Friday 5 June 2009

Nautical bodywork


There's a historical symmetry to the association between ships and tattoos, though sailors traditionally went for designs inspired less by Polynesian and South Seas motifs than conventional cartoons of flowers, hearts and anchors. This aspiring graphic designer is a walking portfolio of his own drawings, testament to his obsession with the iconic Cunard Liners. It's a work in progress.

On my study wall, without the pain or lifelong commitment of the nautical designer, my small tribute to the great steamships is a 1930s souvenir guide to Southampton Docks preserved from a childhood visit by my mother. It cost sixpence (2.5p).
An inside photo shows a leisurely experience of Customs very different from the one twenty-first century travellers endure.

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