Victorian Jelly: Molds

Victorian Jelly: Molds

Fancy jellies graced 19th century tables, molded in dishes made of tin, zinc, copper, and various ceramics. Photographs of antiques, together with vintage advertisements, illustrate this Victorian kitchen staple.

Victorian Cake: Tins, Pans, Moulds

Victorian Cake: Tins, Pans, Moulds

Cake tins are often mentioned in Victorian-era Cook Books (as spelled in nineteenth century publications). This post provides historic images of this era’s baking pans from both newspaper advertisements and catalog ads (such as Sears and Montgomery Ward’s catalogs).

Many of the shapes and sizes are familiar to today’s baker’s options, and several have disappeared in the intervening years. My greatest surprise is the SIZE of Victorian cake pans. Compare to today’s, and see what I mean!

Pleasance’s Flying Geese

Pleasance’s Flying Geese

As each book in Grandma’s Wedding Quilts series has its own quilt pattern, I share some historic tidbits about the meaning behind the Flying Geese quilt blocks. Pleasance’s quilt, Flying Geese, to her 10-year-old mind wasn’t fancy enough, but by the time she marries and better understands the value of Grandma Mary’s gift to her, the significance of this quilt pattern (and her grandmother’s work) means a good deal to her. I share quotes from the book, beginning and end, with Pleasance’s attitudes about her very plain quilt pattern.

Old West Barber Shop

Old West Barber Shop

Old West Barber Shops used the traditional sign of the striped pole, advertised in newspapers, and usually hired men. Comparing for time passage and inflation, the low rates barbers charged then still seem ridiculously low. This is the first of many posts about Old West Barber Shops and Ladies Hair Salons.

Victorian Refrigerators (a.k.a. Icebox)

Victorian Refrigerators (a.k.a. Icebox)

Our Victorian American ancestors were inventive people. They needed a solution for perishable food in the worst of summer’s heat (and beyond). They came up with a remarkably well-insulated icebox (officially called a refrigerator far earlier than you might guess), designed to be a beautiful piece of furniture and functional. Some iceboxes went so far as to serve the melted ice water by silver tap. This article contains Victorian instructions for care and cleaning of 19th century refrigerators, advertisements, a crime committed with an industrial-sized (believe it or not: a walk-in) refrigerator, current images of antique iceboxes (both family size and commercial size), the icebox’s impact on beer, and so much more.