Black and white/sepia postcard

Acc.no: PEZPH : 1992.983

Identification

Item: Cornish Fishwife, Blanche

Description: This is one of Vaughan T Paul's series of postcards recording the local fishing industry. Blanch Courtney was a very popular model for local photographers and for the Newlyn School of Painters. Note here the Paisley scarf, usually a gift brought back from Scotland by local fishermen. This would be worn as Sunday best and not used to absorb the fish oil and seawater seeping through the basket. The apron is in pristine condition: the basket is not secured around the waist as it would be if the basket were full of fish. Blanch earned a living as a hawker of fish in the countryside around Newlyn. Born in 1818, Blanch Leah Tonkin was christened at Paul Church on 3 May. In November 1840 she married Robert Courtney who was a Coastguard. They moved away from Newlyn for several years. Blanch returned in 1845 after he died aged 27. He is buried at Paul. Blanch lived in St Peter's Hill before moving to 9 Church Street for the rest of her long life.

Condition: Good -

Description

Height: Mm

Width: Mm

Material: Postcard

Production

Method: Printed

Person: Vaughan, T Paul

Place: Penzance

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