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Original poster

Another historical scribble to decode!

80 replies

reddingweddy · 09/02/2023 13:44

Since we all enjoyed @OldTrot's historical letter deciphering, here's another for you - this one is a bit more recent but no less unfathomable. Off you go!

Another historical scribble to decode!
Another historical scribble to decode!
Another historical scribble to decode!
OP posts:
WeegieWan · 09/02/2023 14:10

My darling Robin,
Shown (?) your letter this morning and can almost picture you/ Gus and Lalls (Lallo?) at the tow path and in the train (town?). It's a nice idea and she will like the change from a pram... (..) Have you got the bed yet?. I thought I would do up a small blanket and send now and another next month, unless you have already got some that will do.

BlackeyedSusan · 09/02/2023 14:10

Page 2:
I expect (name) and Audrey have one too.

HFC full results and broke his right arm- a clergyman friend wrote to me for him asking me to let any ???know who might be...

Sunbird24 · 09/02/2023 14:10

I’m seeing I thought I’d do up a small blanket to send now & another next month/week(?)

Geneticsbunny · 09/02/2023 14:11

I can almost picture Gus and lallo at the iris path?

Original poster
reddingweddy · 09/02/2023 14:13

@OldTrot no, my DH found it in a book he bought in a second hand bookshop!

I have googled Fairfield Lodge but I think it's either been turned into a hotel or demolished. Also I can't work out the middle initial of the addressee - R ? H or W Murdoch?

OP posts:
Sunbird24 · 09/02/2023 14:14

I think that’s an & @reddingweddy!

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 09/02/2023 14:14

Middle initial could be a D

Original poster
reddingweddy · 09/02/2023 14:15

Sunbird24 · 09/02/2023 14:10

I’m seeing I thought I’d do up a small blanket to send now & another next month/week(?)

I think you've got it!

OP posts:
MaggieFS · 09/02/2023 14:17

I would love a separate topic for these! I just feel fortunate when I find one.

This one is interesting how it's addressed. Blackie & sons is apparently a bookshop. I wonder if Robin worked there?

Sunbird24 · 09/02/2023 14:19

The MN Historical Graphological Detective Agency…

Original poster
reddingweddy · 09/02/2023 14:19

Actually looking closely at it I think the middle initial has got an error on it - if you look really closely, the bit I've circled pink looks a bit blotty, as if it's a mistake and the writer just kind of carried on. In which case it might be an L. Thoughts?

Another historical scribble to decode!
OP posts:
MaggieFS · 09/02/2023 14:19

@Sunbird24 I wondered about & in the address but then the letter is only written to Robin so I'm assuming it's an initial.

mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 09/02/2023 14:21

My go:
Fairfield Lodge, Ayr Jan 7th
My darling Robin
I loved your letter this morning and can almost picture you and Lallo at the tow path on the ?Thames. It's a nice idea and she will like the chance for a ?... roach - Have you got the bed yet? I thought I would do up a small blanket and send now + another next week - unless you have already got some that will do - A magnificent invitation came from U Charlie for the 2 girls + me today. I expect you + Audrey have one too. What a lot of joy he must be getting out of all this. Poor WFC fell recently + broke his right arm - A clergyman friend wrote to me for him, asking me to let any one know who might be interested. I've written to ?Jean Son + asked him to.... Have now all of Mr Churchill...?....it all. I hope the meeting is helpful tomorrow darling. I'll be thinking of you. Must fly for post. Love from loving Ma...

WeegieWan · 09/02/2023 14:22

MaggieFS · 09/02/2023 14:17

I would love a separate topic for these! I just feel fortunate when I find one.

This one is interesting how it's addressed. Blackie & sons is apparently a bookshop. I wonder if Robin worked there?

Blackie & Sons were publishers - Walter Blackie commissioned Charles Rennie Mackintosh to design a house for him in Helensburgh- it's gorgeous!

Sunbird24 · 09/02/2023 14:24

@MaggieFS good point

mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 09/02/2023 14:24

Blackie's was a publishers, which I remember. It went out of business in 1991. The address is in Covent Garden I think.

Original poster
reddingweddy · 09/02/2023 14:29

Oh you are all so good!
I think "tow path" is right and wonder if it is "she will like the change from a pram walk"

OP posts:
Sunbird24 · 09/02/2023 14:29

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackie_and_Son
I’m sure my mum has/had the Blackie editions of The Black Arrow and possibly Little Women

Original poster
reddingweddy · 09/02/2023 14:30

I'm also wondering what the magnificent invitation from Uncle Charlie was for!

OP posts:
WeegieWan · 09/02/2023 14:30

As Murdoch is quite a Scottish name, working for a Scottish publisher I took a chance and looked him up in GROS. Robert David H Murdoch married Audrey Jean L Kidd in Hillhead Glasgow in 1953.

Sunbird24 · 09/02/2023 14:31

@WeegieWan 👏👏

MaggieFS · 09/02/2023 14:32

The best I can work out from one of the middle bits (but which doesn't make good sense) is 'I've written Jean Snell and asked her to let Irene know' with a little ^ presumably to include Irene's surname

WarningToTheCurious · 09/02/2023 14:33

Blackie and Son was a publisher based in Glasgow and in Charing Cross Road - closed in 1991.

The Murdoch family had lived at Fairfield Lodge since at least the mid 1850s - the house is at 8 Racecourse Road, Ayr, and is now called Langlaigh.

Original poster
reddingweddy · 09/02/2023 14:34

I just googled Robin Murdoch and Blackie & Son and he was the author of "Nursery Stories" published in 1961!

OP posts:
mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 09/02/2023 14:34

I have found that Robin Murdoch was the author of a little book called Nursery Stories -published by Blackie &Sons in 1961. A copy still available from WOB online, apparently!