A groundbreaking study of the development of mechanical and metal cased pencils in the nineteenth century. Illustrated with over 700 photographs, the book provides examples of the extraordinary variety of propelling pencils that were created between 1800 and 1920. Readers will be struck by the ingenuity of the inventors and creators of this (until now) forgotten form of decorative art. From metal cased pencils that are elegantly practical, to "magic" pencils that are more whimsical than functional, this book follows the progress of the mechanical pencil as it evolves from a usable tool to something more akin to jewelry. This history of mechanical pencils also includes definitions of terms, descriptions of various mechanisms, ornamentation and surface decoration, and the multitude of combinations created by nineteenth century pencil-case makers. Value ranges are also included.

Showcasing the literary prowess of the Victorian era's women writers, this collection of short stories features haunting works of gothic horror in a celebration of the macabre. Discover the spine-tingling tales crafted by these visionary women as they explore themes of madness, the occult, ghostly encounters, and the dark recesses of the human psyche. Featuring the work of Mary Shelley, Elizabeth Gaskell, Louisa May Alcott, and more, each story immerses the reader in a world of chilling gothic beauty. The pioneering women celebrated in this collection challenged patriarchal bounds and societal expectations in these tales of terror. This volume is part of the Mothers of the Macabre series, celebrating the gothic horror masterpieces of pioneering women writers who played a pivotal role in shaping and advancing the genre. Carefully curated, The Queens of Victorian Horror pays homage to the enduring legacy of these female authors, shedding light on their extraordinary contributions to gothic horror literature.

Part memoir, part micro-history, this is an exploration of the present through the lens of the past. We all know that the best way to study a foreign language is to go to a country where it's spoken, but can the same immersion method be applied to history? How do interactions with antique objects influence perceptions of the modern world? From Victorian beauty regimes to nineteenth-century bicycles, custard recipes to taxidermy experiments, oil lamps to an ice box, Sarah and Gabriel Chrisman decided to explore nineteenth-century culture and technologies from the inside out. Even the deepest aspects of their lives became affected, and the more immersed they became in the late Victorian era, the more aware they grew of its legacies permeating the twenty-first century. Most of us have dreamed of time travel, but what if that dream could come true? Certain universal constants remain steady for all people regardless of time or place. No matter where, when, or who we are, humans share similar passions and fears, joys and triumphs. In her first book, Victorian Secrets, Chrisman recalled the first year she spent wearing a Victorian corset 24/7. In This Victorian Life, Chrisman picks up where Secrets left off and documents her complete shift into living as though she were in the nineteenth century.

Henry Petroski traces the origins of the pencil back to ancient Greece and Rome, writes factually and charmingly about its development over the centuries and around the world, and shows what the pencil can teach us about engineering and technology today.

GRAYSCALE coloring book. Includes TWO full sets of the 20 amazing GRAYSCALE illustrations. And BONUS 10 pictures from Alena Lazareva's other coloring books. Share with a family member, color with a friend. Enjoy coloring your favorite images a second time. Have an extra copy in case you make a mistake. * Page size is 8.5x11inches. * Pages printed on one side only. * Paper non-perforated I recommend using colored pencils, soft pastel. It is not suitable for use with wet media such as watercolor. Use sheet of card under the page you are colouring. Happy coloring!

THE NATIONAL BESTSELLER From the internationally bestselling artist that brought you the Morphia series, this incredible coloring book includes 96 double-sided pages of pure imagination in an all-new Kerby Rosanes universe. A new fantastic and super-detailed adult coloring book, in an entirely new world, from the prodigious bestselling illustrator. Colorists will find Kerby Rosanes's new creations to be hypnotic, with spread after dizzying spread featuring creatures, people, animals, and landscapes that blur the line between familiar and magical, between reality and imagination. Fans will be thrilled to see Kerby return with this 96-page book, providing an apparently endless coloring challenge for even his most dedicated and enthusiastic fans.

A flavour of this book ... This small disk is called Carmichael’s Amulet and it commemorates the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria by the dates 1837 and 1897. These are the dates of her 60 years reign. To the right can be seen a mould that is carved from wood. It seems to have been professionally made in a large block that is well finished and furnished with a hook for hanging up. The mould may have produced butter pats or terrines for a Victorian celebration. As well as the Diamond Jubilee dates it commemorates the Record Reign that Queen Victoria had achieved in 1896 after being monarch for longer than George III. These images were taken by the authors as this book was being written and so they do not appear in the text which summarises an enormous variety of Diamond Jubilee souvenirs. Inside you will find a unique view of Victoriana that was made to celebrate one event at the height of the powers of the British Empire. The souvenirs will give you a glimpse into Victorian creative ingenuity as well as the thinking and beliefs of people in 1897.