In 1949, when my dad was 15, he designed the card above which was selected by his school, The King's School, Peterborough, for their Christmas card that year.
I remember seeing the card quite often over the years, as it lay amongst old letters and photos at my parents' house. When Dad died in February and I began to write up his memoirs as a blog, Memoirs of John Michael Grinsell, I hunted it out again. It always fascinated me how intricate a design this was, presumably using scratch art technique to carve the picture into the card, picking up the white background underneath? [although from comments below it would seem it's more likely a wood or lino cut]
I could spend hours looking at the detail in the card: the curve of the chair, the architectural precision of the school building and the three little children playing in the snow. Hard to believe a young lad, the same age as Rory is now, laboriously etching out the scene.
Mum and I decided we would both like to use the card for our own Christmas card this year so she had them re-printed locally. I now have a big box to send out to friends.
I think writing my cards this year is going to be rather special.
Friday, 9 December: I think I have an answer as to how the card was created. My dad's sister, Betty, was speaking to my mum earlier and she remembers Dad working on the card at home: it was a linocut. She says he worked really hard for many hours with a special knfe to create the detail you see above.
What a special Xmas card indeed... It is amazing, your Dad was a man of many talents! xx
ReplyDeleteIt's a really lovely image Trish, love the school cap and scarf. It looks a lot like a wood cut print, certainly the style of art my grandfather was teaching at about the same time. Maybe the woodblock is still out there somewhere.....
ReplyDeleteOh, I love, love, love this card! Have you ever thought of having it framed? It really is a work of art. What a beautiful card and lovely tribute to your Dad.
ReplyDeleteWow, only 15 and he created that lovely card? What a talented young man he was.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, the detail is amazing, and execution so precise. Beautiful.
You dad was such a talented man, you are blessed to have all these things to remember him by
ReplyDeleteFunky W - its's lovely, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteFiona - Thanks so much for that info. I wasn't sure how it was created so this is great to know. I should probably amend the post.
Ms Caroline - glad you like it!
sarah - I should have it framed. It's quite small but you're right, it needs to be shown off.
Mum at the mad house - when I come across things like this it makes me wonder why I didn't ask him more about them at the time. But thank goodness I have them!
That is a gorgeous card, I think like Fiona said it might be a wood print, or possibly a lino print, we made those at school and the results were of a similar style.
ReplyDeleteJen - the idea of it being a linocut does ring a bell. I wish I knew more about the techniques to decide.
ReplyDeleteThat is an immensely skilful and beautiful piece of work. What a talent he had!
ReplyDeleteOh, that's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSteve - so pleased you agree. I think it's exquisite but, of course, I'm biased.
ReplyDeleteBlurofwoodsmoke - thank you so much x
What a fantastic idea to re-use the card design. It's going to be really special, really personal, and look really great.
ReplyDeleteThat is so wonderful and you must be so proud.....it does look a little like a lino cut, and your idea to use it this year is smashing.
ReplyDeleteMy word, that is a fascinating piece of work! Thanks for posting it. What a natural eye your father had. I LOVE seeing this sort of thing (coincidentally, I actually recently posted about my 15 year-old self's artistic talent.... did you see it?)
ReplyDeleteMacy - I was very pleased with the re-print, especially as the old one we had was very yellowed and a bit marked. The new card is much brighter.
ReplyDeleteLibby - We have had discussions about this at home. I originally said lino cut and Dougie wasn't sure so then I wondered about it just being scratch art. As I've said above, it would help if I knew what was involved in the processes.
Being Me - Thanks for that lovely comment. I didn't see the post you mentioned. I shall pop over to have a look x
ReplyDeleteThey will certainly be special for those lucky folks receiving them too. I remember a lino cut I did at school so I know how special they can be. So glad you decided to 'use' it.
ReplyDeleteThat's really neat. It does look like a lino cut. He has very clever perspective and perfect for a cut. What a great thing for your cards, looks like we won't be doing any this year, too disorganised...
ReplyDeleteI can't believe he was 15 when he did this, it's amazing! I think it's a gorgeous card! Emma :) xx
ReplyDeleteJfb57 - Dougie was convinced it couldn't be a linocut because he remembered his own butchered attempts at school! Seems husband was just not very good at it! Unlike my dad.
ReplyDeleteAbout last weekend - I think it was obvious then he would become an architect.
Bavarian sojourn - Me too! X
What a lovely thing to do! You must be very proud of your dad.
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