Inspector Whatman: Sleeper Squad

That is a whopper! Any idea of the artist?

I had a go for this fine Frank Reynolds (1876-1953) original today but sadly lost out. I like that it's a very modern gag, and if a present master such as @jonesycartoons3.bsky.social drew it now, it would still work.

"Some people even have the audacity to suggest I ENCOURAGE his pilfering!"

Walsingham Abbey earlier today, looking very Thomas Girtin.

Hmm, is it though? All the debates about #artificialintelligence #copyright #socialmedia and #technology in general made me revisit this @privateeyenews.bsky.social #cartoon #wildlife #monkeys #foodgathering

Starting #2025 with another archive dive and, to be honest, we could do with more of this in #politics #business & #socialmedia (owners and participants) #happynewyear everyone. @prospectmagazine.co.uk #cartoon

Rummaging in my @privateeyenews.bsky.social #cartoon archive again and found this... #dining #diningout #restaurant #meal #candlelitdinner #service

PONT'S delightful gift in the original 1938 collection of "The British Character Studied and Revealed by Pont" was not the six written portions but the tiny addenda below many of the original drawings.

Edward Ardizzone (1900-1979) pen & ink drawing inscribed:
'Memories of Christmas in Norfolk.'

There are some hills in Norfolk, but not very many like this.

Delving into my #christmascard archive again, and it looks like #santa won't be enjoying #mincepies & a tot of #whiskey at this house... #christmas #reindeer #sledge #police

'Tiny Teddy' wishes you a very good day. I echo his sentiments, not least because he looks like a malevolent little sod, and it's probably best not to antagonise him.

'Three Walnuts', Eliot Hodgkin, 1963.

You might still find the odd walnut tree in old orchards and market gardens - the nuts fetched a good price from the 'Walnut Man', who called round in November ready for the Christmas markets.

Distant woman walks toward us on stone bridge over river, with leafless trees casting shadows

20th century Scottish artist James McIntosh Patrick is known for his finely-observed paintings of the Angus landscape ~ here’s ‘December Sunshine’ (1949)

I was fortunate (and surprised!) to have this #cartoon chosen as a @privateeyenews.bsky.social #Christmas #greetingscard #socialmedia

Here's an oldie from the Reader's Digest for #Caturday #Christmas #ChristmasTree #cats #cartoon

Off to South Wales next week & calling into a Wiltshire saleroom on the way to collect this interesting little oil, described as 'circle of Henry Stannard.' But Henry was a water painter & flourished 50 years later than this. I think it's by Norwich School artist Alfred Stannard (1806-1889). Nice.

Ooh, good plan: "Original watercolour illustration to 'Dracula', edition unknown, £75,000."

Still trying to discover who painted this watercolour genre scene and whether, as I suspect, it illustrates a scene from a novel. Google Images has come up empty, so the search continues.

Lion’s mane latte

Full of jellyfish, I assume. 🪼

The cover of BBC History Magazine, with photos of mummies on the front

The cover of The Mysterious Case of the Victorian Female Detective by Sara Lodge.

I had the pleasure of reviewing Sara Lodge’s “wonderfully illuminating new book”, The Mysterious Case of the Victorian Female Detective, for the November issue of BBC History Magazine. Pick up your copy now.

Mischa has been with us for ten years now, which is hard to believe. She was three or four when she came (her vaccination certificate says three, the chip says four) so will be 13 or 14 in a few day's time.

She has asked that a new Official Portrait be released and, as usual, I have complied.

Just watched Q Planes (1939), a spy thriller with the wit of The Thin Man or an Ealing Comedy about experimental planes disappearing over the channel. One of the best British films I’ve ever seen and I don’t understand why it’s not better known. It’s on the Criterion Channel.