This cute postcard and the ones that follow were sent several years ago to my daughter by her Granny.
Whenever Granny went on a day trip she never failed to mail a card to each of her grandchildren which I think was a lovely idea.
There are always lots of fun things going on in every scene.
Sales and looking for bargains! . . . . Now there's something we all enjoy!
Wheelbarrow races used to be very popular but I'm guessing they might be considered 'unsafe' these days!
Any game can end in disagreement. . . Lemonade anyone?
If you are familiar with scenes like these then you probably know the artist was Racey Helps. I used to presume they were painted by a woman but in fact they are the work of a man, and here he is.
His name is Angus Clifford Racey Helps. He was born in 1913 and lived in Somerset, England. During the war years, whilst working as a hairdresser, he wrote and illustrated short stories for his young daughter. One day a book publisher entered his hair salon and saw one of the illustrated stories and fell in love with it. This was the start of Racey Helps' career as a writer and illustrator.
I recently discovered a lovely Racey Helps web site and on it there is a short video of the man himself being interviewed about his work. He was a very quiet and unassuming gentleman and quite a dapper dresser it would seem. If you'd like to see it you'll find it on the Racey Helps website.
Although written several years ago, the little story books like the one above are still available from booksellers. The postcards can of course be found on Ebay.
Thankfully my daughter kept all the postcards that Granny sent her and looking at them again has brought back many happy memories.
Until next time
Eli
Awww, I loved listening to Mr. Helps' interview and adore the drawings.
ReplyDeleteThose illustrations are so wonderful! Going to the web site as soon as I leave this page!
ReplyDeleteIt is sad about mail these days. I still love to send cards and parcels and surprises.
At long last, I seem to be able to post comments on blogs!
xx Helen
They are beautiful pictures
ReplyDeleteJulie xxxxxx
Thank you for the interesting post. I enjoyed reading about Racey Helps and watching his drawings. I like sending and receiving snail mail, luckily I have a couple of friends who enjoy this too.
ReplyDeleteThese illustrations are just lovely and remind me of books I used to read as a child. There's something almost Tufty Club about them, don't you think??
ReplyDeleteDawn xx
Gorgeous postcards, I love them! I adore getting postcards when people go on holiday, it's so sad now that most people don't bother and just send a text instead. It's not right! :-)
ReplyDeletelovely postcards.
ReplyDeleteI remember those lovely books from my childhood :)
ReplyDeleteDear Eli,
ReplyDeleteI love learning about new illustrators from you! You are very harmful to my book wish list, you know. :)
I would love to be one of the critters having lemonade after a "friendly" tennis match!
Love,
Marqueta
Ooh we have some little folk living in our woodland too! It's so delightful. Please, when you have a moment come visit me and answer the question at the end of my post!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much.
Stephanie
Good morning:
ReplyDeleteMy name is Rosa Laflordelimon blog.
I recently descubieto your blog and I love, is very welcoming and wool creations are beautiful. I would like to contact you via e-mail, but can not find on his blog. If you kindly facilitarmelo, I would be very grateful.
My e-mail is: laflordelimon@yahoo.es.
These are so gorgeous and adorable, I love them! :) xxx
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! I would have thought the same a lady... the works is enchanting, pretty much my dream world!! thank you for sharing all the info.
ReplyDeleteLorraine :-}
I have a whole box full of Racey Helps cards and postcards, which I just adored when I was growing up (and still do)! What fun to see your post on them! Thanks so much for the link to the website!
ReplyDelete