R&T AND OTHER ART

THE GREAT GARAGE SORTING OF ’22 revealed a bunch of posters among its treasures to be retained. In fact, there’s a file on my iMac’s desktop labeled, prosaically enough, “Posters.” Several of these images come from a fine book I’ve mentioned only in passing.

I took special interest in assembling “The Beginning 1947–1956,” though we all enjoyed the entire five decades. Several images have already appeared here at SimanaitisSays, including Jonathan Thompson’s wonderful Sopwith Camel with its familiar pilot and Innes Ireland’s “Sentimental Journeys” artfully illustrated by Barron Storey.  

Here are others that attract my eye, plus a wild-card poster about which I know very little other than my appreciation of its artful simplicity. 

Santa Ana Road Races. I never had the pleasure of meeting F. Turich, but in September 1950 he took this photo with one of the vast blimp hangars in the background. 

By the way, the hangers exist to this day. What’s more, through the skill of a fellow flight simmer they appear on my Microsoft FS9.

Corson’s HWMs. Dick Corson’s art graced R&T pages, often describing fascinating English racing machines.

One of Corson’s illustrations of the Bristol 450 Le Mans car resides on my hallway wall.

Cam’s Camera. I recall a lot of rally coverage from Cam Warren, but this time around it looks like he was posted just up from Monaco’s Station/Loews/Fairmont Hairpin. 

“Been there; done that.” Delightfully.  

Motta’s TC Portrait. This classic MG (owned by R&T’s Elaine Bond) at one point resided at 1499 Monrovia. The car appears in the background in one of Wife Dottie’s Celebration of Life posters here at SimanaitisSays. (It’s in the pic of Dottie and her St. Bernard Max poised in front of the office.)

Bill evidently enjoyed painting this particular TC. A similar rendering, one of the left headlight and fender, resides on my dining room wall. 

Pay Attention, Class! I enjoy the carefully rendered simplicity of “The Railway: On the Station.” The poster is identified at the bottom as “New Era Class Pictures & Charts – 56,” by P.E. Fawkes.

An eBay search suggests this New Era Class Picture may be part of a U.K. classroom package. I’ve forgotten where I acquired the poster and, in fact, it’s a bit worn. But nonetheless charming. ds 

© Dennis Simanaitis, SimanaitisSays.com, 2023