Welcome to the Second "Simbari Diaries" Newsletter |
Letter 02 July 2010 www.simbari.co.uk |
Dear Friends
As I started writing this letter to you, I received an e-mail from someone in Florida, which brought (me) a fresh view of Nicola !
I believe he is one of the “Greats” of the past 50 years and will be recognized, as such, for generations to come . . . but I sometimes lose “Faith” . . . Nicola’s charm and simplicity, as a person, are reflected in his Works . . . nothing was too “humble” or “banal” . . . Life was so FULL of humour and the ‘unexpected’ ! and yet, he was a consummate Professional.
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I am always surprised that no
one seems to be aware of Nicola’s early ‘career’ as a Graphic “wizard”
! - - -
“Royal Guards on Parade” London, 1957 |
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“Gennarino”
- a very successful
Children’s
Book published by
J.B.Lippincott in 1962
“Dear Friends and Darling Romans” novel by Mary Chamberlin (J.B.Lippincott 1959) |
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- - - he explained to me that there is NO
“division” between
Art and
Graphic Art,
(only ‘good’ and/or ‘bad’
examples) they are one and the same ‘talent’
. . . in recent years, a
form of “snobbism” has crept in, and ONE (form) seems to be LESS than
the other - - -
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so Nicola’s fantastic
sketches and posters of wonderful
films such as “The Horses Mouth” and “Too Many Crooks” (to mention only two!) |
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. . . or his Mural for the Italian State Railways at the
Brussels
World Exhibition, in 1958 - - - and illustrations
for books
and magazine stories, were to be “kept in the dark”
- - - no one must
ever know!
As a very young man Nicola helped to feed, and house, his Mother, Father, and younger brothers and sisters, with the money earned from his “commercial” works . . .
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- - - I have seen some ‘his’
posters go up for auction and ‘receive’ amazing prices !! Sadly, I have
no examples of these spectacular images in my collection of photographs
of this period (perhaps you know of some?! - I would love to hear from you) An introduction to SIMBARI the Graphic ‘whiz’ . . ! *** the front cover of the program for the successful Italian Musical Show “Tarantella Napolitana” of the ‘50s |
- - - his many years of working with Graphics started in the early 50’s . . . often working with Government Agencies . . . Industry, Agriculture and Tourism . . . and also making Posters for the busy and exciting Film business, famous in Rome, at that time - - -
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I remember seeing his
fabulous posters of the films “The Horse’s Mouth” and “Too many Crooks”
all over London (I was so proud of Nicola!) . . . I loved the superb ‘map of Italy’, showing the Wines of the different regions, with great humour . . . Imagine my amazement when , many years later I came across a collage of this poster used as their menu cover, in a fashionable restaurant in Palm Beach, Florida . . . .! *** Detail from the menu cover of “Amici” a popular Italian restaurant in Palm Beach. Florida |
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During my travels, sadly, many of Nicola’s early works have been lost or misplaced . . . perhaps you have an early portrait-drawing of his, done when he was in his teens, for G.I.s stationed in, or near, Rome!!
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Have a wonderful Summer
Holiday . . . I wonder if any of you will be
going to Capri, Ischia or Venice - - - favourites of ours! Enjoy the Fireworks! *** from “Gennarino” a summer fireworks celebration!! Tanti saluti! Elfrida |
Web: www.simbari.co.uk - The Simbari Diaries Website
Email: elfrida.simbari@gmail.com