Stassa Edwards

Stassa Edwards is a writer based in Miami. Her essays have appeared in Aeon, Lapham's Quarterly, Cabinet Quarterly, Atlas Obscura and the Public Domain Review.

Photograph of Jefferson Davis in Women’s Clothing

After the Civil War, popular prints and doctored photographs played on the idea that Confederate president Jefferson Davis had been arrested wearing women’s clothes.... READ ON

Show & Tell: A 17th Century Toilet Pendant

Fashion, hygiene, and medical ideas of the day all blended together in this object.... READ ON

Show & Tell: A Deer Tooth Amulet From Germany

A 19th century fad for deer tooth jewelry was imported into England by Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert.... READ ON

Show & Tell: Seven Sutherland Sisters’ Hair Grower

Between them the seven sisters had some 37 feet of tresses, which helped advertise their best-selling hair tonic (and Broadway act).... READ ON

Show & Tell: Chinese Snuff Bottles From the End of an Era

In the Chinese court, it was customary to use snuff bottles, small corked containers that kept the pricey contents fresh and flavorful.... READ ON

Show & Tell: Portrait of Sophie Blanchard, Famous 19th Century Female Balloonist

Sophie Blanchard was renowned for her spectacular show, but her hydrogen-filled balloon combined with fireworks proved a deadly mix.... READ ON

Show & Tell: A 17th Century Birthing Plate

The modern "push present" has centuries-old roots.... READ ON

Show & Tell: 'A Study in Butter'

Thousands once came to see a princess sculpted in butter.... READ ON

Show & Tell: A "Speaking" Arm Reliquary of Saint Pantaleon

The arm reliquary was a kind of prop that stood in for the saint.... READ ON

Show & Tell: Artificial Hand by Ambroise Paré

A design from a rare work by one of the most innovative surgeons in Renaissance medicine.... READ ON

Show & Tell: Caricature of the Chevalier D'Eon a.k.a. Mademoiselle de Beaumont

A diplomat, spy, and celebrated fencer, D'Éon lived the first half of life as a man and the second half as a woman.... READ ON

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