However the pair in my first photo don't look in the mood to party.
 |
| A veteran with his wife (1860s) |
He appears to be wearing a British Crimean War medal with bars - although it had previously been said that it shows an American Civil War (1861-1865) veteran, a dubious attribution. His wife is sporting a bonnet with ruffles, a paisley shawl and gloves.
The next pair are in party mode.
 |
|
Cover of Puck magazine, 1916 Sep 9.
|
(United States Library of Congress - Author Ralph Barton))
This photo was captioned:
"8:15
P.M.": Man, wearing top hat and tails, looking at extravagantly dressed
woman, who is seated on floor with large cushions.
Gentlemen, if it's a cheap hat you want how about this? Not sure about the rest of the outfit though.
 |
| John Tenniel Illustration 1869 - Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland |
Back in 1932 no public opening was complete without ladies in hats, fine dresses and of course dignitaries in top hats.
 |
| Opening of the Grey Street Bridge, Brisbane 30 March 1932 |
Governor
Goodwin and party walking across the Grey
Street Bridge
after its opening. Sir John and Lady Goodwin with Neil Campbell and his wife,
walking over the Grey
Street Bridge.
The men are wearing morning dress, top hats and spats. Lady Goodwin and an
unidentified woman are carrying bouquets.
The Grey Street Bridge was renamed the William Jolly Bridge in 1955 after William Jolly, the first Lord Mayor of Greater Brisbane.
For more jolly japes you need to pay a visit to Sepia Saturday 126
24 comments:
Sepia is such a classy photo effect and Puck was a great magazine in its day.
Thanks for sharing.
We still go regularly to the theatre where the last remnants of lovely dressing are occasionally to be seen.
That first couple is the antithesis of the Godwins and Campbells.
Don't you think people dressed so smartly in those days.
I have a lovely Kreativ award for you. I hope you like it.
Hi Bob .. great photos - love the variety of top hats .. poor veterans of something - old age and wrinkles by the look of it .. Puck and partying .. Tenniel's illustrations are wonderful ... Sydney Harbour Bridge was opened in 1932 too .. I don't remember seeing my Uncle in top hat et al .. perhaps it's not so high or there's less wind.
Very interesting cheers Hilary
If those people from times past could see us now, how would they judge the youth? Sloppy, casual dress rules the times. The only hats are baseball caps or hoods. I'd drather go back to the formal attire.
http://francene-wordstitcher.blogspot.com/
OMG, I saw the first couple on Pinterest the other day (to which I am now addicted and waste much of my time)! They have quite a bit of character don't they? Love the last photo, love the way they are dressed - the people are so classy as are many of the people we see from that era.
The veteran and his wife communicate a lot. They were probably dressed in their best and trying to look happy. Says a lot about the times. Your photo choices are wonderful - love all those hats.
Just as a matter of interest, in the picture of the first couple, she probably wasn't wearing a bonnet with ruffles, but the ruffles were part of the cap she wore all the time and then she would put a bonnet on top. In those days married ladies wore mob caps all day long.
Good lord, that top photo is very compelling - he looks like a cross between Bill Sykes and Geronimo!
And she looks as if she's seen it all before.
Wow.
I much prefer the environs of the "Puck" cover. Very Jeeves and Wooster, wot?
Happy Birthday, Bob!
Bob what a great couple in your first photo! She looks ready to go, but he does appear to have a tummy ache! Great photos, Puck included, but the happy group dancing their merry way along the avenue, bring a smile to my face!
I love the first photo. Yes, he's way too old to be a civil war vet. She's so covered up - was it cold in the studio? The Puck cover is wonderful. Seems the folks all dressed up are a bit overdressed for just a bridge opening.
Wonderful post.
Nancy
Bob, enjoyed your post. The first picture hits home, it was not grand hats and parties for all! No wonder his look if he was in the Crimean war, that was a sad affair and not a party to wear a top hat.
The illustration from Puck looks more elegant than any photo.
Great selection as always, Bob
A remarkable diversity of top hats from battered to dapper. What stories the faces of the first couple tell. My favourite is the Puck magazine cover; I am also wondering how practical the white spats are in the last photo.
Hi Bob, that first guy looks like a leprechaun. They both look so tiny. I enjoyed all of your choices today, thank you for the wide variety!
Kathy M.
Maybe he's a Waterloo veteran. Very nice photo indeed.
The first couple look like they could use a warm fire, a good meal and a bath. Don't know why but the "bath" just won't leave my mind. Poor old veteran.
I think I've met that first couple! I've always had a soft spot for the Mad Hatter, and the Tenniel illustration epitomises him I think.
I really love the first photo, so much character. I miss the days of men wearing hats,my grandpa wore a hat up until the day he died in the 1990's.
Hats off to you!!
You did quite well with this theme.
I love hats!!
Mine aren't as glamourous but a tad better than your veteran...
Maybe the medal came with the jacket...
;)~
HUGZ
A topper that had seen better days indeed!
I've always wished someone would make the first couple as apple dolls. You know the type where the heads are carved from apples and then shrink into interesting faces.
Post a Comment