I forgot to post my rather surprising little purchase last year. It is a hand printed woodblock Christmas card by the brothers Morton. It makes sense that they would create a woodblock and then use it for their Christmas cards, but the fact that it has survived is wonderful. It is in perfect condition and signed by both brothers. It is so wonderfully unique and beautifully crafted, it was one of my must haves for the end of 2009. The inside of the card states, "HMS Victory" and it states that it is a hand printed woodblock. Isn't it the height of nonchalance?
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You know you really are scraping the barrel, Clive, buying Christmas cards. It will be Hall Thorpe next. In Kurdistan you wouldn't be able to hold your head up in the bazaar.
Nevertheless, this looks in pretty good condition and beautifully made. As you know all too well, I think there is something to be said for small works if it's only that you look at them more often.
Christmas cards are of course a niche and every collection should have one or two. Artists should be able to do exactly what they want. I have a witty linocut by the contemporary artist John Jackson and a carefree etching from Leslie and Nellie Ward - neither of them sent to me.
Still, this card doesn't change my view of the Cavendish brothers. I think they continue in Martian mode. Why the replication?
No matter, it was a shrewd buy. I see they lived on the Isle of Wight. (Brightwell/Brightstone?). I wonder if they and the Mavrogordatos exchanged cards?
Incidentally Christmas and New Year cards are a bit of an Austrian speciality, I think, and quite a few artists worked to commission.
A.M.H. Baba
Oh Mr. Baba, I can sense your a little jaded. I feel hurt that you would suggest a Hall Thorpe may make it onto my walls hurt with a mixture of mirth. I agree that the Cavendish brothers were odd, but they were from an odd artistic family and had little communication with other kids their own age. Could this be the key? I am also unsure as to what a woodblock of the HMS Victory has to do with the celebration of the birth of the Messiah, but I am sure it looked good after a liquid lunch in July.
There are many questions about this piece but it is beautifully done, and gorgeously created. The details are exquisite. What replication are you speaking of?
Anyway, I have often said that nothing says Happy Birthday Jesus like masted warships. It's as festive as mince pies and plum pudding.
'I saw three ships come sailing by on Christmas Day in the morning'? Well, not quite but you are left wondering. Anyway, I warned you they were odd. The replication I mean is the repetition of the ships. But galleons were standard issue for the time (as you know)and this is a much better than avetrage variation.
All that aside, what interests me about this purchase is this: I can't see it going on the wall. Does this mean even you have bought a small portfolio for your more eccentric purchases?
A Mujaheddin Haji Baba
Oh Mr. Baba, you have so little faith. I haven't been won over on the portfolio idea but I have been won over on the joys of monochromatic images. There is hope for me yet. The truth be told however, I will admit it is not framed yet and sits next to a Jowett and Sydney Lee. I am still in the contemplation mode.
I will however, NEVER be persuaded, on John Hall Thorpe.
Don't go overboard on the JHT dig, shipmate. Once you have a fair number of small things, you will put them in a portfolio, never fear. It makes sense. British wood engravings don't generally frame well and unless they are big & European like Bernard Rice they look pretty daft on the wall.
As for Sydney Lee, which Sydney Lee exactly are we talking about? You say I am secretive! You can have mine. With pleasure.
And you will be a baba yourself from Sunday onwards, so now then.
Ali Mujaheddin Haji Baba
Dear Mr. Baba,
Does forty mean old man? How depressing, I thought I was taking it all int my stride. I like to group things, so I think I can pull off a few smaller things framed. Actually I recently purchased the Sydney Lee, one of his Spanish courtyard scenes and a signed proof to boot. As for size, well the whole image is 22.5" x 17.75". Should look fine framed no? Actually I didn't mention it because I will do a posting on Sydney Lee, so I wasn't being secretive...honest I wasn't
;)
What baba means in practice I'm not exactly sure. It's a usage. Better than saying nothing.
I look forward to the Lee post. Probably knowing your eagle eye and indefatiguable approach to ebay, you will have found something. I had a Lee phase but I was certainly under forty. There was one he did at Walberswick I always liked. Spanish is a bit 1912-ish, if you know what I mean.
A.M. Haji Baba
Ironically Charles, "baba" means old bag or even old hag for women in Japanese, so after a decade in Japan, when I read it, it does make me laugh.
I think Sydney Lee is interesting, it has been a kind of progression from Autumn last year with wood engravers and more interest in monochromatics. I think one or two Lee works fills out a works on paper collection, much like a nice Elyse Lord or by contrast a nice Dorsey Potter Tyson.
I am interested to hear what you have to say about the picks from Ebay I have found. It has been a very dry and trying couple of months. Nothing to make my heart leap. If I missed anything, do let me know in an email haha.
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