I'm reviewing this book too late for Movember, but this is ideal as a gift for the man (or woman, see Barbara Ursulin, below) in your life who proudly maintains a moustache, whiskers or beard. The book goes into the fascinating history, social and political, of facial hair from earliest days.
Illustrated from the huge archives and collections of the National Portrait Gallery in London, it contains many a fascinating fact to keep even the smooth-shaven man or woman entertained for a very long time. Highly-recommended. All images ©NPG.
Illustrated from the huge archives and collections of the National Portrait Gallery in London, it contains many a fascinating fact to keep even the smooth-shaven man or woman entertained for a very long time. Highly-recommended. All images ©NPG.
King James I of England & VI of Scotland, c.1590 Unknown artist ©NPG, London
Barbara Ursulin, late 18th to early 19th century By G. Scott ©NPG
George Cruikshank, 1860sBy John & Charles Watkins ©NPG
A wonderful book, it may even tempt you to go hirsute. See the National Portrait Gallery website for more information, or buy online or from your local bookshop.
Moustaches, Whiskers & Beards by Lucinda Hawksley - National Portrai Gallery.
In 1590. James VI of Scotland was not king of England!
ReplyDeleteI'll certainly be ordering a copy of this!
ReplyDeleteI can also recommend the marvellously erudite - but alas! out-of-print - book by Reginald Reynolds, published in 1950, "Beards: Their Social Standing, Religious Involvements, Decorative Possibilities, and Value Offence and Defence Through the Ages". Well worth a read too.