Vintage Print and Vintage Ladies
I love seeking out quirky and unusual vintage printed items such as maps, postcards, cigarette cards and books. I like the detail and appreciate the work that went in to producing these items. Working with programmes such as photoshop, it's easy to take for granted how we have everything at our fingertips at the click of a button. My plan was to show you a snippet of my collection.
But I came across something I just had to share with you ... browsing the Christmas Markets in Manchester last week I could hardly believe my eyes when, amongst all the glitter and gluhwein I spotted a sign offering "a unique opportunity to purchase a piece of British Industrial Heritage" Oh I had to take a closer look!
The font drawings and master drawings were being sold by a salvage company operating from the former Linoprint and Machine Company factory on the outskirts of Manchester.
They look fantastic in a simple minimalist frame. They'd work well hanging on the wall of an airy loft-style apartment.
Amongst the finds were interesting photos of the draftsmen working in the drawing office at Linotype. The Linotype and Machine Company was established in 1889 and the printing machinery was advertised as"the Eight Wonder of the World"!
I have no doubt that this unique vintage collection will be snapped up soon. Now if only I had the money…
And so to return to my original but now pared-down plan. It's a tough choice whittling down my favourite pieces from my printed collection so I'll save the maps, books and cigarette cards for another day.
Amongst my collection of vintage celebration cards, I particularly like these tinted birthday cards which date to 1918. I sourced them from Oh La La Vintage store in Howarth, Yorkshire.
Not only are they typical of the era, but one includes the slogan on the back " Buy National War Bonds Now" advertising War Bonds to finance the war efforts.
And staying on the subject of ladies, what do you think of these two? I discovered them amongst a collection of theatre related ephemera at a car boot sale in Cheshire. I think this lady is an actress from a French Theatre company in the early 1900s... although I use the term 'actress' loosely! Doesn't she look a cheeky one?!
This card is particularly attractive because when held up to the light it becomes translucent and pale delicate colours emerge. I wonder if this is connected to the French actress Cora Laparcerie who was born in 1875. I feel sure that the two cards are in some way connected - I need to research them further. Perhaps they're even the same person?
I hope you enjoyed my vintage post today. Let me know if you've ever come across any similar items. I'd also be interested to learn more about the actresses.