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Greetings Card : Victorian Wallpaper - in popular emerald green - which contained poisonous arsenic
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Victorian Wallpaper - in popular emerald green - which contained poisonous arsenic
Victorian Wallpaper - in popular emerald green - which contained poisonous arsenic. William Morris, famed for his wallpaper designs, was the son of the owner of the largest arsenic producing company in the country. He was sceptical that arsenic was bad for you and held that because he had arsenical wallpaper in his home (and wasn t sick) it had to be something else! Morris did however stop using arsenic in their papers as the result of public pressure, newspaper reports and a general idea that arsenic was toxic, not just when ingested. Date: 19th century
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Media ID 20029080
© Mary Evans / The National Archives, London. England
Archives Arsenic Covering Health Poison Poisonous Sample Toxic Wallpaper
Greetings Card (7"x5")
Step into the enchanting world of Victorian elegance with our exclusive range of greeting cards from Media Storehouse. Featuring captivating designs of emerald green wallpaper, sourced from Mary Evans Prints Online, these cards bring a touch of history and charm to your correspondence. Unbeknownst to the unsuspecting eye, these intricately detailed wallpapers held a dark secret - they were laced with poisonous arsenic, a common additive during the Victorian era for its vibrant color. Add a hint of mystery and allure to your messages with our unique and thought-provoking greeting cards. Each card is printed on high-quality paper and comes with a matching envelope, making for a delightful and memorable experience. Perfect for any occasion, these cards are sure to leave a lasting impression.
Folded Greeting Cards (12.5x17.5 cm) have a laminate finish and are supplied with an envelope. The front and inside can be personalised with text in a selection of fonts, layouts and colours.
Greetings Cards suitable for Birthdays, Weddings, Anniversaries, Graduations, Thank You and much more
Estimated Product Size is 12.5cm x 17.5cm (4.9" x 6.9")
These are individually made so all sizes are approximate
Artwork printed orientated as per the preview above, with landscape (horizontal) or portrait (vertical) orientation to match the source image.
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph showcases a vintage sample of Victorian-era emerald green wallpaper, a popular choice during the 19th century. The allure of this exquisite design, with its intricate floral motifs, transports us back in time to an era of opulence and elegance. However, this seemingly beautiful adornment holds a hidden, dark secret. The emerald hue of this wallpaper was achieved through the use of a notorious ingredient: arsenic. At the time, arsenic was a common additive in wallpaper production, adding vibrancy and longevity to the designs. However, its inclusion came with a steep price. William Morris, a renowned figure of the Victorian era, was the son of the owner of the largest arsenic producing company in the country. Despite the mounting evidence of arsenic's toxicity, Morris, who was also a prominent designer, remained skeptical. He believed that because he and his family were not showing any signs of illness, the arsenic in their wallpaper could not be the cause. However, public pressure, newspaper reports, and a growing awareness of arsenic's toxicity eventually led Morris to abandon the use of arsenic in his wallpaper designs. The truth about the dangers of arsenic was beginning to spread, and the public demanded safer alternatives. This photograph serves as a stark reminder of the complex relationship between beauty, innovation, and health during the Victorian era. Though the emerald green wallpaper may have once been a symbol of wealth and sophistication, it now stands as a testament to the hidden costs of progress.
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