A painting by the Scottish artist John Burr (1831-1893). Tinkers were originally tinsmiths or “tinners”. One of many itinerant jobs pursued by a class of casual laborers. These were mostly skilled and specialized crafts like basket making, shoe repair, leather work, and metal work but many poorer workers were migrant farm labor picking hops and tending the market gardens during the peak harvest. The fellow in the image above appears to be a fairly well-off repairman mending a seam in a pot. This from a time when new items were a rare purchase.
I love deciphering images like this for the details of domestic life. Unlike most photos, there is real intention in what the artist chose to include or not in the painting. The house is clearly a poor one but a freshly killed chicken hangs from a nail on the wall by some dry roots. A handmade broom leans against the wall next to a basket that has the tradesman’s coat lying across it. The oldest daughter tends the infant while the mother stands by the laundry basin with a toddler behind. All the children look on while the novel worker plies his trade in a waistcoat and hobnail walking shoes.
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”
I really love this illustration from one of my favorite authors, Mark Twain. An image of his mind while recounting his many adventures on the road and playing the self-critical and self-deprecating American. This is how my thoughts appear to me much of the time.
As usual with internet information, captions and data are suspect at best. However, this is a great image of Romani on the road so let’s just go with it. At first glance, it looks almost like a scene from the American west in the 19th century. It reminds me of early sheep camp images from New Mexico. I like the stove set up.
Here’s another look at an image I posted quite a while ago. I really like this photo. These Scottish Travellers give a glimpse of some less-than-stereotypical living waggons (sic). Very few wanderers could afford the classic Dunton Reading wagon but made do with more affordable accommodations; possibly even owner-built.
Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums. Click HERE for the source.
All three of the caravans pictured have mollycrofts for light and air but are of a pretty simple variety. I am struck by the one on the right mostly by how plain it is (plank siding without exposed ribs) and it’s very small proportions. I suspect there were many more of this variety than the elite, custom-built wagons on the roads in Britain in the heyday.
I have no information about this image as it was one of those random internet finds. The gear looks to be from about the turn of the 19th-20th Century and supplies the basics for an American or Canadian outdoorsman. This would all apply to Mexico as well but as it’s not written in Spanish I think that rules out our southern neighbor as the source.
Are you aware, gentle reader, that the bicycle is closely associated with women’s liberation, the suffragettes, and other forms of late 19th century promiscuity and other offensive behaviors among the fair sex? Or that a truly rideable modern velocipede machine post-dates practical flying machines? Warning – a little tasteful nudity ahead.
Oh! Those suffragettes. They appear to be incorrigible once they have unbridled transport.
Bicycling was the final straw, so to speak, giving women the excuse to wear (godforbid) trousers, freedom to travel, shop, and generally sever the ties that kept them at home in a modern world. I am digressing and that will require and entirely separate post, but to the wonderful Waverley Belle…
The following immensely popular sales announcement (to judge by the frequency with which it is displayed) is from a different era of madmen advertisers. I suspect this titillating placard was intended for a gentleman’s magazine; to be perused at the club or in the office, out of sight from young, impressionable eyes. I mean, who wants their kid lusting after a seductive beauty at this price? This ad is clearly appealing to those who are looking get a well-built machine under them with the intent to while away a glorious afternoon.
Go away kids, get your own toys.She is certainly a superbly constructed beauty comprised of artistic lines and I suspect, is a wonderful ride indeed. The Victorians clearly appreciated a larger, sturdy frame. Of course, this one is mostly obscured by the lovely lady acting as a prop (these high-wheelers often had no kickstand you see).
Waverly (of the Indiana Bicycle Company) seems to have been a high-end and innovative company venturing into automobiles in the heady days of innovation before the Great War in Europe.
These Indiana boys were not just catering to the men. In fact, it seems they seem to be early schemers in the arena of target marketing; catering to the tastes of ladies and gentlemen alike from Indianapolis, Indiana to Medford, Oregon and beyond (e.g., France). These high-end beauties are a bit on the light-heavyweight side compared to our current tastes but are remarkably robust machines offering sturdiness and a joyful ride for a new and modern age.
Innovation was the by-word in Industrialized America and Waverley was in the game. Here’s a couple other, family oriented offerings they produced; not bicycles though.
Anyway, I needed to get some of this curated artwork out into the world and my love of cycling has grown inversely to the amount that my current living situation allows it to actually happen without misery, pain, or more likely death.
Below are some gratuitous images of the state of the world once women gain their mobility, trousers, and the right to vote. Bicycles have been associate with modern thinking, fun, liberation, and even sexual freedom for a long time now. Enjoy these immodest pictures.
And finally, while doing a bit of late-night image research to establish a firm date for the ad above, I came across the original image used for the Waverley Poster:
It doesn’t appear to be a particularly practical outfit for cycling. Must be French. I hope to get a load of other images from the era posted in the near future.
Interesting submissions are always welcome
I am pining for the day soon ahead when the freedom of cycling will be back in my life.
Zenana– def. The place where the ladies reside. Origin: Urdu.
Yesterday I posted this cabinet card image found on Tumblr and asked for help in identifying the style. Crowd-sourcing research on the blog certainly works. “KB” responded with enough key words that a quick image search revealed the nature of this carriage. Often called a Zenana Carriage, this one is extremely well-decorated and may be going to a wedding. The practice is from the Urdu-speaking Hindustani but can be applied in several ways. This appears to be from British Raj period of India (the good ol’ days to the Brits but the Indians may beg to differ on this).
Really, I’m just in it for the vehicles.
The term seems to be applied rather broadly from sedan chairs to carts and wagons of various quality. The key being a covered transport for the modesty of the lady enclosed.
It’s more of a concept than a carriage, except among the wealthy. Zenana carriages for royals may even be made in silver and gold. It reminds me of the old pilgrim woman in Rudyard Kipling’s Kim. She was so old and beyond modesty, she would often even ride with the curtain partially open.
The Carriage of a Hindoo Lady.Zenana Cart.Silver zenana carriage Baroda, 1895.Sacred bullocks before state carriage – Baroda.
I suspect some of the design elements were influenced by British carriage building but overall, this is very much a regional phenomenon. Perhaps there are some motifs and textures found in this genre to spice up a modern caravan.
And finally, an interesting little cart I found while combing images in the wee hours.
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 