Adventures of an Imperfect Man In Search of a Handmade Life
Despite how much I like this photo, I have held off posting this image here because I couldn't find any attribution or further information about this gentleman and his fine bicycle. I came across it several years ago and stuck it in my image files until I could find out more; alas, I have not. … Continue reading Bike Trekker – Allen Hastings Fry
I keep a couple tool rolls for specialty fixes but I really like this setup from over a century ago. I think I need to make and "essentials" kit like this for general travel to keep the tings I truly need in need place and handy. It might be a little heavy for the rambler … Continue reading Motor Car Tool Kit ca. 1907
Here are a couple final Alfred Munnings images of Romani caravans in an English countryside. As a keen observer, he definitely caught the important details of each type of caravan and the essentials of camp life. The watercolor above is somewhat unusual for Munnings as it shows no animals, people, or campfire. Above is a … Continue reading More Historic Caravans in Art
These images might whet the appetite for summer days, picnics, an caravanning off into the great unknown; or it might just be a bunch of pretty pictures if the former isn't your cup of tea. Anyway, these are generally labelled and classed as Gypsy images although we know that this is often seen as an … Continue reading Historic Romani Caravan Paintings
Where have you been all my life. Lady Florence Norman on her Autoped; another interesting Internet find. This is what I found about it: “Lady Florence Norman, a suffragette, on her motor-scooter in 1916, travelling to work at offices in London where she was a supervisor. The scooter was a birthday present from her husband, the … Continue reading Anyone?
Wow. I would have loved that top kit, even in my twenties!
The perfect gift for the craftsperson in your life. You could go a long way with a selection of tools like this.
The Lady-Go-Lightly. It's difficult to get a real feel for the caravans without a glimpse inside. This image isn't very detailed but shows the essentials; kettle, mirror, some basic utensils, and folding chair. All standard fare for the early caravaners.
The ladies having lunch outside the Tally Ho! ca. 1910. A fine little wagon with mollycroft and Persienne shutters.
We live in an age of motor vehicles. Few of us could consider, for safety if nothing else, taking to the roads in a horse drawn vehicle. When the automobile seemed here to stay, caravanners in Europe adapted to the new technology. The earliest models look essentially like their horse-drawn cousins, just stuck onto a … Continue reading Early Motor Caravans
This is a re-post from an earlier entry. Say what you will about British imperial policy of the 19th and 20th centuries. They certainly worked out minimalist travel with a fair amount of style and comfort on a very personal level. These old catalogs give some great ideas for camp living. From The Army and … Continue reading Edwardian Camp Equipment
This, or something like it, would be a nice little project for the shop or even to keep in the truck.From the Army and Navy Co-operative Society Store, London 1907.
I know I've been on a big kick of old gear and tools from the late nineteenth and early twentieth century lately but its good to see the range and availability of these essential items. I find it interesting though, how poor the descriptions are and the arrangement of the catalog. It's like they just … Continue reading Tools from the Last Century
What a starter set for a Gentleman. My birthday is just around the corner. From the Army and Navy Co-operative Society Store, London 1907.
From The Army and Navy Co-operative Society Store, London 1907 Waiting for the plumbers gave me a few minutes to put up this post. This is a lot more than a bunch of nifty images (but it is that as well). There are some excellent items here that should give some inspiration for fabricating some classic … Continue reading Edwardian Camp Equipment
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 