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T. Venables & Sons’ Almanack

January 14, 2025
by the gentle author

In case you do not have an almanack yet for the new year, I am publishing this from T. Venables & Sons, Whitechapel, courtesy of Philip Mernick. This is an especially useful one because it includes a catalogue of drapery, carpets and furniture, as well as cab fares from Whitechapel, a chronicle of events of 1867/8 and a list of the powers of Europe, the Royal Family, Officers of State and Her Majesty’s Household.

Gertrude Gorham

‘Arabian’ bedsteads

Cots and bedsteads

Drawers and wardrobes

Drawing Room furniture

Tables and washstands

Toilet glasses and chairs

Silks and velvets

Uncle was laid up ill in bed in January 1882 quite helpless (gout)

Gertrude Gorham was examined at Westbourne Schools/82 (passed)

Aunt’s little bird died Saturday 1882

Mrs Pike fell downstairs and cracked her collarbone

Cab fares

Chronicle of events 1867-68: Explosion of nitro-glycerine in Newcastle. Bread and meat riots at Exeter. Hurricane at St Thomas.

Chief Powers of Europe and the Royal Family

T. Venables & Sons, 103, 104 & 105, Whitechapel and 2, 4, 6 & 8 Commercial St

You may also like to take a look at

Crowden & Keeves

4 Responses leave one →
  1. Joyce Hampton permalink
    January 14, 2025

    What a joy to read this post. It is a wonderful chance to view life as it was lived over 150 years ago.
    Thank you so much.

  2. Annie S permalink
    January 14, 2025

    Wonderful!
    I particularly like the Chronicle of Events 1867/68.

  3. January 14, 2025

    I’m a fan of almanacks. Have you ever seen Asian versions? You can find them in import markets. Naturally, all the words are a total mystery to me, but I love the diagrams, charts,
    and other “official” pages. Printed on very inexpensive pulpy paper, often in green, red and black inks.

    In this rural part of the US, The Farmer’s Almanack was once a constant in every household, counted on for down-to-earth practical advice, folk wisdom, etc. From what I have learned, expired copies of the pulpy books were often used as spontaneous make-do insulation, tucked between wall and floor boards to add extra bulk and head off pesky drafts.

    However, these examples today are wonderfully refined, showing such lovely furnishings — its almost a “wish book” of beautiful things for the home. And of course, I loved the idea of the book becoming a repository of daily scribblings and observations. A common place book,
    perchance?

    Thank you, GA.

  4. Mark permalink
    January 14, 2025

    Yes. thank you Lynne.
    The new Victorian middle classes ( fab Fall album title, RIP M. E. Smith), getting flush. Watch those exposed table and chair legs, Father!

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