Letters from 1926


The letter on 14 January was typed by Herbert on a typewriter. I still remember the ancient typewriter Granny (Phemie) had at their flat at 6 Siesta in the 1970's. I used carbon paper to type out 6 copies of a postcard chain letter.

For the generation that only knows computers, here is an image of a 1926 model typewriter.


January 1926

12 January 1926

14 January 1926

16 January 1926

21 January 1926

In one of the letters Herbert tells Phemie that he has found just the car for them to buy - a 1926 Overland Touring.

I searched the Net and found pictures of an antique model for sale so that we could see how this dream car looked:



Finally, while searching the Net for anything about Thomas Baillies', I discovered this obituary that appeared in the Daily Representative, ten years later in 1936:


"Friday, May 22, 1936

Notice
In the Estate of the late Thomas BAILLIE, a Merchant who died at Queenstown on the 23rd October, 1934, and surviving spouse Marion Bertha BAILLIE (born ALMOND),,,,"

Bertha Baillie, Herbert's Mother



1 comment:

  1. LucilleMay 23, 2012 at 12:31 AM

    What a find. That is quite freaky. I see such a strong resemblance of my Mom in her paternal grandmother.

    The car is too cute. It reminds me of the game drive vehicles used in our safari parks today.

    For the younger lot who would not know, Leo was Herbert's older brother and the two of them ran the family business once their father had died. Likewise, their sons, Brian and Don, took over from their fathers until the business was sold.

    Leo also had a daughter, Margaret (Reece), who was the headmistress of Collegiate Girls Junior School in Port Elizabeth until not so long ago. Think I have my facts straight.

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