Comments on: What would you give Lord Byron?

Question: What would you give Lord Byron?

Skyanth — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 01:25:40 -0800

Special gift for a special gentleman?

I'm looking for gifts for a gentleman. The gentleman in question likes special/pretty/tasteful things that are to do with (Napoleonic) history, cats, dracula, dandies, dueling, books, the romantics and goth. I got him a sword cane once and he loved that. I really don't want to give him clothing. I was going to give him cufflinks but I made the mistake of showing them to him to make sure he liked them and he loved them so much he got them himself, robbing me of the one solid idea I had. Bah. I would also prefer not to give him shaving equipment (he already has a nice set).

I've seen this, but the answers are much too clothing/shaving oriented.

What else. Oh yes, there will already be a bottle of some gentlemanly drink to go with the gift so no alcohol suggestions either. Sorry. :)

By: uandt

uandt — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 01:40:11 -0800

A nice set of antique crystal glasses to go with the booze?

By: bizwank

bizwank — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 01:52:31 -0800

How about a book that would fit in with his current collection (visually) but is really a book safe? They're fairly easy to make, if you have a little time, but can probably be special-ordered as well.

By: misteraitch

misteraitch — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 02:13:47 -0800

A human skull, or replica thereof?

By: handybitesize

handybitesize — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 02:15:58 -0800

A bit modern and, I'm afraid, quite clothes based but you may find some insipration at thechap.net

By: Sijeka

Sijeka — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 02:16:53 -0800

An antique pocket watch?

This guy sounds awesome.

By: jonesor

jonesor — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 02:24:51 -0800

How about a crystal decanter set?

By: platinum

platinum — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 02:37:22 -0800

An antique world globe?

By: McBearclaw

McBearclaw — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 02:47:26 -0800

An antique world globe... with booze inside?

You really screwed yourself with the sword cane. Impossible to beat. All downhill from there.

By: ceri richard

ceri richard — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 02:54:28 -0800

I was going to suggest a handmade silk waistcoat/vest when I came across Sutlers in the UK that sell "Authentic Historic Replica Uniforms, Accoutrements, Hats, Guns & Accessories", including the Napoleonic era. The soft leather buckle shoes look wonderful!

By: ghost of a past number

ghost of a past number — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 03:21:50 -0800

How about a fancy hat? A fedora springs to mind.

By: mandal

mandal — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 04:00:12 -0800

Antique desk set - blotter, pen and ink pot, letter opener kind of deal?

By: pracowity

pracowity — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 04:00:45 -0800

A large wooden box of soil from the Carpathian Mountains. Have it delivered to his basement while he is away.

The skeletons of a cat and mouse mounted as if considering each other.

A fez, silk slippers, and hookah.

A portable wooden easel and paints, something like this.

Hardbound books in actual pocket size (not "Pocket Books") for slipping into the pocket of his jacket or robe.

And a sword-cane is fine, but unless he uses a cane regularly, perhaps of necessity, also get him a flick knife he can keep in the other pocket.

By: sandraregina

sandraregina — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 04:08:07 -0800

A tie pin to match the cufflinks?

By: rokusan

rokusan — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 05:04:47 -0800

Antique first-edition book on interesting topic? Something gilded, I imagine. :)

By: dirtynumbangelboy

dirtynumbangelboy — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 06:01:56 -0800

A full set of implements for drinking absinthe?

By: jquinby

jquinby — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 06:03:40 -0800

astrolabe, sextant or armillary sphere?

By: Cat Pie Hurts

Cat Pie Hurts — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 06:05:07 -0800

He sounds like the perfect candidate for an absinthe spoon and/or other absinthe related paraphernalia.

By: Cat Pie Hurts

Cat Pie Hurts — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 06:05:38 -0800

damn..missed dirtynumbangelboy on preview)

By: adamrice

adamrice — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 06:48:58 -0800

I was going to suggest absinthe paraphernalia as well. Short of that, a snuffbox (which can be very jewel-like).

By: fidelity

fidelity — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 07:49:18 -0800

Fencing lessons.

By: subajestad

subajestad — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 08:47:01 -0800

Any gentleman worth his spats wouldn't be caught dead without his trusty alethiometer.

By: Sijeka

Sijeka — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 10:26:04 -0800

I forgot...

if you really wanted to beat the king of all presents, what about a steampunk laptop?

By: iviken

iviken — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:52:27 -0800

Antique pocket flask.

By: Skyanth

Skyanth — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:13:37 -0800

Thanks all (I have to say I thought of them all, but it's nice to see vague ideas solidified). Fidelity: great suggestion, but he already fences. Same for the absinthe. Thanks though. :)