Dr. Martin Kolby
@drmartinkolby.bsky.social
Member of the Royal Explorers Society, past president (1836-1840) of the King's Geographical Institute, Order du Chevalerie. Currently studying madness among dispersed populations in Appalachia.
(Steampunk Fantasy Page)
(Steampunk Fantasy Page)
"Daniel Koloman, designer of the new Ether Pistol, met me for beers at a new place called Broke Baton Brewing. Each crate of hops bore an uncanny image that looked just like Koloman (after he's had a few)."
#beer #ale #brewery #fiction #fantasy #steampunk #victorian
#beer #ale #brewery #fiction #fantasy #steampunk #victorian
November 17, 2025 at 11:58 PM
"Daniel Koloman, designer of the new Ether Pistol, met me for beers at a new place called Broke Baton Brewing. Each crate of hops bore an uncanny image that looked just like Koloman (after he's had a few)."
#beer #ale #brewery #fiction #fantasy #steampunk #victorian
#beer #ale #brewery #fiction #fantasy #steampunk #victorian
I'm not strange, weird, off, nor crazy, my reality is just different from yours.
-- Lewis Carroll
#steampunk #fantasy #fiction #lewiscarroll #costume #cosplay #vintage #victorian #gothic #1800s #19thcentury
-- Lewis Carroll
#steampunk #fantasy #fiction #lewiscarroll #costume #cosplay #vintage #victorian #gothic #1800s #19thcentury
November 15, 2025 at 7:37 PM
I'm not strange, weird, off, nor crazy, my reality is just different from yours.
-- Lewis Carroll
#steampunk #fantasy #fiction #lewiscarroll #costume #cosplay #vintage #victorian #gothic #1800s #19thcentury
-- Lewis Carroll
#steampunk #fantasy #fiction #lewiscarroll #costume #cosplay #vintage #victorian #gothic #1800s #19thcentury
"I remember seeing a doll in a window while I traveled through the Ardennes with the Belgian Science Contingent. 'More silly toys for ze rich ladies in America,' Dr. Labock said with unabashed disdain."
#doll #victorian #1800s #19thcentury #vintage #toy #gildedage
#doll #victorian #1800s #19thcentury #vintage #toy #gildedage
November 15, 2025 at 6:42 PM
"I remember seeing a doll in a window while I traveled through the Ardennes with the Belgian Science Contingent. 'More silly toys for ze rich ladies in America,' Dr. Labock said with unabashed disdain."
#doll #victorian #1800s #19thcentury #vintage #toy #gildedage
#doll #victorian #1800s #19thcentury #vintage #toy #gildedage
Kolby, 1861: "I was pleased to meet the military attaché and diplomatic command as I crossed the Indian border into Nepal."
Credit: Clara Blackheart
Source: steampunk-explorer.com/articles/pho...
#steampunk #cosplay #costume #military #fantasy #fiction #victorian #1800s #19thCentury #vintage
Credit: Clara Blackheart
Source: steampunk-explorer.com/articles/pho...
#steampunk #cosplay #costume #military #fantasy #fiction #victorian #1800s #19thCentury #vintage
November 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Kolby, 1861: "I was pleased to meet the military attaché and diplomatic command as I crossed the Indian border into Nepal."
Credit: Clara Blackheart
Source: steampunk-explorer.com/articles/pho...
#steampunk #cosplay #costume #military #fantasy #fiction #victorian #1800s #19thCentury #vintage
Credit: Clara Blackheart
Source: steampunk-explorer.com/articles/pho...
#steampunk #cosplay #costume #military #fantasy #fiction #victorian #1800s #19thCentury #vintage
"I found an odd carved totem while touring Appalachia during our American Yeti expedition. One local said it had been in her family for decades."
#victorian #fantasy #fiction #Bigfoot #sasquatch #Yeti
#victorian #fantasy #fiction #Bigfoot #sasquatch #Yeti
November 12, 2025 at 10:32 PM
"I found an odd carved totem while touring Appalachia during our American Yeti expedition. One local said it had been in her family for decades."
#victorian #fantasy #fiction #Bigfoot #sasquatch #Yeti
#victorian #fantasy #fiction #Bigfoot #sasquatch #Yeti
Credit: Craig Jenkins
Source: steampunk-explorer.com/articles/pho...
#steampunk #gothic #goth #whitby #fantasy #convention #cosplay #costume #victorian
Source: steampunk-explorer.com/articles/pho...
#steampunk #gothic #goth #whitby #fantasy #convention #cosplay #costume #victorian
November 12, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Credit: Craig Jenkins
Source: steampunk-explorer.com/articles/pho...
#steampunk #gothic #goth #whitby #fantasy #convention #cosplay #costume #victorian
Source: steampunk-explorer.com/articles/pho...
#steampunk #gothic #goth #whitby #fantasy #convention #cosplay #costume #victorian
"A small Appalachian town claimed to have a 'hairy wild man' in a cage. Thinking it might be an American Yeti, we detoured to see for ourselves. Alas, it was a sad bear with mangy fur. I left in disgust. Somehow, the bear 'escaped' that same night."
#freakshow #fiction #Yeti #sasquatch #fantasy
#freakshow #fiction #Yeti #sasquatch #fantasy
November 11, 2025 at 9:16 PM
"A small Appalachian town claimed to have a 'hairy wild man' in a cage. Thinking it might be an American Yeti, we detoured to see for ourselves. Alas, it was a sad bear with mangy fur. I left in disgust. Somehow, the bear 'escaped' that same night."
#freakshow #fiction #Yeti #sasquatch #fantasy
#freakshow #fiction #Yeti #sasquatch #fantasy
"I enjoyed a brief stop in Munchen at the end of their month-long beer festival. Wonderful country with raucous, happy people."
#beer #octoberfest #Germany
#beer #octoberfest #Germany
November 10, 2025 at 3:25 PM
"I enjoyed a brief stop in Munchen at the end of their month-long beer festival. Wonderful country with raucous, happy people."
#beer #octoberfest #Germany
#beer #octoberfest #Germany
This article and photograph were found by Kolby biographer Eliza Grant. The article is from the Mirror Lake Informer, Sunday, October 14, 1849.
#fiction #fantasy #victorian #1800s #19thCentury #yeti #bigfoot #sasquatch
#fiction #fantasy #victorian #1800s #19thCentury #yeti #bigfoot #sasquatch
November 5, 2025 at 6:33 PM
This article and photograph were found by Kolby biographer Eliza Grant. The article is from the Mirror Lake Informer, Sunday, October 14, 1849.
#fiction #fantasy #victorian #1800s #19thCentury #yeti #bigfoot #sasquatch
#fiction #fantasy #victorian #1800s #19thCentury #yeti #bigfoot #sasquatch
November 5, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Refuse to Be Amused
Source: New York Herald, Aug 23, 1885, page 8.
1/
And then Narragansett had an individuality of its own, and was a jolly summer resort, where a great deal of fun was to be had for very little money.
#gossip #society #gildedage #newspaper #victorian #1800s #19thCentury
Source: New York Herald, Aug 23, 1885, page 8.
1/
And then Narragansett had an individuality of its own, and was a jolly summer resort, where a great deal of fun was to be had for very little money.
#gossip #society #gildedage #newspaper #victorian #1800s #19thCentury
November 4, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Refuse to Be Amused
Source: New York Herald, Aug 23, 1885, page 8.
1/
And then Narragansett had an individuality of its own, and was a jolly summer resort, where a great deal of fun was to be had for very little money.
#gossip #society #gildedage #newspaper #victorian #1800s #19thCentury
Source: New York Herald, Aug 23, 1885, page 8.
1/
And then Narragansett had an individuality of its own, and was a jolly summer resort, where a great deal of fun was to be had for very little money.
#gossip #society #gildedage #newspaper #victorian #1800s #19thCentury
"The two most powerful warriors are patience and time."
- Leo Tolstoy
#pocketwatch #cosplay #victorian #steampunk #costume #1800s #19thcentury #vintage #Halloween
- Leo Tolstoy
#pocketwatch #cosplay #victorian #steampunk #costume #1800s #19thcentury #vintage #Halloween
November 1, 2025 at 7:16 PM
"The two most powerful warriors are patience and time."
- Leo Tolstoy
#pocketwatch #cosplay #victorian #steampunk #costume #1800s #19thcentury #vintage #Halloween
- Leo Tolstoy
#pocketwatch #cosplay #victorian #steampunk #costume #1800s #19thcentury #vintage #Halloween
Alice: How long is forever?
White Rabbit: Sometimes, just one second.
-Lewis Carroll
#steampunk #cosplay #victorian #costume #Halloween #1800s #19thcentury #vintage #wonderland #pocketwatch
White Rabbit: Sometimes, just one second.
-Lewis Carroll
#steampunk #cosplay #victorian #costume #Halloween #1800s #19thcentury #vintage #wonderland #pocketwatch
November 1, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Alice: How long is forever?
White Rabbit: Sometimes, just one second.
-Lewis Carroll
#steampunk #cosplay #victorian #costume #Halloween #1800s #19thcentury #vintage #wonderland #pocketwatch
White Rabbit: Sometimes, just one second.
-Lewis Carroll
#steampunk #cosplay #victorian #costume #Halloween #1800s #19thcentury #vintage #wonderland #pocketwatch
The veil is thin tonight.
#steampunk #cosplay #costume #Halloween #spooky #gothic #1800s #19thcentury #gildedage
#steampunk #cosplay #costume #Halloween #spooky #gothic #1800s #19thcentury #gildedage
October 31, 2025 at 10:40 PM
The veil is thin tonight.
#steampunk #cosplay #costume #Halloween #spooky #gothic #1800s #19thcentury #gildedage
#steampunk #cosplay #costume #Halloween #spooky #gothic #1800s #19thcentury #gildedage
Happy Halloween! May your adventures bring shivers (or candy).
#steampunk #cosplay #victorian #ghost #Haunted #Halloween #1800s #19thcentury #seance #gildedage #costume #larp #fantasy
#steampunk #cosplay #victorian #ghost #Haunted #Halloween #1800s #19thcentury #seance #gildedage #costume #larp #fantasy
October 31, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Happy Halloween! May your adventures bring shivers (or candy).
#steampunk #cosplay #victorian #ghost #Haunted #Halloween #1800s #19thcentury #seance #gildedage #costume #larp #fantasy
#steampunk #cosplay #victorian #ghost #Haunted #Halloween #1800s #19thcentury #seance #gildedage #costume #larp #fantasy
Bare Naked Arms!
1/
There was more elaboration of costume at Mrs. Kernochan's ball than at any previous entertainment this season.
#gossip #society #ballgown #1800s #19thCentury #Victorian #newspaper #gildedage #cotillion #dance
1/
There was more elaboration of costume at Mrs. Kernochan's ball than at any previous entertainment this season.
#gossip #society #ballgown #1800s #19thCentury #Victorian #newspaper #gildedage #cotillion #dance
October 30, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Bare Naked Arms!
1/
There was more elaboration of costume at Mrs. Kernochan's ball than at any previous entertainment this season.
#gossip #society #ballgown #1800s #19thCentury #Victorian #newspaper #gildedage #cotillion #dance
1/
There was more elaboration of costume at Mrs. Kernochan's ball than at any previous entertainment this season.
#gossip #society #ballgown #1800s #19thCentury #Victorian #newspaper #gildedage #cotillion #dance
"My final night at the Haunted Village was quiet. The spirits and I found our balance."
#Haunted #Halloween #victorian #1800s #19thcentury #spooky
#Haunted #Halloween #victorian #1800s #19thcentury #spooky
October 25, 2025 at 3:59 AM
"My final night at the Haunted Village was quiet. The spirits and I found our balance."
#Haunted #Halloween #victorian #1800s #19thcentury #spooky
#Haunted #Halloween #victorian #1800s #19thcentury #spooky
"And the life of the ebony clock went out with that of the last of the gay. And the flames of the tripods expired. And the darkness and the red death held illimitable dominion over all." - Edgar Allan Poe, The Masque of the Red Death (1842)
Honoring my late grandfather tonight.
#poe #1800s #fire
Honoring my late grandfather tonight.
#poe #1800s #fire
October 23, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Social Climbers (and Fallers)
www.tumblr.com/drmartinkolb...
Image: The Gilded Age, HBO, written by Julian Fellowes and Sonja Warfield
#gildedage #1800s #19thCentury #gossip #newspaper #society
www.tumblr.com/drmartinkolb...
Image: The Gilded Age, HBO, written by Julian Fellowes and Sonja Warfield
#gildedage #1800s #19thCentury #gossip #newspaper #society
October 21, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Social Climbers (and Fallers)
www.tumblr.com/drmartinkolb...
Image: The Gilded Age, HBO, written by Julian Fellowes and Sonja Warfield
#gildedage #1800s #19thCentury #gossip #newspaper #society
www.tumblr.com/drmartinkolb...
Image: The Gilded Age, HBO, written by Julian Fellowes and Sonja Warfield
#gildedage #1800s #19thCentury #gossip #newspaper #society
1/
"My friend Will, a cinematic genius, is now experimenting with something he calls 'quick photography.' Instead of sitting perfectly still for minutes at a time, the subject can be much more candid and realistic."
#fiction #fantasy #steampunk #gildedage #1800s #19thCentury #victorian #cosplay
"My friend Will, a cinematic genius, is now experimenting with something he calls 'quick photography.' Instead of sitting perfectly still for minutes at a time, the subject can be much more candid and realistic."
#fiction #fantasy #steampunk #gildedage #1800s #19thCentury #victorian #cosplay
October 21, 2025 at 3:00 PM
1/
"My friend Will, a cinematic genius, is now experimenting with something he calls 'quick photography.' Instead of sitting perfectly still for minutes at a time, the subject can be much more candid and realistic."
#fiction #fantasy #steampunk #gildedage #1800s #19thCentury #victorian #cosplay
"My friend Will, a cinematic genius, is now experimenting with something he calls 'quick photography.' Instead of sitting perfectly still for minutes at a time, the subject can be much more candid and realistic."
#fiction #fantasy #steampunk #gildedage #1800s #19thCentury #victorian #cosplay
2/
At one of the largest and best balls, where the hostess had invited 400 men, only 75 appeared, and these were all either superannuated society fossils or boys so young as scarcely to be out of knickerbockers. A witty lady who was present said they reminded her of "Hims ancient and modern."
At one of the largest and best balls, where the hostess had invited 400 men, only 75 appeared, and these were all either superannuated society fossils or boys so young as scarcely to be out of knickerbockers. A witty lady who was present said they reminded her of "Hims ancient and modern."
October 21, 2025 at 12:48 PM
2/
At one of the largest and best balls, where the hostess had invited 400 men, only 75 appeared, and these were all either superannuated society fossils or boys so young as scarcely to be out of knickerbockers. A witty lady who was present said they reminded her of "Hims ancient and modern."
At one of the largest and best balls, where the hostess had invited 400 men, only 75 appeared, and these were all either superannuated society fossils or boys so young as scarcely to be out of knickerbockers. A witty lady who was present said they reminded her of "Hims ancient and modern."
1/
This reading is from the New York Herald, New York City, Sunday July 12, 1885, page 8.
The scarcity of men in London during the present season has been as keenly felt as it often is at Narragansett Pier and Mt. Desert before bank clerks and college undergraduates get their annual holiday.
This reading is from the New York Herald, New York City, Sunday July 12, 1885, page 8.
The scarcity of men in London during the present season has been as keenly felt as it often is at Narragansett Pier and Mt. Desert before bank clerks and college undergraduates get their annual holiday.
October 21, 2025 at 12:48 PM
1/
This reading is from the New York Herald, New York City, Sunday July 12, 1885, page 8.
The scarcity of men in London during the present season has been as keenly felt as it often is at Narragansett Pier and Mt. Desert before bank clerks and college undergraduates get their annual holiday.
This reading is from the New York Herald, New York City, Sunday July 12, 1885, page 8.
The scarcity of men in London during the present season has been as keenly felt as it often is at Narragansett Pier and Mt. Desert before bank clerks and college undergraduates get their annual holiday.
"If the world is cold, make it your business to build fires." Horace Traubel (1858 - 1919)
#victorian #history #19thcentury #1800s #gildedage
#victorian #history #19thcentury #1800s #gildedage
October 20, 2025 at 10:56 PM
"If the world is cold, make it your business to build fires." Horace Traubel (1858 - 1919)
#victorian #history #19thcentury #1800s #gildedage
#victorian #history #19thcentury #1800s #gildedage
"It may take a while to explain what happened. I'm not sure how to explain it. Give me a moment."
#steampunk #cosplay #Halloween #Haunted #ghost #victorian #1800s #19thcentury
#steampunk #cosplay #Halloween #Haunted #ghost #victorian #1800s #19thcentury
October 19, 2025 at 2:24 AM
"It may take a while to explain what happened. I'm not sure how to explain it. Give me a moment."
#steampunk #cosplay #Halloween #Haunted #ghost #victorian #1800s #19thcentury
#steampunk #cosplay #Halloween #Haunted #ghost #victorian #1800s #19thcentury
"My first night at the Haunted Village had me quite on-edge. Cats suddenly appearing with shining eyes and the slow, waving shadows of magnolias reminded me too much of the sinister forces in this world. And the next."
#steampunk #Haunted #ghost #victorian #1800s #19thcentury #Halloween
#steampunk #Haunted #ghost #victorian #1800s #19thcentury #Halloween
October 17, 2025 at 11:47 AM
"My first night at the Haunted Village had me quite on-edge. Cats suddenly appearing with shining eyes and the slow, waving shadows of magnolias reminded me too much of the sinister forces in this world. And the next."
#steampunk #Haunted #ghost #victorian #1800s #19thcentury #Halloween
#steampunk #Haunted #ghost #victorian #1800s #19thcentury #Halloween