Trivia Advent Calendar

[Eva Elisabeth]

Brilliant, Gene, thanks for adding this term.
   
http://imagesearch.library.illinois.edu/...X=1&REC=20

[Eva Elisabeth]

Please let me know what you think hides behind window #17:
   

[RJNorton]

Is this possibly the Romeo and Juliet balcony from Tudor Hall?

[Eva Elisabeth]

This is an outstanding guess, Roger! I'm sorry t. Romeo and Juliet balcony from Tudor Hall!

One aside on "Romeo and Juliet balconies" - the one from Tudor Hall had actually been constructed long before the "original" one from the "Casa di Giulietta" or "Juliet’s House" in Via Capello 23, Verona as well as this was not Juliet's house anyway (she's a fictional character). The house was bought from the Cappello family by the city of Verona in 1905, and the similarity of their name to Capulet (Juliet’s family name in the play) resulted in the city burgher’s declaring that it was "Juliet’s House" to create the famous tourist attraction. Although the house, a former inn, itself does in fact date from the 14th century,the balcony is not an original feature, it was cobbled together from pieces of a 17th century sarcophagus, and attached to the wall in the 1930s to provide Juliet's balcony. Nevertheless it's a nice Gothic house to visit filled with authentic pieces and furniture from the time of Romeo and Juliet.
Here are both the R&J balconies; left the 1930s "fake original" from Verona, right the one from Tudor Hall (built 1847–1852):
       
...and Tudor Hall is Gothic (Revival) style, too.

Back to the USA. Hint 1#: This house stands farther north and has several times been mentioned on this forum.

[L Verge]

I believe it's preferred name is an etagere. (Referring to the piece of furniture.)

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(12-17-2014 10:23 AM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  This is an outstanding guess, Roger! I'm sorry to say it's not the Romeo and Juliet balcony from Tudor Hall!

One aside on "Romeo and Juliet balconies" - the one from Tudor Hall had actually been constructed long before the "original" one from the "Casa di Giulietta" or "Juliet’s House" in Via Capello 23, Verona as well as this was not Juliet's house anyway (she's a fictional character). The house was bought from the Cappello family by the city of Verona in 1905, and the similarity of their name to Capulet (Juliet’s family name in the play) resulted in the city burgher’s declaring that it was "Juliet’s House" to create the famous tourist attraction. Although the house, a former inn, itself does in fact date from the 14th century,the balcony is not an original feature, it was cobbled together from pieces of a 17th century sarcophagus, and attached to the wall in the 1930s to provide Juliet's balcony. Nevertheless it's a nice Gothic house to visit filled with authentic pieces and furniture from the time of Romeo and Juliet. (I wanted to attach a photo, but my internet doesn't work properly.)

Back to the USA. Hint 1#: This house stands farther north and has several times been mentioned on this forum.

A feature on Hildene, Robert Lincoln's wonderful home?

[Eva Elisabeth]

Brilliant, Laurie, that is correct. Since uploading the entire picture currently doesn't work for me, please go here for the wonderful photos Linda took:
http://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussio...e#pid33559
And for those who love the climate and haven't yet a location for Xmas:
http://www.boston.com/travel/blog/2007/1...r_the.html

[Eva Elisabeth]

(12-17-2014 10:36 AM)L Verge Wrote:  I believe it's preferred name is an etagere. (Referring to the piece of furniture.)

In German, "Etagere" is used for a "whatnot" (shelf) as well as for this (what would you call it?):
   
Here's now yesterday's entire picture:
   

[Eva Elisabeth]

Dec. 18 (already!) - thus window #18 today:
   
And what is your guess today?

[L Verge]

(12-18-2014 08:00 AM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  Dec. 17 (already!) - thus window #17 today:

And what is your guess today?

My guess is that it is a side view of a lady in mourning? Perhaps Queen Victoria??

As for the serving dish, I just know them as tiered servers - used for appetizers or desserts?

[Eva Elisabeth]

Kudos, Laurie, it's indeed Queen Victoria in mourning:
   
She was Mary's mourning role model, and her letter of condolence a cherished treasure:

April 29, 1865

Dear Madam,

Though a Stranger to you I cannot remain silent when so terrible a calamity has fallen upon you & your Country & must personally express my deep & heartfelt sympathy with you under the shocking circumstances of your present dreadful misfortune —

No one can better appreciate than I can, who am myself utterly broken-hearted by the loss of my own beloved Husband, who was the Light of my Life, — my Stay — my all, — what your sufferings must be; and I earnestly pray that you may be supported by Him to whom Alone the sorely stricken can look for comfort, in this hour of heavy affliction.

With the renewed Expression of true sympathy, I remain,

dear Madam,

Your Sincere friend

Victoria Rg

Now - whom was she mourning? Prince consort Franz Albrecht August Karl Emanuel of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, born on Aug.26, 1819in Schloss Rosenau (Rosenau Palace), formerly in Saxe-Coburg, now in Bavaria, Germany:
       
...who had died on Dec.14, 1861 at the early age of 42, plunging the Queen into a deep mourning that lasted for the rest of her life.

Prince Albert married his first cousin, Queen Victoria, at the age of 20. Together they would have nine children. Over the time, he adopted many public causes, such as educational reform and a worldwide abolition of slavery. Albert aided in the development of Britain's constitutional monarchy by persuading his wife to show less partisanship in her dealings with Parliament—although he actively disagreed with the interventionist foreign policy pursued during Lord Palmerston's tenure as Foreign Secretary.

[Gene C]

If Prince Albert died in 1861 at the age of 42, he would have been born in 1819-20.
Maybe they were married in 1840.

[Eva Elisabeth]

Thanks, Gene - just a little test if y'all are attentive readers...No, I'm kidding, and shame on me - I wasn't an attentive reader, and you are 2x100 =200% correct, Gene!!! The couple married on Feb.10, 1840, and this was when Prince Albert's teunure began. And Albert was indeed born in 1819, on Aug.26 (I corrected this in my post above). Thanks again, Gene!!!

[Gene C]

I was beginning to wonder if good ole Queen Victoria was a cougar
That would make an intersting show for Masterpiece Theater

[L Verge]

Whenever I see royal names spelled out in full, I wonder how they get them to fit in computer fields today...

[Eva Elisabeth]

I guess it's upon their staff of secretaries to worry about this...

Forgot to thank for educating me:

(12-18-2014 09:30 AM)L Verge Wrote:  As for the serving dish, I just know them as tiered servers - used for appetizers or desserts?

Thanks!