#theodore hook

[georgiansuggestion]

summon 4000 persons to call upon a certain address on false pretences

[fuzzysparrow]

Who invented the first picture postcard?

The earliest known picture postcard was received in 1840 in Fulham, London, by the composer and writer Theodore Hook (1788-1841). Known for his practical jokes, Hook sent the card to himself, either as an experiment or to poke fun at postal workers. The card features a hand-drawn caricature of postal clerks holding large pens. They are seated around an inkwell labelled “Official” with the words “Penny” and “Penates” on either side. Penates, or 'Di Penates', were household deities in Ancient Roman religion responsible for guarding the storeroom. Hook’s illustration suggests the post workers either looked after their pennies or the Penny Black stamps.

In 2001, a collector discovered the 'Penny Penates' postcard and the British Philatelic Association confirmed it is the oldest documented postcard in the world. It is also the oldest card sent with a Penny Black stamp, which was only used between May 1840 and February 1841. In 2002, 'Penny Penates' made history again, becoming the most ever paid-for postcard at auction, selling at £31,750 to a collector in Latvia.

Theodore Edward Hook was an English man of letters and composer, who briefly served as a civil servant in Mauritius. As a practical joker, he is best known for the Berners Street hoax in 1809, in which he bet he could transform any house in London into the most talked-about address in a week. He achieved this by sending out thousands of letters requesting deliveries, visitors, and assistance to 54 Berners Street.

[fuzzysparrow]

The History of Postcards

It has probably been a while since most of us have sent or received a postcard due to the Covid-19 restrictions across the world. Also, the

It has probably been a while since most of us have sent or received a postcard due to the Covid-19 restrictions across the world. Also, the increased use of smartphones has reduced the need to send “wish you were here” notes in the post when it is easier and cheaper to upload a photograph or message onto social media. Yet, as deltiologists (also known as postcard collectors) will tell you, postcards have an interesting history, which blossomed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many cards purchased as souvenirs in the past are now collector’s items and have appeared in auctions since 1896.

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[chicagotimesmagazine]

The Berners Street Hoax: The Rankest Prank of the Regency Era

By Chicago Times Magazine – November 27, 2024 In the foppish days of the Regency Era, some events stand out not for their gravity or global impact, but for their sheer ingenuity and the chaos they sowed. One such incident, the Berners Street Hoax, remains a testament to the wit and audacity of its mastermind, Theodore Hook.   In the year 1809, London was a city abuzz with social activity and…

The Berners Street Hoax: The Rankest Prank of the Regency Era

[oshawamuseum]

An example of a leather post card. Isn’t it cute? Fun Fact: the earliest known picture post card was sent by author Theodore Hook to himself as a joke on the post office! 

[taylorjeannne-blog]

All hail the king.

[notmusa]

The Berners Street Hoax was perpetrated by Theodore Hook in the City of Westminster, London, in 1809. Hook had made a bet with his friend, Samuel Beazley, that he could transform any house in London into the most talked-about address in a week, which he achieved by sending out thousands of letters in the name of Mrs Tottenham, who lived at 54 Berners Street, requesting deliveries, visitors, and assistance. On 27 November, at five o’clock in the morning, a sweep arrived to sweep the chimneys of Mrs Tottenham's house. The maid who answered the door informed him that no sweep had been requested, and that his services were not required. A few moments later another sweep presented himself, then another, and another, 12 in all. After the last of the sweeps had been sent away, a fleet of carts carrying large deliveries of coal began to arrive, followed by a series of cakemakers delivering large wedding cakes, then doctors, lawyers, vicars and priests summoned to minister to someone in the house they had been told was dying. Fishmongers, shoemakers, and over a dozen pianos were among the next to appear, along with "six stout men bearing an organ". Dignitaries, including the Governor of the Bank of England, the Duke of York, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lord Mayor of the City of London also arrived. The narrow streets soon became severely congested with tradesmen and onlookers. Deliveries and visits continued until the early evening, bringing a large part of London to a standstill. Hook stationed himself in the house directly opposite 54 Berners Street, from where he and his friend spent the day watching the chaos unfold.

Berners Street Hoax