition. Perhaps one of Jane Austen Today's genteel readers will know of or even have a copy of this issue.

I would love to know more about the book.

Posted by Raquel Sallaberry, Jane Austen em Português

Monday, November 29

Unique Gifts: Gerard Butler Movie Props

Oh, I know Gerard Butler has no connection to Jane Austen film adaptations other than that he should play one of her heroes. Colonel Brandon would suit his rugged Scottish looks, as would Mr. Knightley.
Gerard Butler in The Ugly Truth
On this site, Premiere Props, you can purchase props and clothes used in films, like Gerry Butler's shirt and pants in The Ugly Truth. 


For a little less than $900, you can purchase this tiny token of Hollywood magic.

Gerard Butler in P.S. I Love You
If a shirt is not personal enough, how about his boxer shorts from P.S. I Love You? American Eagle sold them for $12.50. But since Gerry wore these, they (and the shirt) sell for a bargain price of one penny short of $2,000.


Do you like our holiday gift suggestions so far? Stay tuned, for we aim to show you more unusual gift ideas designed to please the connoisseur with a sense of humor AND a fat pocketbook.

Sunday, November 28

Jane Austen Throwdown: The Holiday Table


The holiday season is upon us. From now through New Year's we will all be faced with attending one fattening dinner gathering after another. Which meats familiar in Jane Austen's time would you be willing to cook, serve, or eat? You may choose as many as apply. Or leave a comment if your choice is not listed.

What meats would you serve at your regency style holiday table?
Braised hare
Pork Loin
Mutton
Venison
Roast beef
Guinea fowl
Salmon
Goose
Wild boar

  
pollcode.com free polls

Saturday, November 27

Holiday Gifts of Remarkable Distinction

This year Jane Austen Today will point you to gifts of remarkable distinction, or one of a kind, or those with true antique value.
1781 silver creamer

Observe this beautiful Georgian era creamer.

Height:
5 7/8" high
Period:
18th Century, Hallmarked London, 1781
Origin:
England/Ireland

Detail of Hester Bateman Creamer


Hester Bateman's signature bright-cut engraving takes center stage in this magnificent Georgian period silver creamer. With the addition of her equally-distinct beaded edging emphasizing the inherent beauty of this antique piece, it is clear to see why Bateman is often regarded as the "Queen of the Silversmiths."

Purchase price: A cool $4,450

Click here for more images.

Friday, November 26

Friday Fashion: Fabulous Find

Gentle Readers, What a fabulous find. This link to Letters and fashion plates from the time of Jane Austen from the Priaulx Library. leads to a series of letters that could have been written by a friend of Catherine Morland or Lydia Bennet.

The Priaulx Library's mission is to promote and celebrate Guernsey life, language, history, culture, and literature, and to give access to our unique rare book collection.

Fashion, November 1798
Description of the collection of letters and fashion plate on the library's site:
Some fascinating letters from a young Caroline Guille Le Marchant to her friends in Bath and London, from Edith Carey's Scrapbook, and some contemporary winter ladies costumes for Christmas, from two bound volumes of fashion-plates, entitled in French Figures. The plates are hand-coloured; some are from The Fashions of London and Paris, a monthly magazine that began publication in 1798, published by Richard Phillips.

Thursday, November 25

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! Be it plain ...

...fancy...

...or spectacular.
Click on this post by Risky Regencies to read: Cooking a Regency Turkey.

Wednesday, November 24

Regency Fashion Plate

Cabrio4 sells Regency fashion plates on EBay. This seller features plates we have seen online before (usually the Ackermann fashion plates), but also rare images that rarely see the light of day. Take this 1799 image of three fashionable ladies, for example.
1799 London walking dresses, from Fashions of London and Paris

Here is the description:
A very scarce plate from Richard Phillips' 'Fashions of London and Paris' featuring London Walking Dress from June 1799.

This was a very rare publication, which ran from 1798 to around 1810 and during that time published a series of very distinctive fashion plates, many of which were drawn by Adam Buck. Others were lifted straight from 'Journals des Dames et des Modes' (the Parisan side of the plates).

Click here to see the images or to bid for the plate.

Tuesday, November 23

Catherine Morland Watercolour

There is nothing better than strolling through e-Bay. Without a credit card, of course, or you will go to bankrupt!

This watercolor by Durkin is part of the series "Portraits Jane Austen." Click here to see the images on Ebay.

Posted by Raquel Sallaberry, Jane Austen em Português

The Middletons of Devonshire

When I read the news about Prince William engagement to Miss Catherine Elizabeth Middleton, one question occurred to me: would Miss Middleton be a distant relative of Sir John Middleton from Devonshire? Owner of Barton Cottage and dear cousin of Mrs. Dashwood?
William and Kate
What do you think?

Posted by Raquel Sallaberry, Jane Austen em Português

Monday, November 22

A Mysterious Trunk Containing Articles to Fight Pride and Prejudice Zombies Appeared Out of the Blue ...



Quirk Books sent a mysterious trunk containing zombie slayer products, including Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, the deluxe edition, a letter from Elizabeth Benneta cadaver banisher, etc. Click on the video to learn more...

...to be continued. Meanwhile, join the characters from P&P and Zombies on the internet, including facebook and twitter.

Sunday, November 21

Jane Austen Entertainment Throwdown

Which casual entertainment described in Jane Austen's novels would interest you most?

Card games, with food and drink and oonvivial company.

Card Party, Pride and Prejudice 1980
A musicale, with local musicians and singers from among the group.

Emma (2009) plays piano at the Coles
Afternoon tea or dinner with friends

At the Woodhouse's for dinner
A carriage outing to a point of interest.

Box Hill, Emma
Garden party with lawn games.

Lawn bowling
An afternoon walk with friends.

Walking along the Cobb at Lyme Regis, Persuasion 1995


Which casual entertainment described in Jane Austen's novels would interest you most?
Card games, with food and drink and convivial company.
A musicale, with local musicians and singers from among the group.
Afternoon tea or dinner with friends.
A carriage outing to a point of interest.
Garden party with lawn games.
An afternoon walk with friends.



  
pollcode.com free polls

Saturday, November 20

Tacky Royal Wedding Souvenirs

Ah, Wills and Kate are getting married. The tacky wedding souvenir trade is relishing the opportunity to go wild for the next year or so. Click on this Daily Mail article.
The ubiquitous china plates and cups
Gawker offers a funny look at the Royal Wedding Souvenir industry

Kate Middleton porcelain thimbles. Hah!
Wills and Kate: Here Comes the Kitsch

The Royal Wedding Souvenir trade has had a dubious tradition