On the trail of Michael Paffard

In amongst the papers of Potteries artist John Shelton (1923-1993) I found a letter from a Michael Paffard. I have been meaning to follow up on it for a while now. While reading the Jack Simcock Autobiography, Mow Cop I happened to stumble across his name once more. It appears that Michael wrote for Arts Review as Jack Simcock dissects many of Michael’s reviews of his own work in his autobiography.

 

 
 

12.viii.83
 
Dear John –
 
It was good of you to invite me to the opening of your show… [I] have taken the first opportunity to renew acquaintance with your work today and enjoyed it immensely. I remember, too, with pleasure your oils in Keele Hall all those years ago with a sprig of Berrys amongst them.
 
Could I have No 33 Woman with Cat 2 please? If I’m too late for that I’d settle for one of the Drypoints No 15 War but hopefully I’ll enclose a cheque for £40.
 
Regards and all good wishes
 
Michael Paffard

 
 

I am curious as to which of the two of Shelton’s pieces Michael ended up with. For completeness, the catalogue from John Shelton’s 1983 retrospective at The Brampton is included below.

The cat paw-prints on the cover are apt given Shelton’s subject matter

Freddie Jones (actor) loaned work for the retrospective