Historical News: Mrs. Agatha Christie Found Alive / Behind Her Mysterious Disappearance

"Mrs. Agatha Christie Found Alive." That was the headline of the front page news of the London's Daily Sketch newspaper, dated December 15, 1926. Agatha Christie's mysterious disappearance of 11 days baffled police, doctors, family, friends and even fans for decades. Analyzing the events before Mrs. Christie disappearance could gives us some clues as to what may have happened to one of the world's best selling novelist of all times. Could the 80 years old mystery finally been resolved?

The following are the circumstances that could have lead to the author's mysterious disappearance.

Agatha Christie lost her mother Clara Miller in death on April 1926. Her husband Archie was away on a business trip in Spain. After he arrived he didn't gave to his wife the comfort and support that she needed. He hated "illness, death, and trouble." Her husband left to London leaving Agatha to deal with her mother's death alone. At that period of loneliness Agatha describes certain moments where she felt confused and out of sorts. For instance she would forget her own name when signing a check or she will burst out and cry when her car didn't want to turn on.

Then came the devastating news from Archie. He announced to Agatha that he was in love with another woman named Nancy Neele and that he wanted a divorce.

After a short separation, Agatha in hopes of a trail reconciliation convinced her husband to move back with her. The plan failed badly.

Agatha describes it as a "mistake," that lead to "a period of sorrow, misery and heartbreak."

On December 3, 1926 the Christie's had an heated argument in which the husband left their home in Sunningdale, Berkshire to spend the weekend with his mistress in Godalming, Surrey.

Sometime at 9:45pm that evening Mrs. Christie left her home leaving her daughter sleeping in bed. She also leaves a note to her secretary saying that she was going to go to Yorkshire.

Agatha Christie's abandon car

The next day on December 4, a Morris Cowley car was found abandon in Newsland Corner near a lake. The police found inside the car an expired license driver that belonged to Agatha Christie. There was no sign of the missing 36 year old writer. Many feared the worst.

There was a public outcry following the news of Mrs Christie's disappearance. Soon after the news one of England's largest manhunt was underway. It was believed that thousands helped in the search. Included in the search were police, volunteers, some who even brought their blood hounds. Also planes helped combed the rural area in search for the author.

Then on December 14, 1926 a couple of musician recognized the author who had been staying at a very prestigious and luxurious spa hotel, the Swan Hydropathic Hotel in Harrogate, England. Mrs. Christie didn't used her name when she registered at the hotel. Oddly enough she registered as Mrs. Teresa Neele. Neele being her husband's mistress last name.

So what could have happened to this well-eloquent accomplished author? What could have caused her strange disappearance?

* Was it a plight from a desperate wife to have her husband back?
* Did she wanted to teach her husband a lesson?
* Was it a publicity stunt for her latest novel, "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd"?
* Could the author's recent loss and trauma caused her to have amnesia or dissociative fugue?
* Was she suffering from a nervous breakdown?
* Was she depressed to the point of ending her own life?
* Could it be that she was thinking of framing her husband and his mistress for her alleged death?

Like a page torn out from one of her novels Agatha Christie's own life had become itself a riveting mystery novel. Over the years there have been many theories and speculations around the case. Could we finally be able to crack this case? Here are the latest.

In 2000 John Ezard had the opportunity to interview Judith Gardner for The Guardian. Mrs. Gardner who was at that time 84 years of age, happened to be the daughter of Agatha Christie's friend Nan Watts.

As a child Mrs. Gardner learned the truth of what happened to the author when she had disappeared. Mrs. Gardner claimed that her mother had hid Mrs. Christie's at her home in Chelsea. Afterwards she was given money and sent on a train to Harrogate.

"She then just sat there in her hotel room, hiding away." She then added, "But she had signed the guests' register in the name Neele - the surname of her husband's lover. It was carefully orchestrated."

Both Mrs. Gardner and her husband, Graham, said, "She wanted Archie back."

Mrs. Gardner said, "She wanted to give him a shock. If she had had amnesia she would not have signed the register in the other woman's name. She was a highly intelligent woman."

"My mother helped her because she was distraught. I think she went to my mother because she had been through a divorce. [Mrs Christie] never did it for the publicity. That was the last thing she would have thought of. She was very upset and shocked - it all went rather wrong."

Author Jared Cade interviewed numerous witnesses and relatives for his sympathetic biography, Agatha Christie and the Eleven Missing Days, revised 2011. He provided substantial evidence to suggest she planned the event to embarrass her husband, never supposing the resulting escalated melodrama.

However Mrs.Christie's biographer Janet Morgan wasn't convinced about the author plot of trying to get her husband back. She said that Mrs. Christie's was "sick and bewildered," before and after her flight.

Interestingly enough Agatha Christie blamed her disappearance on her mind being in a"dream state."

"For 24 hours I wandered in a dream, and then found myself in Harrogate as a well-contented and perfectly happy woman who believed she had just come from South Africa."

Dr. Andrew Norman author of Agatha Christie The Finished Portrait reiterated what Mrs. Christie had commented.

"That her adoption of a new personality - she took the name Teresa Neele - and failure to recognize herself in newspaper photographs were signs that the novelist had fallen into a psychogenic amnesia after a period of depression."

"I believe she was suicidal." Then he added, "Her state of mind was very low and she writes about it later through the character of Celia in her autobiographical novel, Unfinished Portrait."

For more clues as to what happened to the author I encouraged you to watch the following 2013 film The Mystery of Agatha Christie, with actor David Suchet. Who is better known for his role as Hercule Poirot.





My personal thoughts:

Whatever the truth was, the only thing that I could say was that this was no doubt a very difficult time for Mrs. Christie. And that It was nice to see that she was able to move on and that she eventually did find love again!



Research: The Guardian, Wikipedia, All About Agatha Christie, The Line Up, Marriage About,  Video from Youtube.

The Dollar Princess of The Gilded Age and Downton Abbey

Who were the Dollar Princess of the Gilded Age? They were young rich American girls that had been rejected by the old-money society families and that eventually sought status elsewhere by traveling abroad and marrying British aristocrats men.

At that time in Britain such marriage arrangements were well received. The reason being was because many of these dukes and earls were at that time struggling with debt and their castles had also become badly deteriorated. These men were also looking for a solution to their problems. By marrying a multi-million Dollar Princess they too had it made!

Jennie Jerome 

Jennie Jerome was one well known Dollar Princess. Like many in her shoes, instead of trying to break the code into the New York elite club she along with her mother and sister traveled to Europe in search for a title. When she married Lord Randolph Churchill, she became London's it girl.  And eventually she became mother of Britain Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

These Dollar Princess stories became an inspiration for the T.V. series Downton Abbey. Lord Grantham married the rich American Heiress Cora Crawley, who then became Countess of Grantham.

Consuelo Vanderbilt

Consuelo Vanderbilt at the age of 19 was encouraged by her mother Alva to marry Charles Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough. But Consuelo was not interested in the duke. She had her heart set on Winthrop Rutherfurd an American whom she had been secretly engaged to.

When her mother had heard that she was going to elope, she locked her daughter in her room and threatened to kill her beau. This stubborn young lady still refused to marry the duke.

It wasn't until her mom's alleged illness and supposedly to the point of dying, which she blamed her daughter for, was when Consuelo acquiesced and went ahead and married the duke.

It was a sad wedding day for Consuelo. At the altar she wept behind her veil. The duke himself also had to give up the woman that he loved.

It's crazy how far some families were willing to go just to get a status.


The Following video is from CBS Sunday Morning Show: The American heiresses who inspired "Downton Abbey."





For more information and interesting videos about The Dollar Princess visit: http://www.smithsonianchannel.com


Research: CBS Sunday Morning, Smithsonian Channel, and Wikipedia.

A Glimpse in History: The Bicycle

One of Leonardo Da Vinci's students in the 1490's made rough drafts of a bicycle. They were found among Da Vinci's writings for the Italian government in 1966 by a group of monks. What is realized with these findings is that in the 1490's all the parts of a bicycle were available to inventors and the public. Inventors were thinking about how to use the parts as well, but didn't think about putting them together. Interesting, is it not? The term bicycle was coined in France in the 1860s.

In 1870 James Starley made a bicycle with a large front wheel and a small back wheel. It was called the "penny-farthing" bicycle. The gear made the wheel turn two times per each revolution of the pedals. The front wheel was as high as the rider's leg length.

The problem with the penny-farthing (high bicycle) was that it was very dangerous because if the rider were to stop the rider could fall backwards. Also it was dangerous going down a hill. There was a lever that was operated by a spoon brake which could cause a fall and a special gear that made the wheel turn twice for each revolution. Oops!

The Penny-Farthing

The first bicycle with a chain was made in 1874 by H.J. Lawson. The bicycle was made up of two wheels the same size driven by a chain on the back wheel. It was called the safety bicycle.

In 1893 the Wright Brothers decided to open up a bicycle shop. They sold bicycles and fixed old ones. When they decided to make the airplane, they used most of their knowledge from their bicycle career.
From 1900 through the 1950's there wasn't much enhancement on the bicycle because of the invention of the car. Bikes looked the same for almost 50 years with thick rubber tires, one gear, and metal frames.

10 Reasons to Ride a Bike:

1-Environmentally Friendly

2-Saves Gas

3-Saves Money

4-Good for Physical, Mental and Emotional Health

5-Convenient and Practical

6-Less Congested Roads

7-Quieter City

8-Opportunity to Enjoy the Environment

9-Greater Human interaction

10-Fun and Exhilarating

Bike Safe!




Photos: Indiegogo.com and Gallery.nen.gov.uk
Information:library.thinkquest.org

Victorian Pharmacy Series Documentary

Victorian Pharmacy is a historical recreation documentary of a 19th Century pharmacy dating back to the beginning reign of Queen Victoria. The film follows historian Ruth Goodman, Professor Nick Barber and PhD student Tom Quick as they uncover interesting techniques and not so conventional ingredients to making of old fashioned treatments, cures, and potions for common ailments.

Back in the Victorian times many chemist were just learning how some ingredients affected the health of the people. Since some of the ingredients of Victorian remedies are now either illegal or known to be dangerous, like for instance arsenic and opium (good grief!), the team had to come out with safer alternatives.

Will Victorian remedies be as good as modern medicine? Don't worry you don't have to be the guinea pig. Nice willing and I must say brave souls volunteered to trying these remedies out. Watch and see.

Oh I must warn you, some information and portions in this documentary are not suitable for children.

Enjoy the film!


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Episode One

Episode Two

Episode Three

Episode Four

By the way Victorian Pharmacy was filmed at Blists Hill Victorian Town which is an opened air museum that attempts to recreate Victorian Shropshire town in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Research provided by Youtube, Wikipedia, Top Documentary Films.

The Phonograph by Thomas Edison

Before the ipod came around the Phonograph was the coolest thing in town.

This invention was developed by Thomas Edison. While Edison was working to improve the efficiency of a telegraph transmitter, he noted that the tape of the machine gave off a noise resembling spoken words when played at a high speed. This caused him to wonder if he could record a telephone message. He began experimenting with the diaphragm of a telephone receiver by attaching a needle to it. He reasoned that the needle could prick paper tape to record a message. His experiments led him to try a stylus on a tinfoil cylinder, which, to his great surprise, played back the short message he recorded, "Mary had a little lamb."



Recording of Thomas Edison on The Phonograph.




The word phonograph was the trade name for Edison's device, which played cylinders rather than discs.This cylinder phonograph was the first machine that could record and reproduce sound created a sensation and brought Edison international fame.

August 12, 1877, is the date popularly given for Edison's completion of the model for the first phonograph. In 1878, Thomas Edison established the Edison Speaking Phonograph Company to sell the new machine. He suggested other uses for the phonograph, such as: letter writing and dictation, phonographic books for blind people, a family record (recording family members in their own voices), music boxes and toys, clocks that announce the time, and a connection with the telephone so communications could be recorded.









Videos: Youtube
Photo: Library of Congress
Information: About.Com

The Archives: Tennis

I totally love Tennis! I don't know if it is because of the tennis white crisp outfits which are soooo chic or because is almost mesmerizing to see a good tennis match. Either way I think that tennis is fun to play and watch.


A little bit of tennis...

The Grand Slams Tennis Tournaments. There are four which are:

• Wimbledon:

Started in 1877

Held in the London suburb of Wimbledon, England, at the All England Club.

The tournament runs annually for 13 days from late June to early July.

• US Open:

Started in 1881

Location in Flushing, New York City
It is held annually in August and September over a two-week period.

• French Open:

Started in 1891

Held in Paris, France, at the Stade Roland Garros

This tournament runs over two weeks between mid-May and early June

• Australian Open:

Started in 1905

Held at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, AustraliaThe tournament is held each January



Tennis Fashion & Etiquette: 

Women began playing tennis in the 1860s, and their first outfits fit the Victorian ideals of modesty and practical materials. This tennis attire included restrictive corsets under high-collared blouses paired with ground-length skirts often made from flannel and trimmed with fur. These women’s outfits were darkly colored with tight sleeves that limited arm movement. The restricted movement allowed the ladies to hit lightly and to play a feminine version of tennis, often known as “pat ball.” In addition to all this clothing, Victorian tennis players wore fashionable hats that were distracting while playing sports.

By the 1890s, white had become the overwhelmingly popular color for tennis attire. When Maud Watson won the ladies’ Wimbledon in 1884, she was wearing a white outfit that became the symbol of tennis success. In addition to Watson’s fashion contribution, women realized that white was the best color to conceal inevitable perspiration stains. Most female tennis players of the late 19th century were upper class, and they did not want sweat stains on their tennis attire, an appearance most frequently attributed to the working class.

International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum

Tennis fashion has certainly changed! I agree with wearing more comfortable clothes when one is playing this kind of sport. What I don't like is the lack of propriety that is being displayed in the court nowadays. Not only the obvious decisions of clothing worn by some sports figure. But it is also the aggressiveness, rudeness, and violence that is being displayed on the court by players and spectators.

Unfortunately it is not only in Tennis that we see this trend going on, but it's in almost all kinds of sports. Times are different. There is more stress and less politeness in life nowadays. We shouldn't fall to such a low level of human indecency. Or else what will become of us? So why can't we just relax and have a fun time and enjoy the game! It is of course a game after all!

Tennis Terms:

Tennis comes from the French tenez, the imperative form of the verb tenir, to hold: This was a cry used by the player serving in royal tennis, meaning "I am about to serve!"

Racquet comes from raquette, which derives from the Arabic rakhat, meaning the palm of the hand.

Deuce comes from à deux le jeu, meaning "to both is the game" (that is, the two players have equal scores).

Love originates from "l'oeuf", the French word for "egg", representing the shape of a zero.

The convention of numbering scores "15", "30" and "40" comes from quinze, trente and quarante, which to French ears makes a euphonious sequence, or from the quarters of a clock (15, 30, 45) with 45 simplified to 40.

Museum: 

Discover the rich history of tennis while experiencing the grandeur of a Victorian-era social club at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Photo: Florida State Library, Google, Tennis Hall Of Fame and Museum
Information:Wikipedia, Letoilesport.com/

The Archives: Art Deco Festival Bloopers

In January, I had the privilege of attending this year's Miami Beach Art Deco Festival 2009! I met artist, designers and singers. And while filming our first video, I met with Mr. Blooper! Here is a small preview of my Film at the Art Deco Festival. And don't forget to "accentuate the positive"! Enjoy!





Behind The Scenes:




The first day of the Art Deco Festival was pretty dreary and cold. So being inside the Miami Beach City Hall historic building was nice and cozy. My director couldn't travel with me that day, so I had to ask a dear friend of mine to be our director for the first day of the festival. I haven't seen my friend in years! That day was special for us both.






Historic Building:


The Miami Beach City Hall building was constructed back in 1927. This historic landmark is a Mediterranean Revival design. Recently the building went through a multi-million dollar renovation, which restored the building to its original beauty. Here you can appreciate the embossed print over the golden brown wooden floors.





Photo Fashion Shoot:


The night before the festival, I had my hair done in pin curls and used a non-fragrant hair spray. The next morning, I wore my art deco style dark faux fur hat. I wore a dark gray wool jacket and I added a black thin shiny belt to accentuate my waist. Then I added my black faux fur scarf. For shoes, I wore my beige Mary Janes pumps, which by the way are very comfortable.




Special thanks to the Miami Design Preservation League, for giving us the privilege for filming inside the City Hall Historic building! To be a member of the MDPL or to find out the upcoming events visit: MDPL.ORG


Copyright © 2009-2012 RetroTimes Productions.



The Archives: Post's from my old blog The RetroChic Corner. Original Post Date: 02/04/09

The Archives: Lots of Chocolate for Me to Eat!

This is one of the ladies by my favorite artist Alphonse Mucha! This Salmagundi tin box was filled many years ago with delicious chocolates. It is now a keepsake that I keep in my Paris room.

Whenever I think about chocolates, the scene of My Fair Lady comes to mind when Eliza Dolittle sings "Lot's of Chocolate For Me to Eat."This movie is one of my favorite classics of all time! Audrey Hepburn was terrifically funny and witty in this film. Whenever I have tried to imitate her Cockney accent, my husband would laugh at me. But then I will start singing, " Lots of Chocolate for me to eat, Wouldn't It Be Loverly?"

Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamias Tin from Hersheygifts.comWhat is the Hershey Process?

The Hershey process milk chocolate, was invented by Milton S. Hershey, founder of The Hershey Company , is able to be produced more economically, by being less sensitive to freshness of the milk. Although the process is still a trade secret, experts speculate that the milk is partially lipolyzed, producing butyric acid, which stabilizes the milk from further fermentation. This compound gives the product a particular sour, "tangy" taste, to which the American public has become accustomed, to the point that other manufacturers now simply add butyric acid to their milk chocolates.


Can you tell that I love Chocolates?


The Archives: Post's from my old blog The RetroChic Corner. Original Post Date: 07/14/09

Information: Wikipedia