Rare Photos of North Wales in the late 1800s

North Wales in the late 19th century was a region defined by its striking natural beauty and robust industrial activity, primarily centered around quarrying and tourism. The massive slate industry was at its peak, particularly in areas like Bethesda and Llanberis (home to the Penrhyn and Dinorwic quarries), which scarred the landscape but fueled the local economy, employing thousands of men and creating a distinct, working-class culture.

This period saw rising social tensions, culminating in the Great Strike of Penrhyn Quarry (1900-1903), reflecting the growing labour movement. Simultaneously, the development of the railway network transformed coastal towns such as Llandudno and Rhyl into popular Victorian seaside resorts.

Wealthy tourists flocked to these areas, seeking both the bracing sea air and the dramatic scenery of Snowdonia. This contrast between the harsh, industrial heartland and the burgeoning leisure economy shaped the unique identity of North Wales as the century drew to a close.

These rare photos, found by Etchings Plus, capture North Wales in the late 1800s.

Canal possibly near Llangollen, North Wales, circa late 1800s

Canal possibly near Llangollen, North Wales, circa late 1800s

Arthog waterfall near Barmouth, North Wales, circa late 1800s

Beddgelert looking North towards Capel Curig, North Wales, circa late 1800s

Beddgelert, North Wales, circa late 1800s

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Portrait of High-Class Yomut Women From Krasnovodsk, Turkmenistan Wearing Kasaba, 1883

In 1883, Yomut women from Krasnovodsk, now known as Türkmenbaşy in Turkmenistan, were photographed wearing the striking Kasaba, a distinctive cylindrical headgear. The Kasaba was tall and elaborate, immediately drawing attention with its intricate design. This headgear was more than just a fashion statement; it symbolized status, wealth, and social position within the community, marking the wearer as a married woman of elevated standing.

The Kasaba was richly adorned with silver ornaments, semi-precious stones such as carnelian and turquoise, and elaborate embroidery. Each element carried meaning, reflecting both personal prosperity and a connection to the tribe’s cultural heritage. Beyond its decorative function, the headgear served as a visual declaration of identity, signaling pride in lineage and adherence to long-standing Turkmen traditions.

The Yomut are one of the major Turkmen tribes, traditionally divided into two groups: the western (Shagadam) Yomuts and the northern (Dashhowuz) Yomuts. A significant portion of the Yomut population lives in the Turkmen region of Iran (Turkmensahran, Etrek and Gurgen districts), while smaller subgroups can also be found in Afghanistan and Karakalpakstan.

Although the name Yomut is very ancient, the tribe appears to have reached formal tribal status only in the late Middle Ages, after the Mongol invasions (12th century onwards). In earlier sources, such as Abylgazy’s Genealogy of the Turkmens (16th century), the term “Yomut” is not used to refer to the tribe, but rather to a smaller lineage or clan. According to Abylgazy, the Yomuts descend from Ögürjik Alp, a grandson of Salyr Ghazan: Ögürjik Alp → Berdi → Gulmy → Yomut (Gulmy’s second son, Gultak, is considered a sibling lineage).

30 Romantic Postcards Show How Edwardian Couples Express Their Love

These romantic Edwardian postcards offer a tender glimpse into how couples expressed affection during the early 20th century, through handwritten notes, delicate poses, and beautifully stylized imagery.

At a time when public displays of emotion were modest and courtship was filled with ritual, these postcards became a quiet yet meaningful way for lovers to communicate their feelings. Together, they capture the sweetness, innocence, and romantic spirit of a bygone era.

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40 Amazing Photos of Kim Basinger in the 1980s

Kim Basinger (born December 8, 1953) is an American actress. She has garnered acclaim for her work in film, for which she has received various accolades including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Basinger transitioned from a successful modeling career to acting in the late 1970s, making her mark in film throughout the 1980s. She defined the look of the 1980s, becoming an iconic “screen siren” known for her striking beauty, cascading blonde hair, and versatility as an actress. Her career soared during this decade with several high-profile roles that balanced vulnerability and strength, solidifying her status as a major Hollywood star.

Her first feature film was the 1981 drama Hard Country. Basinger gained widespread attention as the seductive Domino Petachi in the James Bond film Never Say Never Again (1983) opposite Sean Connery. Her role in The Natural (1984) earned her a Golden Globe nomination and proved she had significant dramatic potential beyond her glamorous image.

She became a global sensation with the controversial but iconic erotic drama 9½ Weeks (1986), a film that became a cultural phenomenon and defined much of her public image for the era. Her minimalist yet sensual style in the film became a major fashion statement of the decade. She ended the decade strong as photojournalist Vicki Vale in Tim Burton’s Batman (1989), which remains the highest-grossing film of her career.

Her style throughout the 1980s was characterized by a blend of elegance and a relaxed, all-American look, often featuring denim, oversized sweaters, and her signature voluminous blonde hair. Here, below is a collection of 40 amazing photos of Kim Basinger in the 1980s:

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Jim Morrison in Joel Brodsky’s Famous “Young Lion” Photoshoot in 1967

The iconic “Young Lion” photoshoot of Jim Morrison by photographer Joel Brodsky took place in September 1967, in New York City. The session produced some of the most recognizable and widely circulated images of the Doors frontman, solidifying his image as a rock icon. 

According to Brodsky, Morrison was “pretty loose” and quite drunk during the session, stumbling over the studio lights at times. Despite this, the photographer noted that Morrison was wonderful to photograph because of his unique look, and he felt he captured him at his best.

The photoshoot occurred during a significant period for the band, shortly after the release of their debut album. The images helped shape Morrison’s public image as a charismatic and enigmatic “Lizard King.” For the shoot, Morrison wore a specific glass-beaded cobra necklace, made for him by photographer Henry Diltz at the request of 16 Magazine editor Gloria Stavers.

The photos were originally intended to be used for the promotion of Strange Days but have since become the most widely used and iconic images of Jim Morrison, appearing on numerous compilation albums, books, and merchandise.

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Elegant Portraits of Fashion Model Theo Graham in the 1940s and ’50s

Theo Graham (1926–1994) was a highly successful American fashion model who achieved prominence during the mid-1940s to the early 1960s. Active during the golden age of high fashion photography, she worked with legendary photographers like Richard Avedon and graced the pages of influential magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue.

Graham was a quintessential figure in the fashion world, known for wearing iconic pieces from designers like Christian Dior and Balenciaga. Her career spanned both New York and Europe, she spent significant time in Rome and embodied the sophisticated, post-war glamour that defined the era’s international jet set.

Take a look at these elegant photos to see portraits of Theo Graham in the 1940s and 1950s.

Theo Graham in a charming dressmaker suit with unexpected detail in all-wool Miron sheen gabardine by Jaunty Junior, Vogue, February 15, 1945

Theo Graham in an Empire nightgown with deep yoke of white net with body of white jersey piped in blue by Vanity Fair, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, April 1946

Theo Graham in playsuit by Groblue, photo by Richard Avedon, Nassau, Bahamas, March 1946

Theo Graham in Stroock tweed suit with topcoat by Peck & Peck, photo by Tom Palumbo, Harper' Bazaar, August 1946

Theo Graham in wool gabardine suit of black trim against greige from Peck & Peck, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, February 1946

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Ad for Geritol (1971) – All of These Women Are Allegedly 46!

This image is from a controversial Geritol advertisement published around 1971 that sparked significant discussion about aging, health, and societal beauty standards for women.

The advertisement features several women who were all exactly 46 years old at the time the ad ran. The text implies a stark contrast between those who "take better care of themselves" and those who do not, linking better self-care to a more youthful appearance and a continued "busy" life.

Geritol, a vitamin and iron supplement, is presented as one of the "good things" that the more vibrant-looking women do for themselves to get the necessary iron and vitamins, suggesting it is a key to maintaining energy and a youthful look.

The ad generated considerable public discussion and later became a symbol of ageism and the beauty pressures faced by women in the mid-20th century. Viewers at the time, and those reflecting on the ad decades later, often noted that factors like hairstyles, makeup standards, sun exposure, and widespread smoking habits in the era contributed significantly to the perceived differences in appearance, more so than just a vitamin supplement.