November 2015

“Very far away from England” – Maudie & Tartu

27 Nov 2015: Mixed into the boiling pot of disturbing European news in 1934, Estonian readers of the Postimees newspaper must have been pleasantly surprised to see a story about an Englishwoman and her distinguished and inventive grandfather. Henry Talbot’s granddaughter, Matilda (1871-1958), ‘Maudie’ to family and friends, led an incredibly varied and productive life and will certainly …

A Muse in Livery: or, the Footman’s Miscellany

20 Nov 2015: I’ve shamelessly appropriated today’s title from Robert Dodsley (1703-1764), a poet, author and publisher. He knew of what he wrote, for Dodsley had served as a footman in London before trading in his livery for the pen. In earlier times, the footman’s primary responsibility was to trot alongside the master’s or mistress’s carriage, ensuring that …

Three Novembers

13 Nov 2015: November frequently proved to be a significant month for Henry Talbot. The month’s birthstone is topaz, a mineral imbued with virtues of wisdom, courage, serenity and healing, all traits that infuse his November photographs. 1838: Astrantia Major, 13 November Since Guy Fawkes Day was little over a week ago, perhaps we can start with a …

The Slashes of Sarah Anne

6 Nov 2015: I am in Pasadena, California right now, not entirely to visit the legendary Rose Bowl Flea Market for the first time, but rather to attend the annual meeting of The Daguerreian Society. It is always a jolly affair (I’m actually a secret agent who has been inserted into the Society to promote the idea of …

	
		OSZAR »