1. Mistletoe sellers in Paris, 1928
Found here.
2. Collecting Modernist Mailboxes in Paris
Photographed by Romain Laprade.
3. Withdrawn from auction, a rare example of the first functioning calculating machine in history was blocked from leaving France
Christie’s withdrew rare ‘first calculator’ from auction after French court halts export. La Pascaline, developed by the French mathematician and inventor Blaise Pascal in 1642, when he was just 19, and billed as “the most important scientific instrument ever offered at auction”, had been expected to fetch more than €2m (£1.8m). But the auction house withdrew the ebony-inlaid instrument from sale on Wednesday after the Paris administrative court, responding to an urgent appeal by scientists and researchers, provisionally suspended its authorisation for export late on Tuesday.
Found on The Guardian.
4. Wikipedia Wild Card: Mithridatism
Today Wikipedia taught me about Mithridatism, the practice of protecting oneself against a poison by gradually self-administering non-lethal amounts. The word is derived from Mithridates VI, the king of Pontus, who so feared being poisoned that he regularly ingested small doses, aiming to develop immunity. When his kingdom started to rebel against him, Mithridates VI reportedly attempted suicide by poison, which failed because of his immunity to the substance. According to Appian’s Roman History, he then requested his Gallic bodyguard and friend, Bituitus, to kill him by the sword.
Found on Wikipedia.
5. The Special Effects of Karel Zeman
Karel Zeman is a Czech animator who moved from poster design to filmmaking in the mid-forties. In his work he has frequently combined live action, models, puppets and almost every kind of animation imaginable, blending them in most imaginative ways to create a world that is uniquely his own. This film takes a look behind the scenes of motion pictures made between 1947 and 1980 and shows how some of his special effects were achieved. Examples range from early shorts like “Inspiration”, “King Lavra” and those featuring the popular character of Mr. Prokouk, to such features as “An invention for destruction”, “Baron Munchausen” and “A jester’s tale”. In today’s world of technology, Zeman’s work has a home-made quality, but the designs have a beauty and elegance that has seldom been equaled.
6. This Surreal Taxidermy Artist
Elaine Molinar creates for her own personal collection and does not sell her work. I know! Let’s try to convince her otherwise. Discover more of her art here.
7. Hand-painted, hand dyed, and handcrafted retro circus costumes
Not many people in the world making costumes likes these: Hiwire Costumes was founded 8 years ago when several aerialist friends were in need of aerial costumes but only had access to dance costumes in catalogs. There were few options and the fit and body protection required for an aerialist can be vastly different than that of a dancer. Discover their website here.
8. The most photographed man in America during the 19th century
Former enslaved man turned abolitionist, suffragist, public speaker, writer, government official, and civil rights activist, Frederick Douglass, was the most photographed man in America during the 19th century.
9. And suddenly, I need an Exit Sign
From the Olde Good Things in New York City.
10. Mid-nineteenth-century rain mantles
These voluminous mid-nineteenth-century rain mantles were constructed from unbleached cotton fabric put through a multi-step waterproofing process. The yardage was treated with a raw linseed oil and natural rubber concoction applied with a paint brush. Multiple coatings were required to create the glossy, water repellent fabric. From the collection of ASU FIDM Museum, LA’s only fashion museum.
11. Endless visual inspiration from Juliet of the Spirits, 1965, Federico Fellini
12. Miniature still lifes by Eliot Hodgkin (1905−1987)
