TOPIC:

Some ABW-related pieces don't fit neatly into any particular category. By looking at some of these artifacts, this thread aims to showcase the extraordinary variety of items that came out of the war.

To start the ball rolling, below is a printing block, which would have been used in the manufacture of patterned textiles. These would have been high-end, hand-printed silk or cotton fabrics, as used for head-scarves and other small fashion items.

The intricate pattern includes crossed flags below crowns and laurel wreaths with the words "VR / VICTORY", together with the names of many of the leading generals at the front (Roberts, Kitchener, Buller, Warren, Symons, White, Methuen, Gatacre, Plumer, Baden-Powell, French & Macdonald).

This block would have printed one of a series of colours, probably black in this case. A further two blocks would have been used to add the red and blue of the flags.

The inclusion of Penn-Symons' name and the use of the VR monogram, indicates that this was made towards the beginning of the war (probably early 1900, after Macdonald's arrival at the Cape on 19 January).












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Wow! Would you ever consider printing something from it? I found an old between-the-wars woodblock that I had printed by a professional on bonded etching paper, and it looks super.

I agree WOW...... I would certainly purchase a couple, one for the collection and one for SWMBO......

Mike

A wonderful and historic item and I agree it would be wonderful to see something printed from it. Thanks for sharing.

Owen

That is an amazing artefact, Neville.

As the other two siege commanders are listed, I thought Colonel Kekewich might have been included.

David,

Unlike B-P and White, poor Colonel Kekewich received scant recognition back home. I don't recall having seen a single commemorative piece with his likeness on it. He is conspicuous by his absence from the Robinson & Leadbeater parian series, and Sydney March sidelined him when modelling the bronze figures for Elkington, instead opting for General French for the "Kimberley" statuette.












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