Happy 206th Birthday Charles Dickens!

Today, Feb. 7th is the 206th anniversary of Charles Dicken's birth

In 2012, for his 200th birthday celebrations, there were lots of special festivities...

Prince Charles and his wife 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. rince Charles and Camilla then visited the Dicken's House Museum in London.

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

 

Lots of china has been made with designs from Charles Dickens wonderful novels. From my archives, here is 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.

I have had all sorts of pieces in the pattern. I just love it. And this is not the only Dicken's china there is:

A Lancaster & Sandland, England cheese dish from the 1920-1930s with Oliver Twist saying Oliver Twist Asks For More.

 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. 

 

Some 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.

Happy Birthday Sir! 

I am joining Antiques And Teacups for 

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

and Bernideen for

Friends Sharing Tea

December 21st The Winter Solstice 2017, A-Thomasing Day

Today, December 21st is the Winter Solstice...the shortest day of the year, and the longest night of the year.

Am so glad we will now be turning towards more daylight.

Photo above of Stonehenge....

And today, December 21st is aldo St. Thomas' day in the liurgical calendar which has a tradition, mostly faded away, of "A-Thomasing" in rural agricultural areas. St. Thomas was said to be especially generous to the poor.

Thomasing, also called Gooding and Mumping involved the less fortunate folks in a rural community visiting the better off and being given goods and gifts to celebrate a good Christmas. Although in some areas, only older women and widows participated, in some areas it was more general. One of the derivations of the various Saxon & Norman words used brings us Wassailing, which you probably have heard of, if not Thomasing.

The day is supposed to have been accompanied by carol singing house to house, and many still use December 21st in England as the day to begin caroling around towns and villages

Some of the recorded chants in various villages and counties around England...

In Dorset it was called Christmasing and a note made in Notes and Queries from 1872 records they would ask:

“Please give me something to keep up Christmas or keeping up o’Christmas’

Palmer (2003) in his work on Worcestershire tells us that:

“wives, mothers, and children of all those who worked on the Beckford Estate were expected to call on Mr. King-Ross at Beckford Hall to be given a six penny piece each which was solemnly produced from a leather bag. The recipients, some 40 in number, then went round the back to be given a steaming hot cup of hot coffee and plenty of bread, spread thickly with lovely farm butter."

In Lincolnshire Ethel Rudkin in Lincolnshire folklore records:

“The women of Hemswell used to join together and go around ‘mumping’ to the various houses on St. Thomas’s Day-women who were ashamed to beg – but it was not looked on as begging, but as their due. They were given goods in kind.”

Sutton in her Lincolnshire Calendar notes that in Connisby in 1914:

“Old women would come mumping and mother would give them homemade cakes, half a cake or a whole one sometimes.. They came very early, I was still in bed, before 7 o’clock. They used to sing ‘Here we come a mumping..”

Whilst commonly old women, particularly widows were central to the custom, the men at the time were probably working, a contributor to Fenland Notes and Queries said:

 “old men and old women and even young women pass from house to house begging for alms.”

.A common rhyme was:

“Bud well, bear well, God send spare well, A bushel of apples to give on St. Thomas’s morning”

In Staffordshire a local author notes:

“In the days of the Georges, when red cloaks were commonly worn by the beldames of every parish, it was a usual sight to see, in the grey light of a December, groups of figures bent and withered, going from door to door, wrapped in these curious garments and hear them piping ‘in a childish treble voice; the following rhyme:

“Well a day, well a day, St Thomas goes too soon away, the yiyr goodinf we do pray, For the good time will not stay, St Thomas grey, the longest night and shortest day, please remember St. Thomas’s Day.”

Palmer (1976) notes in Warwickshire the rhyme would go:

“A Christmas gambol oft can cheer, The Poor man’s heart through the year.”

Another Warwickshire chant went:

“Little Cock Robin sat on a wall, We wish you a merry Christmas, and a great snowfall, apples to eat and nuts to crack, we wish you a merry Christmas, with a rap, tap, tap.” This is the chant my husband remembers from growing up in Warwickshire, and has always been a part of our Christmas....my family from Leicester, a large city didn't participate in Thomasing...

In Mansfield they said the following:

“Hip-Hip hurray, Saint Thomas’ Day Fetch a bit, And leave a bit, Hip-Hip hurray.”                                          

The food varied in Dorset they:

“Receive substantial pieces or ‘hunks or bread and cheese, bread and meat, or small sums of money.”

The above quotes from different areas are taken from:

 https://traditionalcustomsandceremonies.wordpress.com/2013/12/31/custom-demised-thomasing-on-st-thomas-day/

Prince Harry Engaged to Marry American

Everyone probably already knows, but Prince Cares formally announced the engagement of his youngest son, Prince Harry to American Meghan Markle this morning. 

Posted on m Facebook page, but forgot to post here!

The couple met on a blind date, introduced by friends.

The ring deatures a Namibian Diamond flanked by 2 from Princess Diana's jewelry, that was inherited by her sons.

The wedding is to be in spring 2018, which will be interesting because William and Catherine are expecting in late April.

Okay...if you didn't know, now you do!

:)

Happy 70th Wedding Anniversary to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip

Nonember 20th, 2017 marks the 70th wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabsth and Prince Philip who were married on November 20th, 1947.

Above is the official photograph by Matt Holyoak taken for the occasion and released for the date.

70 years is an amazing acheivement! My husband and I are at 44, and that seems like a lifetime spent with my other half.

The Royal Mint is also releasing specially minted coins for the anniversary...

Which is a nice tribute...

One of the official wedding photographs...

there is so much I could tell you about the wedding the dress, etc but it is best seen on the Monarchy website, which is featuring 

70 Facts about The Queen and the Duke Of Edinburgh's Wedding which includes videos form the event. A wonderful compilation...

Click on the photo above to go to the website, or click this link:

https://www.royal.uk/70-facts-about-queen-and-duke-edinburghs-wedding

Have a lovely Thanksgiving

and don't foret to enjoy a cup of tea with a friend!

Cheers

 

What's New at Time Was Antiques

Just checking in with some of the new items added to Time Was Antiques...

Plate Mason's Oak Polychrome Transfer Embossed Border 6 Inch Side Bread

Edwardian Brooch Pin 9kt Gold Wreath Diamonds Emeralds Pearls Hand Made 1900

Fishing In A Punt Pot And Lid Ceramic Jar St. James's Vintage Hackney 1920s

Art Deco London Blue Topaz Engagement Ring 18K White Gold Estate Hand Pierced

Charles And Diana Royal Wedding Etched Glass Pair Goblets Boxed 1981 Glasses Gift Ready

Ring 14k Gold Natural Jadeite Chinese Apple Green 3 Carats Vintage 1970s Oval Genuine Jade

Shelley Crested China Teapot Yeovil Coat Of Arms England Souvenir 1920s

Earrings Solid 14kt Gold From Antique Cufflink Engraved Starburst Edwardian

Mug King George V And Queen Mary Silver Jubilee 1935 Solian Royal Souvenir

Green Tourmaline Flower Form 1970s Ring 14kt Gold Cluster Engagement Ring Dinner Ring

For more information on any of these items at Time Was Antiques...click on the photos!

Have a wonderful week!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What's New at Time Was Antiques

I have been adding so many wonderful items to Time Was Antiques, I just have to share them with you!

I have had quite a few messages on my Facebook age requesting it, so here goes!

I hope you enjoy seeing the new treasures!

For info on any of them, click on the photos to go to the item!

Cheers!

 

Wedgwood England Biscuit Barrel Blue Jasperware Dip Blue 1890s Sacrifice Figures

Etruscan Revival Brooch 22kt Gold Genuine Garnets Pearls 1860s Pin Handmade Pin

Anglo Indian Sadeli Micro Mosaic Jewelry Box Edwardian Era Ruched Velvet Persian

Edwardian Cuff Links Gold Filled Star Cut Rhinestone Centers Pivoting Backs 1900 Downton

 

Edwardian Wishbone Toast Rack Toast Points For Pate Ball Feet England

 

Spider Genuine Amber 1930s Signed Russian 8kt Gold Brooch Pin Hand Made USSR

George V And Mary Coronation 1911 Mug Royal Winton Tankard