An Aviator in the Family?

Sadly not, but I am intrigued by this souvenir photograph as Marcus D. Manton looks rather mature to be dubbed 'The Boy Aviator'! Born in 1893, he qualified as a pilot in 1912. He piloted a Graham White biplane over Bisley in 1913 with a machine gunner who fired successfully at targets on the ground. He teamed up with the flier B. C. Hucks  and the pair were described as the foremost exponents of aerobatic displays.

Santa's Sleigh

I was looking for a suitable photograph to mark Christmas. Imagine my surprise when I came across an album of family photographs that I had never seen before. There were about forty snaps and at least a dozen were of me as a toddler! What an unexpected Christmas present. Here is a photograph of two of my cousins - Christine and Jennifer. I would imagine it was taken in a London store around 1960. Father Christmas looked very different then. I wonder why he is wearing washing-up gloves?

By way of comparison, Anthony has very recently published the 1976 edition of the Argos Catalogue. Every day items look even more dated! Click HERE to visit his flickr account.

Anthony Voz has scanned in the 1985 Argos catalogue.When I look at some of the items on offer, I remember that - at the time - everyone thought they were cutting edge! Wonderful! Thank you Anthony. (Click HERE to be taken to his flickr set)