April 14-15, 1912 The Titanic Tragedy

While we are in a world crisis with coronavirus, in 1912 another crises unfolded with the unthinkable... the Unsinkable Titanic hit an iceberg and sank on her maiden voyage April 14-15th shocking the world.

Built by Harlen & Wolff in Northern Ireland, and sailed by The White Star Line, it was believed to be perfection, and was indeed a floating palace... if you were 1st Class passengers. 

The size comparison is amazing though, with a modern Royal Carribbean ship as shown above, but it was the largest at the time, measuring 882 feet long. The Oasis Of The Seas shown above is 1,181 feet long, but 5 times the gross tonnage and carried 5 rimes the passengers.

  

If you are a Downton Abbey, I am sure you remember the shocking beginning of the series when the heir to the Earl Of Grantham is lost aboard...

This is The White Star offices on Cobh (Cork) Ireland, where she made her last stop before heading out to sea...

we have visited several times. It is now the Titanic Pub and has a museum relating to the ship and the tragedy.

The harbour area....

Rhe White Star Line became Cunard, which still carries passengers. We have been priveleged to sail of Queen Mary 2 twice crossing from Southampton to New York one year and the reverse the next on our then annual month buying trips to England.

The gorgeous atrium with an art deco style metal sculpture of a cruise ship breasting the waves...

This is a chrome tea strainer from the R.M.S. Caronia, another White Star Line ship that sailed from 1949 to 1969.

And a dinner menu from the R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth from 1952...

The tragedy of Titanic is such a part of our history and imaginations. I couldn't but think of it in light of our current virus tragedies and loss of life. The passengers on Titanic could do little to escape their fate, while we can do much.

Please stay in, wash your hands and follow the guidance given. This is not a time for rebellion, which puts so many others at risk.

 

Royal Stafford Edwardian Teacup, Downton Abbey and the Darning Mushrooms

Welcome to our Thursday post. I am joining

Miss Spenser ~ http://missspensersblog.blogspot.com/

Teacup Thursday

Coloradolady  ~ http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/

Vintage Thingie Thursday

Because I want to talk about Downton Abbey again (see my last post for a Downton Abbey quiz and Dpownton Abbey paperdolls) I have chose an Edwardian period teacup by Royal Stafford, England that I love.

I love the pattern...and it's blue and white, which I love. I can just see this at afternoon tea at Downton. For more info on the cup and saucer at Time Was Antiques, click on the photos.

 I don't know if any of you noticed this scene while you were watching Downton Abbey, with ex housemaid Ethel cradking her son Charlie. Sorry the photo isn't very good, but it was the best I could do.  Charlie had a toy he was playing with through most of his scenes, but did any of you guess what it was? Because it wasn't a toy but a common Victorian and Edwardian domestic gadget. Can you guess what it's for?

These are what are called a darner or darning mushroom, and are used to mend socks...you know, like you do every day, right???!!! Well, in the Edwardian and Victorian times you did mend them. The USA preferred the egg shaped darning egg but England has always favored the darning mushroom. Over the years, I have sold them made of ebony, ivory, sterling silver, celluloid, maple, oak, mahogany, china, rosewood and one of my favorites is below:

 This mushroom darner is made of confetti bakelite. Cool!  Darners were even featured in the March 2012 issue of Country Living magazine. How fun is that! 

 

So if you re-watch Downton Abbey, look for Ethel and baby Charlie and his toy!  The darning mushrooms above are from (all except the 1930s red painted one like a real mushroom) the Time Was Antiques archives. To see our current stock (what's left since the Country Living article, that is) here is a link to our DARNING MUSHROOMS.

Have fun visiting the wonderful teacups and Vintage Thingies!

Downton Abbey End Season2, Downton Paper Dolls

I missed a Tuesday Cuppa Tea with Antiques And Teacups....sigh...but here is my teacup...a bit late. But I have chosen it because of it's connection date-wise to the period of Downton Abbey which just ended season 2 for us on Monday evening. You can watch all season 2 episodes until March.

 The Imari cup and saucer is similar to several I saw in the series. This particular version was made from 1916 to 1930 by (Royal) Standard, England and I just love it! Available at Time Was Antiques...just click on the photos.

But onto some Downton fun, now that the series 2 is over. Series 3 is in production and set to be shown in the UK in Sept. 2012, so I guess that means we won't get it until next spring again. Sigh....

That's the news Lady Edith & Lady Sybil are obviously communicating here:

I also found some....Taa Daa!...Downton Abbey paper dolls....

Here are 2 of the 4 designs available for free download from artist Kyle Hilton at a great Jane Austen blog called Jane Austen;s World, who has stepped up a century from her usual place to embrace and comment on the Downton Abbey series. Click on the link below to read and download the 4 paper dolls. The likenesses are so GOOD!!!

Jane Austen's World

And last, I found a great Downton Abbey quiz from the Daily Mail Online for you fans to take a shot at....I aced it, but....(blush, blush)

Do you know your Downton? From Lord Grantham's dog to Mrs Patmore's catchphrase

Secrets Of The Manor House on PBS tonight

For you fans of Downton Abbey who like a more documentary, scholarly approach to what living in an English Edwardian stately home was like, PBS airs Secrets Of The Manor House tonight on PBS. On our PBS it is at 7pm just prior to last week's episode which is aired just before tonight's episode. It looks very interesting. 

The Edwardian era, named for the time Edward VII was king after the death of Queen Victoria in 1901 and stretching to the crowning of George V in 1910 is an era that is fascinating for it being so transitional on so many levels in English society, affecting the home, economy, government and individual right. I love the insights.
Here is a preview video from the PBS site:

Watch Secrets of the Manor House - Preview on PBS. See more from Secrets of the Manor House.

Jane Austen and Downton Abbey. A great night of TV

What a fabulous night of TV last night! It rarely happens in our neck of the woods and on our modest TV package...basic + Fox Soccer channel!!! But we have a PBS...struggling at the moment, but there.

First we had Jan Austen's Persuasion with Sally Hawkins and Rupert Penry-Jones which is a very good shortened version of the book. I actually like Amanda Root's Anne Elliott a bit better, and the longer version has more of my favorite book moments, but a good Jane Austen at any length is a treasure!

Then we had Miss Austen Regrets...taken from many of Jane Austen's letters to her sister Cassandra and niece Fanny. The dramatization tries to establish the factors leading to her characterizations and story lines. The movie starts Olivia Williams who was Miss Fairfax in a PBS Emma and Hugh Bonneville from Lost In Austen and currently Lord Grantham in Downton Abbey.

Then we had the 2 hour opening episode of Downton Abbey. We so enjoyed being back to that great series! Although a bit more difficult to get through because of the warfare scenes, it was as absorbing as season 1. I was also so pleased that PBS US finally got smart and credited the American public for the ability to enjoy full length period drama. We in the USA got only 1/2 of season 1, as the PBS pundits thought the USA would be unable to follow or be interested in the concept of entailed inheritance and so sold the USA drastically trimmed versions. I was furious! But this season is the full length. Huzzah!!!!!

Roll on Sunday evening!

BBC Downton Abbey spoof episodes - Uptown Downstairs Abbey - TOO Funny!

I just posted this on my other blog, Antiques And Teacups,  but wanted to post it here as well.


From a blog I follow, Jane Austen Today, I received notification that they had posted a BBC spoof of Downton Abbey called Uptown Downstairs abbey with such famous British actors as Joanna Lumley and Simon Callow. It is really funny with all sorts of innuendo and thrown away reference lines. The music and setting are from Downton Abbey and Highclere Castle. Too funny!


I especially liked the reference to the Teasmade...which I just posted on Royal Wedding Wednesday with a photo because Prince Charles & Princess Diana got one as a wedding present. 


Anyway, lots of laughs. We loved it!
Uptown Downstairs Abbey spoof at Jane Austen for Today

Downton Abbey England Trip Sweepstakes, knife rest with hearts

Win a trip to visit the real Downton Abbey...Highclere Castle, Agatha Christie's home, Bath...Jane Austen's favorite city and Oxford where Morse drop his Jag coutesy of PBS, British Airways, The British Heritage Foundation and MacDonald Hotels. Entry must be made before April 26th for travel in September...one of the best times to visit, in my opinion.

Here is the link:

Downton Abbey PBS Sweepstakes

On a Valentine's heart theme...which I am enjoying this week...here is a Victorian era fancy knife rest at Time Was Antiques with pierced hearts in the sides. How cute is that! The knife rest is EPNS, or electro plated (silver plated) nickel silver and has a great "barley twist" central bar. The name barley twist is used on furniture and decorative items with twisted bar features because they are like the barley sugar confectionary sticks that were popular in the 18th century. I have a THING for barley twist. LOVE it!

For more info on the hearts & barley twist knife rest at Time Was Antiques, click on the photo.

Have a great day today...hopefully with friends and tea!

More on Downton Abbey aka Highclere Castle

After watching the last episode of Downton Abbey on Sunday evening, I was left with a few comments....rather a somber way to end, but not unexpected as the date was 1914. I also felt the last episode was a bit static, felt chopped and hurried to fit the time frame. I know 2 hours total was cut from the presentation seen in the UK, and I PROTEST!!!


That being said, the second season is in production and there is a Christmas special as well. So...not all bad.


I came across an article that covers the setting of Downton Abbey which is actually Highclere Castle, home of the Lords of Caenarvon that is facinating reading as well as viewing because of the photos of the house included.


The article is on a site called Hooked On Houses and is well worth the look and read. Click Hooked On Houses to visit.

I am going to be posting some antique Romance postcards as we approach Valentine's Day. I love them! We have quite a few at Time Was Antiques, and many more to list! This is a typical one from the Edwardian era (the period of Downton Abbey) and was mailed in 1910.

To see more, click the postcard!


Other things I love is antique hatpins and stick pins. This is a heart shaped hatpin or stick pin of 10kt gold set with a diamond in a pretty flower setting from the 1920-1930s. Perfect for your Valentine! Click the photo for more info.

I am fighting off the sinus problem today so low key. Great opportunity to sit, read a good book and sip tea with the vitamin Cs I'm taking.


Please visit our sister blog, Antiques And Teacups for links to Teacup Tuesday in blogland. So fun!! This was Antiques And Teacups contribution today:

Remember...Time Was Antiques is featuring: LOVE Valentine 10% Discount - enter LOVE coupon code 025 for 10% off orders over $50.00. Through February, may be reused. A sweet day for love! Use coupon code 025 when ordering for 10% off when your order is over $50.00.


Have a great day...it's 30 and clear here in Sequim on the Olympic Peninsula...and have a cup of tea with a friend!

Downton Abbey Crumbling and needs help! Daily Mail Online article

I am posting this on both my blogs...I have loved the Downton Abbey series on PBS and am looking forward to the second. But the UK Daily Mail Online has posted an article about the REAL Downton Abbey...Highclere Castle owned by the Earl of Caenarvon who's family is famous for funding the discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb. I hadn't made the connection until reading the article which gave me a "Duh!" moment.


Highclere Castle is crumbling! The photos are horrendous....let's hope something can be done! We at Time Was Antiques hope so!

The Earl of Caenarvon in an affected bedroom

Hopefully an appeal can be launched. Here is a link to the article and more photos at Daily Mail Online visit:

Can Highclere Castle Be Saved?

Downton Abbey, Edwardian Age jewelry and the Boer War

Downton Abbey concludes this coming Sunday on PBS for us and it has been a treat! This is Lady Mary, one of the main characters, a young woman caught in the strictures of the Edwardian rules of polite society.  The Edwardian Age was named after Queen Victoria's son Edward VII who came to the throne of England upon her death in 1901. The reign was marked by the upheaval of changes started by the Industrial Revolution, social unrest, coming war and changing fortunes.


The Edwardian age was the last period of Belle Epoque or the Beautiful Era before modernism and the art deco influences began to dominate.  Edwardian jewelry was feminine, light and beautifully made. I wanted to show you an Edwardian faceted rainbow crystals necklace at Time Was Antiques that I absolutely love because it is so representative of the period 1900-1920 when Downton Abbey is set.

You can read more about it at this link:
Edwardian Rainbow Crystal Necklace


The Edwardian Era was ushered in by the end of the Boer War fought in South Africa, begun during the reign of Queen Victoria and concluded in 1902 around the time of the coronation of King Edward VII. The mug below is a fabulous example of portraits of King Edward and Queen Alexandra who's descendants include Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William. The back is a rare dedication to the end of the war and a commendation of the brave fights and lofty goals of the war. I really love the graphics.

I love history and these artifacts really bring it to life and evoke the ages and occasions they were made to commemorate. Downton Abbey, although fictional, has been extremely accurate throughout to details and settings and I have loved it...it's a window on a past age.
For more information and photos of the mug at Time Was Antiques use this link:
Edward VII and Boer War commemorative mug


Remember to watch on Sunday night...I can hardly wait! Have a great day.

Downton Abbey catch up and Edwardian lavalier coral and pearl

We were away for a break with friends for a week and could not get to watch the first 2 episodes of PBS' Downton Abbey. Checking my missed blog friend posts, I found out from Jane Austen Today that I could catch up by watching online at the PBS Masterpiece website.  WOO HOO!!! Life is good! Now I'm up to speed for Sunday's episode 3.

After watching, I think Maggie Smith...who regularly is a scene stealer of the best type...had some of the best lines. What a crack up and what a snobbish battleax she portays!  The settings are the stars as well, down to the great period details. I love the imari teaset the dowager Countess was using and the way she properly warmed the teapot and used the slop or waste bowl...I think I have that set online at the moment...or at least some similar...

For those of you who aren't familiar with imari...the English china that appeared in the 1850s was actually a copy of the just discovered colorful design of the Imari region of Japan and were wildly popular until the 1920s when they began to wane in popularity. The colors were bright cobalt blue, rust, green and almost always had imaginitive hand painted gold accents and trim. All the major potteries made imari design of one kind or another.
You can see more examples at Time Was Antiques here is a link to our Imari china category:
Imari at Time Was Antiques


Another neat example of the Edwardian period so beautifully illustrated by Downton Abbey is the jewelry styles. Edwardian is technically from the death of Queen Victoria in 1901 to the reign of George V in the early 1920s-1930s when a more modern style with less belle epoque ornamentation came to the forefront.
This is a period example of an Edwardian lavalier necklace of 10kt gold with a genuine branch of coral and a fresh water pearl, ornamented with pink and green gold.

For more info and photos use this link:
Antique Edwardian lavalier at Time Was Antiques


I hope you have a wonderful day...and don't miss the next episode of Downton Abbey which is a tour de force of period mores, styles, attitdues and traditions as well as drop dead gorgeous scenery and ambiance. To watch online, visit:
Masterpiece Theater Downton Abbey on PBS