Time for a Little Read
Anyone who follows my photostream will know that I collect and photograph 1:12 size miniatures. Some pieces are lovely, but nothing particularly special as they are mass manufactured in factories in places like China and Korea, whilst others are beautiful and unique artisan pieces that have been lovingly handmade, such as this 1:12 size miniature book made by the British miniature artisan Ken Blythe. I have quite a large representation of Ken Blythe’s work in my collection, but so little of his real artistry is seen because the books that he specialised in making are usually closed. Entitled “Revue des Chapeaux”, this book’s pages review in brilliant pictorial detail, millinery styles between 1913 and 1917. What might amaze you even more is that it is an authentically replicated 1:12 scale miniature of the real book “Revue des Chapeaux” published in 1917. The pages shown in my photo may be seen photographed from the actual book in these two links: here ( www.flickr.com/photos/taffeta/7062767671/in/album-7215762... ) and here ( www.flickr.com/photos/taffeta/7062758273/in/album-7215762... ). This book is only three centimetre in length, two centimetres in width and three millimetres in depth. To create something so authentic to the original in such detail and so clearly, really does make this a miniature artisan piece.
The theme for “Looking Close… on Friday” for the 30th of July is “holding”, for which an image of one or two human hands much be photographed holding something. As soon as the theme was announced, I knew that I wanted to photograph one of the many 1:12 miniature artisan pieces I have in my large collection of miniatures in my hand. The big, and difficult, question was – which one? I settled on this book by Ken Blythe for a number of reasons. I love vintage and antique clothing and accessories, including hats, and I love this era of fashion before the Great War. However, the main reason why I chose it is to show off what I don’t often get to, the contents of just one of Ken Blythe’s amazing miniature books. I am fortunate enough to have a substantial representation of Ken Blythe’s work in my collection, however it is seldom seen because most of them are books, and they are closed, sitting on a shelf or tabletop. Thus, you miss seeing the amazing quality of detail paid to authentically reproducing the publication in 1:12 size which makes these pieces so incredibly special. Ken Blythe’s work is highly sought after by miniaturists around the world today and command high prices at auction for such tiny pieces, particularly now that he is no longer alive. I was fortunate enough to know and acquire pieces from Ken Blythe prior to his death about four years ago. His legacy will live on with me and in my photography which I hope will please his daughter. I hope that you enjoy this peek at just one of hundreds of his books that I own, and that it makes you smile with its sheer whimsy!
Time for a Little Read
Anyone who follows my photostream will know that I collect and photograph 1:12 size miniatures. Some pieces are lovely, but nothing particularly special as they are mass manufactured in factories in places like China and Korea, whilst others are beautiful and unique artisan pieces that have been lovingly handmade, such as this 1:12 size miniature book made by the British miniature artisan Ken Blythe. I have quite a large representation of Ken Blythe’s work in my collection, but so little of his real artistry is seen because the books that he specialised in making are usually closed. Entitled “Revue des Chapeaux”, this book’s pages review in brilliant pictorial detail, millinery styles between 1913 and 1917. What might amaze you even more is that it is an authentically replicated 1:12 scale miniature of the real book “Revue des Chapeaux” published in 1917. The pages shown in my photo may be seen photographed from the actual book in these two links: here ( www.flickr.com/photos/taffeta/7062767671/in/album-7215762... ) and here ( www.flickr.com/photos/taffeta/7062758273/in/album-7215762... ). This book is only three centimetre in length, two centimetres in width and three millimetres in depth. To create something so authentic to the original in such detail and so clearly, really does make this a miniature artisan piece.
The theme for “Looking Close… on Friday” for the 30th of July is “holding”, for which an image of one or two human hands much be photographed holding something. As soon as the theme was announced, I knew that I wanted to photograph one of the many 1:12 miniature artisan pieces I have in my large collection of miniatures in my hand. The big, and difficult, question was – which one? I settled on this book by Ken Blythe for a number of reasons. I love vintage and antique clothing and accessories, including hats, and I love this era of fashion before the Great War. However, the main reason why I chose it is to show off what I don’t often get to, the contents of just one of Ken Blythe’s amazing miniature books. I am fortunate enough to have a substantial representation of Ken Blythe’s work in my collection, however it is seldom seen because most of them are books, and they are closed, sitting on a shelf or tabletop. Thus, you miss seeing the amazing quality of detail paid to authentically reproducing the publication in 1:12 size which makes these pieces so incredibly special. Ken Blythe’s work is highly sought after by miniaturists around the world today and command high prices at auction for such tiny pieces, particularly now that he is no longer alive. I was fortunate enough to know and acquire pieces from Ken Blythe prior to his death about four years ago. His legacy will live on with me and in my photography which I hope will please his daughter. I hope that you enjoy this peek at just one of hundreds of his books that I own, and that it makes you smile with its sheer whimsy!