Our Pets - Vintage Photographs

It's been a very long time since I shared any new additions to my collection of vintage photographs, and there are a few reasons for this. Mostly, because I don't have a scanner set up constantly any more it's just not as quick to edit them, and I also have cut back searching for them on Ebay, instead hope to just find them on my outings. Excuses excuses!

I have collected these lovely pet portraits together to get me back in the habit, this first one was actually a present from my boyfriend, doesn't she look like she's stepped out of The Secret Garden? The cat looks particularly mystical, this was such a brilliant find and one of my all time favourites. The following portrait with the young girl and dog is again, one of my favourites because of the costume and setting, she's more of a blonde Alice figure! Hope you enjoy these, part 2 will be coming soon!

I just love how tender these pet portraits are, even though photography wasn't as widely available, they still wanted to capture their pets, and deservedly so.
Thanks for reading!

Katie

Vintage Photographs - Land Army 1940

"Joan, Land Army, July 1940"

"Tommy, Land Army, 1940"

Three new additions to my collection, but also my very first Land Girl photograph! I was lucky to find the pair of Land Army photographs on Ebay, I think it's super to have Tommy the army horse included as well! The last photograph is just absolutely lovely, and was from the same seller, so it could still be a Land Girl, just having a rare down-time moment on the farm!

Hope you're having a great week in the sunshine!

Katie

We Are Resolute

January is such an odd time. Christmas feels like eons ago, the dark mornings leave us in a slump, and we're not all exactly dying to go out into the cold to get moving! In my last post I mentioned my own plans for 2013, but inspired by The National Media Museum's 'We Are Resolute' collection on Pinterest, I thought one more self-inspiration post couldn't hurt!

 1. Get Moving! (Women climbing a hill, c.1920, Unknown, National Media Museum)

2. Take Better Photographs (Two women war photographers with Graflex cameras, 1945, 

Jack Esten, National Media Museum)

3. Buy Less Food&Drink From Chains (Beatnik coffee bar, 1960, David Salt, 

National Media Museum)

4. Travel (Elderly country couple sit in car during London trip, 1937, Sayers, National Media Museum)

5. Socialise, don't rely on technology! (Woman demonstrating products at a Tupperware party, 1963, 

Unknown, National Media Museum)

I could go on! Hop over to their blog to see plenty more inspiration! If you haven't visited my Pinterest before, why not have a browse, It's quite a mixed bag of things! CLICK

Hope you are having a good January so far, we finally got the snow we've all been moaning about for a week then? Shocker!

Katie

Women in the garden (2) - Vintage photographs

"I love all things most gardeners abhor! - moss in lawns, lichen on trees, more greenery than 'colour' (always said as though green isn't a colour!), bare branches in winter..."

Edna Walling

As much as I adore the first cold snaps of winter that turn our footsteps deliciously crunchy, I do miss the outdoor 'hands on' tasks that go into hibernation until spring! I know now that being stuck indoors does me no good, I feel much better when putting myself to use outdoors, or at least taking a minute to really ENJOY these seasonal changes! Branches of fallen evergreens find themselves on every surface of my home before you can say "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" as I can't bear things to look grey or dull!

In respect to this, I thought it was about time I shared a few more from my 'In the Garden' vintage collection. The above photograph is actually a large 10x8 print that I purchased from my beloved Bridport market - I thought she was the most perfectly dressed woodland rambler I'd ever seen! It is enough to re-affirm my love of large format, it is the best.

I am currently reading (amongst other things, I can't lie - I am a serial book-cheat!) "The Virago Book of Women Gardeners" which is a fantastic compendium of female gardening writing, containing anything from humorous anecdotes to inspirational battles against health, war, and prejudice. 

 "...perhaps the chiefest attraction of a garden is that occupation can always be found there. No idle people are happy, but with mind and fingers busy cares are soonest forgotten" 

Alica Amherst, 1902 

As the author Deborah Kellaway states: "Of course, you can't make an anthology of women gardeners unless they sometimes lay down the trowel and pick up the pen..." which could give the impression that women's advice can be seen as being from "fireside gardeners" - those who live through the pages of books rather than the dirt and the changing weather. But with iron-strong characters such as the glorious Vita Sackville-West, Gertrude Jekyll and Beatrix Potter all giving advice, you know you're in safe hands!

Staying with the great Gertrude Jekyll, here is a fantastic anecdote which sums up my current philosophy:

"For planting ground is painting a landscape with living things and I hold that good gardening takes rank within the bounds of the fine arts, so I hold that to plant well needs an artist of no mean capacity". (Wood and Garden)

It's common for people to turn to horticulture as a second career, many from an arts/literature educational background. To me, it's all one and the same. I think those of us who harbour a traditional 'romantic' side can easily see the transition between admiring nature in novels or canvas, and proceeding to involve yourself into such inspiring landscapes. Anyone object to this? Well, I'd recommend you step outside, and take a proper look!

If you are missing the daily pottering at the moment, I highly recommend you curl up in front of the fire with this book. There's plenty to inspire, I can't wait to get planning my 2013 efforts, it's looking busy! I hope you've enjoyed this selection of photographs too, I've been squirrelling them away for a while, I knew I'd need a boost this time of year.

Wishing you a good week, thanks for reading!

Katie

A dog by my side - Vintage photographs

In my collection of vintage photographs I have some key themes including 'In the garden', 'Our family at home', and a range of soldier domestic portraits. However, I've realised I've also gained another - "A dog by my side". I have always loved dogs, when I was younger I'd pick up any dog ornaments at charity shops/boot fairs, although I have had to downsized that particular collection (it's for the best!)

I hope you enjoy these most recent finds (all from Ebay), the first two are definitely new favourites of mine! Contrasting the women to the stocky old-breed bulldogs is very interesting. Particularly considering how we view bulldog/staffordshire type breeds today, and what the usual stereotypes follow certain owners of these breeds are. The captions are also quite a contrast to modern day expectation: "Types of English Beauty" and "That island of England breeds very valiant creatures"- quite different to the popular modern "British Bulldog" iconography, don't you think? Physically, you can see how more recent breeding has effected the Bulldog, their faces and bodies are less squashed and stocky in these examples.

This last photograph is just so gentle and beautifully lit, I think she was a famed glamour girl of the times? Irish Wolfhounds are one of my favourite breeds, they are always so graceful despite their size.

I have plenty more where these came from, never fear!

Thanks for popping by,

Katie

Monthly Wish List - August

Just a quick 'Wish List' this month, although I must say, retail therapy sits very well with me at this particular moment in time!

First off, a beautiful 1968 London Museums print by Joy Simpson. Printed by Leonard Ripley&Company Ltd, this London fir was founded in the 1920s and since the 1940s have specialised in printing large lithographic posters. I particularly love the dog painting and the teapots! The last year has seen the popularity of travel posters rise, personally, I've always been a fan of vintage prints and advertising, because my Dad was into his graphic design, we've always had examples up in the loft! Nothing QUITE this fantastic though I must admit. I keep going to press "Buy It Now"....should I...shouldn't I...watch this space!

The sellers 'Doe and Hope' has a great range of antiques and curiosities, so pop along to their shop!

It's no secret I am a fan of the Art Deco side of life, my Mum&I share this passion and particularly put it into use in our dining room. For me, the more 'lively' examples catch my eye, such as this a-m-a-z-i-n-g 'Cloud' walnut display case. Absolutely mad, absolutely stunning. I have more than enough china to fill it, in fact, I would have to hold back. THIS is the reason I am learning to drive, so i can travel the length of the country to go fetch items like these and squeeze them onto the back seat! (This one lives in Margate...so near yet so far!) I've seen makeup tables and mirrors in a similar style, one day I shall have the whole set, oh yes indeed!

Next up, it wouldn't be one of my Wish Lists without an old photograph or two! So first up is this very strange example of a rather frilly little girl pulling a pigs tail...well why not? 1920s I'd guess. The seller Davetheshoe's shop always has a good selection of photographs, recommended!

And to accompany, a very presentable Gent and his dog, moustaches and a pipe always a hit with me! From another good Ebay shop, Pollys Postcards and Photographs.

Sorry it's a short one this month, we'll make up for it in September!

Katie

Monthly Wish List - June

Well it's seemingly time again for this months Wish List, that came around very quickly! The flavour of this June, is of course, Jubilee and all things British, so forgive me one last dabble into royal memorabilia this year! First up, a 1953 silk coronation scarf, which caught my eye quite a while ago now, needless to say it went for some major ££'s so i had to give up! Compared to modern day souvenirs, I think this is in a different league! I know the V&A had some scarves to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee, but i can't say I was very taken with them.

1953 Silk Coronation Scarf, £28 from Ebay

On a similar "Blighty" theme, how about this authentic 1940s Home front embroidery of the UK, with adorable details which depict what areas are most famous for!  For example, London has St Pauls (complete with a blimp balloon fly over), fishing in Cornwall, etc!

Sold For £80 on Ebay HERE

It was from a pattern given in "Woman" magazine entitled "The Land We Love", which thankfully means there must be quite a few of these around! This is a particularly clean and bright example though, i even love the colour of the frame, although personally I'd turn it into a wall mounted piece rather than a fire screen.

Now, on a different note, how about these two little chaps? Early 1900s photograph, adorable little wire haired terriers. I love pet portraits from this era, as they must have really loved these dogs to give them their own portrait session! And in this case, two is definitely better than one!

 

1900s Dog Portrait, Found on Ebay

If you are a fellow dog-person, you may appreciate this charming tankard! A sturdy drinking companion, mixed with a hilarious Poodle handle, I absolutely love it, and i think Bruce would be more than happy to enjoy his ale in this! Am i right?

Pewter Tankard with poodle handle

Now for something utterly useless, but utterly charming! (My favourite sort of find!) This Home Gardener Championship Medal caught my eye because of the fantastic engraving of the people, very similar to prints done by my favourite Clare Leighton! I have googled it, and found no clues to where this has sprung from, as these championships go on worldwide, however it looks decidedly British to me, if only the chap had a pipe too!

Another cheeky vintage picture which seemed appropriate, as despite it being June, we are decidedly lacking in seaside-friendly weather! Its entitled "Early RP Cleethorpes Bathers" from the inter-war years (1918-1939) however I would say its definitely at the earlier end of the dates, ladies wouldn't have troubled themselves with those long skirts on the beach for much longer! They all look dashing, and i really enjoy the boardwalk behind them with the people admiring the view!

Cleethorpes Bathers Picture found on Ebay, sold for £7.99 HERE

And keeping on the coastal theme (because i am literally counting down the days until my Dorset holiday!!) my final Wish List item is this 1950s Yacht pattern decanter set, in a unusual tawny glass colour! A nice description by the seller too "This comes from a time when an after dinner drink meant a nip of cognac or some exotic liqueur brought back from a foreign holiday. Still charming for the table and an excellent addition to a home cocktail bar" - and i quite agree! A thoughtful description gives an item even more likability in my books!

Lets keep our sights set firmly on the summer everyone! The coastal themed items were also influenced by by best friend moving to Brighton this week, I will miss her everyday but I am excited to have a new seaside town to visit regularly, and i know she will love it there! 

Hope you have a great weekend, as always, thanks for reading!

Katie

It's May 1st!

Considering what a wet miserable week it's been, I thought a quick post to celebrate all the cheeriness of May Day would be a good idea! We should all be outside in the sun, dancing round Maypoles wearing crowns of flowers - instead, I'm just about to stand at the bus stop and get soaked by cars! Nice!

 Maypole Celebrations 1910

May Day is a celebration of spring, rejuvenation, fertility and life—and traditionally, a day to dance and weave the Maypole, who's symbolism has been continuously debated by folklorists for centuries, although no set conclusion has ever been arrived at. Some classify maypoles as symbols of the world axis. The anthropologist Mircea Eliade suggests that the maypoles were simply a part of the general rejoicing at the return of summer, and the growth of new vegetation. In this way, they have similarities with the May Day garlands which were also a common festival practice in the United Kingdom mid-14th century. The practice had become increasingly popular in the UK throughout the ensuing centuries, with the maypoles becoming symbols that brought the local community together.

 A FANTASTIC 1920's example, May Day flapper girls!!

Often in celebrations, a May Queen is picked, who must ride or walk at the front of the parade. She wears a white gown to symbolise purity and usually a tiara. According to some folklore, the tradition once had a sinister twist, in that the May Queen was put to death once the festivities were over?! Crikey. Slightly Wicker Man eh? Luckily, that trend was left behind in the 14th century, and there's a good chance it was anti-pagan propaganda anyway!

Peggy Clark as a land girl May Queen, Bedfordshire, 1944

Little May Queen wearing flowers in her hairs, early 1900's 

There's even an official flower for the occasion, the May Blossom which is suitable pink and girly for use in the headdresses, but also a cheery sign of a hopeful summer!

May Blossom

There are also tradition for complex dances to be preformed, such as the May Queen dancing troupes, who include complicated weaves and unweaves, but they are not well known today. However, such dances are performed every Mayday around the permanent Maypole at Offenham, in Worcestershire. Temporary Maypoles are usually erected on village greens and events are often supervised by local Morris dancing groups. Could there be a better symbol of eccentric British folk traditions than the Morris dancers?

Chanctonbury Ring Morris Men, 1953

There's countless folk traditions and village fetes celebrating this weekend, why not go to one of your local shows? Morris Dancing in the rain sounds very jolly! :)

Hope you have a good May Day!

Katie

Three Ladies from Lymington - Vintage photographs

Hello! Just a quick post of some wonderful photographs i found whilst on holiday in Lymington. We payed a visit to the Grandma's Attic antiques fair where all my family walked away with something (including an 1850's silver cigarette case and an Art Nouveau ring) but my purchases were somewhat more frugal! I must admit there was a near altercation on the postcard stand because one woman was hogging the boxes for no less than 20 minutes! And considering they were a bargain price of 10p/30p each, she was faffing far too much with her choices. Years of browsing antiques fairs has given me an eagle eye for my collections, and i can't stand people faffing about - if you take that long deciding on an item, you don't really want it! Despitecompetetive males aged 50+ (all looking for military history items/stamps) bustling about at these stands, I can always find what I'm looking for (Portraits including gardens or flowers, backdrops depicting nature scenes, British domestic family life and Aldershot related history - phew!!)

Here are the three lovely ladies I brought home from Lymington!

The posing with inanimate objects trend is just so fantastic - and odd! Two great examples here, shame the last photographer chose to focus more on the chair than the figure!

Hope the weeks off to a good start!

Katie

First Easter Blog! Vintage Finds.

Today is the first in quite a few Easter - related posts I have planned for the holidays. My collection of photographs usually relate to "People In Gardens" but i like to branch off into springtime/easter themes too, as it's my favourite time of the year (probably because it usually falls around my Birthday!)

The first of these photo's was found on Ebay, I still smile every time i look at it! These two just seem so proud of their pets they wanted to present them on a nice fluffy rug...which hopefully ISN'T made out of past rabbits! But a great example of an obscure Easter picture eh?

The second charming photograph was discovered in a book shop in Tunbridge Wells, I'm not usually fussed about childrens portraits BUT this one really caught me unaware! His little handmade outfit, wonky socks and cheeky smile make him an excellent Easter-gram! The daisies and flowers are the perfect springtime setting! Well done that photographer!

Just thought these two would brighten up a Wednesday! Plenty more vintage treats to come!

Hope you're having a good week!

Katie