|
|
Post by Lord Emsworth on Mar 31, 2021 10:31:51 GMT
Although Jack's book is unfocused and all over the place I found it rather touching as it dealt with on a daily basis dealing with "the problem of existence". He seemed rather a sweet bullshitter and chancer, a pre war Arthur Daley almost. You can see the destruction of a simpler way of life as the years pass and more and more council regulations stop travelling market sellers and entertainers from plying a trade. Even from the 1960's and 70's so much has been outlawed or made impossible. When did you last see a rag and bone man or a proper old style Tramp? All good points Doug Have you read a book called Cheapjack by Philip Allingham? It's another look back at a lost world - I rate it more highly than Ironfoot Jack's tome Yours for a fiver (+ p & p) golden-duck.co.uk/shop/cheapjack
Back to Ironfoot Jack, here a quick review I penned (it's the only way I can remember what I thought of books after a year or two has elapsed)....
The Surrender of Silence: The Memoirs of Ironfoot Jack, King of the Bohemians (2018) by Ironfoot Jack is the autobiography of Jack Neave more commonly known as Ironfoot Jack. Jack was born in 1881 and is best known as an infamous Soho character during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. He was usually to be seen in a cloak, cravat and a wide brimmed hat. Search YouTube for the 1950s film "Look at Life: Coffee Bar" and you'll see him in the French coffee shop at 5 minutes 28 seconds. Likewise, search YouTube for "Soho Goes Gay" (1955) and he crops up again at 12 seconds.
Jack's nickname was the consequence of a shortened right leg after an accident which needed a a built up boot. How the accident happened is unclear. Jack would offer differing accounts: it was a shark bite while diving for pearls, an avalanche in Tibet, a shooting etc.
As Jack describes in this memoir over a long and varied life he "worked" as an escapologist, astrologer, numerologist, second hand bookseller, antiques dealer, nightclub promoter, founder of a would be religious sect, raconteur and numerous dubious scams to make quick money to survive until the next day. Jack possessed a smattering of knowledge about the occult and other esoteric subjects and often portrayed himself as a mystic or guru.
Jack's account of his career on the streets in the first half of the 20th century is fascinating. It reminded me of Cheapjack by Philip Allingham which also evokes a vanished world of tramps, gypsies, travellers, hustlers, show people, buskers, street market traders, artists, and other bohemian types subsisting on the margins with only their wits and an eye for an opportunity to make enough money to survive another day. Like Jack, these folk led precarious lives. As Jack repeatedly puts it "They worked to live, they did not live to work" - the essence of what Jack described as being a Bohemian.
Unlike Cheapjack, Jack's memoir was dictated by Jack while he had his portrait painted in 1956. It was then typed up. As such the end result is a rambling and repetitive verbatim account related in Jack's somewhat self agrandising manner. Jack describes some amazing stories and experiences which would have been much improved had a decent writer put it together. Another frustration is he omits lots of information which apparently appeared in his 1939 biography by Mark Benney (What rough beast? The Story of Ironfoot Jack) which is long out of print and extremely difficult to find (I know, I've tried).
How this book came to be published at all is interesting. Once the taped account had been typed, it was given to Colin Wilson (another fascinating character and writer) who was enjoying his first bloom of success in the 1950s. Jack hoped Colin Wilson could get the book published but this did not happen. Jack died soon after, in 1959.
In 2016, three years after Colin Wilson's death, his biographer Colin Stanley discovered the manuscript for this book. After realising it was worth publish, Colin Stanley edited it and so in 2018 The Surrender of Silence: The Memoirs of Ironfoot Jack, King of the Bohemians finally made it in print.
Coincidentally Colin Wilson featured Jack in his early semi-autobiographical novel Adrift in Soho (1961). Jack appears twice and is the only character given his real name.
Jack was imprisoned for 20 months after the sensational Caravan Club scandal of 1934. The Caravan Club was a gay and lesbian-friendly club in the basement of 81 Endell Street, London. It was one of a number of similar clubs in London's West End in the inter-war years and were gathering places for gay men. These clubs also often also included female prostitution and low level criminality. All were vulnerable to attention from the police. Following a police raid, the Caravan Club's owners were accused of "exhibiting to the view of any person willing to pay for admission lewd and scandalous performances". The trial was a media sensation yet despite this Jack is frustratingly coy on this whole episode and another conviction which resulted in a prison sentence.
If you're interested in this stuff then The Surrender of Silence: The Memoirs of Ironfoot Jack, King of the Bohemians is well worth a read and a fitting epitath to a renowned Soho character and all round Bohemian.
3/5
|
|
|
|
Post by doug61 on Apr 1, 2021 14:41:08 GMT
Although Jack's book is unfocused and all over the place I found it rather touching as it dealt with on a daily basis dealing with "the problem of existence". He seemed rather a sweet bullshitter and chancer, a pre war Arthur Daley almost. You can see the destruction of a simpler way of life as the years pass and more and more council regulations stop travelling market sellers and entertainers from plying a trade. Even from the 1960's and 70's so much has been outlawed or made impossible. When did you last see a rag and bone man or a proper old style Tramp? All good points Doug Have you read a book called Cheapjack by Philip Allingham? It's another look back at a lost world - I rate it more highly than Ironfoot Jack's tome Yours for a fiver (+ p & p) golden-duck.co.uk/shop/cheapjack
Back to Ironfoot Jack, here a quick review I penned (it's the only way I can remember what I thought of books after a year or two has elapsed)....
The Surrender of Silence: The Memoirs of Ironfoot Jack, King of the Bohemians (2018) by Ironfoot Jack is the autobiography of Jack Neave more commonly known as Ironfoot Jack. Jack was born in 1881 and is best known as an infamous Soho character during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. He was usually to be seen in a cloak, cravat and a wide brimmed hat. Search YouTube for the 1950s film "Look at Life: Coffee Bar" and you'll see him in the French coffee shop at 5 minutes 28 seconds. Likewise, search YouTube for "Soho Goes Gay" (1955) and he crops up again at 12 seconds.
Jack's nickname was the consequence of a shortened right leg after an accident which needed a a built up boot. How the accident happened is unclear. Jack would offer differing accounts: it was a shark bite while diving for pearls, an avalanche in Tibet, a shooting etc.
As Jack describes in this memoir over a long and varied life he "worked" as an escapologist, astrologer, numerologist, second hand bookseller, antiques dealer, nightclub promoter, founder of a would be religious sect, raconteur and numerous dubious scams to make quick money to survive until the next day. Jack possessed a smattering of knowledge about the occult and other esoteric subjects and often portrayed himself as a mystic or guru.
Jack's account of his career on the streets in the first half of the 20th century is fascinating. It reminded me of Cheapjack by Philip Allingham which also evokes a vanished world of tramps, gypsies, travellers, hustlers, show people, buskers, street market traders, artists, and other bohemian types subsisting on the margins with only their wits and an eye for an opportunity to make enough money to survive another day. Like Jack, these folk led precarious lives. As Jack repeatedly puts it "They worked to live, they did not live to work" - the essence of what Jack described as being a Bohemian.
Unlike Cheapjack, Jack's memoir was dictated by Jack while he had his portrait painted in 1956. It was then typed up. As such the end result is a rambling and repetitive verbatim account related in Jack's somewhat self agrandising manner. Jack describes some amazing stories and experiences which would have been much improved had a decent writer put it together. Another frustration is he omits lots of information which apparently appeared in his 1939 biography by Mark Benney (What rough beast? The Story of Ironfoot Jack) which is long out of print and extremely difficult to find (I know, I've tried).
How this book came to be published at all is interesting. Once the taped account had been typed, it was given to Colin Wilson (another fascinating character and writer) who was enjoying his first bloom of success in the 1950s. Jack hoped Colin Wilson could get the book published but this did not happen. Jack died soon after, in 1959.
In 2016, three years after Colin Wilson's death, his biographer Colin Stanley discovered the manuscript for this book. After realising it was worth publish, Colin Stanley edited it and so in 2018 The Surrender of Silence: The Memoirs of Ironfoot Jack, King of the Bohemians finally made it in print.
Coincidentally Colin Wilson featured Jack in his early semi-autobiographical novel Adrift in Soho (1961). Jack appears twice and is the only character given his real name.
Jack was imprisoned for 20 months after the sensational Caravan Club scandal of 1934. The Caravan Club was a gay and lesbian-friendly club in the basement of 81 Endell Street, London. It was one of a number of similar clubs in London's West End in the inter-war years and were gathering places for gay men. These clubs also often also included female prostitution and low level criminality. All were vulnerable to attention from the police. Following a police raid, the Caravan Club's owners were accused of "exhibiting to the view of any person willing to pay for admission lewd and scandalous performances". The trial was a media sensation yet despite this Jack is frustratingly coy on this whole episode and another conviction which resulted in a prison sentence.
If you're interested in this stuff then The Surrender of Silence: The Memoirs of Ironfoot Jack, King of the Bohemians is well worth a read and a fitting epitath to a renowned Soho character and all round Bohemian.
3/5
Thanks for the recommendation. Will take a look. |
|
|
|
Post by Lord Emsworth on Apr 13, 2021 15:07:31 GMT
I’m about two thirds through West End Girls Very interesting and enjoyable |
|
|
|
Post by doug61 on Apr 13, 2021 16:31:45 GMT
I’m about two thirds through West End Girls Very interesting and enjoyable Yeah, i enjoyed that one, a very prim view of that world really. I picked up a copy of Cheapjack though Christ knows when I'll get around to it. |
|
|
|
Post by Lord Emsworth on Apr 13, 2021 17:10:11 GMT
I’ve just read the section about Mae’s 36 hour Benzedrine fuelled marathon in which she has sex with about 150 men
|
|
|
|
Post by jsm on May 24, 2021 5:33:19 GMT
I just found a review of the Mark Benney book about Iron-foot Jack. Apparently he was from Sydney although taken to England as a boy:
I hope this link works:
|
|
|
|
Post by Lord Emsworth on May 24, 2021 5:49:21 GMT
Worked a treat jsm - I love old book reviews
|
|
|
|
Post by doug61 on May 24, 2021 13:39:37 GMT
I just found a review of the Mark Benney book about Iron-foot Jack. Apparently he was from Sydney although taken to England as a boy:
I hope this link works:
Writer doesn't seem to be a fan  |
|
|
|
Post by doug61 on Jun 2, 2021 10:51:52 GMT
Just downloaded a copy of this one which may be interesting....  This biography traces the eventful life of Roy Smith, an English dwarf who has appeared in film, theatre, television and circuses for the past 50 years. It describes his friendships with such underworld figures as the Kray Brothers and his long career as a street entertainer and card-player. |
|
|
|
Post by Lord Emsworth on Jun 2, 2021 11:07:01 GMT
George Tremlett (if it’s the same one) did an early Bowie biography if memory serves
That book looks v promising Doug. Please let us know what you think of it
|
|
|
|
Post by Billy Idle on Jun 5, 2021 14:00:04 GMT
Anyone read that new book about the Colony Club?
|
|
|
|
Post by Lord Emsworth on Jun 5, 2021 16:33:50 GMT
Anyone read that new book about the Colony Club? This one? If so, looks good. Right up my street 
Tales from the Colony Room: Soho’s Lost Bohemia
By Darren Coffield
WARNING: This book contains strong language, sex, violence and extreme wit. To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the closure of London’s infamous arts establishment, the Colony Room Club in Soho, former member Darren Coffield has written the authorised history of this notorious drinking club. It’s a hair-raising romp through the underbelly of the postwar arts scene. During its 60 year history more romances, more deaths, more horrors and more sex scandals took place in the Colony than anywhere else. And if they didn’t actually happen there, they were definitely planned there. In a regimented and sexually repressed postwar London, the Colony attracted professional drinkers to a man, woman or something in-between, since sexual non-conformity always played its part in the mix. The Colony was heroically bohemian and was created by two dominant personalities – that of its owner, Muriel Belcher, and the artist Francis Bacon. Muriel was a combination of muse, mentor, critic and guru to those who gathered around her. The Colony brought together the confluences of talents that would help define postwar London and will be forever associated with the artistic circle of Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud. These ghastly English laws, you can’t have a drink, can’t do anything. Do you think they’ll ever change them?...I can take you up that awful Colony Room if you like. Francis Bacon This is an oral biography, consisting of previously unpublished and long-lost interviews with the characters who were central to the scene, giving the reader a flavour of what it was like to frequent The Club. With a glass in hand you’ll move through the decades listening to personal reminiscences, opinions and vitriol, from the authentic voices of those who were actually there. On your voyage through Soho’s lost bohemia, you’ll be served a drink by James Bond, sip champagne with Francis Bacon, queue for the loo with Christine Keeler, go racing with Jeffrey Bernard, get laid with Lucian Freud, kill time with Doctor Who, pick a fight with Frank Norman and pass out with Peter Langan. All with a stellar supporting cast including: Peter O’Toole, George Melly, Suggs, Lisa Stansfield, Dylan Thomas, Jay Landesman, Sarah Lucas, Damien Hirst and many, many more. unbound.com/books/tales-from-the-colony/ |
|
|
|
Post by smogquixote on Jun 7, 2021 12:23:44 GMT
Probably doesn’t fit in with a lot of the other books mentioned here but “Letters of the Late Ignatius Sancho, an African” by (you guessed it!) Ignatius Sancho who was an 18th century composer and shopkeeper who lived in London. It gives some detailed first-hand accounts of domestic life and politics in London from that time period. Letters of the Late Ignatius Sancho, an African (Broadview Editions) www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1554811961/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_82DKX8Y9YRNRZ8XH5APH |
|
|
|
Post by doug61 on Jun 7, 2021 13:42:47 GMT
George Tremlett (if it’s the same one) did an early Bowie biography if memory serves That book looks v promising Doug. Please let us know what you think of it Yeah, same bloke. Was a music journalist in the 70's. |
|
|
|
Post by doug61 on Jun 7, 2021 13:45:24 GMT
Anyone read that new book about the Colony Club? This one? If so, looks good. Right up my street
Tales from the Colony Room: Soho’s Lost Bohemia
By Darren Coffield
WARNING: This book contains strong language, sex, violence and extreme wit. To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the closure of London’s infamous arts establishment, the Colony Room Club in Soho, former member Darren Coffield has written the authorised history of this notorious drinking club. It’s a hair-raising romp through the underbelly of the postwar arts scene. During its 60 year history more romances, more deaths, more horrors and more sex scandals took place in the Colony than anywhere else. And if they didn’t actually happen there, they were definitely planned there. In a regimented and sexually repressed postwar London, the Colony attracted professional drinkers to a man, woman or something in-between, since sexual non-conformity always played its part in the mix. The Colony was heroically bohemian and was created by two dominant personalities – that of its owner, Muriel Belcher, and the artist Francis Bacon. Muriel was a combination of muse, mentor, critic and guru to those who gathered around her. The Colony brought together the confluences of talents that would help define postwar London and will be forever associated with the artistic circle of Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud. These ghastly English laws, you can’t have a drink, can’t do anything. Do you think they’ll ever change them?...I can take you up that awful Colony Room if you like. Francis Bacon This is an oral biography, consisting of previously unpublished and long-lost interviews with the characters who were central to the scene, giving the reader a flavour of what it was like to frequent The Club. With a glass in hand you’ll move through the decades listening to personal reminiscences, opinions and vitriol, from the authentic voices of those who were actually there. On your voyage through Soho’s lost bohemia, you’ll be served a drink by James Bond, sip champagne with Francis Bacon, queue for the loo with Christine Keeler, go racing with Jeffrey Bernard, get laid with Lucian Freud, kill time with Doctor Who, pick a fight with Frank Norman and pass out with Peter Langan. All with a stellar supporting cast including: Peter O’Toole, George Melly, Suggs, Lisa Stansfield, Dylan Thomas, Jay Landesman, Sarah Lucas, Damien Hirst and many, many more. unbound.com/books/tales-from-the-colony/I also have this one on my pile to get around to....  |
|
