Plaque

Eric and Stella Newton

Inscription

3 Cumberland Gardens

Site: Eric and Stella Newton (1 memorial)

WC1, Cumberland Gardens, 3

Somewhere we read about this house where the "surname is recorded in a rebus in the tiling of the front step". On our first visit, 2008, the porch floor was covered with a doormat and moving that felt a step too far, even given the importance of our researches.

Come 2020 the doormat had gone and we got some photos, but the strong sun created extremely dark shadows in the porch. Luckily we were in contact with David Sulkin, the theatre and opera director but, more importantly for us, a local with a love of the locality, who has allowed us to use his excellent photo.

The image created in this mosaic is an example of a rebus, where a phrase, or in this case, a name, can be punningly read from the symbols depicted. Since you already have the answer, Newton, we'll leave you to decode the imagery.

We noticed an extra, very nice touch: the centre of the sun in the image is formed from a round pavement light. Presumably this provides daylight to the space below - exactly like the real sun.

The sense of fun displayed here prompted us to think of other memorials that have also taken a witty, light-hearted approach: the coded plaque to GCHQ; the visual and verbal puns on John Romer's plaque; the absurd connection between the Great Fire of London and a drinking fountain. Four memorials out of over 6 thousand. Come on plaque committees, lighten up!  And monuments? The only fun one we can think of is the Dead Parrot.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Eric and Stella Newton

Subjects commemorated i

Eric Newton

Artist, writer, broadcaster and art critic. He produced several books in addi...

Read More

Stella Newton

Fashion designer and dress historian, who brought the history of fashion to b...

Read More

This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Eric and Stella Newton

Created by i

Eric Newton

Artist, writer, broadcaster and art critic. He produced several books in addi...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Norwegian Embassy

Norwegian Embassy

SW1, Belgrave Square, 25

Either side of the front door are two small relief friezes of cherubs doing things cherubicly.  On one side they are painting, sculpting ...

3 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Gordon Campbell VC

Gordon Campbell VC

CR9, Katharine Street, Clock Tower

{Beneath a representation of a Victoria Cross medal:} Commander Gordon Campbell, Royal Navy, 17th February 1917.

War served | WW1
1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Beaufoy Institute - 2 stones

Beaufoy Institute - 2 stones

SE11, Black Prince Road, 39

The phrase "Those that do teach..." is a quote from Shakespeare's Othello, Desdemona, Act 4 Scene 2.

3 subjects commemorated, 2 creators
Dr Yearsley

Dr Yearsley

W1, Sackville Street, 32

Westminster City Council Dr. James Yearsley, MD, MRCS, LRCP, 1805 - 1869, founded the Metropolitan Ear Institute here in 1838. Mr. Ronn...

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators
Sir William Perkin

Sir William Perkin

E1, Cable Street

Sir William Henry Perkin, FRS, discovered the first aniline dyestuff, March 1856, while working in his home laboratory on this site and w...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator

Previously viewed

Barking Abbey

Barking Abbey

IG11, North Street, Barking Abbey Grounds

Barking Abbey Was founded by St Erkenwald in the year 666. Destroyed by the Danes it was rebuilt in the 10th century. William the Conquer...

6 subjects commemorated
Geoffrey Woolley VC

Geoffrey Woolley VC

E2, Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green Gardens

In our photo the plaque can be seen laid into the grass behind the pedestrian.

War served | WW1
2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Sir Adrian Boult

Sir Adrian Boult

Conductor. Born Adrian Cedric Boult in Chester. He studied in London and Leipzig, and conducted for the Royal Opera House. He became conductor of the City of Birmingham Orchestra in 1924, and was a...

Person, Music / songs, Germany

1 memorial
Old Westminster Library - head 5 - Milton

Old Westminster Library - head 5 - Milton

SW1, Great Smith Street

The hair seems a bit too curly but the sad eyes are right.

1 subject commemorated
Auxiliary Fireman Mervyn James Taylor

Auxiliary Fireman Mervyn James Taylor

From the Sub Fire Station 6W, Cheyne Place. Died in a fire which took the lives of seven firemen, known as "The Wednesday".

Person, Emergency Services

War dead non-military, WW2
1 memorial