Amaneuneses, Colporters And Aquaria Makers; Ladies Bring Home Bacon, 1864

JPK Huson 1863

Brev. Brig. Gen'l
Joined
Feb 14, 2012
Location
Central Pennsylvania
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By 1864, displaced women felt the pinch. Soldier's wives, sisters, daughters and mothers in households where the breadwinner vanished faced terribly uncertain futures. It cannot have been an accident that an 1864 book publication offered a huge variety of opportunities for women to choose from- " Gymnast ", " Equestrian " made page 64.

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" Aquaria Maker ", just one self employment opportunity described for women, followed an era fad. Included in this wonderful collection as a way to support oneself and probably, a family, you're smitten by the step towards independence in an uncertain war.

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Seldom? It goes on for awhile. Link below

WELL. So the female, era version of Three Men In A Boat, Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker, may forgivably be written " Mother, Teacher, Civil War Nurse " ? Throw in " Factory Worker " and " Physician ", each end of the social scale and it's what we think we know, really. Think!

The timing of publication, looking at this book's fly leaf, is extremely interesting. By 1864 the public was used to seeing outrageous stories all about the soldier's wife and the eviction, because his pay wagon had not caught up with the Army. That one ended with local men er. promising to pay the landlord by way of other, less pleasant methods. She was saved- countless were not.

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Isn't it wonderful? Yes, included as jobs are professions we know ( and are comprehensible ). This ' Amaneunes ' heading brings something to the table beyond bacon. Cursive was taught in schools. despite what we hear of a supposedly high illiteracy rate, wondering how true? 1840's saw enforced attendance ( those poor children were cluttering up the streets ), apparently in many states- this job, writing in that beautiful cursive, would have been terrific for a woman requiring flexible hours.

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An Herbarium Maker, made a kind of terrarium and taught others how to make and care for the prized, exotic plants so treasured, of the era. Cool stuff

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Unclear how successful this was?

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Not at all sure what one did, but with a title like that and a paycheck, we'll take it.

Best book ever, as usual preserved for us in Hathitrust fatly describes an occupational cornucopia. What is wonderful is, you would first have to pronounce your job then know what on earth it is, you did. Only a little tongue in cheek here- someone went to a great deal of trouble getting the word out. Females, left to support themselves, had no need to despair or trail off to the munitions factory- or worse. Between careers, occupations and self employments opportunities, rolling up one's sleeves put bacon in the pan.

No lie, " Bible Reader ", is listed- reading Bibles to ' underclasses ', whomever they may be. Good luck finding the source of payment- this was unclear.

Description from page 64, on the Gymnast.
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https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nyp.33433075968978;view=2up;seq=92;size=150

Link will probably open to that page, please do let it deter you? Page around, fascinating combination- doctor, lawyer, dressmakers, designers, teachers- wildly encouraging views of all of them, directed towards era women. It's amazing and will make your day. Just browsing the index will raise your eyebrows! Who knew?
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Well, perhaps she did- Madame Blanchard, of France, a generation earlier encouraging women to fly- in balloons. Reach for the sky, Ladies. It's a great book.
 
Had to dig this thread up- this is post war, would love to think she is not only demonstrating a fitness machine- early instructor, sans headband and tights? OK, a stretch ( you should forgive the pun ). Have a feeling she may be using an invention designed to improve posture.

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Well researched topic, Annie! I have contended that the Civil War was the true beginning of women working out of the home, rather than WWII and its applauded "Rosie the Riveters".
 
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