Bull

Came across this nineteenth century oil painting yesterday. It's a detailed study for a much larger painting involving a grand landscape - all black & damnation reds, very dramatic. However, with this smaller study I rather like the pantomime quality of the bull's stance - as if the back's not quite sure what the front's up to.

The bull looks none too pleased about this...

Hidden Book Treasure No 16: Happy Birthday

This is the first time a 'fit for purpose' bookmark has made it's way into the Serge & Tweed 'Hidden Book Treasure' category. It's not terribly unusual to discover a bookmark hidden within the pages of an old book, often too dull to register. Many's the encounter with those gold embossed, 'Memento from Longleat' type, leather tongues. However, an exception has been made for this.
It was found nestled in a large collection of old childrens books once belonging to a young girl named Marion.The books were mostly from the early 1930's and had been very well cared for; paper covers intact & almost as bright as the day they were bought. The condition of book mark reflects this care.
The book it fell from was an almost perfect, early edition of, 'The Fairy Caravan' by Beatrix Potter. Just one of a whole box full of chilldren's literature delights, carefully chosen for a fledgling library.

It may come as no surprise to discover that each book within the collection was inscribed with love & best wishes from Mother & Dad. 

Only of the Fruitful, Loving, Seed

A Collins Classics edition of Grimms' Fairy Tales from the late 1930's. Not anything very much to look at, infact the cloth cover is quite tatty, yet the quirky personal inscription inside and the colour plates appealed enough to see cash being exchanged for it.

 
The Giver-of-the-gift has seen fit to give a book of fairy tales to mark a happy anniversary. Romantic, yes. However, in the inscription this sentiment appears a little less so to the 'modern outsider's eye' with his choice of address and wording...

Greetings to Pennington Kirkgate

A flea market find retrieved from a dusty box of menus and football ephemera. 

A GPO greetings telegram illustrated by Clifford Bayly complete with age-spotted envelope. Apologies for not having more to tell you about Clifford Bayly, only that his illustrations pop up occasionally in books and pamphlets from 1950's - 1980's. Would love to know a little more.

Such a jolly, vibrant greeting would have been an absolute pleasure to receive, despite the wording inside being somewhat plain!

 

No Time for Romance, Desperate for Spring

 

Bookseller window, Ludlow. Spotted yesterday, 13th February 2013.

Sir Roy's Cat - part one

A handsome slab of stone dedicated to the memory of Larkin, a cat formerly belonging to Sir Roy Strong and his wife. Resting in peace in the beautiful grounds of Sir Roy's garden at The Laskett in Herefordshire. Photographed on a sunny day last Summer.

Another Black Eye?

In conjunction with the Museum of British Folklore, the Whitechapel Gallery in London is planning to host an archive display of the 1951, 'Black Eyes & Lemonade' exhibition, exploring Barbara Jones' approach to curating popular art. Although details are presently scant on the websites of both organisations involved, it's whispered that the exhibition is due to open next month, 9th March, and there's another chance to see the fireplace in the shape of an Airedale dog!  
Can't wait!