This is such an extraordinary post, Lori. I just love this story. Weirdly, I had a dream about such porcelain figurines just last night. I have none in my collection, nor any I inherited. They're a perfect example of something with imbued value like this. That look on your mother's face is precious.
Yes, I, too, have such an object that tears at my heart. I broke this extraordinary stoneware plate when it was mounted on my wall. My arm blindly knocked it while I was brushing my hair (or something.) One touch and it fell onto the stone floor. 🥺 I've saved the pieces. Treasured them, really. I suppose there's a little place in my world where retaining the pieces of broken stoneware will allow me to one day repair it with gold in the Japanese kintsugi manner. (tatsujin-style.com/blogs/journal/kintsugi-artists) It's not likely, but holding onto the pieces has allowed me to create new memories from the lessons it's taught me. I remember the day we traveled to the kiln where it was made in rural Japan. It was the masterpiece of several we purchased that day.
As soon as I read it had broken into pieces, I also immediately thought of repairing it with the Japanese method, although I didn't remember the term for it. Maybe some day that will happen!
What a wonderful story! How happy your mother looks in the photo. You really made her day and probably healed an important loss for her.
I was wondering, what would you do if you didn’t have anyone to hand down the Balloon Seller to? I have an antique apothecary jar from my grandfather’s pharmacy, some framed photos of my mother and grandmother (1920), g’mother’s gloves, etc., but no family to pass them along to. As you are in the U.S., I’m sure there are folks who would appreciate heirlooms. I live in Japan, so that’s a challenge. Any thoughts?
Thanks, Louise, the pictures don’t do Mom’s joy justice - I return to that day and her reaction often.
Like you, I’ve been a long-term expat for most of the last 20+ years, so I appreciate your question and also the challenging logistics involved.
I’m a big fan of local historical societies, and have donated a number of items to them in locations where my ancestors have lived. I can imagine the historical society in the town where your grandfather’s pharmacy was located being interested in any pharmacy items and photos you might have. Maybe they’d could include them in a special exhibit, or add them to what they already have.
As for family photos and your grandmothers items, you might want to check with extended family to see if they’d be interested in them when the time comes. Most families have at least one kinkeeper in there somewhere. Find that person and I’m sure they’d be thrilled! I know I’m always so honored when extended family passes those kinds of things to me.
And finally, there may be people in your close circle who would treasure your keepsakes as physical reminders of you. Expats are funny that way. Whenever we left a community, I made it a point to gift special items to friends, and was blessed with friends who did the same to me. They carry wonderful memories.
It’s tough, right? I think we all get to a point where we start thinking about the what next of our treasured personal artifacts. I’ve started documenting the provenance of items, and hope that no matter where they end up, the next owner will enjoy the stories enough to continue writing them.
I love this story. A future descendant of yours will someday come across it and be enlightened on the story behind the figurine, but also will come to know what a thoughtful daughter you were to your mom.
Ah thanks. I’ve actually written the unconventional provenance and it will (hopefully) stay with the figure. More than anything, I want to maybe give hope to people who have lost family keepsakes, at least those that can be replaced, because the stories are still there.
Hi Lori, I had to re-read this once again. It kept me up making me think about things I haven't thought about until you ask us to think about them. So I did! And I came to the conclusion that each and everyone of my Stories/issues are a memory I wanted to keep alive. Substack- is the way I now have life back into those memories. Once done I thought of professionally binding those memories into a fancy kind of hard bound book and pass them out to all my family, the ones left. I will give extra copies incase some might want some more family to add to their bloodline. So My memories keep alive. I do have a tremendous amount of repairing to do, this helps. Ollie G
Oh @Ollie, I’m so honored this piece meant something to you, and maybe did a little to help you on your journey.
For me, personal and family artifacts are like touchstones, they can physically trigger memories - of people, relationships, moments, things forgotten.
Writing can do the same.
Thanks so much for taking the time to write this note. It means a lot to me.
What a lovely story of giving and cherishing a family heirloom! Do you know a bit about the figurine's provenance? Where did such baloon sellers, dressed like that, appear? And why did Aunt Myrtle cherish it?
Thanks, sadly those were questions I was never able to get answers to from my mom, and I was too young to ask Auntie Myrtle before she passed. I have a sense that Mom just really coveted the piece, and had for a long time. That side of the family all lived in the same town, the same neighborhood, and were very close, so maybe it was the happy memories the Balloon Seller carried or represented that made it so special to Mom. Then again, as an only child, she may just have assumed it would pass to her and was angry when it didn't lol
As to where and how Auntie Myrtle got the piece, that's TBD. She left a wonderful legacy of buying herself beautiful things and I like to think the Old Balloon Seller was one of those items she gifted herself, an affirmation that, despite the fact that she was "a spinster" until well into her 40s, she was worth it!
In learning more about the piece, I do know that Royal Doulton produced a number of Mary Poppins inspired figurines, including one featuring the Tuppence a Bag lady which was introduced in 1968, and also the standing balloon seller which came out in 1937, shortly after Mary Poppins was written. They also, oddly, produced an entire series of balloon seller figurines, which were apparently inspired by a Rose Fyleman children's poem titled, The Balloon Man.
Loved this story, and especially the photo of your mom reunited with this treasure. I will always remember my mother’s shriek of delight when I found her great uncle’s book of poetry on Bookfinder and gave it to her at Christmas. It was a first edition, just like the one that had gone astray. The best gift ever!
Yay you get it! I know some folks have a problem with "replacement" keepsakes, but, as I think you'll agree, they can fill those heart holes left behind when special things get lost or destroyed. Thanks for sharing that story, @Lisa!
This was an incredibly heartfelt story, Lori. Seeing your Mom's reaction when she opened her gift of the Balloon Seller has to be a moment you will cherish for the rest of your life. Your daughter will undoubtedly enjoy sharing stories about it, as will future generations.
This is such an extraordinary post, Lori. I just love this story. Weirdly, I had a dream about such porcelain figurines just last night. I have none in my collection, nor any I inherited. They're a perfect example of something with imbued value like this. That look on your mother's face is precious.
Yes, I, too, have such an object that tears at my heart. I broke this extraordinary stoneware plate when it was mounted on my wall. My arm blindly knocked it while I was brushing my hair (or something.) One touch and it fell onto the stone floor. 🥺 I've saved the pieces. Treasured them, really. I suppose there's a little place in my world where retaining the pieces of broken stoneware will allow me to one day repair it with gold in the Japanese kintsugi manner. (tatsujin-style.com/blogs/journal/kintsugi-artists) It's not likely, but holding onto the pieces has allowed me to create new memories from the lessons it's taught me. I remember the day we traveled to the kiln where it was made in rural Japan. It was the masterpiece of several we purchased that day.
I love how we can learn from broken things. Send me a photo maybe I can find a replacement. I have some sources 😉
As soon as I read it had broken into pieces, I also immediately thought of repairing it with the Japanese method, although I didn't remember the term for it. Maybe some day that will happen!
What an absolutely wonderful story! This is the first I’ve seen your Substack. I’m so glad I clicked into this. It made me smile, for sure.
Hi, Jo and welcome! I’m so glad you found me, too!
What a wonderful story! How happy your mother looks in the photo. You really made her day and probably healed an important loss for her.
I was wondering, what would you do if you didn’t have anyone to hand down the Balloon Seller to? I have an antique apothecary jar from my grandfather’s pharmacy, some framed photos of my mother and grandmother (1920), g’mother’s gloves, etc., but no family to pass them along to. As you are in the U.S., I’m sure there are folks who would appreciate heirlooms. I live in Japan, so that’s a challenge. Any thoughts?
Thanks, Louise, the pictures don’t do Mom’s joy justice - I return to that day and her reaction often.
Like you, I’ve been a long-term expat for most of the last 20+ years, so I appreciate your question and also the challenging logistics involved.
I’m a big fan of local historical societies, and have donated a number of items to them in locations where my ancestors have lived. I can imagine the historical society in the town where your grandfather’s pharmacy was located being interested in any pharmacy items and photos you might have. Maybe they’d could include them in a special exhibit, or add them to what they already have.
As for family photos and your grandmothers items, you might want to check with extended family to see if they’d be interested in them when the time comes. Most families have at least one kinkeeper in there somewhere. Find that person and I’m sure they’d be thrilled! I know I’m always so honored when extended family passes those kinds of things to me.
And finally, there may be people in your close circle who would treasure your keepsakes as physical reminders of you. Expats are funny that way. Whenever we left a community, I made it a point to gift special items to friends, and was blessed with friends who did the same to me. They carry wonderful memories.
It’s tough, right? I think we all get to a point where we start thinking about the what next of our treasured personal artifacts. I’ve started documenting the provenance of items, and hope that no matter where they end up, the next owner will enjoy the stories enough to continue writing them.
Thank you for these suggestions, Lori. There are some that I hadn't considered! I will look into these.
I love this story. A future descendant of yours will someday come across it and be enlightened on the story behind the figurine, but also will come to know what a thoughtful daughter you were to your mom.
Ah thanks. I’ve actually written the unconventional provenance and it will (hopefully) stay with the figure. More than anything, I want to maybe give hope to people who have lost family keepsakes, at least those that can be replaced, because the stories are still there.
Hi Lori, I had to re-read this once again. It kept me up making me think about things I haven't thought about until you ask us to think about them. So I did! And I came to the conclusion that each and everyone of my Stories/issues are a memory I wanted to keep alive. Substack- is the way I now have life back into those memories. Once done I thought of professionally binding those memories into a fancy kind of hard bound book and pass them out to all my family, the ones left. I will give extra copies incase some might want some more family to add to their bloodline. So My memories keep alive. I do have a tremendous amount of repairing to do, this helps. Ollie G
Oh @Ollie, I’m so honored this piece meant something to you, and maybe did a little to help you on your journey.
For me, personal and family artifacts are like touchstones, they can physically trigger memories - of people, relationships, moments, things forgotten.
Writing can do the same.
Thanks so much for taking the time to write this note. It means a lot to me.
What a lovely story of giving and cherishing a family heirloom! Do you know a bit about the figurine's provenance? Where did such baloon sellers, dressed like that, appear? And why did Aunt Myrtle cherish it?
Thanks, sadly those were questions I was never able to get answers to from my mom, and I was too young to ask Auntie Myrtle before she passed. I have a sense that Mom just really coveted the piece, and had for a long time. That side of the family all lived in the same town, the same neighborhood, and were very close, so maybe it was the happy memories the Balloon Seller carried or represented that made it so special to Mom. Then again, as an only child, she may just have assumed it would pass to her and was angry when it didn't lol
As to where and how Auntie Myrtle got the piece, that's TBD. She left a wonderful legacy of buying herself beautiful things and I like to think the Old Balloon Seller was one of those items she gifted herself, an affirmation that, despite the fact that she was "a spinster" until well into her 40s, she was worth it!
In learning more about the piece, I do know that Royal Doulton produced a number of Mary Poppins inspired figurines, including one featuring the Tuppence a Bag lady which was introduced in 1968, and also the standing balloon seller which came out in 1937, shortly after Mary Poppins was written. They also, oddly, produced an entire series of balloon seller figurines, which were apparently inspired by a Rose Fyleman children's poem titled, The Balloon Man.
Loved this story, and especially the photo of your mom reunited with this treasure. I will always remember my mother’s shriek of delight when I found her great uncle’s book of poetry on Bookfinder and gave it to her at Christmas. It was a first edition, just like the one that had gone astray. The best gift ever!
Yay you get it! I know some folks have a problem with "replacement" keepsakes, but, as I think you'll agree, they can fill those heart holes left behind when special things get lost or destroyed. Thanks for sharing that story, @Lisa!
Thanks for sharing such an emotive story with us Lori the best stories are always the ones from the heart and this was a truly heartfelt story.
Thanks, @Paul! I've found a lot of really good role models for doing that here on Substack, including you.
Far too kind Lori but thank you 😊
This was an incredibly heartfelt story, Lori. Seeing your Mom's reaction when she opened her gift of the Balloon Seller has to be a moment you will cherish for the rest of your life. Your daughter will undoubtedly enjoy sharing stories about it, as will future generations.
Blessings, Ollie
Lori, this is such a touching memory! I'm so glad you were able to find another Balloon Seller for your mom.