Monday 11 January 2010

old letters

A few years ago, I went to a house clearance sale. I went there initially to take photographs, as at the time I was working on a collection of photos of car-boot sales. 
Unfortunately, I couldn't find what I was looking for, although in one of the bedrooms I discovered an old cardboard box (which to my delight and excitement) was filled with dusty old letters. 
I came to an arrangement with the house-holder that I could 'borrow' the letters for what I described as 'research'. I planned on reading the letters to see whether they would inspire any illustration work.
At the time I was commuting to London on a daily basis, and my 3hr journey (each way) would provide me with the opportunity to read through this 'real-life novel'.
I say real-life novel as that's what these letters turned into. They were the accounts of one man's life. The letters were dated from the 1940's (his teenage years), to his death in the 1970's. 
Each letter was beautifully hand-written, in brown ink and wax-sealed in envelopes which still had the original stamps affixed. They were not only beautiful as objects themselves but also for the exquisite writing contained within.
I quickly became absorbed with the documentation of this man's life, and started to create connections with the people and scenarios mentioned in the letters.
Each letter was written to his Mother, and contained everything from the mundane, family news and gossip, friends, parties, new cars, holidays, relationships, health, marriage, births and deaths. 
Eventually,  I had to return the letters to the family and unfortunately was told that I would not be able to use them as part of my project. 

Whilst writing about these letters in this blog, I cannot mention any names, due to privacy concerns. However, I do want to share with you some of the wonderful moments which I discovered about this one man and his letters to his Mother.
I have copies of some of these letters, of which I will be posting to this blog in due course. 

Thankyou.

Knitting patterns


I have a collection of old knitting patterns.
Here are a couple of them which I spray-painted over the top. It was for a series of work which I did which illustrated the effects and psychological recovery of child abuse.

Fur Week


Anyone fancy a squirrel coat?

...and twenty Gold Flake, David





I love these adverts for Gold Flake cigarettes!

Worn-out men


Ok, just in case you drink too much tea, then get yourself down to the chemist and ask for , and be sure you obtain the genuine - De Witt's Pills!

Just what the Doctor ordered

I love tea. This is one of the adverts which I found in 0ne of my old newspapers. It's from The Daily Telegraph and Morning Post, Monday October 3, 1938.

A few good places for buying tea include http://anteaques.co.uk/clerkSt, which is in Edinburgh. It's owned by two very nice gentlemen (one of whom bakes fresh cakes and scones daily), the other is into antiques (hence the name of the shop). It's a good place not only for a good cup of tea, but you can also sit amongst the lovely antiques.

Another shop worthy of a look is http://www.postcardteas.com/ Tim, the owner is very friendly and helpful. They will send off foil packaged bags of teas for you all around the world. You can do tea tasting there too. Also see their selection of beautiful hand-made tea caddies here http://www.postcardteas.com/accessories/caddies



Complete Surrender

WANTED: HOME FOR BABY BOY. AGED 1 MONTH. COMPLETE SURRENDER

In late 1942 that advert was placed in the Reading Mercury. Two weeks later on the deserted platform of Reading railway station, a young couple who had read the advert were to fleetingly meet the mother of this baby boy as she passed the child over to them.

I heard about this book on the local radio yesterday. It reminded me of all the old newspapers which I have at my studio. They have lots of interesting ads, (although none giving away babies).
It made me want to go and get them, which means I will have to take a walk to the studio in the snow and ice...oh no!
I will post some of them later...