REYNOLDS COLLECTORS' WORLD
W. H. CONSTANTINE A JUDGES' POSTCARD ARTIST
William Henry Constantine, known to his friends as Harry, was a keen artist all his life and prided himself on being largely self-taught. He served with the R.A.F. in India and Ceylon during the Second World War and it was while he was on active service that painting became a passion. Fred Judge himself had produced many of the sketch cards published by Judges but after being demobbed Harry was employed as an artist with Judges. Harry was chief artist for many years and the birds in the sky, or the matchstick type figures he drew can often attribute his work to him. As well as work for Judges Mr. Constantine also had a picture accepted for the Royal Academy Exhibition and Tour in 1962 and other exhibitions followed. He was also a long-standing member of the East Sussex Art Club. He died at the age of 64 in November, 1985 leaving a wife of 44 years - Lois, a son Anthony and three grand children.
Many of Judges Postcards photographic postcards were later reissued in "sketch" or "etch" form as a cheaper alternative or to avoid reproducing a photograph which by then had dated. Some of these postcards are also unnumbered and were not originally printed as a photographic postcard. The production of 10"X7" etched pictures was not so widespread and was probably confined to retailers such as cathedrals and large stationers who had the scope to retail this type of item. The etch reproduced below (copyright remains strictly with Judges Postcards Limited and must not be copied or reproduced without prior permission. It is shown here in the interests of historical research) was originally published as a sepia postcard - 23783. YARMOUTH. I.O.W. JUDGES' LTD. about 1954. The etch will date from 1964 or later as this is the date the "wig" logo can first be seen on postcards. The word "sketch" was used on postcards until about 1972 when "etch" was first seen. This was thought to also apply to the larger pictures giving yours a date sometime after 1972. It is though to have been produced for a Bookseller in Yarmouth - IOW Holdings (IOW) Ltd Actual size 10" x 7". A contact has though informed us that he has a picture of “The House of Parliament” with the word Etch on the rear which was purchased between 1963 and 1965.
Other 10”X7” sketches have been seen of Budleigh Salterton Looking West, Brixham Harbour, St. Mary's Church, Cardigan, The Bridge of Cardigan, High Street, Clovelly, The Cross Chester, Coniston, The Four Courts Dublin, Leinster House Dublin. Zig Zag Path and Cliffs and Beach, Frinton. Pobbles and Three Cliffs Bay, Gower. Whitestone Pond Hampstead, The Bull and Bush Hampstead, Vale of Health Hampstead, Keats House Hampstead, Kenwood House Hampstead, Church Row House Hampstead. House of Parliament, LAKE DISTRICT - Blea Tarn and the Langdale Pikes, Grasmere, Ashness Bridge, Derwentwater. Rydal Church, Windermere and Langdale Pikes. Malta, Auberge De Castille, Malta, St Johns Co Cathedral in Malta, Malta, Spinola Bay, St Julian Malta Sliema Creek Malta, View of Grand Harbour Malta, View of Grand Harbour (different scene). Norwich Castle. Norwich Cathedral. Elm Hill Norwich. Pulls Ferry Norwich. River Yealm, Warren Point. A Norfolk Windmill (sketch). Three Cliffs Bay, Penmaen. Guildhall and St. Andrews Church Plymouth. Mayflower Steps, Plymouth. Shakespeare’s Birthplace Stratford upon Avon The City Walls York, The Shamples, York, York Minster West Front (No. 1772 on back) and Bootham Bar York.
please send any further information you are aware of or additional titles to our address at Royal Mail
CONTACT US BY EMAIL TO SONIA-AND-ANDREW-REYNOLDS@bigfoot.com or a.reynolds551 at btinternet.com
Available Judges Postcards, Lists and Publications
Sources: David Blackwell, James Calis, Barry Coates-Evans, Linda Cowley, Dean Dennis, Jack Drum Hastings Observer, Jim Herriott, David Murphy, Sue Powell, Andrew & Sonia Reynolds archive, Maureen Robinson, Terry Sharman, Paul Smith, Michael Stephenson, Matthew Tanner, Stephen Tomlinson, S. Veit. Brenda Webster, Paul Wetherall, Marie Wilson, Larry Wimbush, David Winter
Tim Nelson also contacted us. He a sketch with Whitby written under the sketch and it is signed on the right hand side in pencil by Fred Judge in long hand, with further initials FJ. It shows a bay, rocks in the fore ground and people on a sandy beach, with the town on the hill top, in the distance a lighthouse and either a pier or harbour wall? with billowing clouds above. The simple black frame is larger than A4 size with the image taking up the centre of the paper, approx 7 x 4 inches.
Also reported are 9” X 6” sketches by unknown artist of Tewkesbury Abbey, and Budleigh Salterton Cliff Walk. (from Steve Witt)
Page created 18th June, 2000. Updated 13th November, 2011.
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