Object Details

From:NHerts

Name/TitlePicture of Gipsy Smith and his family camp

About this objectA postcard featuring two images, the circular photo is of Rodney 'Gipsy' Smith and the other image is a depiction of Smith's family camp. Smith was born to a Romani Gypsy family in a camp in Epping Forest. His mother Polly died of smallpox whilst camped near Baldock in 1865 and is buried at St Nicholas Church in Norton. The larger image depicts their camp in what the associated text describes as 'Baldock Lane' with Polly Smith waving from their tent to Rodney and his sister Tilly. The camp features a tent and their 'Vardo' (the traditional Romani horse drawn and highly decorated caravan).

Cornelius Smith, Gipsy's father, was in and out of prison for various offences and was converted to the Methodist denomination of Protestant Christianity after hearing a prison chaplain. Much of the family joined Cornelius and at the age of 16 Gipsy also converted.

Gipsy was invited by William Booth, founder and 'General' of the Salvation Army to be an evangelist and served on several assignments. He was later dismissed from Salvation Army Service for accepting a gift of a gold watch.

Gypsy travelled widely throughout his life. Notably preaching in places such as America and also to British troops on the front lines of the First World War, becoming an OBE for this particular war service.

The donors explained that this picture was given to them in the early 1980s when they lived in Romany Close in Letchworth, by a descendent of Gipsy Smith as part of a plan for a memorial at North Avenue Methodist Church which he had helped to fund. Though the note says it was on loan to them, the descendent never returned to pick up the picture afterwards.

Inscription and MarksThe handwritten description reads "Baldock Lane where Gipsy Smith's mother died in 1865. The picture depicts Polly [Gipsy's Mother] waving to 5-year-old Rodney [Gipsy Smith] and his sister Tilly (Emily crossed out). Notice the Gipsy tent and the 'Vardo' (Caravan) (picture kindly loaned by Gipsy Smith's Great-Niece, Romany Bain)"

Measurements183 x 150

Object TypePostcard

Medium and MaterialsOrganic| Paper
Plastic

Named CollectionNorth Hertfordshire Museum

Object number2021.22

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved