As I’ve rambled on in previous periodical entries, I have a particular fondness for the Victorian era. It all began poring over Sherlock Holmes stories, which then led to reading about real-life crimes from Jack the Ripper and Dr Crippen (Holmes writer, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle attended his trial). Rampley & Co have recently released […]
For a couple of months, my mojo has been missing. I penned something about feeling out of sorts back in July. Well, chumrades, you will be delighted to discover that I have now been reunited with it. It turns out, my mojo wasn’t really missing at all, I’d merely left it in a drawer and […]
I’ve recently become quite obsessed with vintage Tootal ties. In a short space of time, my collection has amassed to 26. Considering that my entire tie collection previously stood at around the sixty mark and you’ll appreciate that’s quite the increase. You may be wondering what is it that I find so appealing about Tootal. […]
I was lying in bed the other night, unable to sleep, when something struck me (and for once, I don’t mean my beloved’s arm as she rolled over). I thought to myself, ‘Norty, old thing. What if Albert Broccoli and Harry Saltzman hadn’t bought the film right to Ian Fleming’s James Bond books?’ The idea […]
In which G.M. Norton dashes to London for a meeting of moustaches. As regular readers will recall, upon growing the required upper lip appendage with graspable extremities, I joined the prestigious Handlebar Club. The Handlebar Club was formed in 1947 by Jimmy Edwards. It is a thoroughly decent Club to be a member of. The […]
Since sporting a pencil moustache, I’ve become fascinated by the 1940s spiv. You know the fellow – hat at a jaunty angle; loud tie; even louder shoes and a pin-stripe suit with lapels so broad, they almost reach the shoulder seams. A dashing figure, he lives by his wits selling ration coupons, chocolate, cigarettes and […]
As regular readers will know, I love watches. To some people, a watch is a relic, an obsolete item that has been replaced by smartphones, or even a smart watch. To others, a watch is just something that tells the time. To me, a watch is an object to admire, a statement piece, a finishing […]
Norton of Morton is keen as mustard to work with both individuals and businesses. Whether you are a vintage vendor or offer something that an English gentleman would appreciate, please do get it touch by sending a missive to [email protected] Giveaways, reviews, sponsored posts and advertising will all be considered on individual merit. G.M. Norton […]
If you pay close attention, or have a good memory and can remember the contents of last week’s periodical posting, you will recall that I acquired a vintage Tootal dressing gown and was on the hunt for a matching cravat. Well, I found one. Now, I am very much aware of the sartorial blunder that […]
One Monday morning a couple of weeks ago, I received a missive from gentleman’s outfitters, Peter Christian. They were alerting me to a new waistcoat to pair with their £125 cotton summer suit. I’ve recently experienced something of a lean spell with beneficiary boutiques. I’ve bought the occasional shirt and a few books but like […]
As regular readers will appreciate, I love sitting down to watch a good film. When it’s cold and wet outside, the perfect film to reach for is Where Eagles Dare, starring Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood. So, as it’s been rather wet this week, that’s exactly what I did. Apparently, Burton wanted to make a […]
With the advent of social media, Christmas is becoming an endless stream of photographs containing Christmas trees, turkey dinners and piles of presents to announce the sudden visit and departure of every pogonophile’s wet dream, Mr. Father Christmas. I’ve neglected to share such visual delights with people. Perhaps for fear of not having the best […]
The Doctor series of films were regular fixtures on the Idiot’s Lantern when I was a boy. Leslie Phillips and Dirk Bogarde were fun characters but the one that really stood out was the actor described by the aforementioned Phillips as “a great bear with a bushy beard and beetle brows, who seemed to scare […]
Last weekend I was hired to host a lady’s birthday party. Held at a sports club boasting a cricket pitch and tennis courts, the party had a vintage tea party theme. To make a suitably bold presence, I was keen to wear the classic summer outfit for a gentleman – a skimmer, boating blazer and […]