Footnotes

PROVENANCE:
Private Collection, U.K.

Presented here at auction for the first time Helen Bradley's Four Seasons, greatly popularised by their adaption into printed edition, epitomise the enduring evocation of an idyllic Edwardian age for which Bradley is known and adored. Each of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter follow Bradley's well loved cast of familiar characters; The Aunts (Charlotte, Edith, Frances and Mary), Brother George, Grandpa and Grandma, Mr. Taylor (the Bank Manager) and of course Miss Carter (who wore pink), through seasonal narratives across Bradley's favoured North West locations.

the first signed 'HELEN/BRADLEY' and with fly insignia (lower left); further signed and inscribed 'Spring,/It was the first warm day of Spring,/so Grandma, the aunts, mother, George/and I, also Miss Carter (who wore pink)/and Mr Taylor (the Bank Manager) decided/to go for a walk to Alexandra Park./There we met a little May Queen/with her friends holding her train./Grandma said they looked so/nice and clean, she gave them/a penny each and so that George/and I shouldnt feel left out, we/had one also and the year was 1908./Helen Layfield Bradley' (on a label attached to the backboard);

the second signed 'HELEN BRADLEY' and with fly insignia (lower left); further signed and inscribed 'Summer at Blackpool/We had had a very happy day/in the country. Grandpa said that/it made a change from always going/down to the beach so we had a picnic/instead, and, listening to aunt/Mary sing softly, "Now the day is ended/Stars begin to peep, Birds and beasts and/flowers soon will be asleep" and/George and I were – fast asleep, resting/against Grandma who had an arm/round each of us. We missed the/farmer calling his cows in and the/girl taking her goose for a walk, but/ it would soon be another happy day/and the year was 1908./ Helen Layfield Bradley' (on a label attached to the backboard);

the third signed 'HELEN BRADLEY' and with fly insignia (lower right); further signed and inscribed 'Autumn/Mother said that autumn was the/loveliest time of the year,/Everywhere was golden and lush/There were apples and Blackberries/to gather, ripe and delicious, many/happy hours we spent on the farm at/st Michaels gathering sweet dolly/apples and big juicy ones for baking,/Then in the woods near Grandpa's we /gathered Blackberries. Today we/are looking to see if they will be/ready for picking the day before we/go home so that we can take them/ back to Lees with us and the year was/1908/ Helen Layfield Bradley' (on a label attached to the backboard);

the fourth signed 'HELEN BRADLEY' and with fly insignia (lower left); further signed and inscribed 'On Christmas Morning Grandpa/said "who would like to walk to/Marton Mill. It was a lovely/morning with a Slight sprinkling/of snow. Mother, the aunts, George and/I were soon ready and we collected/miss Carter (who wore Pink) and Mr/Taylor (the Bank Manager) also all our/small gifts to give the miller,/Grandpa said we must say Thank/you for all the good wheat he has/ground for us through the year/which was 1908./Helen Layfield Bradley (on a label attached to the backboard)