I just love this. A beautiful old notebook with wonderfully drawn little sketches. I’ve come across a few other examples of these T. J. Smith’s “metallic memorandum books” online (and posted about one here). I just wish I’d find one in a junk shop somewhere so I could own one of these treasures myself!
Read more about the sketchbook and the artist, and see lots more images at A Glimpse At Life A Century Ago Through The Sketchbook Of W.G. Read – Print Magazine.
I bought a pencil/stylus marked: TJ & J SMITH’S METAL… today. It is beautifully turned boxwood (I believe) with a metal point. On the turned ‘nob’ at the end is the letter ‘E’. This ties up nicely with research that tells me that the full stamped mark should read: TJ & J SMITH’S METALLIC PENCIL. It’s a truly beautiful thing and I’d like to match it up with a TJ & J SMITH notebook. It cost me £1 from a very mixed tray at an antiques stall in our local market.