Richmond, Yorkshire

This painting was commissioned by the General Post Office as part of their “correct addressing campaign” of the late 1950s; RE was paid £126. It is commonly understood that the model for the young man in the foreground was RE's son Crispin, but this is not certain. 

The painting is best known in its poster version (see below) because the whereabouts of the original was unknown for a long time. However, the owner recently got in touch with us and we were able to photograph the actual painting. Turns out that the picture had been hanging on the wall of the GPO office where his dad had worked for many years. It was fairly unappreciated but his dad loved it. When his father was asked what he wanted as a retirement present, he asked for the painting and they happily gave it to him.