Monday's Faces

She's gorgeous, isn't she? I love her hair and clothes, she looks so stylish. I love that she's called Dorothy, I reckon her friends called her Dot.

I think it's so interesting that so many of these old portraits are postcards - I wonder how that worked? Did people get a batch made, or just one-offs? I wonder how much it cost - was it just for special occasions or did everyone get them done?

I love her smile, just a hint. Mona Lisa's got nothing on this lass.

Monday's Faces

Slightly belated, but here nonetheless. Here is this week's Monday Face:

Love this lady. Perhaps she's celebrating getting her first house? Who knows. I just love the little table with the tablecloth and plant - I wonder how long she took to decide what to put on the table?

I can identify with her pride over her house, something that just belongs to her. Recently, and rather pathetically perhaps, I've been overcome with a nesting urge - I cannee wait to get a house after uni and decorate it and make it all cosy.

Well, maybe when I do I can orchestrate a picture like this one and put it up here for all to see. Sounds like a plan...

Monday's Faces

On the back:

 My father:- Robt Maughan.
Photograph taken Llandudno
Summer 1922 'Craig-y-Don Hotel.'
Dad had just returned from London, having
played bowles for England
against the Australians.

Monday's Faces

I get the impression that they didn't hold hands very often. But then, perhaps his father didn't used to hold his hand either.

Monday's Faces

No description on the back of this one. My eye is drawn to the lady on the left - Elsie, I reckon. Not too clear where they are either, but looks as though they could be in a boat. The lady on the right looks a tad insipid - lately jilted perhaps?

I think Elsie has taken her out for the day to cheer her up, and "get her some fresh air." I think Elsie is the type of lady who would insist on rowing the boat, and when she got together with her friends would say she was having "a night with the girls."

Monday's Faces

Quite a find I made today. I had an hour to kill between lectures so I found myself wandering up a narrow flight of stairs to a local antique shop and having a hunt around. There were was a fair brilliant range of trinkets and "objets" as my dad would say.

But the thing that caught my eye was a box of postcards and photographs labelled "subjects" for 25p each. Trying to stifle my excitement I asked the shopkeeper (who looked very dapper in a suit) if he could open the cabinet for me.

I spent the next half hour searching through the box of absolute treasure and beaming with happiness. Some had scribbled dates and places on the back, some had detailed descriptions in neat hand, others had nothing - allowing me the pleasure of imagining.

I bought 13 cards today and fully intend to go back for more soon. I tell you, looking at those black and white and sepia faces really bloomin cheered me up. And, as Mondays can often be fairly dour, I'll share a face a week with you. I hereby announce with great pleasure the first "Monday's Face":


No detail on the back other than the print "Carta Postala Italiana", but I like to think she was a dancer called Maria and she saved that sequin skirt for her dance sessions and nothing else.

I love the way she's stood so awkwardly and her face is slightly blurred with movement, as though she turned her head at the last minute - perhaps because she felt embarrassed in front of the camera. She's not got model looks, but I'll bet the only time she felt truly beautiful was when she was dancing.