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! To enquire about a custom flower order: 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: 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. gold flower&offset=0&rpp=80&pos=62 [2] “Floral collar from Tutankhamun’s Embalming Cache“ ca. 1336–1327 B.C. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. floral collar&offset=0&rpp=20&pos=2 [3] US census record for 1910. Footage of original flower making techniques: Bloor, Thomas, director. “Last of the Flowermakers“, . 1997. For flower pattern diagrams: de Laëre, Mme. L., “La Fleuriste des salons“. Paris, N.d. Digital copy: :/12148/bpt6k1459022/ 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: 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: Overview of the artificial flower making trade in London: 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. Want to get started with hand sewing? 🧵 🕯Check out my Skillshare original course, “Hand Sewing Basics: Working Wonders with Fabric, Needle & Thread”. To sign up for a free trial and take the class, visit This channel is made possible through the generous support of Patreon members. To become a patron, visit (although videos will remain free for you here regardless). Beyond YouTube: IG @bernadettebanner Management contact for business enquiries: bernadette@ *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.