IN THE SWIM OF THINGS
July 2022
Nothing new in webbed swimming gloves and these go back to the days of Flapper Girls. Also used at the time in solo synchronised swimming don’t you know.
Maybe a Hi-Viz version would be helpful today when hailing a taxi – any takers?
UNDER PRESSURE
June 2022
This charming and unusual boxwood glove powderer was found in John Gilbert’s antique shop in Robin Hood’s Bay near Whitby. Whilst on the face of it it appears quite ordinary further inspection reveals an unusual base. The base has a thin convex metal plate in it which, when pushed in increases the pressure in the powder compartment which then ‘puffs out’ a small amount of powder through the nozzle.
See exactly what the powder does at pinkhamgloves.co.uk/paraphernalia/
LORRY FOR SALE
May 2022
This photograph was taken in the 1950s on the forecourt of Hurrell & Beardwell’s garage on the corner of Avenue Road and Newland Street in Witham. The lorry had clearly come to the end of the road with Company; do you know who bought it all those years ago? If you do please email nickpinkham@pinkhamgloves.co.uk
With the help of Patrick Collins the Research Officer at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu the lorry has been identified as a 1936 Bedford 2 ton with a Greater London registration - GYY 722. This fits in with the Company’s development at the time. A new factory had been opened in Dagenham in 1933 hence the Greater London registration. Not only used to deliver gloves to customers these lorries were also used to transfer items between the factories.
The photograph which was taken by John Scott-Mason and reproduced with permission from Adam Scott-Mason was found on Janet Gyford’s The History of Witham website.
Many thanks to everyone for their help with this photograph.
MY OLD CHINA
April 2022
For many years in the board room at the Witham factory there were two ash trays modelled as china gloves, one pale blue and one gold. (If only they could recount some of the boardroom conversations) These are now prized items in the collection and have been added to over the years.
The latest to join the collection was found in Fort Myers in the USA and is a very unusual china glove modelled as a life size upright long evening glove in primrose. Stunning and hopefully it is definitely one of a pair.
It’s just a case of finding the other one!!
See the whole collection at pinkhamgloves.co.uk/promotional-merchandise
NEW MANUFACTURING
March 2022
New to the website for 2022 is a section which brings together much research on the company’s manufacturing.
Always pioneering and always at the forefront of technology whether it be machines, fabrics of even needles the company’s march forward was relentless over many years.
The section will develop over the months to highlight what was happening from the early days of Rebecca using a state of the art American made Weir machine first manufactured in 1867 up to the latter days of the company's manufacturing when rows of machinists used electric machines capable of machining vast numbers of gloves each day.
Read all about it at pinkhamgloves.co.uk/manufacturing
A TIMELESS ELICAT
February 2022
Once again Lynn Jamieson of Timeless Gloves in West Sussex has discovered a fine elicat of Pinkham gloves which have found their way to the Pinkham Collection. Many thanks Lynn. All in exceptional condition and representing the wide range of styles that the company produced and the many fabrics that were used. Not surprising given that in most post war years the company produced two ranges a year totalling around three to four hundred styles. Then multiply that by different sizes and colours in each style and its amazing to imagine planning the production without a computer!!!!
See them with many other pairs of Pinkham gloves at pinkhamgloves.co.uk/the-gloves
TIMELESS in MORE WAYS THAN ONE.
January 2022
These two pairs of Pinkham gloves were given to the Pinkham Collection by Lynn Jamieson of Timeless Gloves in West Sussex. An established dealer in vintage fashion Lynn has sixth sense when it comes to seeking out Pinkham gloves and many pairs in the collection have come from her stock.
Both of these pairs are timeless and would look great on any lady’s hands today. The yellow pair from the late fifties is quite rare and beautifully made in Helanca, a stretch fabric of Rayon and Nylon and have four faux pearls on each cuff. The black pair is so delightful for the honest and humble simplicity.
See them with many other pairs of Pinkham gloves at pinkhamgloves.co.uk/the-gloves
BRIDGEND BEAUTIES
January 2022
Pinkham gloves were exported all over the world and this glamorous pair of long black evening gloves were discovered in Bridgend in Wales. Manufactured around 1960 they are made from Helanca fabric which is a Nylon / Rayon mix and is very elastic. It meant that gloves could be stretched over the hand to look skin tight.
See them with many other pairs of Pinkham gloves at pinkhamgloves.co.uk/the-gloves
PARAPHERNALIA
AT FULL STRETCH
December 2021
This unusual pair of Edwardian carved boxwood glove stretchers were discovered in Derbyshire. The delightfully carved dogs heads have glass eyes and notice the 'stitching' running all the way around. How many ladies use such stylish things today?
See more glove stretchers at: pinkhamgloves.co.uk/paraphernalia
ANOTHER MASTERPIECE
November 2021
Recent research in The British Newspaper Archive has thrown up a wealth of Pinkham material which includes these two adverts from 1955. They speak for themselves.
More of the archive can be seen at: pinkhamgloves.co.uk/media-adverts
With thanks to the The British Newspaper Archive britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
RUCHED ALL ROUND
October 2021
East Sussex is where this unusual pair of white nylon Pinkham gloves were recently found. What makes them interesting is the ruched strip around the wrist. Dating from the mid-1950s these would have been made in several colours.
NEW FINDS
September 2021
Two pairs of Pinkham gloves from Timelessgloves on the South Coast have just found their way to the Pinkham Collection. One black pair and one cream pair of cotton embroidered Nylon gloves. Both pairs date from the late 1950’s and are in beautiful unworn condition.
FAMILY ALBUM
July 2021
Granddaughter of Leslie Pinkham, Liz Magem has unearthed some until now rarely seen family photos dating back to the 1920s and 30s.
MOTHER & SON
Leslie and his mother Rebecca in 1939 a year after William had died.
THREE GENERATIONS
Leslie and Elsie with William and their four children summer 1934
Back Row; Elsie Leslie William David ?? Marie
Front row: Richard John
MARIE'S CHRISTENING 1925
John Marie Richard David
FIT FOR A QUEEN
May 2021
At the Queen’s coronation in 1953 each of the lady guests were given a glove clip with an enamelled badge bearing ER. These clips were used to secure a pair of gloves to a lady’s handbag when not being worn. One has been added to the Pinkham Collection go to: pinkhamgloves.co.uk/paraphernalia/
COMING HOME
February 2021
Towards the end of 2020 Ashley Smith made contact and explained that he had a barometer which had been presented to Leslie Pinkham in 1948 and Ashley has now reunited it with the Pinkham Collection. He had acquired the barometer in an auction with some other items a few years ago in South Essex and had researched its background to discover the company’s history. It is now a treasured item and heartfelt thanks go to Ashley for getting in touch. More about this amazing find at: pinkhamgloves.co.uk/family
WEDDING BELLS
January 2021
Sylvia Clark made contact and recalled the story of her mother Sylvia Iren Clark (née Lloyd) who worked at the Dagenham factory with a friend Margaret Clark. On one occasion there was a works outing to see a show at the London Palladium and Margaret asked Sylvia if she would like to go to the show on a blind date with Margaret’s brother Alan Clark. The rest as the saying goes is history.
