Everyday life of NAOTMAA - your quick questions

[grandduchessella]

There's the story about how NII took off running behind the carriage at Alice Battenberg & Andrew of Greece's wedding. Security guards were shed and they were in a panic as the Tsar ran throughout the streets of Darmstadt with no security detail.

[Ortino]

The details are being saved for Bob's book on daily life in the AP

  *Sigh* Is it possible to get a ballpark estimate as to when this might be published or even released? I know everyone here is tightlipped about this book, but I personally would really appreciate a date, a year, SOMETHING.

[JD]

FA, I'd be fascinated by such a book. Probably the least enviable of many unenviable positions at the court (including that of Tsar). I bet he had a lot of sleepless nights.  

GD Ella, that reminds me of a couple other anecdotes that prompted this thread that I forget to include, both from Nicholas's diary entries on this site.  One talked about visiting the Hermitage as if it involved a walk down the street, when in reality I'd imagine that guards would have to be notified so they could empty out and close off the entire building (which would probably piss off a fair number of people!) while Nicholas saw his exhibits.  The other was a story about he and Alexei walking around a German town (I believe it was Hamburg) as if they were just a regular father and son - they had to stop because "people were beginning to recognize us"! Again I was pretty surprised. But of course in that scenario he was undoubtedly surrounded by many plainclothes guards, who were probably as familiar to him as his own shadow by that point.

Ortino, it doesn't seem worth getting upset about! This is only the second time I've heard of it, so I don't know how long you've been agonizing over it, but FA makes it sound as if Bob is still writing it. If that's the case, can you really trust any estimate anyway? Anyway, I'm officially looking forward to it now too. Just finished reading the intro to the Tsarkoe Selo 1910 book - Bob can write!

[TheAce1918]

Hey!  Even royalty needs to be wicked every now and then  Especially the Romanovs

[Tsarina_Liz]

Exactly how large was the Imperial Police force?

[clockworkgirl21]

In a book Anna Anderson wrote, she told of how she remembered Olga and Tatiana running running into a store alone and later surprising the people who were supposed to be looking after them. It's really great fanfiction.    

This is the first I've heard of Bob writing a book. That'll definettly (excuse my horrible spelling) be added to my list!

[TheAce1918]

I think the Imperial Police had to be at least the size of an army company.  Maybe more.  

Hey Clockwork...what was the title of that book?  :-/

[clockworkgirl21]

Hey Clockwork...what was the title of that book?  :-/

The full title is Anastasia : the autobiography of H. I. H. the Grand duchess Anastasia Nicholaevna of Russia.

[Forum Admin]

Spirdovitch's main security force was about 250 men. This would be supplemented by the local police forces and Okhrana section wherever the Imperial Family was located, so when in TS, outside the palace, the local TS police were also involved.  Ditto for Livadia/Yalta, etc.  Spiridovitch had direct authority over any local police force and the local Okhrana sections wherever the Emperor was present as related to his security.

[charley]

I was wondering if anyone knows of any items the Grand Duchesses used that can still be purchased today, such as perfumes or toiletries or really anything. I read in Maria's diary that she loved a book, I think it was called "The Rosary", but it was not about praying, but a love story. (I may have the name wrong). I purchased it years ago online and it was a first edition. It was so neat to know I had a book printed at the same time that hers was printed. (Maybe the actual one she read. I know, wishful thinking.) I gave it as a gift to someone with equal love of the family and she was thrilled.
It would be great if there was an online store that you could purchase things that they loved and used. Any ideas?

[clockworkgirl21]

I think they do have auctions every now and then, but those items are very expensive, as you would guess.

Personally, I think their things should be in museums. 

[charley]

I am sorry, I think I didn't make myself quite clear. I have been told before that I should word things differently, but I do my best.
If, for instance, Maria loved and wore Lilly's of the Valley Perfume, can you buy a new bottle of the same perfume today? I know they played dominos and you can buy them today, but that really isn't to exciting. I would love to use some bath salts, knowing that in the past, they used the same ones. Of course it was over eighty years ago, but it would be great if we could come up with some items.

[Sarushka]

If, for instance, Maria loved and wore Lilly's of the Valley Perfume, can you buy a new bottle of the same perfume today?

Yes! The girls used Coty brand perfume, and the company is still in business. Robert Massie's book will tell you which scent each of OTMA used.

[Forum Admin]

They drank Coca Cola. Used Kodak film in their cameras, read National Geographic magazine, and had Steiff teddy bears.

[charley]

Yes! The girls used Coty brand perfume, and the company is still in business. Robert Massie's book will tell you which scent each of OTMA used.

I looked into that some, but I couldn't find the actual perfume still made today.

They drank Coca Cola. Used Kodak film in their cameras, read National Geographic magazine, and had Steiff teddy bears.

Yipes, I read Coca Cola was not completely cocaine free until 1929. I have a National Geographic from, I think, 1910. It is a special on Russia. Do they say in their diaries that they read this magazine or what they thought of it? It is so heart warming to me to be able to connect with them in this way. Thanks for the info.