December is here—the final month of 2022! Before you know it, the New Year will have raced to take its place.
December brings the shortest days, the Winter Solstice, and, of course, Christmas. It also brings Winter Sports on snow and ice. Shown here, a print titled "Skating" by Sir William Nicholson, RA. It's the December offering from his "Almanac of Twelve Sports" (published in London in 1898). The image depicts a woman—fully and beautifully dressed—learning to ice-skate while supporting herself with a chair. Nicholson began these prints as carved woodblocks. But, once the blocks were created, he would make an initial woodblock print and then use the more modern method of lithography to print-up the final works. After Nicholson printed the plates he had them hand-tinted with painted embellishment. Each month was represented with an appropriate sport and accompanied by text by Rudyard Kipling. The images were originally sold as a portfolio of twelve prints. Nicholson also published a portfolio called "London Types" and two editions of portraits of important people. Click on the photo above to learn more about this "Skating" print.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248