This month the theme, “Christmas magic” was chosen me.įor anyone who follows my photostream, you will know that I collect and photograph 1:12 size miniatures, so I thought that this slightly different scene, taking us away from domestic interiors to a commercial one to show the Edwardian love of excess, not least of all at Christmas, was a suitable choice. A different theme chosen by a member of the group each month, and the image is to be posted on the 5th of the month. This year the FFF+ Group have decided to have a monthly challenge called “Freestyle On The Fifth”. **In Edwardian times, it was not uncommon for the mistress of a low wage paying house to give the maid material at Christmas to make herself two print dresses for morning uniform and two black dresses for evening uniforms. He was known as the 'Earl of Oxford Street'. His twenty year leadership of Selfridge’s led to his becoming one of the most respected and wealthy retail magnates in the United Kingdom.
was an American-British retail magnate who founded the London-based department store Selfridges. The two American women laugh, whilst it is Mrs, Chisholm’s turn to look quizzically between the two. “Oh I say! How terribly ‘Merrie England’!” Freda laughs in delight as she looks at the good luck horseshoe hanging amid a garland of Art Nouveau flowers on the lid of the tin. “Well, those too, but I wanted to send you home with a little slice of England.” She picks up a McFarlane Lang’s Christmas Cake in a beautifully decorated tin in her gloved hands. “Now, this is why I bought you here, Freda.” However, the two American sisters are no longer listening to her as they look to the shelves lined with gaily coloured biscuit tins. “I provide their caps, aprons, and lace cuffs for my housemaids, which is far more than some mistresses I know do.” “Well,” Mrs Chisholm adds as an afterthought. “I think it’s the least they deserve after all the hard work they do, day in day out.” “Here in England I have enjoyed introducing a little bit of American tradition to my household.” Lady Southgate says resolutely. “Well that’s all well and good in America, Miss Harrison.” Mrs. “It has always been a tradition to give the servants a nice hamper of festive treats, every Christmas!” She nods firmly at her sister, who affirms in reply with an equally sturdy nod. “Well, in the Harrison household, back in New York,” Freda explains. Chisholm blusters, riled at being seen to be stingy at Christmas by her friend and her sister. “What they wear outside my home is of no consequence to me, so long as they don’t parade it on the street outside my front door.” Mrs. “Within your own home Margaret, under the watchful eyes of your guests,” Lady Southgate adds critically. No, it’s my Christian duty to make sure that they are well clothed and presentable.” “Who said anything about ‘festive’, Miss Harrison. “I alternate each year between giving my housemaids fabric to make themselves a new black or print dress to make sure they keep themselves looking decent**.” Chisholm says, chuckling as looking at Vera.
“I am looking for a nice tin of festive biscuits to give each of the housemaids.” “Now,” Lady Southgate says, walking up to a garlanded counter covered with elegant and brightly coloured tins. “Let’s go Christmas shopping the American way then!” “Well, thank goodness for darling Harry then!” Freda says with enthusiasm. “You made sure that what you asked to look at was what you wanted,” Mrs. “When I walked into Harrods or Marshall and Snelgrove, and I asked to look at something, it meant that I had to buy it.” “When I first married Richard,” she continues. “Mail order catalogue store, which takes care of everything and sends it all over the empire.” Lady Southgate explains quickly. “I used to order from the Army and Navy Store’s catalogue.” “How on earth are you supposed to choose what you want.” “Why that’s ridiculous Vera,” Freda laughs. “Well, before Harry came along, you didn’t browse, darling.” “And he has revolutionised the shopping experience in London, Freda.” adds Lady Southgate. “So, this is why Harry* left America,” gasps Freda as she looks about the cavernous hall filled with the answer to her every whim and desire om display. They are in the biscuits and cakes section of the department store. Chisholm, another well-heeled resident of Belgravia, enjoy the pleasurable Edwardian pursuit of Christmas shopping in Selfridge’s. Today however, we are not in Wickham Place at all, but are out with Her Ladyship as she, her unmarried sister Freda, who is visiting from America, and her Ladyship’s friend Mrs. Located in fashionable Belgravia it is a fine Georgian terrace house. Wickham Place is the London home of Lord and Lady Southgate, their children and staff.
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