The Gilded Gentleman history podcast takes listeners on a cultural and social journey into the mansions, salons, dining rooms, libraries and theatres including ...
John Singer Sargent: Painting a Gilded Age Love Story
Edith Minturn was a Gilded Age society beauty. Isaac Newton Phelps Stokes was a New York architect passionate about preserving the city's past.  When John Singer Sargent accepted the commission to paint their portrait as a wedding present, he perhaps didn't realize how difficult it would prove to be. Capturing Edith Minturn Stokes' strong personality as one of the era's "new woman" resulted in a portrait that in some ways was as scandalous as his famous "Madame X". Author and Historian Jean Zimmerman joins The Gilded Gentleman to reveal the real story behind this famous portrait, along with just who Newton Phelps Stokes and Edith Minturn really were. The third part of this story is of course Sargent himself who broke new ground and broke a few conventions in portraying "Mr. and Mrs. I.N. Phelps Stokes" as they really were. This episode was edited by Kieran GannonGet your tickets for the Bowery Boys Gilded Age Weekend, featuring Carl Raymond, the Gilded Gentleman -- May 29-June 1
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The Bradley Martin Ball 1897
Of all the balls and parties thrown during the Gilded Age, the extravagant evening hosted by Bradley and Cornela Martin at the Waldorf in 1897 was perhaps the most legendary, but also the most filled with misconceptions. February 10, 2025 was the 128th anniversary of this grand ball that topped them during New York's opulent Gilded Age. To celebrate, we are offering an ENCORE presentation of the episode on the ball with historian and author Rick Hutto whose family is descended from the Bardley Martin's themselves. Visit the Gilded Gentleman website for an entire list of shows. This show was edited by Kieran Gannon
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Be Mine: The World of Victorian Valentines
Who doesn't like to get a valentine -- perhaps even from a mysterious admirer? The practice of sending valentines goes back centuries, and these well-designed romantic messages could have many meanings -- highly spiritual, an expression of friendship and love, or even a proposal of marriage.  In this episode Carl is joined by historian and collector Nancy Rosin whose own collection of over 12,000 valentines from the past 400 years has recently been archived at the Huntington Library. Nancy takes us back to the early Roman days, through the MIddle Ages and into the "golden age" of valentines in the early 19th century and, at last, into the extravagant Gilded Age.  Nancy shares some of the most significant examples from her collection and leads us into very personal worlds of beauty and love from the 17th century to our modern day.  Visit the Gilded Gentleman website for more informationThis episode was edited by Kieran Gannon
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The Gilded Age Art of Hairdressing
Historian Dr. Elizabeth L. Block, author of "Beyond Vanity: The History and Power of Hairdressing," returns to the show for an insightful and fascinating look at hair and hairdressing in the Gilded Age.  Hairstyles and the methods of hairdressing evolved dramatically over the 19th century from an "at home" activity shared by sisters and female relatives to salons opening often with female entrepreneurs which gave women significant agency and power. In addition to making a social statement through one's designer gowns from the great Paris couture houses, Gilded Age hostesses made sure that in addition to the dresses and jewels, they wore the most fashionable hairstyles of the day.  This show was produced by Kieran GannonRelated Gilded Gentleman podcasts: Gilded Age French Fashion: The House of Worth and Beyond  Gilded Age Undergarmetns: What Did Mrs. Astor Wear Under There? Â
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Tasting Stars: The History of Champagne with Don Spiro ENCORE
To ring in the new year, join Carl and listener favorite guest Don Spiro for an encore presentation of the history of champagne. Don, vintage beverage specialist and former professional bartender, looks at just how champagne first came to be, how its style evolved over time and just what contemporary champagne makers are offering today. So pop a cork and enjoy the fizz as Don and Carl go back in time and trace the bubbling, effervescent history of champagne. Make sure to listen to Don's previous appearances on the Gilded Gentleman podcast -- shows on burlesque, absinthe and the golden age of Gilded Age cocktails!This show was edited by Kieran Gannon and produced by Bowery Boys Media.Visit the Gilded Gentleman website for more episodes.
The Gilded Gentleman history podcast takes listeners on a cultural and social journey into the mansions, salons, dining rooms, libraries and theatres including the worlds above as well as below stairs of America's Gilded Age, France's Belle Epoque and late Victorian and Edwardian England.
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