Vintage Childhood Memories...

Hello all.
I think it's best you go and put the kettle on, grab something tasty to accompany your beverage and settle in for a tad tiny moment. I have been scanning left, right and centre (pardon the pun) with the intention of sharing a visual feast of imagery with you.

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Now whether or not you love vintage children's books as much as I do, or not, is beside the point really.

One would have to have be devoid of all sentiment not to appreciate the imaginative illustrations created by Anne & Janet Grahame Johnstone. I first posted about their work on the book Waterbabies here and since then I have been lucky enough to find a second book illustrated by them. 

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I love the colours....

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.... the abundance of flora & fauna, the attention to detail and most of all...

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.... the clothes.

I remember asking my mum -
Where do you get clothes like that?

(Hoping that I might be able to procure myself a set of white stockings and a
pair of black leather brass buckled shoes -
try saying that quickly!)

Of course I was raised in the eighties which meant that the local department store stocked everything Madonna, Culture Club and Cyndi Lauper. At this tender age I was oblivious to trends so it's no wonder I was heartbroken when I could not find the aisle for Lorna Doone lovers!
I was lucky enough though to have a Nanna who made me my very own Holly Hobby outfit.
So I suppose that's something. Hmmm - I need to dig out an old photo album I think!

The next two illustrations fill the inside of the front & back covers of the book.
How fantastic - to pay attention to pages we often ignore.

Next we peruse art works from a few of my Ladybird Readers.

Anyone recognise these?

Illustrated by A.J Macgregor

The mischievous adventures of two frisky kittens and their crazy antics.

Kittens in dresses - sigh...

And this one...

Illustrated by Frank Hampson

Higgledy Piggledy, the hen - reminds me of Roz & Daphne, but as for
 "Rub a Dub Dub" - the three men in the tub
(who supposedly jumped out of a rotten potato??)

I think I like the visual more than the poem.

Illustrated by Eric Winter

Then there's the slightly creepy tale of the baby snatcher who wants to play "guess my name
games" with a mother to be. I definitely enjoy the art more than the story here!

 After doing a bit of poking around I discovered this article about Ladybird Illustrators and it stated that

Eric Winter was actually the artist who designed the logo for the Abbey National Building Society.

As well as this a copy of the L/B reader Puss in Boots (which he illustrated) has been placed in a time capsule for future generations to find - too cool.

Illustrated by Eric Winter

The article also states that before working for L/B Eric provided artwork for Eagle comics

(as did a number of other L/B illustrators)

The Princess and the Pea was always, in my opinion, the most absurd fairytale and I commend Eric for drawing a decidedly naff looking Prince - after all who marries a ridiculously uptight woman that struggles to sleep on a pea hidden under a stack of mattresses? Just cos Mummy told you too?

Mmmm....

I doubt very much this Prince will see any honeymoon action.

Then we have this darling...

Illustrated by Ethel & Harry Wingfield

 Full of really lovely ideas of things to do with your young-uns.

I swear my sister, my cousin and I had a tea party just like this one when we were wee little peeps.

Next there's an example of a LB Learner book...

Illustrated by Martin Aitchison

A sort of mini encyclopedia on the topic of Ballet - it's history, costumes, conventions etc.

Informative but not lacking in drama and romance by any means.

 I do hope you've enjoyed this little vintage illustration feast.

For me it's a real trip down memory lane and I am always inspired by the talent of other dedicated artists who can do what I am sadly unable to do. 

Still, this world needs the creators balanced by the observers - yes?

PS - If you love these then guess what!
You can purchase LB prints and or canvas art HERE.
Whoop Whoop!

***************

I have some photos of my new guest room to post next. I had a ball playing around and decorating it.

My week has seen me tick off a number of items from my to-do list - including my goal to meditate every day for 15 minutes ... YAY for me! It's been a great stress buster and I'm looking forward to keeping up the routine. Hubby and I have recorded a mahoosive load of UK shows - Escape to the Country, Homes Under the Hammer etc. We find they are the perfect tonic for our dreams and longings to move to the UK. So this evening I think I'll be lazy and insist that we have takeaway, a good bottle of vino and a curl up on the couch.
Happy Thursday Peoples!
xxxx