Clare Gaylard Glass 

I cant remember when I came across the distinctive work of Erte, probably still at school when I was very interested in the idea of studying theatre and costume design. Some of his images have been highjacked by the high street for greetings cards but not always the most inspired ones. I got Erte's wonderful retrospective book in the eighties when he turned 90 as a special birthday present and was given his La Traviata playing cards for another.

This Christmas I was lucky enough to get a mint condition bridge set commissioned in 1982 by Soubranie, for a song (comparatively) from ebay. Needless to say they are no longer mint, removing the cellophane was quite a pleasure. Happy Christmas!