Thursday, November 7, 2019

The Museum About The King Of Saucy Seaside Postcards, Donald McGill



Donald McGill was known as the king of saucy postcards. From the photo he does look a jolly, twinkly-eyed man.





They say the old jokes are the best. Here are some of the old ones.

  • Can't see my little Willy.
    • Arthur Calder-Marshall Wish You Were Here: The Art of Donald McGill (1966) p. 44.
    • The drawing shows a small child on a beach, hidden under the bulging stomach of his father.
  • "Do you like Kipling?"
    "I don't know, you naughty boy, I've never kippled."
    • The Guinness Book of World Records 1988 p. 203. [1]
    • Holds the record as the world's most successful postcard, with a sale of about 6,000,000.
    • Several earlier versions of the gag exist dating to the 19th century, according to the Quote Investigator blog.[2]
  • For Heaven's sake, send help! There's a man trying to get into my room and the door's locked!
    • The Independent, September 8, 2006. [3].
  • I want to back the favourite, please. My sweetheart gave me a pound to do it both ways!
  • "'Isaiah' – what a funny name for a teddy bear!"
    "Well, you see one eye's 'igher than the other."
    • Exhibited as part of the Michael Winner collection of McGill designs at the Chris Beetles Gallery, March 14 to April 8, 2006. [5]

George Orwell "The Art of Donald McGill"

First published in Horizon magazine, and reprinted in Orwell's Critical Essays (1946)
  • Could you exchange this lucky charm for a baby's feeding-bottle?
  • "I like seeing experienced girls home."
    "But I'm not experienced!"
    "You're not home yet!"
  • "I've been struggling for years to get a fur coat. How did you get yours?"
    "I left off struggling."
  • Judge: "You are prevaricating, sir. Did you or did you not sleep with this woman?"
    Co-respondent: "Not a wink, my lord!"
  • She didn't ask me to the christening, so I'm not going to the wedding.
Books About Mcgill
  • Calder-Marshall, Arthur (1966). Wish You Were Here, The Art of Donald McGill. Hutchinson of London. ISBN 0-09-080061-3.
  • Sutton, David (2000). A chorus of raspberries: British film comedy 1929–1939. Exeter: University of Exeter Press.
  • Crossley, Bernard (2014). Donald McGill: Postcard Artist. Greaves & Thomas

If you are going to the Isle of Wight, this museum is near the landing point. Check out their website for directions. Modestly priced. Open 11 to 4 ish Monday to Saturday.

The Donald Mcgill Museum
Mcgill Museum
Royal Victoria Arcade,
Union Street,
Ryde
Isle of Wight
PO33 2LQ
Tel 01983 717435
E-mail: admin@historicrydesociety.com

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About the Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Please share links to your favourite posts.

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