UNUSUAL HOBBY

Evening Star, Issue 22448, 19 September 1936, Page 22

UNUSUAL HOBBY

COLLECTING PICTURES OF ROYALTY OVER 1,100 DIFFERENT PHOTOGRAPHS LETTERS FROM ROYAL FAMILY Many and varied are the hobbies of people throughout the world, and even in Dunedin a wide assortment may be found. For instance, one local resident collects menus, another paper hats, others football jerseys, stamps, seaweed, matchboxes, pictures of ships, while the securing of autographed photographs of wrestlers, film stars, and prominent people is a mania with many. However, one unusual hobby of a Dunedin girl is that of collecting photographs of the Royal Family. She has in her possession a number of books containing magazine and newspaper pictures and photographs, all beautifully mounted, as well as a number of letters from various members of the Royal Family thanking her for sending such books to them. Miss Patricia Healey, of Mornington, has been collecting for three years, and has more than 1,100 pictures and photographs of the Royal Family. Many of the pictures in her collection have been taken from newspapers and

magazines, while pen friends in England have helped her considerably. One photograph she particularly prizes is of the Duchess of Gloucester, taken when she was fishing in Scotland, and sent by the Duchess herself. The pictures qre beautifully mounted and captioned. One would not think they had been collected by a girl of 15. During the past year Miss Healey has been making collections mounted with ferns and sending them to the Princess Royal, the Duchesses of York and Gloucester, and Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. From the Ladies in Waiting of each this Dunedin girl has received letters, all hand-written, thanking her for her present. The following al-e some letters from the collection;—From Lady Helen Graham, Lady in Waiting to the Duchess of York; 1 have your letter and I am sending you a postcard photo of the two Princesses. As regards your wanting to send a little book of New Zealand scenes to Princess Elizabeth, I know the Duchess will allow this, because you have made it yourself. Otherwise you can imagine that if presents were accepted from all parts of the world this house would soon be too small to hold us. The Duchess of York always remembers her_ visit to New Zealand and her reception there with much pleasure.—Yours sincerely, Helen Graham.

Upon receipt of the book in England the following letter was despatched to Miss Healey:— Dear Patricia, —I have been a long time, I am afraid, acknowledging receipt of your letter and

of the scrap book, which arrived just a day or so after Princess Elizabeth’s birthday. As the little Princess was away from London at the time, I kept the book until she cam© back and gave it to her with your letter. The Princess is delighted to have these pictures of New Zealand, and they certainly do give one a wonderful idea of your beautiful country. I am desired by the Duchess of York and Princess Elizabeth to thank you for your kind thought in making this scrap book for the little Princess, and to say it is much appreciated.—Yours sincerely, Helen Graham. P.S.—I am afraid that the two Princesses never write themselves to those who send gifts, as if they did they would have no time at all to themselves.

An inquiry sent to the Duchess of Gloucester as to whether she would like a book containing pictures and photographs of the Duke’s tour in the Dominion was answered by Lady Winifred Cecil, the Lady in Waiting, who wrote that the Duchess would be very pleased to accept it. Upon receipt of the book in England a further letter was received from Lady Cecil by Miss Healey. The following is a short version of the letter:—

Dear Miss Patricia Healey,—l am desired by the Duchess of Gloucester to send you Her Royal Highness’s most grateful thanks for the delightful book you have sent her. Her Royal Highness finds it most beautifully arranged and so ■very neat and tidy. She is also very interested to see all the photographs you have put in and the dear little bits of fern and leaves. Her Royal Highness directed me to enclose this photograph of herself fishing in Scotland to add to your collection. ... I know Her Royal Highness will be most inter-

ested to receive your letter and photo of the new Post Office. She was quite delighted with the book.

It is pleasing to be able to report that this- young lady with an obvious flair for publicity and display ability has been found publicity work in Dunedin by the Vocational Guidance Association.