1. Just a Female Street fight duel with sand-filled socks
Published in “Le Petit Journal” November 1st 1902:
There are Apaches of both sexes as seen recently in the rue du Général-Morin. Louise Henin, a beautiful girl of twenty, became mortally angered by Andrée Merle, twenty-three years, for reasons difficult to specify. They resolved to meet in a single combat, but refused to choose common weapons such as knives or revolvers. They sought and found the most unusual. Each took a single sock – probably emptied of their savings – and filled it with sand. Then they went into battle with all the wham! and splash! to the amusement of the street. The fight, however, ended abruptly when Louise Henin collapsed after a blow so violent that she had to be transported – in a very poor shape – to the Hotel-Dieu hospital. As for her terrible adversary, she quickly melted into the crowd.
Found via Old French Crime from the Gallica Archives.
2. Triangular Letters
During World War II on the Eastern front, Soviet soldiers were sending triangular folded letters, because of the envelope shortage. An interesting article on the subject can be found here.
3. Mmmm, Antique Buttons
Antique Workwear Vintage Clothes Buttons found on Pinterest.
4. The Underrated Magic of Old Hollywood Bloopers
Seriously, watch these.
5. Vintage movie theater concession stands
Found on The Academy Tumblr.
6. At Home with the Windsors in Paris
The Duke and Duchess of Windsor at their new home in Paris on Boulevard Suchet. Photographed by LIFE magazine in 1939 following his abdication of the English throne so that he could marry the American divorcée Wallis Simpson. More photos found in the LIFE archives.
7. Lunch in 1980s Paris with Charlotte Rampling and Rudolf Nureyev
In the eighties, Russell Harty was one of the titans of the TV chat-show circuit, his wit and charm allowing him to easily bring to screens a travelogue as he ventured across Europe. In a sojourn to the French capital, he sampled the remarkable and delightful architecture, lunched with the great and the good at the British Embassy.
8. Elton John’s forgotten Wedding
In 1984, Elton married his close friend and sound engineer, Renate Blauel, on Valentine’s Day. For the occasion, Rod Stewart sent a wedding telegram that read “You may still be standing but we’re all on the f**king floor”. The marriage lasted three years. Found via The Guardian.
9. The Memphis-inspired Design of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics
Read the full article: How the Gleeful Aesthetic of L.A.’s 1984 Olympics Unified a Sprawling City.
10. Times Square “before they took all the P0rn Away”
Experimenting in the 1970s with color film, and commissioned to document buildings and signage in Midtown in violation of the Blight Ordinances, American photographer Maggie Hopp was able to create a very colorful portfolio of images which now look nostalgically benign, a colorful collection of what remained in the 1970s.
Found via TWBE and Shooting Film
11. Wes Anderson Goes to the Museum
London’s Design Museum is hosting a big retrospective of Wes Anderson’s work beginning in late 2025.
Through a curated collection of original props, costumes, and behind-the-scenes insights, including from his personal collection, this exhibition offers an unprecedented look into the world of Wes Anderson, celebrating his enduring influence on contemporary cinema.
This exhibition will be the first time museum visitors have the opportunity to delve into the art of his complete filmography, examining his inspirations, homages, and the meticulous craftsmanship that define his work.
12. Ohaguro, the Japanese custom of blackening one’s teeth
the reason why older Japanese paints have women with black lips is not to provide contrast, but because they actually represent black teeth which was a common custom of the time. Blackening one’s teeth with a solution of iron filings and vinegar. It was especially popular between the Heian and Edo periods, from the 10th century until the late 19th century, but the opening of the country to Western customs during the Meiji period led to its gradual disappearance.
More found on Wikipedia.
13. These Incredible 1920s Gothic Illustrations for Carmen
Hans Henning Otto Harry Baron von Voigt, best known by his nickname Alastair, was a German artist, composer, dancer, mime, poet, singer and translator.
“Carmen is a short story by Prosper Mérimée written in 1845 and published in 1847, from which was taken the opera of the same name, music by Georges Bizet, libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy (1875).
Found via The Fugitive Saint.
