Sunday 19 July 2020

Dymchurch No More

I recently acquired, courtesy of eBay, some 1930's some postcards of Dymchurch, a seaside resort in Kent. These are the without doubt the dullest postcards on the planet, and one fears that Dymchurch itself is squarely to blame. 


Dymchurch dullness (click to expose the dullness)

On the principle that the cheapest picture frames can be obtained by buying the worst art, it was the three glazed frames holding the twelve postcards of Dymchurch, that were my real objective. I was wanting to frame some wonderful Scottish landscape postcards that had been generously gifted to me by friend of Balintore Mrs. M. .

reverse of a gifted postcard


The postcards themselves are paintings in the romantic tradition produced by a French chocolate factory (Choclaterie d'Aiguebelle). To promote sales, the factory produced many different series of beautifully illustrated postcards on a variety of themes, generally educational. The firm was founded in 1868 by Trappist monks from the Notre-Dame d'Aiguebelle Abbey, and production went on into the early 20th Century.

My visiting friend Madeleine used her artistic skill to perform a life-saving postcard transplant, with the old postcards left in the back of the frames for historic purposes, and the new postcards inserted. The irony is that the new postcards are probably older than the old postcards.



Dymchurch no more (click to reveal the art)


I figured the plum cardboard mounts would work well with the blue/green tones of the paintings, and when Madeleine pointed this out to me without prompting, I felt vindicated in the eBay purchase. The plum washed out the monochromatic scenes of Dymchurch with the force of a tsunami on the placid Kent coast.

Anyhow, thank you Mrs. M.. There is a wonderful serendipity in the romantic caledonian vision of a French Trappist monk washing away the dullness of a Kentish coastal town. The walls of Balintore Castle are indeed gifted.


11 comments:

  1. Dear David thank you, they look great! I had intended to collect more and frame them for you but the combined situation of my recent big move to a new house and region and the fact that glass doesn't travel well despite great packaging meant that you just got them as was. I do look out for things for you as a most modest contribution to your lovely castle. Huggs Mrs M

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    1. I hope your big move went well and that you are now settling in. House moves are draining mentally and physically. One always says "never again". :-)

      Many thanks again for the beautiful postcards.

      David

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  2. What lovely gifts from Mrs M and Madeleine.

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  3. I was struck how similar these urns are to the ones missing from the entrance door to your castle i might be totally mad or wrong https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/lindsay-burns-and-company/catalogue-id-srli10029/lot-41c2a360-54d2-4fde-93a6-abff00bae16f

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  4. they have notches were they might have joined onto your decorative stonework

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  5. was looking at this picture http://www.avocadosweet.com/balintore-castle-restoration-romance-and-a-message-from-beyond-the-grave/

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    1. They look like the Balintore urns to me! Zoom in to the pictures here:

      http://balintorecastle.blogspot.com/2014/09/scans-of-old-photos.html

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  6. from the photo its most likely those are the same urns its a shame that the opening bid is so high They belong most above your door . I love your castle everything you are doing to it is great its inspiring !!!

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    1. I have run the urns for sale past a number of friends, and there seems so doubt these are Balintore's. My friends and myself are astonished you spotted them, as the photo you worked with was not the best. Huge congratulations. Glad you approve of the restoration. Send me an email and we can swap details.

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  7. i am so glad i was able to help you find them again 😊👍 my Email is andyinn@yahoo.com so we can swap details .

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