Boardwalk Empire

If you haven't seen the gritty period drama Boardwalk Empire yet, put it on your Christmas watch list.  Set in roaring 1920s Prohibition America it charts the times of Enoch 'Nucky' Thomspon  (played by Steve Buscemi). It is based on real life Atlantic City, New Jersey, political boss and racketeer Enoch Lewis 'Nucky' Johnson.  Using his political position he controlled Atlantic City during the 1920s and created a temporary refuge from Prohibition, making the city incredibly popular.  The series follows a group of characters involved in all sorts of activity such as the bootlegging, bribery and gambling that was rife during the Prohibition era.

Produced by Martin Scorsese the series is brimming with 1920s glamour and style.  From the clothing and jewellery right down to the champagne flutes and decadent interiors of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Babette's Supper Club where much of the action takes place.

Flappers at Babette's Supper Club

Ladies Longines diamond watch c1920s. £2500. From Westminster Group

 White paste double dress clip by Ciro Pearls. £78. From Gillian Horsup at Grays.

Celluloid topped bag with butterfly decoration c1930. £168. From Gillian Horsup at Grays.

Unworn peach silk vintage camisole by Fascinette London. From Vintage Modes in Grays Mews.

 

Gambling in Boardwalk Empire

Tortoiseshell trump marker c1920. From Raysil Antiques.

A real speakeasy in Atlantic City in the 1920s.
[Image from Mafia Today]

 A small  sterling silver cocktail shaker made in the 1920s by Reed and Barton.  From AMS Antiques at Grays.

 A silver art deco corkscrew by Mappin and Webb. c1920. From Raysil Antiques.

Spend an afternoon at Grays and go home with a whole wardrobe, jewellery box, and cocktail bar full of beautiful and original items from this glamorous and volatile era.