Dickens Birthday and Victoria and Alberts Wedding Anniversary

Feb. 7th was the anniversary of Charles Dickens' birth in 1812. An important day for the literary world, and of our understanding of the darker side of the Victorian era.

2012 was the 200th anniversry of his birth, and it was well celebrated in the UK, and all over the world...

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, Charles and Camilla participated in a service at Westminster Abbey in London, England today honouring one of the most famous novelists of all time. A wreath was laid on the novelist's tomb in Poets' Corner. Prince Charles and Camilla then visited the Dicken's House Museum in London and see Dickens' notebooks.

This stained glass portrait is at the museum...

As part of the commemorative day, Dickens' novels were read in public places in nations all over the world, plays were staged and many TV reruns of plays were shown. Many leading actors from Dickens' productions were at the Abbey for the service.

From the archives at Time Was Antiques, I want to share a Rosina, England teacup that was made in the 1950s to be sold at The Old Curiosity Shop in London, famed for the novel of the same name by Dickens.
Rosina, England, one of my favorite china makers, made fine bone china souvenirs for the shop in the 1940-1950s, most with this Cecil Forbes original engraving design of the shop...

I have had all sorts of pieces in the pattern, and pick them up when I see them. I just love it. And this is not the only Dickens china there is:

This is a Lancaster and Sandland, England cheese dish from the 1920-1930s with Oliver Twist saying Oliver Twist Asks For More from Oliver Twist.

A Sam Weller character jug from The Pickwick Papers by SylvaCeramics.

A Lancaster dish from the 1930s in purple luster that says Sairey Gamp Entertains Betsy Prig from Martin Chuzzlewitt.

Another rendering of Sairey Gamp from Martin Chuzzlewitt by New Hall pottery also from the 1930s.

And Mr. Pecksniff from Martin Chuzzlewitt also by New Hall in the 1930s. All of these and more are available at Time Was Antiques. Just click on the photos.

Charles Dickens had a dramatic effect not only as a writer but as a crusader for improved conditions in England, and laterally of the world. His depictions of poverty, child labor, child crime, the workhouse and the social ills of his time were a voice for change and improvement. He lives on as a writer of incredible depth, humor and pathos...the supreme storyteller...and as a man ahead of his time in working for those who were often preyed upon in English society.

 I can remember crying so hard over the plight of Little Nell when I was a child and first read the book...

 The Old Curiosity Shop is still there, although it has been through several changes in the stock...from antiques and curios, to high fashion shoes, to carpets to an art gallery...but the outside remains unchanged...this is from one of our London visits...

So Happy Birthday sir, and thank you!

 

 

And 10 February is the anniversary of Queen Victoria's wedding to Prince Albert in 1840.

Frances Xavier Winterhalter did this lovely portrait of the bride...

On one of our annual trips to England, we saw an exhibit at Kensington Palace which included the Queen's wedding dress... she was tiny!

This photo is from the Royal Collection of the dress ahead of an exhibit at Kensington Palace in summer of 2020 which will focus on royal wedding dresses including Victoria's and the Duchess of Cambridge's...

Souvenirs of Queen Victoria are hard to find, and never stay long at Time Was Antiques. We currently have this lovely pair of Royal Crown Derby commemorative thimbles...

 1887 Golden Jubilee Maltese cross Royal Record medal....

An era named for a queen, the longest reigning until Queen Elizabeth surpassed her reign recently.

Have a lovely week.