Broken in our Wars (1916)

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Without Benefits: The First World War Screevers

Attracted by a little crowd at the side of one of the broad pavement spaces in Kingsway the other morning I drew near and found a lady volubly declaiming against the Government and the War Office, because of the sight there to be witnessed.

It was that of a man engaged in making crayon pictures. There was nothing strange in that, as pavement artists are common enough; and women have recently joined the craft, usually on the plea of children to support through a husband having been killed in the war.

But this man was obviously very new to the work, for his drawings were crude even for a pavement artist. He had scrawled on the pavement a notice to this effect: “A member of the original Expeditionary Force to France; gassed and wounded at Ypres, suffering from a paralysed arm, discharged from the Army, and unable to get work. Anyone interested may inspect my discharge papers.”

Here was the source of the lady’s indignation. The man seemed to be getting a fair share of coppers, but the spectacle was a depressing one. Next day the disagreeable impression it left on my mind was emphasised by the announcement of another pavement artist I saw at work near Euston Station to the effect that he had been severely wounded during the retreat from Mons.

Pavement artist on the Thames Embankment, London. Cir. 1915

Pavement artist on the Thames Embankment, London. Cir. 1915

It is to be hoped that the Pensions Question will soon be settled, as this kind of thing is rather humiliating to the nation, to say nothing of its effect on the men themselves.

Published in the Cheltenham Looker-On (Saturday 16th September 1916)

Following the political embarrassment of so many injured service men being discharged and forced to work on the streets as pavement artists and beggars:  In 1916 a Parliamentary Select Committee recommended that the existing pension provisions should be incorporated into one War Pension Scheme administered by a new Department. In 1917 the Ministry of Pensions was established, later becoming the Department of Social Security.

Although this didn’t completely solve the problem, it eventually led to the establishment of a living War Pension for ex-servicemen and a social security benefits system for the unemployed in Britain by 1947.

Written & researched by Philip Battle

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THE STONES REFLECT THE ART (1937)

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The story of George Jeffery: 40 years of screeving!

IN LONDON—Artist sketching artist on the Thames Embankment one blustering morning in winter was too much for the curiosity of the occasional riverside strollers, particularly as one of the artists happened to be chalking a series of colourful pictures on the stone flags.

And so large a crowd came to stare that George Jeffery, pavement artist, had an audience, such as he has rarely had since the days before trams, when Londoners walked and knew the pavements all too well. George Jeffery, you see has been painting pictures on the Embankment since 1897.

Anyone who cares to draw on the pavement in London may do so, provided he does not impede the progress of pedestrians. It is a right which has never been questioned. Pavement artistry is a traditional temporary occupation for many jobless men, and for numerous others it is a complete career.

The oldest established members of this fraternity of the sidewalk academy are “characters,” well known to Londoners. There is, for instance, the ‘Gallery Man’, who chalks on the stone flags at various points copies of famous pictures and inscribes besides each a neatly written potted history. And then, at Hyde Park Corner, there is a cheery fellow who intersperses his pictures with comic comment on the world at large.

Illustration of George Jeffery: as published in The Christian Science Monitor 1937

Illustration of George Jeffery: as published in The Christian Science Monitor 1937

But George Jeffery is the veteran of them all. Kneeling there on the Embankment he told how he had walked from Portsmouth to take up his career as a pavement artist and how that career had served him well enough to bring up three children. “There’s only mother and me at home now, and our granddaughter,” he said. “It’s difficult at this job nowadays, but we manage. But the children are doing well for themselves, Very well.”

He stared reflectively ahead of him, perhaps remembering his first clumsy efforts on the pavement, back before the beginning of the century, “I found out it’s not near so easy as it looks,” he declared, with a shake of his head, “not near so easy, I couldn’t do it at all to start with; had to start at the bottom, so to speak, with a herring on a plate. But I learnt from others and by observing. I reckon I always find how to do these pictures a bit better every day. You can always learn something new.”

His pictures were flowers and landscapes. He was rather sorry he had not done his “best work” that particular day. “You ought to see my Dartmoor, studies of the moors. I got a lovely heather colour, look.”  And he worked one of his chalks on the pavement. He makes all his own colours, baking thick slabs in “Mother’s oven, you know.”

George Jeffery reckons he makes out all right because he knows how to save. “I put a shilling by here and there, for the wet days.” The “rainy day” Is no mere metaphor to the pavement artist. It is a very real thing, and, in London, occurs rather too frequently. But George makes out, because, he says, he does not spend any money on drink. He tucks it away, “to surprise mother.”

And, so every day he sits on one heel, in the shadow of the Embankment making pictures on the stone paving. It takes two or three hours to get the work finished, and each evening the pavement must be scrubbed clean. That is all that the police ask of him, and he is very conscientious about it……

Published in the Christian Science Monitor: 27th November 1937

Researched and transcribed by Philip Battle

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The Talk of London (1924-1932)

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Newspaper Gossip Column

The Talk of London was a popular Gossip column published every Saturday in the Daily Express during the 1920’s & 30’s, It was always signed The Dragoman. A “Dragoman” was an interpreter or guide.

Here I’ve gathered together a few stories from “The Talk of London” which gives a fascinating insight to the world of pavement artists during the 20’s & 30’s.

Talk of London Column heading 1924

Talk of London Column heading (1924)

Pavement Architecture

It is a curious thing that while most of London’s pavement artists work on identically similar and most conventional lines, they break out into remarkable originality when they do leave the beaten track.

There is one whose speciality is wood carving of a really high order, and yesterday I came across an elderly original who supplements his flagstone paintings by a beautifully executed model of a cottage complete with man and wife, well and bucket, crazy path, and hollyhocks.

From the fact that he labels it a “gamekeeper’s cottage,” I suspect a real-life tragedy connected with the breaking up of a great estate.

Published: Daily Express Sat. 5th April 1924

The King in Chalk

A PAVEMENT artist at work in Kingsway yesterday had copied Mr Charles Sims portrait of the King, which he described as “the most-discussed picture at this year’s Academy.” Considering that the work was done in chalks it was a creditable reproduction, although I doubt whether either the King or Mr Sims would have felt flattered. Passers-by paused to look, but I noticed few threw a copper into the hat.

Published: Daily Express Sat. 17th May 1924

Talk of London coloumn heading 1932

Talk of London coloumn heading (1932)

London’s First NEWSPAPER Pavement Art Competition!

No feature of London life is more characteristic and none more fascinating to visitors from overseas and the provinces than the pavement artists. Their displays are, in a true sense, the art galleries of the people. And in this cloudless weather they have the chance to perfect masterpieces which are not likely to be ruined by sudden showers.

I PROPOSE, therefore, to award a prize of £3.3s. for the best display of pavement art that I see between now and next Friday. There will be a second prize of £1.1s. I shall visit personally a number of “pitches”—without disclosing my identity—and shall take account only of pictures drawn directly on the pavement.

Published: Daily Express: Sat. 20th August 1932

W J Stubbs: Talk of the Town Pavement art competition winner 1932

W J Stubbs: Talk of London Pavement art competition winner 1932

Pavement Artist Competition: RESULTS!

ABOVE you see the pavement artist who has won my award of £3.3s. He is Mr W J Stubbs, who works under the shadow of the imposing statue of Lord Clyde in Waterloo-place. The second prize of £1.1s goes to Mr A Mannix, whose pitch is outside St. Stephen’s Church, Gloucester road. They will receive cheques.

It has been difficult to judge this competition, so high is the standard attained by most of the artists whose work I have inspected. A close runner-up for the second prize was the artist in College-crescent, Swiss Cottage, who has a lively humour and draws pound notes on the pavement so realistically that you instinctively stoop to pick them up.

MR MANNIX the second prize winner covers six entire paving stones with one large landscape—exquisitely done, with trees worthy of Corot and a building whose perspective is “primitive,” in the modern French manner.

BUT as soon as I saw Mr Stubbs display I knew that I had found my winner. He works entirely in black and white, and his compositions are all original—two facts which in themselves distinguish him from many pavement artists. Most of his pictures are studies from memory, of actual scenes in Essex and elsewhere. It takes him about two and a half days to complete his “gallery,” which is arranged with beautiful symmetry.

WORKS from his brush—for he paints on canvas too—hang in many famous houses and the Prime Minister and Mr Baldwin are among the people who take a friendly interest in him. I award him first prize without hesitation.

Published: Daily Express Sat. 27th August 1932

THE DRAGOMAN

Researched by Philip Battle

Read my related blog on WJ Stubbs: William John Stubbs (1927)

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PUNCH MAGAZINE (1908-1913)

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Pavement Art as political metaphor

Punch, or the London Charivari was a British weekly magazine of humour and satire established in 1841 by Henry Mayhew and engraver Ebenezer Landells. Historically, it was most influential in the 1840s and 50s, when it helped to coin the term “cartoon” in its modern sense as a humorous illustration. It became a British institution, but after the 1940s, when its circulation peaked, it went into a long decline, finally closing in 1992. It was revived in 1996, but closed again in 2002.

These are a selection of cartoons published by Punch between Feb. 1908 & Dec. 1913

Punch Cartoon: 5th Feb 1908

Punch Cartoon: 5th Feb 1908

Punch Cartoon: 17th June 1908

Punch Cartoon: 17th June 1908

Punch Cartoon: 19th May 1909

Punch Cartoon: 19th May 1909

Punch Cartoon: 5th Jan 1910

Punch Cartoon: 5th Jan 1910

Punch Cartoon: 19th April 1911

Punch Cartoon: 19th April 1911

Punch Cartoon: 10th Dec 1913

Punch Cartoon: 10th Dec 1913

Above caption: Pavement Artist (on duty). “I can’t reckon it up. I draw a lot better ‘n you do an’ yet I don’t get ‘arf the money.”

Pavement Artist (off duty). “Yer subjicks is all wrong. Bits o’ salmon is out o’ date. I done tremenjus bisniss in the summer with ‘Obbs an’ Rufus Isicks, an’ now I’m runnin’ Bomb. Wells, Gaby and Larkin, an’ they’re goin’ good.”

You can find more Punch cartoons and background information on my accompanying blog: Punch Magazine (1872-1895)

Written and researched by Philip Battle

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The Magic Circle (Prehistory)

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Chalk art before pavements

Stumbling upon an unguarded piece of pavement art produced by an unknown pavement artist can in itself be a magical experience. Especially on a street where you least expect it, and in your own neighbourhood.  The ephemeral nature of coloured chalks ability to produce beautiful art on the pavement, only for the rain to come and wash it all away, leaving barely a trace of what was.

Mankind has always had a fascination with coloured earths; some of the most beautiful prehistoric art has come down to us by sheer luck, through cave paintings, often shut off and isolated from interference for thousands of years.

Although we can’t be certain, it is thought that these drawings had story telling or magic properties never meant for preservation. Like pavement art, they lived in the moment of their creation. Archaeologists have even speculated over the nature of Celtic rock carvings and spirals, suggesting that these may have originated as magic markings and chalk lines drawn on the smooth trunks of trees to cast spells or mark out territorial boundaries. Indeed, the majority of prehistoric art has come to us by sheer luck rather than design.

In Britain, stories have persisted about chalk circles that were drawn around babies cots to prevent them being stolen by fairies. The circles were always drawn in a clock-wise pattern and were accompanied by spells and incantations! Fairies were regarded as evil spirits who would maliciously steal & replace babies with “FAIRY BABIES” otherwise known as Changelings.

Wacca 'Magic Circle'

Wicca ‘Magic Circle’

In the Wicca religion these where known as “Magic Circles” space marked out on the ground which it was generally believed will contain energy and form a sacred space, or will provide a form of magical protection, typically drawn in salt or chalk. The barrier is believed to be fragile, so that leaving or passing through the circle would weaken or dispel it. This is referred to as “breaking the circle”.

In England, some of the earliest examples of prehistoric ‘public art’ still exist, manly carved into the chalk downs of the southern counties of Wiltshire and Dorset. The public nature of landscape art suggests that it was intended for a wide audience

The giant drawings where created by cutting deep trenches into hillsides, revealing the underlying rock, which was in most cases, white chalk. There are a few such drawings in Scotland, but by far the greatest numbers are found in England, specifically on the chalk downs in the south.

The Uffington Horse (Bronze Age origins)

The Uffington Horse (Bronze Age origins)

The bronze-age Uffington Horse is said to date back some 3,000 years, and is still very visible on the slopes of White Horse Hill in the parish of Uffington. It is one of England’s most famous prehistoric monuments, and has inspired a number of poems and stories, appearing in works by G.K. Chesterton, Rosemary Sutcliff, and Terry Pratchett, amongst others.

The Cerns Abbas Giant

The Cerne Abbas Giant

The Cerne Abbas Giant (unknown origins) is also known as the Rude Man or Rude Giant, which was cut into a hillside near the village of Cerne Abbas in Dorset, is not only naked but is depicted with a very large and obvious erection.

The Long Man of Wilmington

The Long Man of Wilmington

The Long Man of Wilmington, (unknown origins) is the only other known human figure in chalk form. The Long Man is carved into the slopes of Windover Hill in Wilmington, East Sussex, is thought to be of possible 16th century origin, although scholars aren’t really sure.

The true purpose of these ‘chalk drawings’ is lost in the mists of time. It’s a bit like stumbling upon a piece of pavement art and wondering who the artist was and what motivated him or her to take to the streets.

It’s a magic mystery my friends!

Written and researched by Philip Battle

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ANGEL PAVEMENT (2004)

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A children’s story book

An enchanting story about a pavement artist who encounters angels; for children aged 5 to 7

By Quentin Blake; Published by Red Fox Books UK (Paperback)

ISBN: 978-0099451549

Pavement artist Sid Bunkin is down on his luck until he is befriended by two angels. With the help of their magical pencils he goes on a wonderful journey to discover the power of drawing.

Quentin Blake illustration from ANGEL PAVEMENT 2004

Quentin Blake illustration from ANGEL PAVEMENT 2004

Corky and Loopy are two perfectly normal girls. They like chocolate biscuits, fizzy drinks, screaming at each other and drawing. But they are also a little bit special, because they are angels. One day they visit Sid, a pavement artist. Sid is sad because he wants to take part in the big drawing competition, and Corky and Loopy decide to help.

Quentin Blake illustration from ANGEL PAVEMENT 2004

Quentin Blake illustration from ANGEL PAVEMENT 2004

The book is FULL of wonderful illustrations like the one’s above, on all things pavement arty, and I would recommend it to any parent looking for a different kind of urban tale.

Quentin Blake is best known for his illustration of books written by Roald Dahl. He has also taught, and for eight years was Head of the Illustration department at the Royal College of Art. Quentin Blake was made an OBE in 1988 and, in the words of The Guardian, was already a national institution when he was appointed the first Children’s Laureate in 1999.

Written and researched by Philip Battle

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Artists of the Paving Stone (on Facebook!)

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http://www.facebook.com/screeving

Just thought I advertise this to everybody out there in BLOGLAND!

It’s my Artists of the Paving Stone page on Facebook. Designed to work in conjunction with this blog, a place for me to share stuff such as photos, web links & news snippets that wouldn’t normally merit a blog….plus, it’s a great way to keep up-to-date, via Facebook, with everything HISTORICALLY CHALKING!

Artists of the Paving Stone page on Facebook!

Artists of the Paving Stone page on Facebook!

Latest postings (depending on when you are reading this) include rare photos of children chalking in the shadow of the East Berlin uprising (1953). And the covering of Tiananmen Square, in BEIJING, CHINA with pavement art (1993)

I would encourage you to visit Artists of the Paving Stone and ‘LIKE’

I thank-you for your attention

Philip Battle

THE CUCKOOS (1992)

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The Screever- Vinyl & CD Single

“…..I’m just putting pretty colours on the ground”

Following on from my last blog I thought I’d carry on the INDIE MUSIC theme and introduce you to THE CUCKOOS; I know little about the band, other than the fact that they released this single in 1992 on the Imaginary Records Label. THE SCREEVER (English slang term for pavement artist) was released in several different formats 7 inch & 12 inch vinyl and 4 track CD EP.

The Screever EP cover 1992

The Screever EP cover 1992

The single was produced by The Cuckoos and Brian O’ Shaughnessy at Bark Studios.

Imaginary Records was an independent record label based in Heywood, Greater Manchester, England, which specialised mainly in indie rock and post-punk. It was created and owned by Alan Duffy. They released many independent records including BILL NELSON’S Luminous LP in 1991.

The Screever CD ep insert 1992

The Screever CD ep insert 1992

If you have any other info on The Cuckoos and this single then please get in touch!

“…..and in my hand the chalk I hold, will turn these dirty pavements into gold”

Written & researched by Philip Battle

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The Whirlpool Guest House (1989)

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Pictures on the Pavement

Forget the X-Factor and manufactured pop; indie music has always been a rich seam for original thinking and innovation. It’s were my musical heart lies, so when I discovered this vinyl album recently, languishing in a record shop in Huddersfield, I just had to buy it!

“Pictures on the Pavement” was released by the wonderfully named WHIRLPOOL GUEST HOUSE on Monday 22nd May 1989, although the sleeve states it was made in 1988.

A three piece band from the north east of England (Cleveland, Stockton-On-Tees)

To my knowledge it’s the first record LP to ever feature pavement art in the form of a child drawing a picture on the pavement!

LP COVER: Pictures on the Pavement 1989

LP COVER: Pictures on the Pavement 1989

Now this is NOT a pavement art themed album by any stretch of the imagination. The title is taken from the lyrics of the last song on side two “Sometimes I get so Restless” which talks about pictures on the pavement washing away with the rain. It’s a fine poppie album that reminds me a lot of Prefab Sprout.

The band where formed in June 1986. Songwriter Carl Green, together with husband and wife Andrew and Sally Ann Davis

Whirlpool Guest House: Original Press Photo 1989

Whirlpool Guest House: Original Press Photo 1989

From their original 1989 press release (published by Summerhouse Records- 11th May 1989):

In late 1986, displaying commendable zeal and determination, the Whirlies bluffed their way into the Summerhouse office and subjected company boss William Jones to a home-recorded demo and accompanying self-shot film. They were signed on the spot. Their first single, ‘The Changing Face’ was released in February 1987, and received some glowing reviews. After a lengthy absence the Whirlies are back with their debut LP ‘Pictures on the Pavement’, released May 1989. Highlighting the group’s individual, attractive sound, ‘Pictures on the Pavement’ is simply a collection of great pop songs, succinctly summed up by John Peel“more pop music should sound like this”.

By the way the name WHIRLPOOL GUEST HOUSE is a skit on Elvis’ HEARTBREAK HOTEL….a down market Stockton-On-Tees version perhaps?

Pictures on the Pavement LP Label: Side One 1989

Pictures on the Pavement LP Label: Side One 1989

Sound Clip from ‘Pictures on the Pavement’:

Uncertainty is the name of the game

But like moths round a flame

We’re drawn to where love may begin

Pictures on the pavement

Here till the rain

Pictures on the pavement

Here till the rain

Pictures on the pavement

track Sometimes I Get So Restless

I love it when pavement art transcends artistic boundaries :)

Written and researched by Philip Battle

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A DIFFERENT KETTLE OF FISH (1913)

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A collection of screeving stories from 100 years ago!

This being my first blog of 2013, I thought it would be a fun idea to look back 100 years to 1913; King George V was on the throne, war clouds were looming over Europe, the English stately home was at its zenith and aviation travel was in its infancy. It was a different world back then, not least for the humble pavement artist; that was a different kettle of fish.

I’ve pulled the following from the Urban Towers archives:

Daily Mirror press cutting: Wed 1st October 1913

Daily Mirror press cutting: Wed 1st October 1913

Over 1000 pavement artists were said to be making a FULL TIME living on the streets of London alone. They were so popular that they became tourist attractions in their own right, as this press cutting perfectly illustrates.

Daily Mail press cutting: Tuesday 2nd December 1913

Daily Mail press cutting: Tuesday 2nd December 1913

In an article published in The Manchester Courier (Friday 7th November 1913) Artist, writer and opponent of modern art FRANK L. EMANUEL (1865–1948) compared the ‘new’ tradition of FUTURIST ART as being “Worthy of Lunatics” and “the works of children, PAVEMENT ARTISTS, and ordinary inartistic people”

Press Cutting: The Clarence and Richmond Examiner; Thursday 20th February 1913

Press Cutting: The Clarence and Richmond Examiner; Thursday 20th February 1913

PRESS CUTTING from The Christian Science Monitor: 21st March 1913

PRESS CUTTING from The Christian Science Monitor: 21st March 1913

VOTES FOR WOMAN: London—The Woman’s Social and Political Union have held a most successful self-denial week. Artists of the pavement attracted a considerable amount of attention. Ladies who could draw well were to be seen working from morning until evening, bending over  the pavement with a handful of coloured chalks, producing most attractive pictures.

…….and to round things off, here’s a press cutting about Britain’s first recorded lady pavement artist Alice Coleman, she wasn’t a suffragette as such but she was certainly a pioneer of “Pavement Art for Woman”

PRESS CUTTING: Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser; Thursday 3rd July1913

PRESS CUTTING: Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser; Thursday 3rd July 1913

1913, only 100 years ago…how far have we come, only time will tell; but one thing is certain—the past is another country, they do things differently there.

Written & researched by Philip Battle

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