Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2009

ISLAND HISTORY was Edward Dore who lived in Newport. early maker of sand He produced numerous Island scenes and pictures but his his trademark was a small figure wearing various enterprises a red jersey. He sold his creations for two failed and, being shillings (ten pence) each. His daughter bankrupt, he Ann was employed as a “seaweed committed suicide arranger” and there was also briefly by taking poison. a fashion for seaweed pictures that Sand pictures appealed to Queen Victoria. An example sometimes show can be seen at Swiss Cottage. lost landmarks. At John Neate, a Devon man set up life Osborne House home next to God’s Providence House a picture of the in Newport and began to create sand original house is on pictures. His trademark was a donkey display while the known as Neddy. His pictures were cottage that gave considered less than artistic but his son, Tower Cottage its Arthur sold them outside Carisbrooke name is prominent the craze for sand pictures petered out. Castle for between a shilling and half in paintings of Shanklin Chine. Steephill Happily, Carisbrooke Castle Museum holds a crown. He may well have been in Castle sometimes features, as does a a collection of local sand pictures, thus competition with the Piper family of famous shipwreck, the Norwegian brig safeguarding these quirky creations for Carisbrooke who sold post cards and Perlen of Arundel captured for posterity future enjoyment. other souvenirs at the gate to the castle in sand. – s

Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2009 | Page 53