Letter assumed to be written by Charlie Ayliff to Edith Collier and Thea Collier
Charlie Ayliff, Author
This is one of the
letters
in our collection.
It was made in
Albany, Auckland, Auckland Region, New Zealand
in 01 May 1964.
See full details
Object Detail
About the Work
TRANSCRIPTION:
Outspan
Bush Rd
No1 RMD. Albany
May 1st 1964
Dear Edith & Thea
Well aren’t you darlings! I nearly wept when FDK came in with your beautiful bouquet – he found it on the stoep after teaching in Takapuna = I wish you could see it – such a lovely arrangement – rather like a floral sailing ship with a boat shaped container & a long straight fern for mast – The flowers are those dainty spidery chrysanthemums-all in pale colours from cream & green& & one matching some vermillon baby zinnias & giant nerine of the same colour – I think that is what it is – A big bunch of nylon ribbon – same colour at the bottom - I can’t tell you what a joy it is – bless you -
I wonder if you heard that Mr Jim Logan died last week –he was a dear & loved by everyone – Mrs Logan will be very lost without him – poor darling – She took up painting a few years ago & will probably find it helpful during the first difficult months -
It is funny how many women begin painting after families grow up – while sinners like you & me Collier never touch it now altho’ it was our life work in our youth!
I hope you can read this – our humid autumn plays up with my arthritic hands – It seems that once one allows health to vanish one becomes the happy hunting ground of every germ or virus etc –
A friend of ours who is a keen spiritualist brought an old dame to see me & wanted me to put myself into her hands – I’m too busy living this life to have time for any others – but I asked her why I’m having such a long period of ill health – She was silent for afew minutes & then said it was punishment because I had been very arrogant in a former existence! Fdk was furious & more or less showed her to the door!
However in spite of my arrogance I’m much better & the horrid migraine headaches seem to have disappeared so I’m able to read –
I had a long letter from Bryce last week Collier – still very happy with her hubby – he sounds a dear My sister Meg met him when she was in England last year & liked him very much – Amy is still going strong & is always busy - She helps a lot with a library for the blind in Grahamstown –
Once again very many thanks from us both for your lovely present - & for the kind thought behind it – My love to you all
Ayliff
Outspan
Bush Rd
No1 RMD. Albany
May 1st 1964
Dear Edith & Thea
Well aren’t you darlings! I nearly wept when FDK came in with your beautiful bouquet – he found it on the stoep after teaching in Takapuna = I wish you could see it – such a lovely arrangement – rather like a floral sailing ship with a boat shaped container & a long straight fern for mast – The flowers are those dainty spidery chrysanthemums-all in pale colours from cream & green& & one matching some vermillon baby zinnias & giant nerine of the same colour – I think that is what it is – A big bunch of nylon ribbon – same colour at the bottom - I can’t tell you what a joy it is – bless you -
I wonder if you heard that Mr Jim Logan died last week –he was a dear & loved by everyone – Mrs Logan will be very lost without him – poor darling – She took up painting a few years ago & will probably find it helpful during the first difficult months -
It is funny how many women begin painting after families grow up – while sinners like you & me Collier never touch it now altho’ it was our life work in our youth!
I hope you can read this – our humid autumn plays up with my arthritic hands – It seems that once one allows health to vanish one becomes the happy hunting ground of every germ or virus etc –
A friend of ours who is a keen spiritualist brought an old dame to see me & wanted me to put myself into her hands – I’m too busy living this life to have time for any others – but I asked her why I’m having such a long period of ill health – She was silent for afew minutes & then said it was punishment because I had been very arrogant in a former existence! Fdk was furious & more or less showed her to the door!
However in spite of my arrogance I’m much better & the horrid migraine headaches seem to have disappeared so I’m able to read –
I had a long letter from Bryce last week Collier – still very happy with her hubby – he sounds a dear My sister Meg met him when she was in England last year & liked him very much – Amy is still going strong & is always busy - She helps a lot with a library for the blind in Grahamstown –
Once again very many thanks from us both for your lovely present - & for the kind thought behind it – My love to you all
Ayliff
This record represents an archive item and has related works.
Measurements
228 x 178 mm each
Media
pen on paper
Description
Letter assumed to be written by Charlie Ayliff to Edith Collier and Thea Collier, handwritten in biro on one side each of 2 sheets of unlined paper. It was previously folded in half horizontally and with 2 vertical folds.
Credit Line
Collection of The Edith Collier Trust, in the permanent care of the Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui.
Collection Type
Archives
Loans
Loans
Collection
Acquisition Date
Circa 1985