Our Oil under Your Land?

Uncle Sam's Mexican Policy
by Gordon Brewster, 29 January 1927
By kind permission of the National Library of Ireland

This is one of my favourite Brewster cartoons because it is timeless. It specifically refers to the USA response to Mexico effectively nationalising its own oil resources, many of which were being exploited by US oil companies at the time.

It reminded me, in my own time, of the UK/France/Israel response to Nasser's nationalisation of the Suez Canal, and, more recently of the invasion of Iraq, where the US administraion resented its oil happening to be located beneath someone else's land.

Much of the Brewster collection of cartoons in the National Library of Ireland is timeless and that which is not is usually a very perceptive take on a contemporary event. And they are all beautifully drawn.

My own interest in Brewster dates from 1946 when Gordon died in my mother's shop in Howth.

Greet local

I love original postcards, notelets and other original creations pressed into the service of communication.

I have already drawn attention to the stresses of monastic life bringing an undercurrent of humour to your next postcard.

I came across some very nice local cards today, painted by Jean Shouldice. Jean has a wide range of Dublin cards, but two in particular took my fancy: All Saints' Church in Raheny and a view of Howth Harbour from the Gem.

All Saints is an impressive Church situated at the northmost point of the old St. Anne's estate. It was built by Lord Ardilaun (Guinness) and the daughter of the first rector was Marie Hayes, missionary and feminist in the terms of her day.

Jean has done a beautiful representation of the church (above). If there are any philanthropists reading this, the roof fund is very badly in need of support at the moment.

The view of Howth Harbour has different resonances for me. This is the view I saw looking out my front window up to the age of 5. My mother ran the Gem which faces the harbour.

Again Jean has produced a very evocative view (below).

Jean's cards are available in many outlets, but from my point of view, in particular, in Best Sellers, behind Supervalu in Raheny village.