Show Venue Map
There was a bug on the Show Calendar page that caused all venues we ever used to display on the map. I was able to fix this (finally!) and we are now only showing future events’ locations.
Contact Form
For about a year or so, we have had a contact form on the website. Some very interesting enquiries have come in over the past months, with the latest one being one about some NMC-engraved spoons that were found among the legacy of paraphernalia of one Dr J N Pickard, by his granddaughter.
Here is the original message:
Dear NMC, I am hoping that you might be able to help me with some research I am doing into a set of silver teaspoons which I inherited. They each have NMC engraved on the bowl in varying places, and I suspect they originate from the early 20th century. My grandfather, Dr J N Pickard, was a geneticist and I know that he bred and showed rabbits at that time, but I don’t know about mice. Might these spoons have been show prizes? I’m happy to send photos if that helps. Thank you for any help you can give me, Annemarie Green
Below are photos of the spoons (quite a few of them!) I received from Annemarie:
NMC engraved spoons
Hallmarks
Engraving detail
Maybe someone can shed some light on the provenance of these spoons and perhaps even remember Dr Pickard? Please comment below!
I’m pleased to inform members that Dr Pickard’s granddaughter has kindly donated three of the prize spoons to the NMC. They are with me for safekeeping, and I will put them on display when I next attend a show. I have also prepared a brief article about Dr Pickard to accompany the spoons when displayed.
I think the case has been solved by Phil’s responses, which clearly show that spoons like these were routinely awarded as prizes in the 1930s.
Stephan, if Dr Pickard’s granddaughter wishes to sell any or all of them, I would be pleased to make her an offer, and you are welcome to give her my email address to make contact if appropriate.
A photo of my great grandfather, Edwin James Ellis, with some silver spoons. Not sure if they’d be the same spoons as Dr. J N Pickard.
Not sure if any of this will help.
They probably are the same. The image below of spoon winners in 1933 includes EJ Ellis.
Club spoons won during 1933. Also from the 1933-1934 Rules and Standards.
CARLOPS STUD advert from the 1933-1934 Rules and Standards
This is a picture including Dr. Pickard from a book of newspaper cuttings.
And the name Pickard rings a bell.
I believe they must have been awarded as prizes because they were made in different years and are not a set. I don’t recognise the maker’s mark (it’s upside down), but the three illustrated were hallmarked in Birmingham in 1932, 1933 and 1934.
His name is probably familiar as he was award the breed certificate for both silver fox and chinchilla.