Mid Twentieth Century Chic

One of my favourite eras of the past and a period of design that I am drawn to again and again spans the 1930s through to the 1950s.  Sparked by a love of old films I revel in the fashion, language and manners of the time.  Although completely aware that life for the majority of people back then (especially women) was incredibly restrictive and often poverty stricken I can't help but find something charming in the moody aesthetic of smoke filled little cafés and at least the veneer of good manners if nothing else.

For a while now I have been on the lookout for a black vintage typewriter.  There is something compelling in the construction and design of what was at the time considered to be a utilitarian object and couple of weeks back I couldn't believe my luck when on a very unpromising shopping expedition at a local brocante I came across and swiftly bought a little French example from the 1930s.    

My darling Erika typewriter from the 1930s

Looking at my characterful portable typewriter I can't help but wonder who owned it and what they used it for.  Being a bit of a romantic (I think you have to be in my business) I imagined someone like Daphne du Maurier or George Orwell tapping away into the wee small hours whilst smoking a slim cigarette and knocking out a classic best selling novel.  

Or perhaps (OK this is very fanciful) my typewriter was used by members of the Résistance to type up false papers during the Second World War - if only this little machine could talk (vintage lovers won't have missed the set of grain measures behind my typewriter.  We thought they would look brilliant as interior decoration for our dream coffee shop/brocante... our next project if we ever finish the renovations to our house!)  

Daphne du Maurier on her trusty Underwood portable typewriter 

George Orwell (he favoured the Remington Home Portable)

This evocative photo was taken by Robert Doisneau  in 
1940's Paris entitled "La dactylo du Vert Galant"  
(how things have moved on since then!)

Sticking with my theme of buying vintage trucs from mid twentieth century Spike cleverly uncovered this little enamelled torch (1930s or 1940s) in what appeared at first glance to be a box of junk.  I particularly like the Morse code setting and have been struggling to resist sending out SOS signals from my bedroom window.

This torch is a lovely tactile piece

Moving along my favoured timeline to another recent buy is this vintage French camera from the 1940s.  It is in unusually good condition and still has it's little booklet and case.  I keeping promising myself that I will not buy another camera for my Etsy Shop but I just don't seem to be able to resist them despite the fact that I know nothing about this area of collecting.  

Bellows cameras have a very stylish look that I love

Moving well and truly into the 1950s this French 'Jaz' wallclock not only works but it keeps really good time too.  There is something charmingly intimate in having to wind it up everyday and it has taken pride of place on my office wall (until it sells).

An authentic 50s 'Jaz' wall clock

Finally this desk lamp from the 1950s has everything.  It works (which is a good start), has that industrial look that's so in favour at the moment and most importantly to me the little switch on the base has a really satisfying 'click'. 

I love this lamp (it may end up being yet another keeper)

Looking at these evocative trucs I have come to the conclusion that I am a frustrated set designer/prop buyer and I can't tell you how disappointed I am that this path wasn't suggested to me during my rather unimaginative school careers evening.  It's taken me a long time to find a job I love and it's a genuine joy to have these wonderful things pass though my hands.