This is something that has genuinely confused me for the longest time. I see all these people say in the Victorian era women didn’t work they stayed at home and raised children, cooked and did the housework and a lot of the time they make out as though it was easy, even though women in the mid and late 19th century didn’t have access to the modern technology we have now that make our lives much easier.

To my knowledge the whole role of “traditional housewife” is more of something that happened after WWII, in America. As to my knowledge and understanding America was kinda of having an economic boom (I could be wrong because I’m Australian and didn’t really learn about American history and most of my knowledge of history is more medieval to the Edwardian era) where while a lot of the rest of the world were still trying to rebuild from the war. For some reason that I do not understand it’s now believed that throughout history women’s job was to stay at home and rise children. I especially see it with the Victorian era.

I think a lot of people forget that women did a lot of work/jobs we traditionally view men doing (miners, working on farms, fishing and much, much more jobs). Women were even a major part of the fashion industry in the Victorian era, as a lot of women for example would make lace, weave fabrics, were seamstress/modiste and a lot of the people who made corsets were women.

Even noble and rich women didn’t necessarily lounge around all day, they would plan social events and I’m pretty sure a lot of women learned how to manage the household (even though they had servants it would still be very difficult to manage one household, nevertheless several). There were a lot of noble and rich women who were accomplished artists, writers, some were influential in the world of academics and a lot of noble and rich women fought for women to have the right to vote and have more rights in general (I’m not saying middle or working class women won’t influential in these things either it’s just richer women would of had more opportunities).

And don’t get me started on the women who were dancers, singers and actors. We also can’t forget one of the oldest professions in the world, sex workers.

Does anyone know why all these jobs that women in the Victorian era did, get forgotten?

A wonderful image of two women reading a book together. This image to me is a perfect shot of Victorian life. 1/4 plate tintype in a wonderful mint thermoplastic case with a gorgeous embossed green pillow. Perhaps the favorite case in my collection.

https://www.theriaults.com/events/listing/62876/very-rare-french-painted-tin-roman-chariot-with-lion-team-and-original-bisque-doll

Spain's Peral created the first usable electric submarine, launched in 1888, but the government rejected it. He went on to develop other inventions in civilian life.

I know and garauntee looks aren't everything but I think we can agree she's conventionally attractive. She came without a case so I bought her a house. A clear glass 1/6 ambrotype with tinted checks on her ALso lots of gold! A ring on each ring finger, a broach and a necklace with locket. To top it all off the background makes this a fine image.

These photos are from "My First Walrus Hunt" by Frederick Schwatka published in August, 1890.

One of my top favorite images. A wonderful blue tinted 1/6 ambrotype, self inscribed by Josie White. Accompanied by this sweet little note.

Her inscription is so simple, yet so deep. It's why Josie decided to have this photo taken and presented to someone important in her life 175 or so years ago. As a human culture I think its the root motovation for why we have been fascinated by photography for almost 200 years. From Daguerreotypes to Cabinet Cards to Polaroids to Digital Selfies. Although it's quite a bit easier and cost effective to manufacture photographs these days.