Tales of walking, eating, watching and playing. Vintage treasures and simple pleasures ... the things that make her happy.

Wednesday 25 September 2013

What's in the Box?

A dear little box of Mabel Lucie Attwell designed 
handkerchiefs and soaps ...
Concertina folded hankies,
unfold as the box is opened.
Produced by disabled ex-servicemen ...
So cute ...
Given to a sweet lady by her son.
Cherished and never used.

Mabel Lucie Attwell
1879 - 1964
Born in Mile End, London,
but ended her days in Fowey, Cornwall.

Her cute illustrations were based on her young daughter Peggy.





36 comments:

homemade@myplace said...

what a story!!!!
thank you for sharing this treasure!!!
xxxx Ale

The Dainty Dolls House said...

What a beautiful story, I loved it so much. What a treasure :)))) Have a gorgeous day doll, loved this xx

KC'sCourt! said...

That is so wonderful
Julie xxxxxxx

lemonade kitty said...

Awww isn't that the most sweetest tale ever! Thanks for sharing, x

Plain Jane said...

Treasure indeed! Not the sort of thing that you would expect to be produced by ex service men either - really interesting story there x Jane

Madelief said...

Such a great find Jane! I enjoyed hearing the story behind it!

Madelief x

two squirrels said...

Oh oh this just so beautiful........I have a very large collection of children's hankies.......so you can imagine my delight at seeing this. Thank you
Love V

Flaming Nora said...

Sniff, sniff. Tear jerker of a story from beginning to end.

the woolly dog said...

Oh they are lovely, will you display them?

Susan said...

What a hidden treasure, Jane, and a touching story behind it. As a child I was besotted with anything to do with Mabel Lucie Atwell. I still have a tattered book in my collection, and I'm still besotted with her illustrations.

Outcast said...

This is such a lovely story that I really enjoyed reading about Jane, just awesome.

greenthumb said...

So very sweet.

grace said...

Oh how utterly lovely! A suddenly remembering mabel lucie at well as looking to decorate my sweet baby Mabel's bedroom xxx

nilly said...

Really sweet - I'm amazed that the soap hasn't deteriorated! I believe the Royal British Legion Village still exists, but I don't think they produce pretty things like this any longer.

Amanda Peters said...

How sweet is the set of soap and hankies...I love looking up the history behind the things I find...

Jacqui Galloway said...

I love Mabel Lucie Atwell and your finds are lovely. Lucky girl.

Ashley cramp said...

Oh you have the bestest of the best on your blog!
d x

The Custards said...

Oh my oh my - I feel a trifle faint! How deliciously moving and sweet. It is the lable about the maker that makes it isn't it.....
A lovely special thing
Best wishes
Jenny

Bodkin said...

just lovely hx

Old Magnolia Tree said...

This is so adorable and in such great condition. Where on earth did you find it?
Rosie xx

Sopa Azul said...

Really cute!!!! :D

Unknown said...

Oh, how adorable! XX

vintageandart said...

Just had to drop in, l soo wanted to know what was in the box:-)) What wonderful find.

kate steeper said...

I so want that, but ive already sold a kidney for the last thing i coveted..lol

JJ said...

Great story, and I love that last picture!

*Maristella* said...

Hi Marina.
They are wonderful! The Mabel Lucy is my passion!
How many wonderful things you have!
Kisses and hugs, *Maristella*.
(with translator)

gillyflower said...

How sweet and nostalic! What a thrill to open the box!

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness!!! That is such an amazing find. I LOVE Mabel Lucie Atwell (well who doesn't). Such a lovely story too. xx

not tonight josephine said...

My goodness this is beautiful! I think I made a little gasp when your blog opened! Treasure indeed x x

In My Wild Eden said...

What a wonderful box with such a sweet story. I would not have been able to use it either.

Kristie said...

Marina,

How cute is that! I love the illustrations on the soap. And the hanky is adorable.

How are you dear? Your last comment said it had been rainy there? We are in for a rough weekend...we are under a hurricane/tropical storm warning. I've never been through one of those...it should be exciting! LOL Lots of wind and rain is what they are expecting. The ground here is already saturated from all the rain we had this summer.

I met a girl today from Nottingham, England. She came here for a visit, met a guy and never went back! LOL

A Daft Scots Lass said...

WOW not only do I love stuff like this, but I love hearing the stories behind them.

Barbara said...

Oh my goodness, that is lovely. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

Angy is my name. said...

Sigh... nothing like a little bit of History discovered alongside the gem of the treasure itself... and to see one's life out in beautiful Fowey... a little more magic indeed....♥♥♥

flowers on my table said...

How adorable, I love Mabel Lucy Atwell, but have never seen anything other than her book illustrations.Love Linda x


Penny said...

Just beautiful, a real treasure, thanks for sharing xxx Penny