America’s Declaration of Independence from Great Britain was signed just eight months after Jane Austen’s birth. The wars with America, during Austen’s childhood and shortly before the publication of Pride and Prejudice, would undoubtedly have been topics of salon conversation. We imagined that in the peaceful years between conflicts, trade between America and Britain thrived. In the magazine, you’ll find two fictional examples: the Philadelphia Reticule Company and the Jefferson swivel chair.

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President Jefferson was a genius. Reading his biography, one marvels at how one person could achieve so much, including the invention of the swivel chair. We imagined furniture maker Thomas Goode licensing Jefferson’s design and developing a luxury version for the British market.

References

Thomas Jefferson biography - Wikipedia

Swivel Chair - Wikipedia

Jefferson Chair Video Explainer - Untold History Website

The Philadelphia Reticule Company - A Novel Magazine Imaginary Brand.

Thomas Goode at Auction - A few pieces of Thomas furniture at Sotheby's London. (Even Darcy might blanch at the cost of these today!)