|
|
Post by jamesw on Feb 16, 2014 18:50:20 GMT
I have some bound issues of Punch magazine, dating from 1861 to 1864, which I pull out and leaf through periodically. A quick run through this morning, and who should I see? Sir Rowland Hill staring back at me. The illustration is by John Tenniel. You all know him (though many might not know you do), he was the original illustrator of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. Here's a site with his story: www.alice-in-wonderland.net/alice1f.htmlUnfortunately a previous owner of this book made an attempt (rather badly) to colour some of the beautiful engraved illustrations, and failed miserably. But that's the way it goes. The small bit of text in the issue (March 19, 1864) says: A Rowland and an Oliver (Neatest thing out.) Should Rowland Hill have a statue? Certainly, if Oliver Cromwell should. For one is celebrated for cutting off the head of a bad King, and the other for sticking on the head of a good Queen.  |
|
rod222
Member 
Inactive
Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 8,233 
What I collect: US Precancels. Belgium Precancels.
|
Post by rod222 on Feb 16, 2014 19:16:36 GMT
Fabulous James. I learnt a new word today then : Charivari Charivari (or shivaree or chivaree, also called "rough music") is the term for a French folk custom in which the community gave a noisy, discordant mock serenade, also pounding on pots and pans, at the home of newlyweds. The loud, public ritual evolved to a form of social coercion, for instance, to force an as-yet-unmarried couple to wed. This type of social custom arose independently in many rural village societies, for instance also in England, Italy, Wales or Germany, where it was part of the web of social practices by which the small communities enforced their standards. The community used noisemaking and parades to demonstrate disapproval, most commonly of "unnatural" marriages and remarriages, such as a union between an older widower and much younger woman, or the too early re-marriage by a widow or widower. Villages also used charivari in cases of adulterous relationships, wife beaters, and unmarried mothers. In some cases, the community disapproved of any remarriage by older widows or widowers. Charivari is the original French word, and in Canada it is used by both English and French speakers. Chivaree became the common spelling in Ontario, Canada. In the United States, the term shivaree is more common.[1] Members of a village would decide on a meeting place where everyone could plan what was to be done. Those who were to initiate the charivari used word-of-mouth to summon the largest possible crowd to participate, with women helping to organize and lead. After forming their plan, the charivari group would usually proceed by foot to the home of those they were acting against, making as much noise as possible with makeshift instruments and loud songs, and begin their assigned actions. Some pertinent philatelic porcelain for your patient perusal.  |
|
Londonbus1
Moderator 
Cinderella Stamp Club Member 3059
Posts: 4,525
What I collect: Cinderellas and some Ephemera from Great Britain, France and Israel plus a few beautiful bits from elsewhere !! Topical interests include Flags & Judaica, the latter with an emphasis on the Jewish National Fund.
|
Post by Londonbus1 on Feb 16, 2014 19:27:45 GMT
...and so he did ! Within a stone's throw, or should I say stamp's throw, of St.Paul's Cathedral. Mr.Hill stands proudly 'guarding' the former Post Office and Museum.  |
|
rod222
Member
Inactive
Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 8,233
What I collect: US Precancels. Belgium Precancels.
|
Post by rod222 on Feb 16, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
As a nipper, I knew lots of "Rolands" but Rowland never seemed right, never came off the tongue so smoothly, the "W" always looked like an imposter, so I looked it up A Medieval Variant. I like the US fading graph of the popularity of the name.  |
|
rod222
Member
Inactive
Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 8,233
What I collect: US Precancels. Belgium Precancels.
|
Post by rod222 on Feb 16, 2014 20:04:38 GMT
Rowland Hill
The man who instigated the French reprints.
London, 5 Febuary 1862
Here is a small matter, semi_official semi-private, in which I am sure
you will permit me to ask for your kind assistance.
My father, Sir Rowland Hill, who as you may suppose watches with much
interest the adoption throughout the world of his plans of postal
reform, has a collection of the postage stamps of all nations, which
collection I am desirous of rendering as complete as possible and with
this view I take the liberty of asking whether - supposing it now
possible to obtain them - you could favour him with specimens
(unobliterated) of the postage stamps used in France during the time of
the Republic.[...]
I am, Sir, your obediant servant
Pearson Hill (Private Secretary to Sir R. Hill)
"semi_official semi-private" is especially enjoyable.
Hill got what he wished, hence the classic reprints of France (because
first stamps were no longer available).
Author : Bruno.
|
|
|
|
Post by jamesw on Feb 16, 2014 22:02:12 GMT
If only my children were so devoted to my cause!
|
|
Ryan
Member
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,589
What I collect: If I have a catalogue for it, I collect it. And I have many, many catalogues ....
|
Post by Ryan on Feb 18, 2014 0:45:17 GMT
As a nipper, I knew lots of "Rolands" but Rowland never seemed right, never came off the tongue so smoothly, the "W" always looked like an imposter, so I looked it up A Medieval Variant. I like the US fading graph of the popularity of the name. Well, fascinating. I didn't realize "Rowland" was pronounced the same as "Roland" - I thought it was "row" rhymes with "cow". Name popularity graphs are lots of fun! I like to use the Wolfram Alpha "computational knowledge engine" for such things. I had to include "given name" in the search term because it defaults to a surname otherwise. My name had a big surge in popularity in 1970, presumably because of the success of Ryan O'Neal in the movie Love Story. (I'm older than that, though.) Ryan |
|
rod222
Member
Inactive
Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 8,233
What I collect: US Precancels. Belgium Precancels.
|
Post by rod222 on Feb 18, 2014 1:15:15 GMT
Wow! what a neat toy !  I put in my son's name (Cody) it peaked the year he was born, and has dropped off since, which is extraordinary, we didn't choose that name based on any then current trend, in fact at that time, I think we found it was a more popular female name. |
|
rod222
Member
Inactive
Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 8,233
What I collect: US Precancels. Belgium Precancels.
|
Post by rod222 on Feb 18, 2014 1:25:41 GMT
Continuing on, with a focus on all things "Rowland" Consider if you will, at the time of Rowland, Stamp Tongs were not invented, so it was OK to stick your fingers all over the stamps. Here is Rowland with his kids.  Western Australia The famous "Rowland Hill" cancellations.  |
|
Ryan
Member
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,589
What I collect: If I have a catalogue for it, I collect it. And I have many, many catalogues ....
|
Post by Ryan on Feb 18, 2014 7:32:21 GMT
I put in my son's name (Cody) it peaked the year he was born, and has dropped off since, which is extraordinary, we didn't choose that name based on any then current trend, in fact at that time, I think we found it was a more popular female name. . ha ha It's a fascinating thing, and I don't have a clue how to get 1% of anything out of it. But I play with the random button a lot and every now and then, a nugget pops up that I want to play with some more. It's heavily America-centred, but it does have some international content too. For example, try " Perth weather", or " Donald Bradman". Or " Vegemite"! Over here, we would probably consider Cody to be a Western (eg Cowboy) name. In fact, pretty much any name that can be found on a map of Wyoming is a Western name. Casper being an exception, that name is even less popular than Rowland - but it gives an excuse to look up info on Casper, Wyoming. Ryan |
|
