Dora Katherine Leftley.
As a surprise gift for my Dad, my Mum asked me if I could frame two photographs of his mother, my Nanna, Dora Mills (born Dora Katherine Leftley). My Nanna was a Theatre Sister and Night Superintendent with 40 years of service. She was born in Lowestoft, Suffolk and eventually moved to Taunton, Somerset where she had my Dad and his two sisters.
My Mum smuggled the photographs to me, dusty and the original mountboard nibbled at the edges. In both, my Nanna’s elegance and poise shine through. A knowing smile and sparkly eyes. Seeing her signature beads made my heart pang. I know she would have chosen the blouse she is wearing for the white rose buttons. We think that she is about 21 in these photos and had not yet started her career in nursing.
The photographs were taken by C. Wilson, a photographer in Lowestoft.
On first inspection I was extremely tentative to remove the photos from their original mount-boards. They have been attached for over 90 years so I really didn’t want to risk damaging them. I’m sure there is a safe and straightforward way but we also decided to keep them as they have the signature of the photographer on them which seemed like a lovely touch to leave intact and visible. I then suggested that we just keep a small slither of the original board on each side of the photo as the main damage and wrinkling of the board was at the edges anyway.
Originally we opted for the off white speckled mountboard on the left, Adobe Flannel from Daler-Rowney. It’s speckled appearance is a more subtle choice than a flat white.
However I then came upon the board on the right, Osprey from ColourMount and it’s slightly creamier colour with a similar speckled texture which felt more in keeping.
As you can see from the photos above, my Mum selected a very simple elegant dark walnut finished moulding. It is an Ayous frame, which is a fast growing timber, a moulding approved by the Forest Stewardship Commission as being sourced from a sustainable producer. It is a beautiful moulding to work with and it’s slightly curved and smooth edge gives it a timeless appeal.
Once the mountboard was cut and attached I then went about selecting glazing. I opted for ArtGlass AR 70 where exposure to UV is minimal reducing the amount of fading in sunlit rooms up to 70%.
Both frames were then sealed at the back with a Corricor back board and taped with gummed tape to protect the photographs from insects and moisture.
We presented my Dad with the finished frames this week for his birthday and he is thrilled with them. A wonderful reminder and memory of a much loved Mum, Mum-in-law and Nanna. Protecting and displaying these precious items is such an honour and I hope our family will be able to enjoy and dream about her for a long time to come.
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