NYC's Last Flower Makers Explain the Victorian Craft of Artificial Flower Production

Super special thanks to Adam Brand and M&S Schmalberg for agreeing to be the subject of this feature! Adam has very kindly set up a discount link to the M&S Schmalberg Etsy shop for us, good for 20% off through 6 February, 2021. Use the code 'HISTORY' at checkout!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SchmalbergF...
To enquire about a custom flower order: https://customfabricflowers.com/

No part of this video was sponsored by, paid for, product gifted or discounted by M&S Schmalberg. Full price was paid for the product commissioned.

Special thanks to Adam, Lucia, Alex, Alvaro, Silvana, and Carmen for all your work!

Also incredible thanks to Egyptologist Dr Colleen Darnell (‪@VintageEgyptologist‬ ) for very kindly consulting on the ancient Egyptian flower tidbit. She has a fascinating channel on all things ancient Egypt:    / @vintageegyptologist  

FOOTNOTES AND SOURCES:
[1] "Headband with Heads of Gazelles and a Stag Between Stars or Flowers" ca. 1648–1540 B.C. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collect...
[2] "Floral collar from Tutankhamun's Embalming Cache" ca. 1336–1327 B.C. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collect...
[3] US census record for 1910. https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/image...
Footage of original flower making techniques: Bloor, Thomas, director. "Last of the Flowermakers", Archive.org. 1997. https://archive.org/details/lotfm
For flower pattern diagrams: de Laëre, Mme. L., "La Fleuriste des salons". Paris, N.d. Digital copy: https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt...
For background on the prevalence of the artificial flower making trade in London, particularly amongst children: "Reports from Committees", Volume 20. Parliament, House of Commons, Great Britain. 1865. Digital copy: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=B... flower making children&pg=PA109#v=onepage&q&f=false
Some general reference to artificial flower use in the 19th century: Seaton, Beverly, "The Language of Flowers". University of Virginia Press, Virginia. October, 2012.
A comprehensive survey of the artificial flower making trade in New York City, 1913, featuring a comparison of the industry in Paris: Van Kleeck, Mary. "Artificial Flower Makers". The Russell Sage Foundation, New York, 1913. Digital copy: https://www.russellsage.org/sites/def... Kleek_Artificial_Flower_Makers.pdf
Overview of the artificial flower making trade in London: https://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/dis...
For image of original M&S Schmalberg location: "A street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue in the Garment District in Manhattan on Nov. 29, 1943." AP Photo. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/featur...

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*The term "Victorian" is used in the title for search engine optimisation and distribution purposes; the term is not technically accurate in reference to early 20th century New York.