All posts by theeditor

1920s, 1930s, Art, Art Deco, Hercule Poirot, Props

Reworked Portraits by Tamara de Lempicka on Agatha Christie’s Poirot

Agatha Christie's Poirot: The Underdog with portrait adapted from a work by artist Tamara De Lempicka 1928

In Agatha Christie's Poirot, The Underdog, a portrait painted by the artist Tamara de Lempicka in 1928 has been copied and the face altered to resemble the actor who plays the character Reuben Astwell. Tamara de Lempicka was a famous female artist of the Art Deco era and her works typify the style of the period.

The original: Portrait of Dr Boucard (1928) by Tamara de Lempicka

Another example is a portrait from the episode One, Two, Buckle my Shoe that borrowed heavily from two different painting by Tamara de Lempicka.

The boardroom scene in one,Two Buckle my Shoe features a portrait of a couple which was based on two separate portraits by by Tamara de Lempicka as seen below.

Portrait of Mrs Boucard by Tamara de Lempicka

Reference:

  1. http://www.delempicka.org/artwork/1927-1929.html
  2. Tamara de Lempicka prints on Amazon.co.uk
      http://amzn.to/2BBBxcx
1920s, 1930s, Books, Hercule Poirot

Poirot Reads

Poirot takes time out for some light reading.

Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) in a scene from in the episode One, Two, Buckle My Shoe from the classic series Agatha Christie's Poirot, is seen reading Classic Myth and Legend by A. R. Hope. Moncrieff

Vintage Gold-filled Pince-nez reading glasses on eBay.co.uk

Classic Myth and Legend 1920 by A. R. Hope. Moncrieff

The hard cover book can be found on Amazon.co.uk or downloaded free at https://archive.org/details/classicmythlegen00moncrich

1920s, 1930s, Art Deco, Hercule Poirot, Susie Cooper

Breakfast with Poirot

Poirot at Breakfast

Poirot reads the morning paper at breakfast. His art deco breakfast ware is by Susie Cooper (29 October 1902 – 28 July 1995) who was an English pottery designer active from the 1920s to the 1980s. She is well known for her distinctive Art Deco pieces from the 20's and 30's such as the pieces seen here. The pieces below are like those seen on Agatha Christie's Poirot. They can be found on eBay at the time of writing. Click the pictures below for more details on the site.

Susie Cooper Art Deco Orange Tango Kestral Cup and Saucer


Susie Cooper Art Deco Orange Tango Kestral Teapot


Reference:

1930s, Agatha Christie, Vintage Camera

Agatha Christie’s Poirot: Hasting’s Leica Camera

Hastings uses a Leica DRP Camera Ernst Leitz Wetzlar

In Wasp's Nest ( Agatha Christie's Poirot)  Captain Hastings uses his latest gadget,  a Leica DRP Camera, Ernst Leitz Wetzlar No. 438227 with a leather case, as seen in the photos below from a similar one seen on eBay. Click any of the photos to see more details of the camera on ebay.

Hastings uses a Leica Camera like this one in Wasp's Nest

Camera Detail: Leica DRP Camera Ernst Leitz Wetzlar No. 438227

1930s, Agatha Christie, Hercule Poirot

Poirot’s Old World Globe


The globe on Hercule Poirot's desk is an ancient world globe with Latin text. It adds interest to his desk but is not much use as a map of the world for someone who values mathematical precision and accuracy. However it is highly visible on Poirot's desk in many scenes and one just like it can be found on eBay as I discovered.

Latin Globe on brass stand

Click here to see it on eBay
This ancient world globe on brass stand is about 8" tall and is stamped Made in Italy along with Mod. Dep.

The shape of the stand and the detailing on the map match the globe on Poirot's desk. It is for sale on eBay.com this week.

A closer look at the detail on the globe

Art Deco, Hercule Poirot, Jeeves and Wooster, Royal Worcester

Tea with Poirot

Royal Worcester Raffles China in use on the set of Poirot's flat.

Poirot prepares to entertain a guest to tea in the episode The Adventure of the Western Star. Marie Marveille the Belgian film star is expected for tea, Hercule Poirot does some last minute adjustment to ensure the table setting is set with mathematical precision. The china tea set is Royal Worcester Raffles which has an Art Deco style border although it was produced in 1985-86.  Royal Worcester Raffles tea and dinner ware was also used for Bertie Wooster's flat in the Jeeves and Wooster series.

Royal Worcester Raffles China

See a selection of Royal Worcester Raffles on eBay

Royal Worcester Raffles on Jeeves and Wooster

 

1930s, Agatha Christie, Hercule Poirot, Perfume

Hercule Poirot’s Aftershave Cologne

Poirot applys his new G.F. Trumper Aftershave in the eposide "HOw Does Your Garden Grow?"

In the acclaimed TV series Agatha Christie's Poirot (David Suchet) is seen using the vintage Geo F Trumper Aftershave Cologne in a crown top bottle such as the Wellington (1876) which is a vintage fragrance well suited to the era of the original novel.


Gift Idea: Buy it on Amazon

Boirot buys Cologne from Mr Trumper
G, F Trumper, 9 Curzon St., London

Reference : https://www.trumpers.com/product_detail.cfm?product=111547189

1920s, 1930s, Antiques, Jeeves and Wooster, Vintage Kitchen

Jeeves & Wooster Kitchen: Household Wants Indicator

Household Wants Indicator on back of the kitchen cabinet door on Jeeves & Wooster

You may have seen a Household Wants Indicator like this in the kitchen of Downton Abbey. Here is a glimpse of one in Bertie Wooster's Kitchen. These were a handy way for kitchen staff to keep track of provisions needed for the household. A little metal indicator next to each listed item can be fliped to red to indicate when it is time to add more to the supplies.  In Bertie Wooster's kitchen everything on the list seems to be flipped to red as seen on the example below.

Household Wants Indicator seen on eBay - click picture for details

1930s, 1950s, Jeeves and Wooster, Vintage Kitchen, Wall Clock

Jeeves’ Kitchen Wall Clock

Green Wall clock above the sink as Jeeves performs his duties in the Wooster flat.

A green Art Deco style wall clock takes a prominent position in the back wall over the sink in the kitchen at Bertie Wooster's flat. The green metal clock is a mechanical wind up wall clock by Smith's of Enfield. Aparently it was made in the 1950's although it has an Art Deco look that suits the Jeeves and Wooster era.

Metal Wind-up wall clock by Smith's of Enfield

A similar clock was sold on eBay recently

Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry as Wooster and Jeeves
1930s, Agatha Christie, Art Deco, Hercule Poirot, Props

Hercule Poirot’s Elephant Statue

Poirot's Study: Notice the white elephant figure on the left of the picture.

In  Agatha Christie's Poirot S13 E1 Elephants Can Remember we notice a seated elephant ceramic piece in the screen capture above of a scene in Hercule Poirot's study. This classic TV series starring David Suchet, the definitive Poirot, is a masterpiece and known for it excellence in production design with wonderful sets and period locations so its a delight to spot details in the set dressing.
I located a pair of present day bookends that are a close match so it is possible that single elephant seen on the show was one of a pair. Perhaps one one on the show was a 1930's piece but you can have the more recent pair below at an affordable price on eBay : https://www.ebay.com/itm/Urban-Trends-Trumpeting-and-Sitting-Up-Elephant-on-a-Platform-Bookends-Set-of-2/391923951377