Illustrated in the style of a vintage Edwardian or Victorian photograph. This image is part of my 'Anicurio' collection. Each original illustration is carefully hand drawn in pencil. Once finished, I hand age and treat them with various dye methods, to resemble an old dusty antique photograph. I want this series to suggest something that was rediscovered by you. An inherited artifact from a mysterious benefactor? Or perhaps revealed in a long abandoned attic, lying at the bottom of a chest. Buried beneath old dusty clothes and fading hand written notes.
Available as:
Paper Print (Matte finish - Signed) 9.75H inch x 10.75W inch - $29.00
Paper Print (Matte finish - Signed): 11" x 12" (signed) $49.00
ORIGINAL: Pencil illustration on paper. Image size: 7" x 8". Framed size: 11" x 12" Graphite and charcoal on paper. - $750.00
Watermark will not be printed on image
FREE shipping within USA
All reproduction prints are scanned and printed using gallery standard, professional equipment and materials. Ensuring the highest quality.
A toad's rise to the top:
Howard Brindley III lived in Preston, Lancashire, England. Described in the vernacular of the time as a ‘self made man’. Bingley started out life in humble means, as a ‘rag and bone’ toad. This was a long forgotten trade. You would hear the clip clop of a tired horse walking up the cobbled streets of England. Then the unmistakable singing cry of ‘Reeeaaaag boooone’ would alert all in the street of his arrival. This signified to residents that they could carry out and dump all unwanted items unto his dilapidated old cart. His cart horse and himself would take it away for you, and resell it elsewhere.
There was an old British term ‘where there’s muck, there’s brass’. That meant that there was a lot of money if you were not afraid of getting your hands dirty. Words Brindley built an empire on.
He rose from that rag and bone cart, to create a complicated system of unwanted item removal. Eventually, using this seed money, he invested wisely in dilapidated houses, that he then re built and sold for a handsome profit.
Rising through the social ranks rapidly, and ultimately buying 'Bingley Manor.' This was his crowning achievement. He could finally live as a Lord. However, the warm welcome he expected, from his social peers did not follow. He may have been on an equal status financially, but he would always be a ‘rag and bone’ toad to his gentry neighbors and the social elite of the area.
Eventually, Brindley had enough of such pomposity. He thought that if he couldn’t be accepted, then he would invite all his old friends from his hidden past, back into his life, and home. He consequently, held a grand ball. Brindley Manor bristled with his old mates. Otters, badgers, squirrels and even mice were invited. He was finally happy. Secure in the knowledge that his peace of mind was to be found not in social status, but in the quality of his friends.