A sailor from HMS Dreadnought, clenching his fist. Process print, 1915.
- Date:
- [ca. 1915]
- Reference:
- 2059468i
- Part of:
- The James Gardiner Collection.
- Pictures
- Online
About this work
Publication/Creation
[England?] : [publisher not identified], [ca. 1915] (British manufacture)
Physical description
1 print : process print ; 14 x 8.8 cm
Contributors
Lettering
Our lads no 'ank
Under "hank" the OED lists the meaning "Connection, entanglement; no hanks with, no relations with, nothing to do with. ... 1893 G. E. Dartnell & E. H. Goddard Gloss. Words Wilts. (at cited word), 'I won't ha' no hank wi' un', will have nothing at all to do with him"
Inscription on verso: Dear Madge,... love Uncle Fred. Miss M. E. White,... Chiswick, London. 12 May 1915
Notes
This work is untitled: the title has been supplied by the cataloguer.
The following description was provided by James Gardiner: "The purported sexual availability of sailors made them an abiding fantasy figure for gay men in the twentieth century. The myth behind this fantasy suggested that 'happy-go-lucky Jack Tar' in his tight fitting bell-bottom pants may have had 'a girl in every port', but those long months on the ocean wave with no women led some to develop inherent but latent tastes for gay sex which they may have been eager to continue exploring when back on dry land. This myth is perpetuated in iconographic collections formed by gay men,which frequently feature images of sailors, and this one is no different. It depicts a grinning ABS (able seaman) from HMS Dreadnought, during World War I."
Reference
Wellcome Collection 2059468i
Type/Technique
Languages
Subjects
Where to find it
Romantic fantasy and comic postcards
Location Status Access Closed stores