NAAFI Brings You Christmas Cheer

Found at the first auction of last year in the bottom of an old fishing bag along with a cache of 1950's German tackle a British Army issue children's Christmas cardboard flyer distributed by those who fed us in our early years the dear old NAAFI.  Wherever you are posted this Christmas may you have snow on the pavement; old soldiers above the mantelpiece; cats on the roof and on the rug; dogs in the parlour and a gentleman coming down your chimney with gifts.

'The Corner of this Card will be torn off by the Person at the Gate'

The Road to Granton Pier

At the Toll Booth for the Soul

Found amongst a lot of fishing tackle purchased in the dog days of summer an original and unused Toll Ticket issued in the early years of Queen Victoria's reign by the Fifth Duke of Buccleuch for the Granton Road which lay to the east of the City of Edinburgh.  An immaculate piece of ephemera which is well over 150 years old.  For immediate sale at the Toll Booth for the Soul known as my website for any one of those taking to the Tarmacadam to celebrate the imminent feast.

Advent-with-Izaak and Other Stories c. 1953

For sale from the newspaper shop on the corner of the old street long since knocked down and known to all as my website one set only of the December numbers of The Fishing Gazette from the year glorious 1953.

We Always Dress Like This

For the purposes of cheering up a lady or a gentleman at the Feast of St. Nicholas a Wheatley Pocket Leather and Felt Line Dresser with brass Newey studs.  For sale in the fuggery of a Christmas public house known at this time of year as my website.

Fetch the Priest

For immediate sale to a lady or gentleman who is occasionally in need of a priest at the Quartermasters Stores sometimes known as my website an Ogden Smith of London original with stamped brass head.  Dating to the year 1955 when the cost of a life was 7/6d or 10/-.

Advent-under-the-Counter Madam! c. 2012

Discovered whilst searching in the lock-up a number of Letter Press posters set masterfully in ink by Martin Clark for the White Tent of Words; Archive Slide & Silent Film at the 2012 Port Eliot Festival.  Proceeds go to more adventures in ink. May be found until they go  'Under the Counter Madam'.

 

Sitwell Wallets

Bought from an impeccable private source having been in the possession of a 'retired' collector a pair of leather wallets which were once the property of Sir Sacheverell 'Sachie' Sitwell of Renishaw Hall in Derbyshire.  Brother of Edith and Osbert - Sachie Sitwell was revered as an art critic; aesthete and exponent of modernist and Italian baroque painting in England.  For sale to an aesthete of similar standing In The Shop Window.

Wellington-in-Arcadia

For immediate sale from the snuggery of a Sunday lunchtime public house known for today as 'Just in Sir!' an original and rare Geen Cup Ticket from 1935.  Issued to E. Gale representing Wellington Angling Society who drank on Tuesdays and Thursdays in The Wellington on Wood Green High Road.  Mr. Gale's catch at Peg 394 numbered one fish only at 4oz 3drm and it is perhaps not surprising that it did not win him the Geen Cup which in that season was lifted by a Mr. Gadd of the Kingston Working Mens Club A.S.