Prohibition in the United States

I draw inspiration for this post from my previous one...

Backed by pietistic Protestant denominations, the movement for prohibition began in the 1840s. Those who were for prohibition were called "dries," and those against it "wets." Dries included Methodists, Northern and Southern Baptists, Presbyterians, Disciples of Christ, Congregationalists, Quakers, and Scandinavian Lutherans. Wets included Episcopalians, German Lutherans, and Roman Catholics.

The Civil War slowed the outlawing of alcohol, but it saw popularity again under the banner of the Prohibition Party and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, founded in 1869 and 1873 respectively. One fervent supporter, Carrie Nation, drew attention by scolding saloon customers and wielding a hatchet at liquor bottles.

Prohibition, or "The Noble Experiment," lasted from 1920 to 1933. In 1917, the Senate proposed the Volstead Act, a national ban of sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol. Despite Woodrow Wilson's veto, the Eighteenth Amendment was ratified in 1919 and put into effect the following year. The passing of the Eighteenth Amendment produced thousands of speakeasy clubs and increased underground criminal activity.

In 1933, Roosevelt amended the Volstead Act to allow the manufacture of certain kinds of alcohol, and it was later entirely repealed in 1933.

Beer for Kids?

I am puzzled by this mid-1800s ad for Rainier Beer, suggesting that its consumption by children and senior citizens is beneficial. I thought maybe it was a root beer, as this popular soda was considered a cure-all in older days. But Rainier has been a beer brewery since 1884. Beer was thought to be safer to drink then because water was often contaminated. And I've heard that doctors once told pregnant women to drink beer... Still not sure if beer consumption by pregnant women or children was common then.

The Discovery of King Tut's Tomb

The current turmoil in Egypt has me concerned not only for the country's people but also their history. There have been reports that looters have broken into museums and tombs, destroyed mummies, and taken priceless artifacts.

Thankfully, the relics from the tomb of King Tutankhamun, today's most well-known pharaoh, are touring the United States in an exhibit, which is currently on display at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Tutankhamun ascended the Egyptian throne at the age of nine. Experts predict he died in his early 20s. He was buried in a tomb beneath his status, possibly due to an unexpected death. The location of the tomb was lost after the entrance had been damaged and subsequently built over. King Tut's tomb was discovered in 1922 by archaeologist and Egyptologist Howard Carter and George Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon, the financer of the excavation. Carter began excavating sights in the Valley of the Kings in 1908. It was Carter's water carrier who found the steps leading to Tutankhamun's tomb.



Carter with Egyptian worker.

King Tut has inspired public interest since the tomb's discovery. Recently, scientific tests were conducted on Tutankhamun's mummy. In addition to concluding King Tut was a product of incest, scientists found signs of scoliosis, an overbite, and a slightly cleft palate. Scientists believe Tutankhamun's cause of death was due to a combination of a broken, infected leg and malaria.

Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Have you ever been to Sears? Did you know that it's been around since the late 1800s? It all began when railroad station agent Richard Warren Sears started selling watches though mail order catalogues. When he moved to from North Redwood, Minnesota Chicago, he became business partners with Alvah C. Roebuck.   Originally geared towards farmers who shopped at general stores, the first catalogue was printed in 1888, and by 1894, it was 322 pages. The catalogue featured anything from sewing machines to automobiles. You could even purchase a kit to make a house.








A houseplan from 1909.

Renee Lalique

Renee Lalique (1860-1945) was raised in paris as a child. He attended London's Sydenham Art College for two years. After designing for jewelers like Cartier, he opened his own jewelry and glass store to much success. His work is associated with both Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles. His granddaughter Marie Claude-Lalique (1936-2003) was also a glass maker working in Fort Meyers, Florida.

19th Century Paper Dolls

I found this unique blog on 19th century paper dolls. Check it out by clicking the image below:



I also came across a blog on Victorian Studies, if you're in the mood for something more academic.

Daguerrotype

I bought a daguerrotype! The frame was in such perfect condition, I had to have it. The hinges, hook and eye, velvet, and gold trim are all intact, which is rare. The man in the picture almost looks as if he has curls that come down over his ears, like the payot (sidecurls) of Hasidic Jewish men... But I think he would have to have had a longer beard and perhaps different dress. I guess he just had some unruly sideburns.



P.S. The daguerrotype was invented by Louis Daguerre and Joseph Nicephore Niepce in 1839. The image is formed with the alloy of mercury and silver. It can be easily smudge or damaged, so they were sealed in cases or frames like this one.