A fascinating and troubling glimpse into late Victorian asylums and the pioneering of an early investigative journalist.

the-sinking-spell:

“I began to have more confidence in my own ability now, since one judge, one doctor, and a mass of people had pronounced me insane, and I put on my veil quite gladly when I was told that I was to be taken in a carriage, and that afterward I could go home. “I am so glad to go with you,” I said, and I meant it. I was very glad indeed.”

Excerpt from Ten Days in a Madhouse by journalist Nellie Bly who, in the late 1880’s, feigned insanity to investigate reports of brutality and neglect at the Women’s Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell’s Island.

Read more here.

historicalcorsets:

Cooley’s Cork Corset, a circa 1870s/1880s “metamorphic” trade card wherein the before-and-after panels are achieved by folding down part of the card to reveal a second image.

Step 1.  Cut a hole in the box…

omgthatartifact:

Spring-Loaded Dick in a Box

19th century

Christie’s

YUMMY.

treselegant:

Recipe for Fricasseed turkey

What to do with your Christmas turkey leftovers from the famous Mrs Beeton, ‘Englishwoman’s Domestic Magazine’ 1861.

turnofthecentury:

queering:Granger , The New Woman, 1897

carolathhabsburg:

This is super awesome!

Two ladies making an elegant “snow Lady”!!!

1891

calantheandthenightingale:

Ensemble

Date: 1887–91 

Culture: American

Medium: silk, beads, metal

Wow.  WOWOWOWOW !  I may be in love with this dress and that’s saying something because the 1860s aren’t usually my favourite period for Victorian clothing.

oldrags:

Day dress, 1860’s

Buh.

oldrags:

Dress, late 1860’s, Antique Frock

Buy it for $1,200

You know you’re special when your costumes are made by Worth.  I’m special because mine are made by Mildred Strange.

oldrags:

Cleopatra fancy dress by Worth, 1897