For the last few weeks I have been diverting my football-related energies into drawing portraits based on 1930s footy cards. The lighting of the photographs, and the beautiful guernseys are a delight to work with. Then there are the faces, raw and open to the world below haircuts that range from short but stylish to brutal. They’re all ears.
I have only one Richmond player so far but in line is Jack ‘Skinny’ Titus. Who I can confirm (from recent research) is the best match in height and weight for Michael Mitchell (of everyone that has played for the Tigers in the last 80 years).
So here is my line up. I drew them in ciggie card format then superimposed the drawings onto scans of old brown cardboard.
Chris, these are great. Footballers were a more diverse looking bunch in those days, and maybe even up until the early 1980s. I once saw a great set of photographs displayed in a corridor near the media rooms at the MCG, all taken from football cards in the 1960s. Such a mixed bunch. My favourite was Garry Lazarus from Fitzroy, not just for the fantastic name but also for the loveable jug-ears.
Thanks Malcolm! I had a look at Garry Lazarus, what a face. Imagine the discussion at Fitzroy at the end of the season.
Coach: “I reckon Garry’s knees are rooted, he’s lost his jump, he’s not getting around the ground, his confidence is down. He’s cooked. We need a new ruckman.”
Secretary: “Come on Les, you say that every year. Give Lazarus another pre-season, you know how he always bounces back”.
Chris-long ago I was handed a bunch of Mobil VFL footy cards; more like post cards. They are now long lost but I spent hours going over every detail of the shots. Teddy Whitten kicking in full flight was one I remember vividly. Some were just mug shots like a young John Nicholls.
Not sure if you’ve ever seen them but try out the below link.
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1366&bih=662&q=mobil+VFL+cards&oq=mobil+VFL+cards&gs_l=img.3…1816.8700.0.10221.15.8.0.7.0.0.268.1777.2-7.7.0….0…1ac.1.64.img..1.6.1528…0.7WMbAUiQqWU#imgrc=qbtnZIjtHJ9brM:
Looking forward to the 2017 Tigers and TTBB 207
Hi Tommo, thank you for that. I have come across them before but never seen them all together like that. The photography is generally better than the Scanlens cards that I grew up with. And the bigger format just makes them more impressive. When I was designing a Garry Dempsey t-shirt I used his Mobil card for the model. https://www.redbubble.com/people/4boat/works/10143739-gary-dempsey-footscray?c=384146-footy-enigmas
Nice Dempsey kick, as good as Dusty’s last night…..
My mission for 2017 is to now find that collection of Mobil cards. There were some absolute gems in there including Kevin Murray. I should not have turfed them.
TTBB is my 2017 sole home since there’s no longer a OWFT on the clubs page.
Have a great season Chris-hope to catch you sometime, somewhere this season. Cheers Tommo
Yes I hope so too Tommo. I have a general plan to get to Melb in winter for a game but have to find the funds.