Wigs Gallery

James Doughty, oldest clown in England

James Doughty of Brighton, at the time of this photograph the oldest clown in England, about to celebrate his 94th birthday. Seen here in costume with two of his performing dogs. In 1911 at the age of 93 he married a woman of 25, Alice Zilpah, and apparently his previous wife had been 25 years younger than him. He is said to have succeeded the famous clown Joseph Grimaldi at Drury Lane in 1851, taking over many of his wigs, props and songs. He died in March 1913

© Mary Evans Picture Library

Woman sleeping at a desk while a man reads her secret

Woman asleep in a library while her guardian reads her secret thoughts. Miseries of Reading and Writing. Handcoloured copperplate engraving designed and etched by Thomas Rowlandson to accompany Reverend James Beresford's Miseries of Human Life, Ackermann, 1808

© Florilegius

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Preparing for the ball by Rene Lelong

A fashionable pair prepare for a fancy dress ball, by dressing up in 18th century attire, complete with powder, flounces, perriwigs and patches. A maidservant waits in close attendance holding her mistress pink fur cape, patiently waiting for her to finish her preening and perfecting... Date: circa 1647

© Mary Evans Picture Library