Howdy!

Heather Sheen here! Welcome to my weekly "Cockade Column." I'll let you know upfront - You are receiving this email because I know we have a common interest in history. You may even have purchased some of my cockades or rosettes.

I don't want to be a pest, so feel free to hit "unsubscribe" at the bottom if you'd rather not receive these emails. Of course, I can't imagine why someone wouldn't be as enthusiastic as me about the amazing stories, stunning originals, and courageous people who wore cockades in history but, hey... that's your choice and I respect it! :)

I'll start with this cockade for fun. Cockades weren't always used as a symbol of rank or patriotism - they could also be decorative. When Queen Victoria was married on February 10, 1840, she gave her train bearers each a lovely brooch. It was an eagle paved in turquoise with a ruby eye and pearls in its claws designed by her new husband, Prince Albert. One lady chose to preserve her brooch on a striking pink cockade that set off the turquoise beads to perfection. Now that's a cockade I'd love to wear!