Teatime at Kleinecke House

Victorian Christmas Cards

One of the most significant seasonal traditions to emerge in the Victorian era was the Christmas card due to the development of the postage system. In 1840 The Penny Black was the first stamp introduced in Britain which paid for the postage of a letter or card which could be mailed anywhere in the country.

Sir Henry Cole, 1st director of London’s Victoria & Albert Museum hired the artist J.C. Horsley to design the first printed Christmas card. One thousand were printed and hand-colored. Those he didn't use were sold to the public for a shilling.

The temperance league disapproved of  the merry tipplers, one of them being a child.

1860’s chromolithography made cards more colorful and less expensive to print. 

Halfpenny postage rate was a result of the efficiencies of railways. By 1880 there was an increase of more than 11 1/2 million letters above the ordinary correspondence and four tons of extra registered letters in Christmas week.

Then Victorians went really crazy with their Christmas cards!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Fort Bend Historical Museum

My exhibit "Anatomy of a Victorian"

Now at the Fort Bend Historical Museum

in Richmond Texas

until Nov. 3, 2018

My books are there for sale there

 as well as in Galveston at Bryan Museum,

Galveston Historical Society

and on Amazon.

Between Wind & Water- My Latest Novel!!

When a vessel's hull below the water line is exposed by rolling or wave action, that part of the ship is particularly susceptible to damage. This condition is called being between wind and water.

When a person is in a dangerous situation, whether it's physical or emotional, they too are between wind and water.

My heroine, Abigail, who has led a silent life of desperation in her long and lonely marriage, finds herself in such jeopardy when she leaves her desolate homestead in the Texas panhandle and moves to Galveston.

The island off the coast of Texas is a colorful place to live, especially in the year 1898. This was Galveston's Golden era with its cotton port being one of the largest in the country.

Successful businessmen built their ostentatious homes on Broadway.

Like Walter Gresham's Castle, now known as Bishop's Palace. 

Dozens of seamstresses plied their trade in Galveston, but Abigail was a cut above her competitors. The city's high society was soon knocking at her door. 

Miss Bettie Brown of Ashton Villa became her most loyal patron.

With a thriving business, Abigail was still missing that element of life that is so very important for happiness. Love. Never could she have imagined that elusive treasure would be residing just across the street. Sebastian, a recently widowed English gentleman is as lonely as Abigail. Soon they find themselves in a passionate love affair. Their path to happiness is not an easy one, for Abigail's cruel and boorish husband, Otto, is unwilling to let her go. She quickly learns she has no rights only wrongs.

Reading Between Wind and Water, is like peeking behind a curtain of an old Victorian house. You may see differences in the mores of yesteryear, but the struggles and desires of the heart remain the same as today.

I invite you to go on an island adventure. You'll discover the rich tapestry and colorful characters of Galveston history and find out what measures our dear Abigail takes to finally have her true love.

Anatomy of a Victorian

Wonderful things happen when you listen to your heart and follow your passions. Last summer, I traveled to England and visited the beautiful houses that are part of the National Trust. Walking through these historical rooms and photographing them is one of my favorite things to do. The difference this time was that I took a book of watercolor paper and a pen and started drawing at the houses and from my photographs.
I was struck by a creative passion that had me doing a drawing each day.

When I got home, I was still so excited to have discovered this newfound passion and so I had the idea to draw the interior rooms of my own historical home and then to do a whole body of work that would have the viewer walk through all the rooms of a Victorian house. My love for Victoriana then inspired me to write a poem for each drawing. Thus image and pen married and birthed The Anatomy of a Victorian.




Thrilled that when someone saw the drawings they felt the same joy I feel for Victorian houses and they liked my quirky style, I knew I wanted to show them in a historical setting. It was simply happenstance when I ran into a friend, whose house just happened to be on this year's Galveston Historical House Tour!

I hope some of you readers can go on the house tour, it will be at 3528 Ave. P on the first two weekends of May, but if you can't I'm working on a book which will show all the work of the exhibit and I'll be selling prints.
And I also hope to find another historical museum or house to show the work in.

warm regards,
Rosa

Poor Old Blog

Salutations dear Readers,

I've neglected my blog because life happens and also my creative pursuits are spent on other avenues.

I'm writing feverishly on three novels. The latest one, "Between Wind and Water" will be published in 2018! A quick teaser for this 1898 Galveston Tale:

Stuck in a loveless marriage for thirty years, Abigail is desperate to escape. Her chance comes when she moves to Galveston. Her tailoring business thrives amongst high society, and a passionate love affair unfolds with an English sea captain.

At last she’s found happiness, but what happens when she realizes she has no rights, only wrongs? What measures will she take to possess the love she’s longed for?


I'm doing lots of photography, often focusing on the Victorian architecture that our island has: You can find it at https://www.instagram.com/oldgalvestonhouse/

And my latest endeavor is pen and ink drawings. I'll be having an exhibit of my drawings and poetry in the new year. It's titled "Anatomy of a Victorian."

Until then, I hope you have a wonderful holiday and New Year.

Here's a peek at my style of drawing with my Christmas greeting.

Victorian New Year's Eve Resolutions

Lenore and Archibald had enjoyed a busy day. They'd attended two balls and danced with exuberance every waltz and quadrille until they could dance no more. Cousin Myra and Aunt Minnie had finally departed after a month's visit and their little ones were tucked in for the night, leaving just the two of them to toast the New Year in. With champagne tickling their noses, they were quite content with the cozy arrangement.

"Dearest, I think 1840 was such a lovely year!" Lenore exclaimed. "We were finally invited to tea with the Vanderbilts and lawn tennis with the DuPonts."

Archibald tweaked his mustache. "Indeed, a brilliant coup. I'm certain the acquisition of our very smart brougham went a long way in elevating our social standing."


Lenore topped off their glasses. "I think we should decide upon our New Year's resolutions. Goals to better ourselves."


"I'll go first," Achibald offered. "I shall forgo my snuff. I think it considered very old fashioned these days. Don't you? Smoking is much preferred. They say it's healthy for the lungs, especially for asthma."

"A pipe?"

"Yes whenever I'm at home. Of course, I'll always ask leave of you to have a smoke. It is the gentlemanly thing to do."

"I'll sew you a fine velvet smoking jacket," Lenore sighed. "One with a satin collar. Or better yet, I'll buy you one on High Street. And slippers too."


"My darling girl, I think you are perfect in every way, so you need not rattle your brain over any resolutions."

"But I've already given this much deliberation. Now that our family is complete..."

"Complete?" Archibald bellowed. "I don't consider nine children the end of it. I'm one of a eleven and by God, I aim to match my father's efforts."

Lenore gave her best pout. "But darling, shall you have me completely worn out before I'm thirty-five?"

"Of course not, my sweetie, but ..."

"Back to my resolution for the year. I plan to tight-lace my corset to reach an enviable 15 inch waist. Dottie has achieved it and I aim to also."

"I've heard it on good authority that corsets constrict the organs."

"That is what smelling salts and a fainting couch are for," Lenore countered.

As the clock struck twelve, Archibald took his wife in his arms gave her a kiss that weakened any resolve she had of curtailing their family.

Lenore smiled contentedly. "Happy New Year's, my love."

Endless Days and Nights in Fat Alley

Endless Days and Nights in Fat Alley

Fat Alley was a notorious red light district in Galveston Texas. Photographs from that era rarely show the terrible plight of the women involved in that trade. This is one poor girl's story.

Lottie was only ten when her mama died and her good-for-nothing pa sold her to Madam Kitty in an alley off Postoffice Street. Her job was to fetch clean water for the basin next to the bedstead in between Johns. She kept her head low and learned to stay out of reach of lecherous men who fancied the virginal blossom of youth.

It seemed overnight her breasts grew and soft hair sprouted between her legs. The changes did not go unnoticed. Lottie was all grown, they declared, and she was given her own crib with a rag filled mattress and a lamp draped with a red scarf. Her lips and cheeks were painted and her hair curled.

She did not know what to expect. She had seen the tears and bruises, and unborn children carried away in the middle of the night. But she could not imagine the pain of the endless days and nights that were to come.

Bathing Beauties

written by Rosa Morgan

Temperatures are rising and it's time to take the plunge.

Ah, but we must be vigilant in our modesty.

Perhaps a gentle stroll at water's edge?

Or dare we disrobe in the sanctity of the bathhouse.

Emerging in our woolen finery to be goggled by the passerby.

But we are braver yet.

With ankles hidden in dark stockings and coquettishly crossed, we shall demurely make conversation with the handsome swim instructor. Dear, I do need another lesson.

These fine specimens of manhood

are demurely wearing skirts over their swimming trunks. 

While these gents are erring on the side of caution

with their life preservers on.

It's all fun at seaside

That is until the fashion police make a raid.

Lady you went too far! That's a lot of ankle you're showing!!

Doorknockers

written by Rosa Morgan

At first glance the purpose of a door knocker is simply to allow people outside a house to alert those inside to their presence. Such as the delightful moment the postman delivers a sweet missive from a friend. 

If this were the door knocker’s only purpose, the design would have remained fundamentally a ring for the hand to take hold and a striking plate to create the resonating sound. However, it is the homeowner’s intent to convey a message that has led to the knocker’s artfully intricate evolution.

The earliest designs were figures with distorted features, 

thought to ward off evil spirits or witches.

This woman, perhaps a maid who is accustomed to entering only through the servant's entrance, is now delivering a message on behalf of her mistress. Feeling the importance and wealth of the homeowner, she is intimidated and timidly raises her hand to announce her arrival.

The lion has always been more popular in England 

and was roundly looked down upon in America during the Revolutionary period. It's replacement was the patriotic eagle often with warring arrows clasped firmly in its talons.

Some door knockers proclaimed the occupants' religion. The hand shaped door knocker was thought to symbolize the Hand of Fatima, which protected the house from evil and declared the occupants of the house were Muslim.

While others like this masonic inspired knocker proclaimed the resident's occupation.

Perhaps it was a favorite author that was portrayed, such as this image of William Shakespeare.

And who wouldn't love to be greeted by a playful pup?

I'm certain Tom Cat would approve!