Saturday 7 December 2019

Christmas card from a dead man


I received this card from Athelny's wife this week. She broke the news that he had died at some point this year. I don't know how and I don't know exactly when, but I do know he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease a few years ago.

We were never bosom buddies -  I had accused him of stitching me up on an auction in Suffolk (or Sussex, I forget which) - and we/I never quite got over that hump. Glass dealers would sell their own mothers in my experience, and Athelny was new to the game, having retired as a teacher and gone straight into the jaws of the antiques trade. I had been dealing with antique dealers for about 50 years, so I knew how they operate.

Anyway, this was the last Christmas card he designed and photographed. It is an 18th century, plain-stemmed cordial glass - CORDIAL - gedditt?

His poor wife. I really feel for her. Many of my friends and acquaintances are kicking the bucket now. They did warn me that this would happen.

13 comments:

  1. I prefer your rat Christmas cards xx

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  2. Still a beautiful card.
    Parkinson's is an unpredictable buggeration.
    Our friend here in NZ has it, triggered by a head injury when pushed off his bike intentionally. Cycling keeps him alive

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  3. I like the card . Did the Augustus Carp cheer you up for a while ?

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    1. Haven't begun to read it yet. Too busy staying alive.

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  4. Geeze, Tom, it's damn awful to count up the living friends on one hand and need two or three for the ones gone.
    Your card is brilliant, and I hope you also take it to mean you are friends again, irregardless of his state of being.

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  5. I received a card recently from a very old friend from Prep' school days. He finished off by saying 'Goodbye'. I found that word very disturbing.

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  6. Wait till you get to my age (87) - they drop off the perch quicker than hot dinners.

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