Even in the 20th C.
Posted by Carolyn B on August 02, 1998 at 07:47:47:
In response to More on Candlelight--Persuasion, etc., written by Anna P on July 31, 1998 at 11:30:36
] Candlelight was expensive to produce, I take it. Remember Mrs. Elton's description of Jane Fairfax's future post as governess--"wax candles in the schoolroom." Does anyone know how bright a room--or ballroom--could be got, if no expense were spared? I remember Jane Eyre's description of Thornfield's drawing room as "brilliant" with light. Could a room ever match the flood of light seen in many TV productions?
This may not answer your question but just to help put things in perspective....
I've done a little research on electric lighting in the 1920s and came across a quote in Emily Post's Etiquette (1930 edition) that said the bedside lamps in a guest bedroom should have a nice bright bulb - 40 watt! Higher wattage bulbs were available commercially, but for the home people were apparently generally using lower wattage (and might still use mirrors to brighten). So if the home electrical lighting of the early 20th century was that dim by today's TV studio standards....
Just a thought : )
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