Artist Nina Hamnett, Jazz Age’s Wildest Party Girl

A R T L▼R K

On the 14^th of February 1890, Welsh artist, writer and bohemian party girl Nina Hamnett was born in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales. Her emerging artistic skill helped her escape an unhappy childhood. She moved to London where she studied at Pelham Art School, then the London School of Art and in 1914 she went to Montparnasse, Paris, to study at Marie Wassilieff’s Academy. Her social life and artistic career rapidly took off.

“A natural rebel, with her tall, boyish figure, short hair, unconventional clothes, and flamboyant behaviour, Hamnett rapidly became a well-known bohemian personality. A self-appointed artistic ambassador between London and Paris, friends and mentors included Henri Gaudier-Brzeska, Amedeo Modigliani, Walter Sickert, Roger Fry, and Augustus John. She benefited from her first-hand knowledge of the avant-garde in both cities to develop her own individual style and she made a significant contribution to the modern movement in London from about…

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Bert Hardy, Photographer | Spitalfields Life

The Pool of London, 1949

Continuing his series of profiles of photographers who pictured the East End in the twentieth century, Contributing Writer Mark Richards explores the photography of Bert Hardy

Source: Bert Hardy, Photographer | Spitalfields Life

The Café Royal, London by William Orpen (1912) Postcard | Zazzle #Sold!

Source: The Café Royal, London by William Orpen (1912) Postcard | Zazzle

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Queer British Art, Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1 | reviewdonkey

Queer British Art at the Tate is a fascinating exhibition, it is more of a history of homosexuality in Britain told through artistic pieces. Some of the exhibits aren’t very queer, until you …

Source: Queer British Art, Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1 | reviewdonkey

Turn Again, Whittington Spiral Notebook | Zazzle #Sold

Dick Whittington was drawn not by me but my ex-chap, Mr FND. I get the commission though, bless him!

Style: Photo Notebook (80 Pages B&W)

Organize your day with a custom notebook! Made with your images and text on the front cover, this notebook is a great way to show off your personal style and keep track of all important notes and appointments all at once.

• Dimensions: 6.5″ x 8.75″
• Cover printed in vibrant, sharp color
• 80 black & white lined pages
• Lay flat spiral binding

Source: Turn Again, Whittington Spiral Notebook | Zazzle

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William Blake’s Home – London, England – Atlas Obscura

The London townhouse where the poet created some of his most influential work has been preserved in tribute.

Source: William Blake’s Home – London, England – Atlas Obscura

London’s Russian Artist: Boris Anrep | London Historians’ Blog

This article by Dr Helen Szamuely was first published in London Historians Members’ Newsletter of April 2015.

The cavalier way in which TfL seems to have treated the Paolozzi mosaics in Totte…

Source: London’s Russian Artist: Boris Anrep | London Historians’ Blog

N.B. I’m not currently responding to comments or visiting blogs because of ill-health but I much appreciate your support.

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Charles Flower’s Old London Churches – HistoryLondonHistoryLondon

St Helen, Bishopsgate by Charles Flower, c.1904

Charles Flower’s Old London Churches were published as postcards in 1904. HistoryLondon revisits the images as they appear today.

Source: Charles Flower’s Old London Churches – HistoryLondonHistoryLondon

Vesta Tilley Business Card | Zazzle #Sold!

Size: Standard Size Business Card, 3.5″ x 2.0″

When it comes to your business, don’t wait for opportunity, create it! Make a lasting impression with quality cards that WOW.

• Dimensions: 3.5″ x 2.0″
• Full color CMYK print process
• Double sided printing for no additional cost
• 100% satisfaction guarantee

Paper Type: Signature UV Matte

An upgrade from our Standard Matte, Signature UV Matte features a thicker and stiffer paper coated with a protective finish that can be written on. It provides the perfect base for creating long-lasting, high-quality designs with robust color and detail.

• 18 pt thickness/ 325 GSM
• Bright white, matte finish
• UV coating adds an additional layer of protection
• Made and printed in the USA

Source: Vesta Tilley Business Card | Zazzle

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Curiocity – the book | The Great Wen

Way back in 2011, I wrote this blog post about something I’d been sent in the post. It was called Curiocity and was a tiny fold-up magazine that featured arcane trivia on one side and a weird…

Source: Curiocity – the book | The Great Wen

Flora Annie Steel | stuartshieldgardendesign

Flora Annie Steel (2 April 1847 – 12 April 1929) was an English writer who was noted for writing books set in British India or otherwise connected to it.   Personal life She was born Flora Ann…

Source: Flora Annie Steel | stuartshieldgardendesign

Winnie-the-Pooh: The Forgotten Connection | jamesosbornenovels

With thanks to Olga for posting the link on Facebook and to James Osborne for writing it.

Special thanks to CBC Radio for an interview that resurrected this little-known story about the origins of Winnie-the-Pooh. Here’s a summary.    Winnie-the-Pooh was born in Canada! Well, sort of. I…

Source: Winnie-the-Pooh: The Forgotten Connection | jamesosbornenovels

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That’s Entertainment! | First Night Design | #Repost

FROM THE ARCHIVE 27th March 2011
On the right is one of my latest designs, There are No Small Parts, which features a couple of characters taken from an original programme for the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company production of Gil…

Source: That’s Entertainment! | First Night Design

First Night Design | Gilbert and Sullivan Special #Vintage

London Theatre Land — Late 19th Century-Early 20th Century

A little trip back in time when going to the theatre or opera was a grand occasion, manners mattered and programmes were beautiful mementoes to be kept and treasured, a time when advertisements pleased the eye in ways they no longer do.

Burnet’s Specialities Greeting Card by FirstNightDesign

Holborn Restaurant Greeting Card by FirstNightDesign

Schweppes Table Waters Greeting Card by FirstNightDesign

The Gondoliers Postcard by FirstNightDesign

Royal English Opera’s Ivanhoe Greeting Card by FirstNightDesign

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First Night Design | Day at the Exhibition (What! No Heffalumps?) #Repost

FROM THE ARCHIVE 7 March 2014
What! No elephants? Visitors who read yesterday’s post will know this piece started out with elephants. After adding textures from 2 Lil’ Owls, I played around for some while adding and…

Source: First Night Design | Day at the Exhibition (What! No Heffalumps?)