Philip’s Weapons
Philip started to collect weapons, as a young boy. He said this all started when he was walking past an antique shop and spotted an umbrella stand with a few swords in it. He popped into the shop and asked the shopkeeper the price. He made a decision there and then that he would save his pocket money and to buy them. This was the start of a huge collection.
He said that when he married Barbara all the walls of his bedroom were covered with this collection. When they moved to Brandon Mansions she said he could choose only a few favourites to come with him. The rest were obviously sold.
The wonderful illustrations of his collection were found in a small suitcase on top of a cupboard when the flat was cleared after Philip’s death. They show Philip’s careful detailing of each item and details of prices he sold them for.
He clearly inherited much of his mother’s artistic flair.