For this Treasure Chest Thursday I thought it would be nice to show the picture my dear Dad Kenneth Read (1924 – 1982) made for his Mum Jane Read nee Stapleton (1887 -1956) many years ago. I’m not sure when it was made but more than likely about 1942 or thereabouts.
My Dad was in the Merchant Navy and joined up when he was 16 (he lied about his age to them)! He made this picture using foil from sweetie wrappers and glass – I can’t tell if the glass has been painted black or if there is a black sheet of paper for the background – and his Mum treasured it.
Original item made by K. W. Read is in my private collection - copyright 2011
As far as I can tell, Dad wrote something like All My Love on his photo and finished it off with red tape around the edges.
I saw it for the first time about three years ago and that was when my Mum gave it to me to keep. She knew I would treasure it. I only wish I had known of it before then. Perhaps I saw it as a child at my Grandmother’s but I really don’t remember if that was so. I love it now and think it was a wonderful gift for a merchant seaman to give to his Mum for when he was away from home.
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