Alive: Cecil Beaton book covers. 

A vitality unhindered by technical skill.

An Indian Album published in 1945.

Summer 2009, Liberty.

Mid 20th century

Late 19th century

Living: Paisley. Inspired by the vegetation 

of Iraq, this ancient design came to the 

West via the weavers of Paisley, Scotland.

Mirabelle, 1962

Betsy, 1933

Toria, 2003

Thorpe, 1968

Living: Liberty, mix and match from 

the permanent collection.

Living: Camouflage. Created by Mother N, 

(date unknown), often imitated by man. 

Oystercatcher eggs at Orford Ness, Suffolk.

Living: Couto medicinal toothpaste since 1932. 

More from the Portugese Art Deco Abluting Dept.

Rather forgotten: Rex Whistler, (1905-1944). Like 

Charles Ryder, he was a frequent guest who was handy 

with a paint brush. Details from Mottisfont Abbey.

Living: The Landmark Trust. Rent a tower, temple, 

pavilion, grange, mill, parsonage, abbey, or house.

Above: East Banqueting House, Chipping Campden. 

Extinct: "Dolphin", part of the mid-century 

Victoriana fascination, by Susan Williams-Ellis,

founder of Portmeirion pottery, 1953.

Living: Plats du Jour, a post-war pioneer of 

"foreign food", illustrated by David Gentleman. 

Now in print courtesy of Persephone Books,

available in America from Ancient Industries.

Living: Spurs for Spring 09, why not.

£49.99 inc VAT at Gieves and Hawkes.

Extinct: Gold brocade for a jolly good war.

Photographs of the Crimean, by Roger Fenton.

Extinct: The British Empire.

Animation by Richard Williams.

Extinct: The snake charmer, 

now banned in India.

Living: The Battle of the Tweed. Further 

adventures in the battle to save what should be 

Scotland's most valuable export, Harris Tweed.

Living: The Royal Festival Hall, only surviving structure 

from the Festival of Britain. 300 million year old fossilized 

limestone re-polished, Robin Day seats restored.

Extinct: El ombrigo*, or Seat 600. Borrowed from the 

Italians, this 126 inch Spanish car was a major force 

in the revival of Franco's post-civil war economy. 

*bellybutton, as in, a fact of life, from 1957-73.

Disappearing: The jellied eel and pie shop.

Living: The National Trust, a national treasure 

which owns and protects 10% of Britain's coastline.

Painting by William Holman Hunt, 1852.

Endangered: The Sealyham Terrier. Bred in Wales 

150 years ago to deal with the badger problem, this 

pooch might end up on the cutting room floor. 

Extinct: Viyella, wool/cotton blended 

fabric and wool from the Vi Jella valley 

near Matlock, Derbyshire (1784-2009).

Living: Sir Terence Conran, who brought form, 

function and Mediterranean sophistication 

to post-war Blighty. His career is an education.

Living: Indigo, an ancient dye first used in India 

from the plant Indigofera, now more associated with 

denim and Terence Conran. Painting by James Nares.

Living legacy: Elizabeth David, pushing aside 

the old austerity with a bottle of olive oil.