Vila Wolf's Dyslexic Folklorist Ranting

Gustav von Mardefeld

Portrait of Peter the Great and a Black Page

Russia (c. 1720)

This vibrant portrait was a part of the inspiration for P. Djèlí Clark’s “The Mouser of Peter the Great”, one of the stories from the anthology Hidden Youth, out this week from Crossed Genres!

It’s the sequel to the outstanding Long Hidden anthology, and edited by the illustrious duo of Mikki Kendall and Chesya Burke!

You can see the table of contents at this link, and purchase a print copy here:

Or get the ebook here:

[Daniel Defoe, Memoirs of a Cavalier] Memoirs of the honourable Col. Andrew Newport, A Shropshire Gentleman who served as a cavalier in the army of Gustav Aldophus in Germany and in that of Charles the First in England containing anecdotes and characters of the principal persons of that time, the whole forming a complete Military History of Germany and England towards the middle of the seventeenth century A New Edition with additions and a portrait of the Earl of Essex commander of the First Army formed by Parliament against the King London Edward Jeffery 1792

“Full-page miniature of Abraham lifting his knife upon Isaac and being stopped by an angel who is pointing to the substitute offering for Isaac, the ram stuck in the bush.”, The Northern French Miscellany, f. 521v by “the Cholet Group, Master of Méliacin group and Master of Honoré groups”, France c. 1277-1286 via The British Library, Public Domain

A dog transports a cat by putting the cat’s head in its mouth on this canine-centric Feline Friday. We once met a dog (owned by a librarian, natch) who did this to his kitty housemate. They both seemed to enjoy it! We hope everyone has a good weekend, no matter your mode of transport.

From Young People’s New Pictorial Library of Poetry and Prose (1888)

Ira’s Shakespeare Dream    

By Glenda Armand Illustrated by Floyd Cooper

Ira’s Shakespeare Dream at Lee & Low books: https://www.leeandlow.com/books/2885

[Ira Aldridge; portrait by William Mulready c. 1840]

MedievalPoC posts about Ira Aldridge, Shakespearean Actor in Victorian London

“Medieval folding almanac”, ca. 15th century via Wellcome Library on Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons CC BY 4.0

“Psalterium Caroli Calvi [Psautier de Charles le Chauve]”, f. 42r, by École du palais de Charles le Chauve c. 842-869 via Bibliothèque nationale de France, Public Domain (France)

“The Physician’s Handbook: English medical and astrological compendium”, ca. 1454 via Wellcome Library on Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons CC BY 4.0

“The Physician’s Handbook: English medical and astrological compendium”, ca. 1454 via Wellcome Library on Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons CC BY 4.0

“Medieval folding almanac”, ca. 15th century via Wellcome Library on Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons CC BY 4.0

“Contains a calendar and astrological tables and diagrams, including lunar and solar eclipses.” - Wellcome Library

Happy New Year!

Here’s the 1873 new year’s cover of The New Varieties, a weekly sporting paper apparently aimed at certain young men in 19th century New York. The paper includes listings for the theater and sporting events as well as racy drawings of young women, like these angels holding the 1873 baby new year.

It’s St. Nicholas Eve, that wonderful time of the year when towns and cities in many parts of central Europe get a visit from Krampus. In this ancient tradition St. Nicholas and Krampus visit the children; those who have been good get gifts from St. Nick; those who have been bad have to deal with Krampus. Traditions vary, but let’s just say you really don’t want to deal with Krampus. 

These photos are of St. Nicholas Eve, aka Krampusnacht, celebrations in Austria in the 1970s, as seen in Klaubauf-Krampus-Nikolaus; Maskenbrauch in Tirol und Salzburg.

Perry & Co Steel Pen Makers [Advertising]

The Three Little Kittens - exceptionally rare concertina style die-cut advertising with fine colour printed illustration on the front and letterpress story on the reverse 

Printed in Holland c1880

An Ostrich, Ms. Ludwig XV 4 by unknown creator, Franco-Flemish, ca. 1277 via J. Paul Getty Museum on Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain (United States)

Decorated Initial S, Ms. Ludwig XV 4 by unknown creator, Franco-Flemish, ca. 1277 via J. Paul Getty Museum on Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain (United States)

Detail of Inhabited Letter D, Ludwig XV 4 by unknown creator, Franco-Flemish, ca. 1277 via J. Paul Getty Museum on Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain (United States)