My
spousal unit, an authentic living historian with more knowledge about the
American Civil War than I could ever acquire at this point in my life, reminds me that as small business owners and
Civil War sutlers I should just “count the money” rather than rant about the
injustices that many re-enactors foist on the unsuspecting general public.
Sigh,
I cannot control myself. My angst with the heinous acts perpetrated by persons
who allege to promote authenticity overcomes my greed on a regular basis. Okay –
I will take the money of the unfortunately attired. I’m not stupid! But I don’t
have to approve! And I reserve the right to take surreptitious photographs of
the most horrible offenders and to post them on Facebook!
Perhaps
my rant was inspired by the knowledge that we will be attending another 150th
event that will be attended by alleged re-enactors that have made no effort to
conduct even the most preliminary research to confirm they are presenting an
impression that will educate the public. Nope, instead they rely upon the
purveyors of inauthentic crap that many sutlers will label as authentic because
a) they don’t know any better; b) don’t care; or c) live in alternate universe.
I’ve actually listened to the owners of these business talk about the
authenticity of their wares while actually believing the propaganda. (forehead
slap!).
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| Historically Accurate Original |
 |
| Historically Accurate - Original |
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| Historically Accurate Original |
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| NOOOOOOOOO! |
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| Burn this pattern! |
I
just hope at the event this coming weekend there will be no “traveling Tara”
with a faux Scarlett O’Hara holding court in a vinyl tent. A windstorm blew
Tara to smithereens last year. Apparently, even Mother Nature could not abide
that abomination!
Let
me remind one and all that if one decides to attend a re-enactment in any time
period as a participant, one has a duty to history and our fellow man to make
every effort to look at least mostly authentic. I implore you to read a book,
look at original photographs or paintings if the period is before photography,
and try to emulate what you see – not what some charlatan tries to sell you! If
I see one more jaunty hat with matching tulle trailing down a woman’s back at a
Civil War event I may just explode into microscopic bits! Just say NO! It is
wrong!
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| These abominations sell out! They should be banned! |
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| Original Sheer Bonnet |
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| Excellent Reproduction |
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| Raggedy Ann Socks- BAD! |
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| This is what one should aspire to wear! Elegant!Originals! |
And please - do not have President Lincoln wandering about and General Grant and General Lee at every event in a tent on "General's Row" !!!!!
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