Last year, I wrote a post about a wonderful oil painting I have of a young girl called Alice Scatterbrook, painted in 1933 - here she is below:
Well, I have another mystery girl! This is a beautiful hand coloured and framed photo of an enigmatic young miss, with stunning tresses! She was captured at a time when, although the child is still very much present, you can see the elegant young lady she will become in a few years time. I don't know why, but when I first set eyes on her, the name 'Alice' jumped into my head! Wouldn't it be a wonderful coincidence if both my mystery girls shared the same name!
This charming young lady sat for this photo in 1927. I know this because when I got her home, the paper which had sealed the back crumbled in my hands and when I removed the tattered pieces I discovered some handwritten notes. Apparently it was 'urgent for Monday'! Not surprising really, considering the wonderful subject; I imagine the proud parents to have been eager to see the finished work! There is a name and address which is Hall, 12 Harrington Street and what looks like Norwich or Warwick - although the old fashioned and ornate writing is lovely, it is a little hard to decipher!
The detail of her embroidered and lace dress is exquisite and she is holding a pale pink rose in her hands to match the bow in her hair.
She was originally destined for my shop but the more I look at her the more I'd like to keep her! I know I shouldn't - I'm sure she would go to a good home! What do you think I should do?!
How lovely...I love it when there is a story behind a picture. I hope that you manage to find out some more information about the young girl.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Alison x.
Charming, Clare! If you know of anyone who has a subscription to Ancestry.com's UK collection, I'll bet you would be able to track your young miss down. I found some darling old family photos a year ago on ebay, and was able to successfully find out who they are on Ancestry. I'd do it for you, but I don't have access to the UK records.
ReplyDeleteShe does look like a keeper - so lovely!!! =)
Sounds like you should keep her Clare but I think you may have already made up your mind! I hope you do keep her, she is quite lovely isnt she? You might be able to trace her on the latest released Census , 1901 I think it is... good luck and I look forward to an updated post when you make progress
ReplyDeleteJane
x
When a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do ...
ReplyDeleteYou KNOW it makes sense!!!!!
Sue xx
Foster her for a while and then decide...my famous saying is "you cannot get it back"
ReplyDeleteoh yes! I would definitely keep her! I'd find a lovely place in my house for her that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely girl.
ReplyDeleteIf I was you, I would keep her. I think with this information you have already, it must really be possible to find out, who she was.
Kind regards, Monika
Hi Clare,
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning photo of a beautiful girl. Her hair is so long and looks so healthy....I wonder if perhaps the picture was a Birthday gift, as it said 'Urgent' on the back.
When I am in doubt as to whether to keep a vintage treasure, I live with it for a while and then decide. If it still means as much to me in a few weeks time, then it's a keeper!....
Have fun finding out who she was!
Niki
I think she belongs to you! She definitely looks like she's blossoming into a young lady! Love the rose that she's holding and the beautiful dress.
ReplyDeleteKim x
They're both just lovely! Sounds like you want to keep her. You can always change your mind later.
ReplyDeleteManuela
This is so precious...always thinking about the people in the pictures and albums...and the lives behind them.....
ReplyDeleteI can see why the name 'Alice' came into your mind - it reminds me strongly of photos I've seen of the little girl who was the original Alice in Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. Her hair is beautiful isn't it?
ReplyDeletekeep, keep, keep!
ReplyDeleteonce she's gone she's gone - i have sold so many things that i regret that i now keep everything i love - hence we are moving to a bigger house!
tracy x
I do hope you can find out who she is! Wouldn't it be incredible to actually find her, or perhaps her family (since she'd probably be around one hundred years old). I love this sort of thing!
ReplyDeleteHi Clare the picture is so enchanting, I love the white dresses of that time.
ReplyDeleteI agree live with it for a while and then decide.
best wishes Ginny
Oh the pictures are just lovely. That little one does look like an Alice! I definatly think you should keep them if they speak to you. You can always share them with your customers later after you enjoyed them for awhile. :)
ReplyDeleteHeather
It would be wonderful to trace her family ! - love Julia x
ReplyDeleteI would keep her but then I probably keep everything! No wonder I cant move in my house.I loved the comments on Sophie Honneysuckles blog about a stool for the cat to get on the bed We too have a high Victorian bed (i will picture it one day) and have a pine linen chest at the end of it. Poor Hamish who is getting on in years has to get on this first before he can make the bed. At the rate Im going it might be me next who has to do this. Now that would make a photo !!!
ReplyDeleteOh Clare- I hope you keep her! She belongs with you!!
ReplyDeleteI would keep her, what a treasure to find Clare! I always wonder when I see these vintage images about the person they were, where they lived, what they did, what kind of life they had, their STORY...as Oprah always says, "we all have a story" I think peoples "stories" are fascinating!
ReplyDeleteI guess I sound like everyone else but keep her for a while, perhaps do somemore research and then decide.
ReplyDeleteThe picture is so winsome and delicate, and what hair....
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteI just added your blog to my favs list. I hope that is ok, but I just love your stuff! I love the old photographs of these little girls. So delicate!
Kelly, Texas
GardenPinkie
I'd keep her if I were up to you! When I am antique shopping, I sometimes go through a pile of old photos and if I feel a connection with one, I can't resist purchasing for myself!
ReplyDeleteHi Clare,
ReplyDeleteJust discovered your blog. What a beautiful picture. I could not bear to part with something so delightful so I say keep her!
Another mystery girl?
ReplyDeleteI think all girls are mysteries! :) That's why I love them all.
Beautiful portraits Clare!
Wow neat blog! I stopped by from Sue's. You have a well designed and presented blog page. Very classy and great concept.
ReplyDeleteI think you should keep her or perhaps sell her to me! When I see old photographs, old marriage certificates and other family memorabilia, it makes me sad to think of someone's memories ending up at a yard sale. But I also feel that it honors that person to buy something and make it a part of your own life.
ReplyDeleteIf you love her you should keep her at least for a while.
ReplyDelete