This freebie is from the back of an old photograph. It dates to about the 1870's. This download is a copy of both the original and a blank version....Welcome!
A Victorian Passage has published 172 articles on a diverse range of subjects. Most of our growing archive of Victorian Era subjects are taken directly from 19th century sources to achieve a closer look into how our ancestors really lived. We have also been expanding our historical eras to include Early American from 1790-1839 and the Edwardian period of the early 20th century. Latest article added April 21, 2010
Listing all the 1850 Articles
Victorian Netted Curtain
A beautiful example of a Victorian netted curtain from 1858. Instructions are given in how to recreate this very pretty window dressing yourself. So if you are handy with needlecraft then this is for you. Material--One and a half pounds of Knitting Cotton, No. 10. Meshes--No. 12 and 14 Bell Guage, one flat Mesh, half an inch wide, and one, a quarter of an...Continue Reading
How to Make One's Own Dress - The Echarpe Orientale
In Peterson's magazine of 1855 I found this article on how to make your own Echarpe Orientale- which was a fashionable article of clothing worn in the 1850s. The Echarpe Orientale is all the rage in Paris. Its is modeled so as to rest on the shoulder in a graceful curve in the very spot that gives a classic outline to the bust, as...Continue Reading
Art of Stay Making
I found this article entitled the Art of Stay Making while perusing Peterson's Magazine. This article is dated 1855 and gives instructions on how to make stays for corsets. I thought this could be useful for those making authentic costumes or for doll's clothing. In pursuing our intention of giving a series of articles, instructing the readers of "Peterson" how to make their own...Continue Reading
How to Make Muskmelon Seed Baskets
A crafts project from 1855 using the seeds of the muskmelon, which can include the varieties of honeydew and cantaloupe. The article is found in Peterson's magazine. Take a needle and thread and string through one end of the seed, (just near enough the end not to break the seed) enough to form a circle at the bottom, as we begin at the bottom...Continue Reading
Unfolding the Mysteries of Sealing Wax and Wafers
Introduction To Sealing Wax and Wafers In the 19th century, sealing wax was a material made by the melting of lac or rosin with turpentine and pigments. In it's earliest forms it would have been made of beeswax and resin. The sealing wax was used to "seal" the letters or envelopes, with or without a wafer. During the early to mid 19th century the...Continue Reading
Time Line of the Sand Box.
Baby's Sand Pile {1904} In a great wooden box, Nice and smooth to save her frocks, Is the baby's sand-pile, where all day she plays; And the things she thinks and makes, From a house and barn to cakes, Would keep, I think, her family all their days. Once she said she'd make a pie, - Or, at least, she'd like to try, -...Continue Reading
Sweet Dreams - A Look at the Bed and Bedroom of the 1850's
This being a cold and snowy afternoon has me drowsy and looking over at my feather pillows and covers wishing to slip off into slumber. So with that said and the fact that we have had some recent articles on bedroom cottage furniture, we are going to go over some advice from the book The Practical Housekeeper, about this topic. We have mentioned before how...Continue Reading
Painting the House Exterior in 1859
- Fawn [web equivalent #C8B08F] | Drab [web equivalent #A48D6B] | Dark Green [web equivalent #465141] The following from The House: A pocket manual of Rural Architecture 1859 - Exterior Color.-For the outside painting of country houses, quiet, neutral tints should generally be chosen. The various shades of fawn, drab, gray, and brown, are all very suitable. All the positive colors, such as red,...Continue Reading
Fashions for December - 1856
Exactly 150 years ago this was the fashion for December Click on image to enlarge FIGURE 1 is a dress of rich light-blue taffeta, with flounces of velours epingle, representing tangled beds of roses, in their natural colors. The berthe and sleeves are similar in design, but narrower. The berthe forms epaulettes on the shoulders, and meets in a point about the mid-depth of the...Continue Reading
Cottage Furniture - Bedroom Set
Still on the topic of an early Victorian bedroom, it was suggested in the book The Architecture of Country Houses good furniture could be purchased from Edward Hennessey of Boston. It described a small bedroom set like this: "This furniture is remarkable for its combination of lightness and strength, and its essentially cottage-like character. It is very highly finished and is usually painted drab, white,...Continue Reading
Cottage Furniture - Wardrobe
When most of us think of the early Victorian era, we think of highly ornamental furniture and decor. However the book 'The Architecture of Country Houses' published in 1859, suggests that the highly gilded, ornate furnishings and details should be left to city dwellings. The mindset of cottage homes was to have a more subdued and peaceful surrounding. The book goes as far as to...Continue Reading
Transplanting Trees.
As soon as the foliage has dropped, transplant ornamental, shade or fruit trees. There will be a saving of one year?s growth between those planted now and those in the spring. In taking up trees, great care should be taken not to mutilate their roots, for every fibre of the root lost, the growth of the tree will be retarded so much, and its life...Continue Reading
The Art of Washing Clothes.
INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 20, 1849. Messrs. EDITORS?The remarks in your excellent paper of Dec. 15th, upon washing and labor-saving soap, induce me to send for insertion the following recipe, which I have followed for a long time with complete success 1 lb. of sal soda, 1 lb. common bar soap, and 6 quarts soft water; boil all together 2 hours, stirring frequently, then set the mixture...Continue Reading
THE MOTHER'S FIRST DUTY.
I WOULD wish every mother to pay attention to the difference between a course of action, adopted in compliance with the authority, and between a conduct pursued for the sake of another. The first proceeds from reasoning; the second flows from affection. The first may be abandoned, when the immediate cause may have ceased to exist; the latter will be permanent, as it did not...Continue Reading
THE SECOND BABY.
An interesting article from the perspective of a "bachelor uncle" on the pros and cons of being the second born. Of course at the end of the article he gives his reason of why he is such an expert on the topic. His article was published 1855 in Harper's Monthly Magazine. Between the first baby and the second what a falling off is there,...Continue Reading
FRECKLES.
-The favorite cosmetic for removing freckles in Paris is an ounce of alum and an ounce of lemon-juice in a pint of rose-water. Taken from Godey's Ladies Book 1855...Continue Reading
TO RENOVATE TORTOISE-SHELL COMBS.
Taken from Godey's Ladies Book 1855 -When plain tortoise-shell combs are defaced, the polish may be removed by rubbing them with pulverized rotten-stone and oil. The rotten-stone should be sifted through muslin; then polish with jeweller's rouge, or with sifted magnesia. Meanings of Word or Phrases used Jeweller's rouge-Red powdered haematite, iron(III) oxide. It is a mild abrasive used in metal cleaners and polishes....Continue Reading
MILK OF ROSES
Taken from Godey's Ladies Book 1855 MILK OF ROSES is made thus: Put two ounces of rose-water, a teaspoon of oil of almonds, and twelve drops of oil of tartar, into a bottle, and shake the whole till well mixed....Continue Reading
ELDER FLOWER OIL FOR THE HAIR.
Taken from Godey's Ladies Book 1855 -Take of the best almond or olive oil, one pound; elder flowers (free from stalk), two ounces; place the flowers in the oil in a jar or wide-mouthed bottle; let them remain forty eight hours; then strain. The oil must now stand in a quiet and cool place at least a month, in order to clear itself. The bright...Continue Reading
TOOTHACHE.
Taken from Godey's Ladies Book 1855 -A correspondent (to whom we are obliged) strongly recommends the following simple remedy for toothache, from her own experience of it benefit. It is simply two or three drops of oil of juniper used every morning on the toothbrush after washing the teeth. We may say here that we are always very glad to receive receipts tested by correspondents....Continue Reading
HAIR BRUSHES.
Taken from Godey's Ladies Book 1855 -To clean hair-brushes, put a spoonful of pearlash into a pint of boiling water, then fasten a bit of sponge to the end of a stick, dip it into the solution, and wash the brush. Next pour some hot water over it, and dry before the fire. Meanings of Word or Phrases used Pearlash- This is a refined form...Continue Reading
TO MAKE SCENTED BAGS.
Taken from Godey's Ladies Book 1855 -Take a Florentine orrisroot a pound and a half; calamus aromaticus, half a pound; yellow sandal-wood, a quarter of a pound; gum-benjamin, five ounces; cloves, half an ounce. Beat the whole into powder, and fill your bags with it. The bags are best made of very thin silk of the kind called "Persian." They may be made about four...Continue Reading
TO RESTORE HAIR.
Hair, when removed by illness or old age has been restored by the following simple means; though they are not likely too prove efficacious to all cases. Rub the bald places frequently with an onion. - Taken from Godey's Ladies Book 1855...Continue Reading
A Few Feet Under
According to Dr.Harmon K. Root, in his book entitled 'The People's Medical Lighthouse' published in 1852, there were some offensive burial proceedures occuring. He first makes light of how the secrets of the ancients in embalming their dead remained a mystery. Then he speaks about how some of his contemporaries have found a few formulas for embalming that have met with some limited success in...Continue Reading