Introduced in 1828, the Phoenix was the first coin minted by the modern Greek state. However, very few were minted and the currency was replaced by the drachma starting in 1832. (source: CNGcoins)
Abandoned late Victorian era semi-detached villa, with built-in balcony and bricked-up window. The one next door has been demolished, so this one’s probably heading for the same fate. Rozelle.
Mabel Villa (1886). Elaborately embellished late-Victorian era terrace house, with original cast iron balcony featuring railings known as “Sydney Lace”. Peak ostentatious fashion at the time. Still is. Stanmore.
Collection’s Highlight: Early 19th Century 3 Piece Suit
According to our records, and family lore, this suit was worn by John M. Bowers (1772-1846) when he took possession of his new home “Lakelands” in Cooperstown, New York, in 1805. Bowers might have also worn this suit during his 1802 wedding to Margaretta Stewart Wilson (?-1872). Lakelands still stands today commanding a stunning view of Lake Otsego.
The coat is of black velvet and cut with a high waist and very long tails. The waist coat is a delicate cream-colored silk with metal thread embroidery and sequins. The breeches are a brown ribbed silk. The breeches go to the knees, as was the fashion in the early 19th century, the fall front had not yet been replaced by the button fly.
The Romanovs ruled Russia from 1613 to 1917, when the revolution brought their reign to an abrupt end. The extravagant tasted of the tsars are particularly evident in the imperial jewellery collected in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
Most of all I remember the famous Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna, the sister of the Empress, one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. They had a striking resemblance to each other, but the Grand Duchess Elizabeth had a thinner oval face, which is why those who knew her said that she surpassed her younger sister in appearance. She had charming manners, a sweet smile and a charming voice. She had amazing taste in clothes, and she was one of those people who create their own atmosphere around themselves. She became the personification of what a princess should be: charming, amiable, finding a kind word for everyone. When someone saw her after a bereavement in the gray clothes of a nun, calm, sweet, serene, she was the embodiment of practical charity, and looking into her eyes, one could feel in them an understanding of all human pain and suffering.
Baroness Sofia Karlovna Buksgevden, “Before the storm”
Sophia V. Orlova-Denisova by Pimen Orlov, 1835. Maid-of-honour to Empress Alexandra Feodorovna from 1834 to 1837. (x)
‘St Peterburg is occupied with the transformations in the attire of ladies-in-waiting and ladies of the court. They say they have come up with a national costume which these ladies shall be obliged to wear for major occasions at the court. It is something like a Frenchified sarafan.’ Pavel Divov, 1833.
Queen Olga of the Hellenes dedicated her life to Greece, but her heart and loyalty forever lay with her native country - Russia - and she never tried to hide it. Among the many demonstrations of the fact, whenever a Russian ship was harboured in Athens, the Queen would visit it, inquire about the Russian sailors and provide them with every comfort possible. She also had a store of Russian soil, brought with her from the numerous trips, and should a sailor or any Russian die in Greece and she got a word about it, she would insist on spreading the Russian soil over the coffin.
