The World of Mr Selfridge Book Giveaway!

The final season of Mr. Selfridge is now airing on PBS and if any of you would like the chance to win one of 2 gorgeous companion books, The World of Mr. Selfridge, jammed with sumptuous photos, all you need to do is leave a comment with your contact info (and your favourite character or aspect of the show if you like) and I will choose the winners on the night of the finale (Sunday May 27th on PBS). Retweeting one of my twitter or facebook posts about the draw will also get  you another entry!

Season four of Mr. Selfridge, based on the book Shopping, Seduction & Mr. Selfridge (which I also adored) is running on PBS right now. If you need to catch up on the new episodes, US residents can watch it on the PBS website and the first three seasons are on Netflix.

Please forgive my terrible photos of the book as I was getting reflections off of the glossy pages. The new season does not feature my fave character from the show, long suffering Rose Selfridge played by the amazing Frances O'Connor but she does play a big part in the first two seasons. Jeremy Piven is a good choice for Harry Selfridge as he is fascinating to watch but none too likeable, much like the real man himself.

The early seasons follow Agnes Towler, an adorable sales clerk played by the luminous Aisling Loftus (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and War and Peace) who gives us the perspective of the working-class girls who made Selfridges run smoothly. At a time when women were just getting used to the freedom of shopping as well as working in retail it is an amazing peek into their world.

With many peripheral characters like Kitty, Mr. Crabb, Miss Mardle, Mr. Grove and Agnes' love interests Henri LeClair and Victor Colleano there is plenty of plot to keep this show rolling through four seasons.

Lady Mae Loxley

Friends and especially love interests of Harry Selfridge wander in and out of the plot with infuriating regularity. Was the man really this much of a player? And if you know anything about the real Harry Selfridge, you know which direction the last season is going. A little hint...things are not rosy after the demise of the lovely Rose.

I had forgotten that Samuel West plays newspaper man Frank Edwards whose friendship with Harry hits some rough spots along the way. If you haven't had a chance to check out Sam West's parents on Great Canal Journeys (actors Timothy West and Prunella Scales) it is well worth checking out on YouTube.

It is lovely to think of tea (the most perfect the world produces) being a mere tuppence a cup and half scone or jam tart a mere penny each. However considering the wages of the times, that was probably not considered inexpensive for afternoon tea at the Palm Court Restaurant.

Again, forgive my horrid photography of the book, but views of the props like these hat pins and fans are absolutely breathtaking!

And in this US election year (our Canadian national election was last year) just remember that even the makers of this book and the Mr. Selfridge series want to remind you that your vote was hard won by your ancestors so please ladies and gentlemen, exercise your right to vote!

Now feel free to add a comment and your contact info below to win a copy of this brilliant book.

Cheers!

Later edit-I have chosen the winners:

Sheila Majczan
Jenna Oksanen

Congrats and I will be contacting you to get shipping info. Thanks to all who entered here and on Twitter!