This morning I posted https://derrickjknight.com/2022/01/13/a-knights-tale-91-tennis/
This afternoon, having made good headway with
I scanned this frontispiece featuring “Miss Havisham”,
and the next six of Charles Keeping’s illustrations.
‘A man whose teeth chattered as he seized me by the chin’
‘He was gobbling mincemeat, meat bone, bread, cheese and pork pie, all at once’
‘Dragged out separately, my convict and the other one’
‘Estella seemed to be everywhere’
‘The Three Jolly Bargemen’
This Christmas Mrs Santa Claus placed a silver cigarette case in my stocking.
The present bears hallmarks stating that it was assayed in Birmingham in 1925, and bears an inscription for Xmas 1926. I may have smoked cigars or a pipe on and off over the years, but have never tried cigarettes. So, why this case?
The answer is contained in
The card case featured therein has always been just a little small to take the individually guillotined cards without shaving their edges.
Having today printed another stock to place in my new container, I will be able to use it for the first time.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s spicy paprika pork topped with mixed peppers and served with boiled potatoes, cabbage and carrots, with which she drank Carlsberg and I drank Tesco’s finest Faugères 2019.
“Great Expectations” … I was very young when I saw the black and white film of it. Seeing that sketch of Pip being grabbed by the chin brings back the sheer terror I felt seeing this on the screen. I also recall the cobwebs gleaming in the light in Miss Havisham’s house and walking home very close to my two older brothers in the dark after the show. As for the cigarette case … what an excellent use for it!
Thank you so much, Anne. Keeping does get to the emotional heart of events
Such a unique and thoughtful gift from Mrs. Santa Claus!
The Keeping illustrations are excellent–and evocative–as usual.
Thank you very much, Merril
You’re turning onto quite the gentleman with your cards and silver carrying case. Very classy.
Thank you so much, Pat
Things all work out sooner or later, eh Derrick?
Yes, GP. Many thanks
The Keeping illustrations are just as I remember Great Expectations! Miss Havisham looks properly cadaverous/mummified.
Nice description, Liz. Thank you very much
Thanks, Derrick–and you’re welcome!
Exceptional illustrations with Mr Keeping’s trademark precise flowing lines creating blurry images that express emotions together with actions.
What an elegant and useful gift, Derrick!
Thank you very much, Dolly
Mrs. Santa was kind, you must have been a ‘good boy.’
🙂 Thanks a lot, Bridget
What a great idea for the use of the antique (I think I can call it antique now) cigarette case. Much better than carrying cigarettes. Actually, having cards to help people find our blogs is a brilliant idea!
Thank you very much, Pam
I think I’ll have some small cards made up too. <3
X
I have a set of cards for my blog and I think my little card case also needs a top up.
Great Expectations is my favourite of the Dickens books.
Just like Anne I was a child when I watched the original black and white film. It was the Christmas treat at school. I’m not sure which came first, reading the book or watching the film. I loved it then just as much as I do today.
Thank you very much, Sue
What a thoughtful and creative gift! Don’t lose it in the woods, Derrick!
Good point, Jill. Thanks very much
I am impressed by the idea of having WP visiting cards let alone having them in a silver case. (Is there possibly a letter omission in your title?)
So there is, Tootlepedal. Thanks a lot. Just off to correct it.
Your guillotined blog site cards are fabulous idea Derrick .. I always have some of my ‘poetry website’ cards in my wallet, ready to present to those I chat to at my various ‘Cafe’ outings …
https://1drv.ms/u/s!Asumt4cZ9A65hO4F7_PCQMM1wZ7PIQ?e=Ul2XRy
Great minds, Ivor….. Thanks very much
What a great use! Much better than cigarettes, that’s for sure.
Thanks a.lot, Laurie
Yay for recycling! Great idea!
Thanks very much, JoAnna
OK, Jackie. The spicy paprika pork grabbed my attention. Sorry Derrick.
I need recipe, if available and not a secret. 🙂
Thanks a lot from us both, Chrissy. Recipe in this post: https://derrickjknight.com/2016/11/28/the-nightingale/
Thanks
Very cool gift! You know, when I read Great Expectations as a kid the book was old and illustrated. I wonder if it was this version or another. But the language gave me a vivid description of Miss Havisham and this wasn’t her! Wasn’t she? It wasn’t Miss H!
Given the date of these illustrations this is unlikely to be your copy. “this wasn’t her” is fine. Thanks very much, Luanne
That is such a cute, thoughtful gift. Charles Keeping remains as inimitable as Charles Dickens in his vivid depiction of the times that find place on his canvas.
Thank you so much, Uma
I read Great Expectations as a kid and, also, saw at least 2 movies based on it. 🙂
What a beautiful well-seasoned helpful gift from Mrs. Claus!!! 🙂 What a classy way to carry your cards! And how wonderful of Becky to think to gift you with those cards so long ago now! So smart!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn X
That’s a lovely present. Did the inscription say anything significant?
No – just Xmas 1926. Thanks a lot, John
How thoughtful of Mrs Claus ?
Thank you very much, Sandra
An excellent present.
Thanks a to, Andrew
Charles Keeping is quite the sketcher! I love his detail. Maybe someday I will be able to draw a little bit like that!? :>)
Your silver case holds lots of memories!
Thank you so much, Dwight
You are welcome!
I love the idea of having WP cards with you to invite people to your blog (especially those you’ve just photographed who will enjoy seeing what you do with their picture) – and the link to explain the silver case was a precious gift indeed! That picture of you and Sam is a treasure! You’ve certainly kept those good looks quite admirably Derrick!
Thank you so much, Jan X
Those were nice looking business cards, Derrick! That is a wonderful photo of Jackie’s mother with Becky, and you and Sam, too.
Thank you so much, Lavinia
that’s a nice find the little cigarette case for you “calling cards” 🙂
Thanks very much, Catherine
Something old is new again! Mrs. Claus is both wise and resourceful.
Thank you so much, Rose
A wonderful gift ?
Thanks very much, Ribana