Month: December 2023

Happy New Year’s Eve!

https://sarahbguestperry.substack.com/p/theatrical-set-designs-and-other

An annual event, this one is with special captioning up, glitzed up images and a few links. I hope you like it.

And thank you so much for following me! Sarah!~

https://sarahbguestperry.substack.com/p/almost-the-end-of-the-year-and-dreaming?r=kbn1g&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&fbclid=IwAR14cTdCtxls4AI7UY9GAjyPrg7QEbOwQn2n9mTmnfjIoiO5NF7DURFDTMk

rising on air on the last bubble in a bottle of leftover champagne as somewhere in an old and long forgotten beach town on the edge of a sapphire sea the casino rises on the shore . . . 

Please click through for the rest of it and its 26 images all curated by me. My winter series over on Substack.

A new post

https://sarahbguestperry.substack.com/p/scotland-in-an-olden-time

For many years I have had first one art series on Facebook and eventually three, each with a selection of images and a written snippet that sets the story. Written by me, I mean. This entry has 25 pictures I think it is. Anyway Facebook keeps messaging me saying they are spam so I have moved them over to Substack. Thinking you might like to see. Below are two of the pictures, one used today and the tiara from a couple days back. Thank you for your support! Sarah.

Inside the Russian pavilion at the 1900 Exposition Universelle wrapped in enough sable to stay warm through a Siberian winter. One from the 1889 Paris Exposition, too. Coming out in spring, maybe.

Craft Section of the Russian pavilion at the 1900 Paris Exposition, interior design by Alexander Golovin. Reproduced from Mir Iskusstva magazine 1900. Number 21-22. Page 109. Image © Tretyakov Gallery Magazine. Photograph itself in the public domain due to age. via https://www.tg-m.ru/catalog/en/artists/photos/17459
Paris Exposition: Interior of the Russian-Siberian Pavilion, Paris, France, 1900. Photograph or perhaps a postcard. Archives of the Brooklyn Museum. Image source: Flickr. Artwork in the public domain due to age. via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Paris_Exposition_Russian-Siberian_Pavilion,_Paris,_France,_1900.jpg
Russian Pavilion, Exposition Universelle, Paris, 1889. December 30, 1889 photograph. Photographer not given. Collections of the Keasbury-Gordon Photograph Archive. Photograph itself in the public domain due to age. via https://www.alamy.com/russian-pavilion-exposition-universelle-paris-1889-image447230267.html

Not sure whether there was one pavilion or a few of them. Either way they were wonderful.

Melody Maids of Beaumont, Texas. They were an all-girl choral group performed from 1942 to 1972 often but not always at various American military bases. From an archive in Beaumont where the director lived.

Arctic trip. A photograph of the Melody Maids seen standing with military personnel on a wing of a Northrop F-89 Scorpion (all-weather jet fighter interceptor) at Thule Air Base in Greenland. 1955 image. American. Photographer not given. Collections of the Tyrrell Historical Library, Beaumont Public Library System, Beaumont, Texas. https://tyrrellhistoricallibrary.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16058coll33/id/24987/rec/210
Austin, Texas trip. A photograph of the Melody Maids standing in front of the Texas State Capitol building. They appear grouped together in three rows and wear cowgirl costumes. April 23, 1945 image. American. Photographer not given. Collections of the Tyrrell Historical Library, Beaumont Public Library System, Beaumont, Texas. https://tyrrellhistoricallibrary.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16058coll33/id/24978/rec/219
Melody Maids seen with dignitary guests in the Philippines during their trip to the Far East. The Maids appear to be either seated or standing on a gymnasium floor. A Filipino military officer with his wife and child appear in the center of the image. 1959 image. American. Photographer not given. Collections of the Tyrrell Historical Library, Beaumont Public Library System, Beaumont, Texas. https://tyrrellhistoricallibrary.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16058coll33/id/25178/rec/239
Hawaii trip. Melody Maids seen singing in a open air courtyard on a military base in Hawaii. Several of the Maids hold a pose while singing a song. Military personnel appear seated at a distance watching the performance. 1950-1960. American. Photographer not given. Collections of the Tyrrell Historical Library, Beaumont Public Library System, Beaumont, Texas. https://tyrrellhistoricallibrary.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16058coll33/id/25074/rec/263
A photograph of a group of Melody Maids seen standing in front of a parent’s home. They appear to be all wearing an identical costume worn by the Melody Maids during their regular musical performances. 1952-1960 image. American. Photographer not given. Collections of the Tyrrell Historical Library, Beaumont Public Library System, Beaumont, Texas. https://tyrrellhistoricallibrary.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16058coll33/id/25081/rec/381
A photograph of three Melody Maids (including Reita [“Poochie”] Rhodes [left] and Glenda Walters [right]) seen in Hawaiian costume performing a hula dance. They are wearing grass skirts with a picturesque island scene backdrop visible behind them. Image ca. 1955-1965. American. Photographer not given. Collections of the Tyrrell Historical Library, Beaumont Public Library System, Beaumont, Texas. https://tyrrellhistoricallibrary.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16058coll33/id/25257/rec/395

The Melody Maids of Beaumont, Texas, was an all-girls choral group that performed from 1942 to 1972. It traveled around the world to military bases in order to entertain the troops.

Egyptian Revival hair accessories. Various revivals and dates.

Egyptian Revival hair comb. Cold enamel on celluloid and set with multicolored pastes. Art Deco, 1920s. Made in France. Image © 1stDibs.com, Inc. 2023. Fair use license. via https://www.1stdibs.com/fashion/accessories/hats/eygptian-revival-art-deco-comb/id-v_1617393/?utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pinterest+shopping+remarketing&pp=0&epik=dj0yJnU9RjJmUG8xTTU5MkhTNkhvVmlmY2xya3hMX2kwcUtrb2cmcD0xJm49RWNjWlM4R3ZvTDUxampZemlaRXN6ZyZ0PUFBQUFBR1dDSWdZ
Egyptian Revival hair comb/tiara. Brass heading attached to horn teeth by a swivel hinge. Late 1800s. Maker not known. Image © 2023 Etsy, Inc. Fair use license. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1434620612/victorian-art-nouveau-egyptian-revival?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-accessories-hair_accessories-decorative_combs&utm_custom1=_k_Cj0KCQiAm4WsBhCiARIsAEJIEzW1fDK8QlFcWwuddJcfeQ2Slt1_FjnSgi-rKBkKNHvpRZnE4kVWcKwaAsErEALw_wcB_k_&utm_content=go_12573072685_122305115889_507558045268_aud-2087634399979:pla-353003562159_c__1434620612_12768591&utm_custom2=12573072685&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAm4WsBhCiARIsAEJIEzW1fDK8QlFcWwuddJcfeQ2Slt1_FjnSgi-rKBkKNHvpRZnE4kVWcKwaAsErEALw_wcB

Antique views of the pyramids. Not antique for the pyramids but from around 1861 so old for photographs of the pyramids and the sphinx. Shot by Prussian photographer Wilhelm Hammerschmidt (1822-1887). 

Pyramides de Ghyzeh, Vue Generale. ca. 1860. Silver albumen photographic print. Title in French mount recto. Wilhelm Hammerschmidt, photographer (Prussian, 1822-1887). Image © Seagrave Gallery. Photograph itself in the public domain due to age. via https://www.seagravegallery.com/artworks/639-wilhelm-hammerschmidt-pyramides-de-ghyzeh-vue-generale-c.-1860/
The Great Pyramid of Cheops IV Dynasty. ca. 1861. Albumen silver print made from a glass negative. Wilhelm Hammerschmidt, photographer (Prussian, 1822-1887). Image © 2023 Geographicus Rare Antique Maps. Fair use license. Photograph itself in the public domain due to age. https://www.geographicus.com/P/AntiqueMap/GreatPyramid-hammerschmidt-1861
Tête du Sphynx. ca. 1860. Albumen silver print made from a glass negative. Wilhelm Hammerschmidt, photographer (Prussian, 1822-1887). Image © 2023 Metropolitan Museum of New York. Photograph itself is in the public domain due to age. via https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/263541

On the ice and having fun. In costume at the November 1, 1955 production of “A Midsummer Night’s Reverie Play” at the Shrine Mosque in Springfield, Missouri USA.


A Midsummer Night’s Reverie Play at the Shrine Mosque – November 1, 1955. Springfield, Missouri USA. Photographed for the Springfield News Leader. Springfield News-Leader Collection, Springfield-Greene County Library District. Image © Springfield News-Leader. Fair use license. via https://mdh.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16795coll19/id/1309/rec/12
A Midsummer Night’s Reverie Play – November 1, 1955: Jinx Clark and Bill Blocker during A Midsummer Night’s Reverie at the Shrine Mosque. Springfield, Missouri USA. Photographed for the Springfield News Leader and published there on November 1, 1955. Springfield News-Leader Collection, Springfield-Greene County Library District. Image © Springfield News-Leader. Fair use license. via https://mdh.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16795coll19/id/1301/rec/15
A Midsummer Night’s Reverie Play – November 1, 1955: Calvin Cook swinging Dorilny Cook and Helen Smith during A Midsummer Night’s Reverie at the Shrine Mosque. Springfield, Missouri USA. Photographed for the Springfield News Leader and published there on November 1, 1955. Springfield News-Leader Collection, Springfield-Greene County Library District. Image © Springfield News-Leader. Fair use license. via https://mdh.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16795coll19/id/1307/rec/16

Watercolors of highlights of a royal visit to the French King Louis-Philippe paid by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in September of 1843. Also a commemorative fan created as a memento of the same visit. Royal Collection Trust.

Changing horses at the Abre des Princes: the char-à-bancs halted for the change-over in the forest of Eu. September 6, 1843. 1843. French. Watercolor and bodycolor. Jean Antoine Simeon Fort, artist (1793-1861). Signed and dated. Image © Royal Collection Trust. Artwork itself in the public domain due to age. via https://www.rct.uk/collection/search#/1/collection/920026/royal-visit-to-louis-philippe-changing-horses-at-the-abre-des-princes-6-september
 Luncheon at the Mont d’Orléans, Forest of Eu, 4 September 1843. 1843. French. Watercolor, gum and bodycolor. Jean Antoine Simeon Fort, artist (1793-1861). Signed and dated. Image © Royal Collection Trust. Artwork itself in the public domain due to age. via https://www.rct.uk/collection/search#/2/collection/920018/royal-visit-to-louis-philippe-luncheon-at-the-mont-dorleans-forest-of-eu-4
The sitting room of Queen Marie-Amélie at the Château d’Eu: Queen Victoria seated, with the Queen of the Belgians and the Queen of the French. ca. 1843. French. Watercolor and bodycolor. Jean Antoine Simeon Fort, artist (1793-1861). Signed and dated. Image © Royal Collection Trust. Artwork itself in the public domain due to age. via https://www.rct.uk/collection/search#/3/collection/920015/royal-visit-to-louis-philippe-the-sitting-room-of-queen-marie-amelie-at-the
The drive to Monthuon, through Le Tréport, 3 September 1843: view from the left bank of the River Bresle, with the church of St Jaques, upper left. The Royal char-à-bancs seen driving precipitously through the town of Le Tréport. ca. 1843. French. Watercolor and white bodycolor. Jean Antoine Simeon Fort, artist (1793-1861). Signed and dated. Image © Royal Collection Trust. Artwork itself in the public domain due to age. via https://www.rct.uk/collection/search#/5/collection/920013/royal-visit-to-louis-philippe-the-drive-to-monthuon-through-le-treport-3-september
The return drive to the Château d’Eu, 3rd September 1843: the party driving at great speed in the park across the garden front of the Château. ca. 1843. French. Watercolor and white bodycolor. Jean Antoine Simeon Fort, artist (1793-1861). Signed and dated. Image © Royal Collection Trust. Artwork itself in the public domain due to age. via https://www.rct.uk/collection/search#/6/collection/920014/royal-visit-to-louis-philippe-the-return-drive-to-the-chateau-deu-3rd-september
Open air luncheon at Sainte Catherine-à-Garde-Chasse. 6 September 1843 the party round the long table, under trees, in the Forest of Eu. 1843. French. Watercolor and bodycolor. Jean Antoine Simeon Fort, artist (1793-1861). Signed and dated. Image © Royal Collection Trust. Artwork itself in the public domain due to age. via https://www.rct.uk/collection/search#/7/collection/920027/royal-visit-to-louis-philippe-open-air-luncheon-at-ste-catherine-a-garde-chasse-6
Hand-fan depicting Queen Victoria’s arrival at Treport on the late afternoon of September 2, 1843 on board the newly completed royal yacht Victoria and Albert, seen here with its central steam funnel, to right of center. Paper leaf with guards and sticks of carved tortoiseshell backed with mother-of-pearl. The box bears the trade name of Vanier of Paris. Image © Royal Collection Trust. Artwork itself in the public domain due to age. via https://www.rct.uk/collection/search#/12/collection/25344/fan-depicting-queen-victorias-arrival-at-treport-1843

These watercolors along with other watercolors and presumably the fan were presented by King Louis-Philippe to Queen Victoria at the time of his return visit to Windsor, in October 1844. So all of it presumably commissioned by the French king as gifts for the British Queen.