Autograph Books

Mrs Mopp my dad wrote that in my autograph book the day I left school. Thanks for the memory.

I had an autograph book as a teenager and spent many a night waiting at stage doors of theatres and concert venues to collect autographs of the stars. Unfortunately after I got married and was away on honeymoon my mother destroyed all letters and cards I had received and the autograph book!

I have my paternal grandmother's autograph book; during the war, she ran a Merchant Navy Shop near the Theatre Royal in Nottingham. (She was a former Royal Marine wife) During the war, celebrities etc gave their time freely to entertain the civilian population, and my Nanna made sure that they all signed her book, together with passing soldiers, sailors and airman from all over the world. (My other Nanna referred to it disparagingly
as "that ship shop" wherein lies another story...)

It makes fascinating reading. There is Arthur Askey and others like him, then all these acts and entertainers of whom one has never heard, (Lowe and Webster, Flo Ford, 1944 pantomime cast etc) and lovely messages from servicemen and women.

It is crammed with entries, and is a treasured possession.

No sign of anything from my youth, though...

mrsmopp

Brilliant!!

I love that one, Merlotgran.

Here is my dad's offering:

Last night I held a little hand,
So dainty and so neat.
I thought my heart would surely burst,
So wildly did it beat.

No other hand held ere so tight
Could greater gladness bring,
Than the little hand I held last night,
Four aces and a king.

My autograph book is one of my most treasured possessions. My school friends all wrote in it and there's a short poem from my lovely Dad who died far too young,

Eyes of brown, imperious frown,
Redeemed by happy laughter,
Slim of line, features fine,
That's you, my darling daughter.

I used to think it should have been darling DAFTER!!

I do indeed remember, but mine are sadly lost - I can see them in my mind's eye though and it brings back happy memories.