Category Archives: ILLUSTRATION

1960s Soviet pin badges

Was so thrilled to find these stunning psychedelic pin badges from the USSR on a recent trip back to Tallinn, Estonia.  Found at a Russian market there, the colour schemes and design look so contemporary. I love the folk tale … Continue reading

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1950s – 1970s Folk Festival posters & 1970s Folklore book covers

I was interested to find myself at Cecil Sharp House for a meeting recently in Camden, London.  The only dedicated folk arts centre in the world, Cecil Sharp House is the home of  English Folk Dance and Song Society and opened in … Continue reading

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1970s Gaelic Book cover illustration

Beautiful book cover illustration from 1970 ‘Gaelic without Groans’ by John Mackechnie.  Love these strong purples, magenta and turquoise, the late 60s / early 70s had the best colour schemes. Found in a second hand bookshop in Edinburgh, visiting lovely … Continue reading

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Romanian 1970s Christmas postcards

Picked up these superb and wonderfully Eastern Bloc Christmas postcards in Romania a while back, all dating back to the 1970s. This festive Brutalist block one is particularly spectacular

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Vintage Finnish book illustration – Outi Markkanen

During my time in Finland, scouring charity shops or ‘kirpiis’ I was hoping to find some odd publications to blog about so was thrilled to come across this beautiful children’s book ‘Kurnau ja Kamaluu.’  Typing that into a translation tool … Continue reading

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Helsinki & Kauniste design shop

  A few snapshots from Helsinki here, which I sailed into from Tallinn.  I was given a ‘traditional’ Estonian send off which meant I was rolled onto the ferry at 7am, after no sleep and surrounded by a curious scent of … Continue reading

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1970s Cook Book – Lots of Fun to Cook

I found this wee artifact of 1970’s insanity in a junk shop in Victoria Park, Hackney in London, many moons ago now.  It reminded me of a similarly nutty retro cookbook I actually had as a kid, with all sorts … Continue reading

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