Let’s play “Victorian Tinder” – will you swipe left or right on these 19th century matrimonial adverts?
A collection of Victorian dating profiles from Tootsie’s Matrimonial Agency (1880s). All published in a weekly paper called ‘Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday‘.
We’ve got 21 ads for you to swipe left or right on as found by @DigiVictorian on Twitter.
Top of the page for men’s ads – scroll to number 11 for women’s ads. Or read them all.
Are you wishing to meet a man?
1.
I can't get enough of these Victorian matrimonial adverts. This one is an absolute cracker! (1887) pic.twitter.com/9Ntuw10ITF
— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) June 5, 2017
2.
Oh 'R', you had me at "life is insured"!
(1890) pic.twitter.com/Jqq0L0KFNB— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) May 20, 2017
3.
A Victorian dating profile. I'm not saying that widows should always be miserable, but this one seems a bit *too* happy about it…
(1886) pic.twitter.com/ocY7QtqTSn— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) June 18, 2017
4.
Interesting how author of this Victorian dating profile framed his disability; not in self-description, but in section about partner.
(1886) pic.twitter.com/WiyDKr0Dc1— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) June 14, 2017
5.
Willie sounds like quite the catch…
– Tootsie's Matrimonial Agency, 'Ally Sloper's Half Holiday' (1890) pic.twitter.com/4tBDUaKEz7— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) May 21, 2017
6.
If you've always wanted to date an unencumbered coastguard, now's your chance! As long as you're in your 20s and precisely 5' 6".
(1890) pic.twitter.com/gou0xpZZhb— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) May 21, 2017
7.
Lots of readers applied to Ally Sloper's Matrimonial column in pairs, often to one of them's disadvantage. Poor 'sandy' Edgar… (1890) pic.twitter.com/MBnm9WwBUi
— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) May 21, 2017
8.
NEPTUNE, a 'fairly good looking' captain of a 'crack steamer' wants to marry a plump & affectionate girl who is 'willing to travel'. (1890) pic.twitter.com/ZunKA8mzo1
— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) May 21, 2017
9.
A young gentleman "who does not consider himself handsome" wants a "young lady who is not too fond of music."
– Ally Sloper (1890) pic.twitter.com/T5OZf07hgQ— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) May 20, 2017
10.
Walter sounds like a real catch…
– Matrimonial Column, 'Ally Sloper's Half Holiday', 30 March 1889. pic.twitter.com/dAND2F7FFv— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) May 10, 2017
Or are you wishing to meet a woman?
11.
At last! After hours of searching I've finally found an 'American Girl' in these matrimonial ads. She sounds like quite a character! (1886) pic.twitter.com/nglKebVxdY
— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) May 21, 2017
12.
Brown-eyed Bell – "considered a jolly little girl all round" – has a thing for sculptors!
– Ally Sloper (1890) pic.twitter.com/yuNvmELDuC— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) May 21, 2017
13.
Ruby DEFINITELY knows what she likes in a man!
(1886) pic.twitter.com/jGhfXq8XF0— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) May 21, 2017
14.
An entry from Ally Sloper's 'Matrimonial Agency' column. Sally doesn't seem very particular…
– 7 April 1888. pic.twitter.com/uROtHxkpH9— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) May 9, 2017
15.
Nellie, on the other hand, definitely has a type…
– 12 May 1888. pic.twitter.com/LLfUxWowR6— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) May 9, 2017
16.
'Tootsie's Matrimonial Agency' presents us with an interesting dilemma. Two cousins, but each with rather different attractions…
(1889) pic.twitter.com/k8Qjcv8Yrz— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) May 9, 2017
17.
Most matrimonial ads followed the same format (name, age, 'musical', 'domesticated, etc), but this one is a bit unusual!
– Ally Sloper 1890 pic.twitter.com/7WtYchlbxX— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) May 20, 2017
18.
"Must be well educated, and of a cheerful disposition." And, presumably, able to keep a straight face when they hear your name… (1890). pic.twitter.com/W0lK3Hmsef
— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) May 20, 2017
19.
Lots of matrimonial adverts invited responses from men who were 'tall, dark & handsome,' but this girl had another requirement!
(1886) pic.twitter.com/JH0MGMxRsS— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) May 23, 2017
20.
Alice and her 'brilliant complexion' have no interest in young men…
– Ally Sloper's Half Holiday (1888) pic.twitter.com/f3QmpyJLDg— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) June 3, 2017
21.
Diana the 'daring horsewoman' has a 'well-developed form'.
– Ally Sloper's Half Holiday (1888) pic.twitter.com/672Xbg1Fvt— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) June 3, 2017
So which ones did you super-like?
