I am trying to assemble a small paper on the facts behind the
stories/legends/myths/recycled gossip that circulate on the subject of
chastity belts. However, I am finding it almost impossible to find any
primary or reliable secondary information on the subject. This may well
be because I'm in Australia, which would explain the lack of primary
info, but I can't find *anything* beyond salacious stories, bad jokes and
allegorical cartoons. As far as I can establish, the damned things never
existed - which will make the paper a very small one indeed!
 
Can anyone on this list recommend to me a source for information on this
topic? Does anyone actually have one of these contraptions in their
collections? And if so, can you share with me any data you may have on
the object?
 
I know that this might be taken as a joke posting. However, I am serious.
I am a technician in the history section of the Queensland Museum, and I
deal with an enquiry on this subject on the average of once every four or
five months. Discussions with librarians and staff from other museums
indicate that they, too, get this question about as frequently.
 
Thank you in advance for any info you can offer
 
Peter Volk
Senior Technician
Social History Section
Queensland Museum
Australia
email [log in to unmask]