57 years ago …. and an update this week !
Here
I am in 1970. I lived in an area of the Northeast then where it was
not unusual to have graveyards with stones dating back to the early
seventeen hundreds. Gravestone rubbings were allowed then and it
became a hobby with me.
I
was always very careful to not damage the surface of the stones.
I'd use a toothbrush to remove the moss and dirt that clung to the
stone crevices and then placed paper (white newsprint) over the
image, adhering it to the back of the stone with masking tape. Using
a thick wax crayon I'd lightly stroke the paper until the design
appeared and then carefully increase the pressure until I had the
desired effect.
In
1970 I was so pleased with the effect that I mounted and framed them
and sent them as my Christmas gifts that year. However, I was sad to
realize that I must have misplaced my own copy in our many moves
since then.
So,
imagine my surprise and pleasure when I received a large UPS package
this week and saw that it was the rubbing that I had sent to my
sister Barbara 57 years ago. She passed away a few months back and
her family has kindly sent back some of her possessions that pertain
to me. I can't thank them enough.
posted by Ginnie at 5:00 PM
9 Comments:
What a great way to preserve that old stone work design. So sorry for the loss of your sister, Ginnie.
What a nice surprise for you.
So sorry about your sister but thoughtful of her family to return that to you. Wow, that was a very old tombstone and you managed to preserve it so nicely. Well done.
The saying what goes around comes around seems to apply here but in a good way. Your sister enjoyed your gift and has now re-gifted you. And, this gift is even more treasured because of her passing.
Beautiful. Another lovely thing to bind you to your dear sister. I love those rubbings tying us to the past.
Stone rubbings are not allowed anymore?
We had that as a project in some art class or another in college. Some of the kids came up with some really nice stuff.
One of my professors (and really good friend) used to send me rubbings she made as she travelled the globe. She used rice paper, light weight, didn't rip, rolled nicely to mail. I considered it a strange gift at first, but realized what a treasure it was - and how personal to have something made for you vs something from a souvenir shop. Unique gifts! Very meaningful.
Takes a special person to think of something like that! (Oh, like YOU!)
How great you did that and got it back! tho sorry for the loss of your sister...
I am so happy it reached another great place!
Love - Beaver (Barbara's son)
Interesting. Our most early tombstones in southeastern Minnesota go back only to the 1850's....
You would have loved brass rubbing in some of our English churches. You can often shake hands with a crusader.
Sorry not to have commented lately, but your 'system' would not let me.
Post a Comment
<< Home