This small cabinet of historical curiosities supports my work as a full-time writer.
It helps sustain the research and writing behind Juicy History, as well as a longer work of historical nonfiction currently in progress.
Many of the antique and vintage objects offered here appear directly in stories published through Juicy History. Others come from family heirlooms and long-held personal collections.
Every object is carefully curated, researched, and documented, with clear provenance and an honest condition report.
Inventory changes frequently.
Curious About Julia Henri?
Welcome to The Gilded Griffin,
my companion shop created for avid readers and lovers of history.
Have a look at Juicy History by clicking here!
I’m Julia Henri, a lifelong published writer, professional photographer, and dedicated historian working from my studio in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Charlottesville, Virginia.
The select objects you find here at The Gilded Griffin are meant to be loved and cherished. Each item invites curiosity about the people who once owned it. Traces of use and care often reveal more than dates alone, and each authentic antique or vintage item comes with a clear, documented history.
You will find many of these objects featured in my stories published in my newsletter, Juicy History.
There are no reproductions here.
When you choose to collect an item from my shop, you become part of its ongoing story. That story does not end here. It continues through your own life and hopefully, may one day be handed down again for future generations to treasure.
The Gilded Griffin exists alongside my writing life. It helps sustain the research, photography, and long-form historical work currently in progress.
This shop, together with reader subscriptions and other forms of support, helps make Juicy History possible. I publish exclusively on Substack. My aim is to keep the work accessible while maintaining high standards of research and presentation.
I want everyone to be able to read my work.
Many readers may begin an article thinking they already know where a story is headed, only to find that the narrative takes unexpected turns. Personal accounts, overlooked details, and unfamiliar perspectives often alter the course along the way.
I hope readers will stay with each story to the final word, where what first seems familiar often gives way to something they didn’t anticipate.
I believe this work should be accessible without anyone having to ask for special permission or explain their circumstances.
Readers should not have to choose between missing stories and asking for a handout. Some people can offer financial support; others simply read and engage with the work.
Every reader matters.
This shop is one way I support that balance.
I write and illustrate authenticated nonfiction devoted to the strange, tender, and long-forgotten corners of the past.
Most history is told and retold in familiar ways.
The same names.
The same dates.
The same conclusions.
Juicy History takes a different approach.
Every story begins with rigorous research and a deliberate search for what has been overlooked.
Obscure details in long-forgotten documents. Brittle photographs. Family letters. Marginal notes in old books. Small fragments that can reshape how a story has long been understood.
I am searching for the truth in every article I write. I do this through primary research and by consulting academics, museum curators, and expert historians.
My aim is to inform and engage, so that when you reach the end, the story lingers in your memory.
Some stories unfold over multiple parts. Others are brief vignettes. I do not publish on a rigid schedule. Each piece is released only when it is ready. Over the coming year, readers can expect a steady body of carefully prepared work, made possible in part by the objects offered here.
Illustration is essential to this work. I personally source, scan, restore, and document rare antique and vintage images, many of which have never been published before. Most come from my own library of early books, periodicals, ephemera, and archival material dating back to the eighteenth century. Others are licensed and paid for by me personally, selected specifically to serve each story.
Permissions and copyrights are always cited.
You may be confident in my background. I am a long-standing Professional Member of The Authors Guild in New York City and a former Accredited Appraiser
with the International Society of Appraisers.
Therefore, the objects offered in The Gilded Griffin are carefully chosen. Some will be familiar to you from my published work. Others come from my long-held personal collections or from my family’s estates. We were devoted collectors across generations.
Every piece is carefully researched, honestly described, and documented with clear provenance and condition.
This work is slow by design.
It is done with care.
And this shop is part of what makes the work possible.
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Notes from Collectors Regarding Recent Acquisitions
*Even though we have never met in person, I have purchased from The Gilded Griffin for the past nine years, finding beautiful items of distinction and rarity to add to my personal collections. Julia’s knowledge and expertise, along with her passion for the story and history behind each piece, are impressive and make each purchase feel reassuring and deeply personal, right down to the impeccable packaging.
My most recent purchase, an exceptionally rare and beautifully preserved 1920s cloche, is one of my favorites.
When I heard she was writing her newsletter "Juicy History" on Substack, I became one of her first subscribers. I am a devoted reader and look forward to each new article."
S. G. N. from Oregon
"As an avid Substack subscriber and reader of "Juicy History"
I am thrilled to have purchased an item from The Gilded Griffin in support of Julia's work. This delicate pink-hued open compote has met my expections far and beyond. The packaging was done with the highest degree of care and thoughtfulness. This treasured compote has become a favorite aomng my antique pieces."
L.J. from Virginia
Care & Handling, Shipping & Sales Policy
••• Sizing & Questions Before Purchase •••
Please inquire before purchasing if you have any questions regarding size, fit, condition, or use.
I am always willing to take whatever time needed to answer questions thoroughly and accurately so that you can make an informed decision.
Clear communication before purchase benefits everyone and is strongly encouraged.
••• Care & Storage •••
If you have questions about how best to care for or store your item, please do not hesitate to ask. I have lectured on conservation and worked with some of the top museum conservators during my lifetime. I will be so happy to help you!
However, please note, as a general rule, do not use bleach, starch, or harsh chemicals on vintage or antique textiles, garments, or objects. Improper cleaning can cause irreversible damage.
••• Packaging & Presentation •••
Every purchase from The Gilded Griffin is carefully packed and shipped in a sturdy professional box, supported with 100% acid-free, archival tissues, and placed in a museum-quality, acid-free storage bag, at no additional charge.
Gift wrapping is available for an additional fee. If requested, presentation will be created according to your preferences and budget.
••• Shipping •••
Free shipping within the continental United States
All domestic orders are sent via USPS Priority Mail
Every parcel is fully insured
Signature confirmation required on every parcel
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING:
International shipping will resume when global postal and customs conditions stabilize.
*** Sales Policy ***
All sales are final.
Due to the nature, age, and uniqueness of the objects offered, returns are not accepted.
Every item is carefully examined, researched, photographed, and described prior to sale. Please review all images and descriptions thoroughly and feel free to ask questions before purchasing.
Transparency and Trust
I believe people deserve to know how a shop works and what happens to their information.
If you choose to read, subscribe, or purchase from The Gilded Griffin, only the minimum information required to do so is collected. This typically includes your email address for subscriptions, and basic contact and payment details when you place an order.
Payments made through this shop are processed securely by Shopify Payments, which uses Stripe as its underlying payment processor. This is the same system used by Substack. Payment information is handled directly by these services and is not stored or accessed by me.
I do not sell, trade, or share personal information. I do not use targeted advertising, profiling, or data harvesting tools. Information is never used for purposes unrelated to your interaction with my work.
Email addresses provided for Juicy History are used only to deliver the newsletter and occasional updates related to new writing or shop offerings. You may unsubscribe at any time.
If you have questions, concerns, or would like your information removed, you are always welcome to contact me directly. Transparency and trust matter here, and I take care with the people who choose to be part of this work.