George Orwell Matters! discussion

It's time for a new essay, for May and June, so here is the thread to discuss "Just Junk - But Who Could Resist it?" an essay by George Orwell. It was first published in the "Evening Standard" newspaper on 5th January 1946. If it is not in your collection, it can be read online on the George Orwell website. Here's a link to the essay:

https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-...

We begin on May 1st.

How did you enjoy this one? This is another of George Orwell's essays which conjures up a lovely nostalgic feeling, I think. Most "junk shops" are not called that in English towns, but they are all called "antique shops"! The stock though is similar to what he describes. There are still high end antique shops too, of course, with regular auctions of furniture or china etc.

Most of the "junk" George Orwell talks about can still be found in vintage markets, often held in smaller towns: traditional ones such as market towns. Or they may find their way to various fairs, or charity events which have a "white elephant" stall. There's a demand for kitsch as well. Plus I've seen Victorian jewellery, old postcards etc., on sale in second hand bookshops at the seaside.

I do love his descriptions and get a flood of memories, and a glimpse in my mind of my mother's scrap books, full of the Victorian scraps she could buy for a penny. Glossy painted flowers, birds, faces, females in Victorian attire were favourite themes, and all cut in irregular shapes so you could place and paste them on the grey sugar paper in a scrap book however you like.

George Orwell conjures up a marvellous picture here. I hope you enjoy it too, and share your thoughts 😊

"the attraction of the junk shop does not lie solely in the bargains you pick up, nor even in the aesthetic value which – at a generous estimate – 5 per cent of its contents may possess. Its appeal is to the jackdaw inside all of us, the instinct that makes a child hoard copper nails, clock springs, and the glass marbles out of lemonade bottles."

"There are others that have a piece of coral enclosed in the glass, but these are always fantastically expensive."

This paperweight brings Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four to mind. Winston and Julia would meet at Mr Charrington's junk shop.

"Others specialise in pictures and are therefore useful when you need a frame. Indeed, I have often found that the cheapest way of buying a frame is to buy a picture and then throw away the picture."

My grandmother was an amateur artist, and my grandfather was handy with tools. He used to go to junk shops and antique shops to pick up frames to refinish for her paintings.

I enjoyed Orwell's enthusiasm and sense of fun in this essay. Junk shops can be fun to look through, especially if they have historical items. However, I'm at an age where I'm trying to throw out junk, not buy more.

True Connie, but I come from a family of hoarders, so I accumulate almost as much as I pass on 🙄

Nice reference there, thank you!

I haven't been in a second hand shop for a long time, mainly for the same reason that Connie stated, but back in the 1970s we needed to furnish an apartment and got many things at country auction sales and "antique" stores. The auctions were at a farm in the country, usually because the owners were moving to smaller premises or for an estate stale. People bought the randomest things sometimes but we got a great lamp for less than a dollar that we used for years(and then sold at a yard sale).
That brings back some fun memories.

Lovely, Rosemarie 😊

Bionic Jean wrote: "It's time for a new essay, for May and June, so here is the thread to discuss "Just Junk - But Who Could Resist it?" an essay by George Orwell. It was first published in the "Evening ..."

This title sounds so interesting.

Bionic Jean wrote: "I do love his descriptions and get a flood of memories, and a glimpse in my mind of my mother's scrap books, full of the Victorian scraps she could buy for a penny. Glossy painted flowers, birds, f..."

One person's junk is another person's treasure. Depends on how it is looked at. I watch the show about different things people collect on television.

This brought back memories of puttering through Second Hand shops, looking at the curiosities; marveling at some of them; laughing at the ugliness of other items.
Seeing the unique and sometimes colourful items was a treat and a joy. I loved poking around the shops.

Orwell has again written a lovely essay that is timeless and brings memories to mind.

Have you read this essay yet? It's quite short, and may put a smile on your face. This essay stays current for another month.

Delightful! >)

I’m reminded of the saying well known to my native Yorkshiremen, “Where there’s muck, there’s brass”. Brass is cheap these days but previously it was pricey! So, I’m always in search of that hidden treasure!
This is a lovely piece & whilst I should be whittling down my collection of junk these days, the lure of both antique and junk shops never fail to pall! And auction sales are brilliant: that boxed lot containing a mishmash of unwanted objects may contain that certain essential object that you really have to have. Then there’s the game of getting it bought without letting anyone else aware of the gem that that lot contains! I confess to still be using that mismatched stainless steel cutlery found in a £6 boxed lot bought when I first set up house decades ago! Auctions rock!

You've put your finger on the attraction Boadicea 😊