Dead Men's Spex in the Oldie

Polaroid Heritage Sunglasses - harking back to a more elegant time

Dead Men’s Spex are now stocking the 1940s and 1950s frames from the Polaroid Heritage range.These are styled on original Polaroid models from the period.

The Marilyn from the 1950’ - a legendary Polaroid style
Cat eye frames lift the face and lighten the features. No wonder fashionistas of the mid-50s loved this look. In handmade acetate, this reproduction is true to the original, in hot pink or ebony black



The Broadway from the 1950s
These late 1950s sunglasses are hand-crafted to perfection. Recreated with the latest laser technology in two-tone acetate, this style exudes all the authenticity and drama of the Polaroid original. Available in white/grey and black/white.

The Swing from the 1940s

Like good music, these 1930s Polaroid sunglasses lift the soul. Crafted in translucent handmade acetate, the organic, flowing style has inspired many designers over the decades. And this Polaroid classic is where the story began.

Take a look at Dead Men's Spex for full details of colours/sizes and prices. Stock is limited so get them while you can

Disjointed jottings from the Deadman's desk

Hi, it's been a busy old month at Dead Men's Spex. What with Hemsby Rock n Roll weekender and and the lure of the Norfolk Festival, time in the workshop has had to be well used.

Those of you who keep an eye on the website will have hopefully noticed a new uniformity to the frame photo's now I am the proud owner of a mini-studio. It all sounds very posh and I love the look on people's faces when I tell them I have one, little do they know that is really equates to a large white polyester box with a back drop in it. Although simple in design and execution it is very effective at evening the light out and making the object that you are photographing stand out. I can highly recommend the use of one to anyone needing to sell small items online.

On the spectacle front those of you who follow me on Facebook will be aware that I have had a large amount of NHS geek frames come into my possession. The preparation of these for the website is my target over the next couple of weeks so keep a look out on the site as they never last long.

On a more exotic note, those of you who love the more glamorous and elegant elements of 1950's design can see a number of 1950's Anodised Aluminium Tura frames at Dead Men's Spex. These are a set of salesman's samples that had been locked away in the demo box for over 50 years and are really indicative of all that was good with "the atomic age".

TTFN

DMS

A long time passing - or honey I forgot to blog

I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m not very good at this blogging thing. The time span between the last one and now is too long, but in my defence, Professor Brian Cox would probably ask “what is time?” and I’m not going there (not without a stout pair of walking shoes and a lomo lens).

What happens is life. So many things draw on my time, from sourcing new stock, preparing it for sale and processing orders to the sun luring me away to the allotment and Deadman Junior demanding another game of Sonic. All this without mentioning the secret allure of “Bargain Hunt” – purely for research of course, I need to see what spectacles Tim Wonnacott is wearing to stay on trend, I swear.

Life is just one big carnival.

With spring well and truly here in North Norfolk, with temperatures in double digits, the lure of the outside is getting hard to resist. I’m lucky in that I work from two workshops at the house so on fine days the doors are thrown open so it’s almost like working outside. We have our summer shows agreed and although we are not doing many this year the ones we are doing are quality ones with a good track record. Take a look at the website for a full list.

For any of you who know North Norfolk, Deadman Towers is not far from the town of Holt, home of many vintage outlets and things of interest. The Deadman has persuaded Bunny Hooper to write a small piece on Holt for uploading in the near future. This should cover everything from his favourite vintage barber to his outfitter of choice and all things in between.

I’m presently filling the spare time I have with a bee-keeping course with the aim of hives for our allotment. Unlike the chickens (which are still a wish-bone of contention) Mrs Deadman likes the idea of bees – something to do with family traditions and the honey coated memories of helping her Grand-dad spin the honey combs in the centrifuge. I am now the proud owner of a bee-keeping suit that wouldn’t look out of place boarding the space shuttle.

Future candidate for the Deadman’s hives.

Maybe it will also legitimise a bit of vintage collecting as I’m going to needs some pots to keep all that lovely honey in. Now there's a thought..............

TTFN
Deadman

And home again - Bunny returns to the warren!

In November I headed over to the NEC in Birmingham for a rendezvous with Deadman Senior at the Classic Car and Bike Show. Our interest was largely around the bikes and we barely touched the massive car exhibition area. As a former West Midlands automotive engineer, Deadman Senior was able to provide me with his in-depth and first-hand experience of why the British bike industry failed; in one word – “Accountants”. Charming! If you ever come across the Hell Riders’ Wall of Death at an event, go and see the show. It is amazing.

Brave motorcylists circumnavigate the waistband of Deadman Seniors trousers!

And that was why 2010 was a vintage year for me. The organisers, military re-enactors, stall holders and the public who attend these events week in and week out all have a common passion which they love talking about. Don’t be shy just get out there in 2011, enjoy the events and meet people both new and old who share a common interest. I know that I will.

I only ask that if you come across me alone on the Deadman's stall please bear with me. I am not the vintage spectacle expert. I am sure that Deadman will not be away long, so humour me with talk of tax rates and such like until his return. But don’t ask for a discount – the accountant wouldn’t like it!

Bunny Hooper
The 1940’s accountant

The further adventures of Bunny

"Having a Mellor's moment - from Has Been to Sean Bean!?"

The North Norfolk Railway 1940’s weekend is held each year in September. Being local, this is an old favourite for both Deadman and I. Deadman was there again standing the stall. With Deadman Senior over for the weekend, I was relegated to the role of assistant to the assistant. The additional staffing on the stall resulted in a surprising increase in duties (more tea and buns, the butt of double the amount of jokes and partnering Deadman Senior on smokes breaks). As such, I didn’t manage to get out on the train from Holt to the events at the Sheringham and Weybourne stations. Still it was nice to enjoy the event from a base and have the chance to browse the stalls at Holt and pick up some items. As always, the low level Lancaster fly past remains a special draw for me at this event.

What do you mean, the trains delayed because of "leaves on the line"?

The following weekend in September saw another 1940s steam railway weekend, this time at the Nene Valley Valley Railway in Peterborough. The ticket office let me in for half price as I had come in “fancy dress”! I pocketed the saving and chose not to explain that I was dressed no differently to any other day of the year. There were battle group re-enactors on hand and I am pleased to report that the Nazis were defeated in the station yard skirmish.

Fiendish Nazi hides in hole beneath motorbike

In October the Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne laid on their second Village at War weekend. At the centre of the event was the Canal Museum itself but the event had a real “blitz spirit” feel to it with the whole village seemingly getting involved. There were a large number of re-enactor groups on site and events held across the whole village. Another victorious skirmish on the exhibition field made it Allies 2 Nazis 0. Hurrah!

“The British Forced Enema Expeditionary Force in action”

to be continued.................

The Travelling Accountant

2010 – A Vintage Year

I’m not one for New Year resolutions, but I do think that the turning of the year is a good time to reflect on the events of the previous twelve months and to think about plans for the year ahead. I made the effort to get out and about more in 2010 and here are my thoughts on some of the interesting vintage events that I made it to.

First trip out, I popped over to the east coast of Norfolk for Hemsby in April to help Deadman on the stall. Duties were light, mostly revolving around keeping Deadman in tea and holding interested customers in conversation until his return from the loo. Dressed in the usual 1940’s accountant style I must have looked like a dull 1950’s dad. However, everyone was welcoming and no one called me “pops”. Oh for James Nesbitt’s money and the opportunity to grow myself one of those fine quiffs. I enjoyed myself so much I went back for Hemsby 45 in October including the early morning car boot.

On Sunday Morning. Empty! Rockers up too late?

Hughenden Manor just outside the town of High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire is the former residence of Benjamin Disraeli, British Prime Minister during the late nineteenth century. I knew the Disraeli connection from my local schooling. The Victory at Hughenden 1940’s event in May told of the secret map making role performed on site during WW2 with RAF Bomber Command based close by. Not the biggest event of the year but some good re-enactor displays including the AFS, the Home Guard and a WW2 paratrooper drilling the kids. He scared the daylights out of them and I picked up some useful parenting tips.

Twinwoods over the August bank holiday weekend was the highlight of my vintage year; a great crossover show for fans of both the 1940s and 1950s on a genuinely interesting site. Two separate stages provided fine live music and dancing, including free lessons, from either era. I’m definitely heading back in 2011. Next time I will be suitably shod for a little rug cutting, just to prove that accountants can dance. Deadman’s stall had a fine position for the Arena Stage and provided some relief from the wind and rain.

to be continued..........