In the Victorian era, mourning wasn’t just an emotion—it was a lifestyle. Strict rules dictated everything from what you wore to how long you could grieve, and death itself became a booming industry. From black-bordered stationery to post-mortem photography, the Victorians found ways to keep the dead close, even weaving their hair into intricate jewelry. But mourning wasn’t just about remembrance—it was a reflection of deep-seated fears, societal expectations, and, in some cases, pure superstition.

In this episode, I’m joined by Al, a US-based collector who specializes in Victorian mourning artifacts. Together, we explore the eerie beauty of these relics, the paranoia of being buried alive, and the fascinating ways people tried to reach beyond the grave.

A HUGE thanks to Al for taking the time to have a chat. Follow her here:

INSTAGRAM: @al_curio

TIKTOK: @al_curio

If you'd like to hear more about collecting the strange and the unusual you should check out my chat with Nick Bowman, the episode is called Collector of the Macabre. You can listen here.

Got an Idea for the Podcast?

I’d love to hear from you! If there’s a topic you’d like me to explore or someone you think would make a great guest, flick me a message.

INSTAGRAM: @thestickybeakpodcast

TIKTOK: @thestickybeakpodcast

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