The obituary and tributes for ‘Dick’ Turpin’s partner Jackie Mann that appeared in ATG No 2613, with a photo showing the couple.
In early 1989, I organised a tour to Moscow and Leningrad (as it then was) for a group of friends. Dick and a lady friend joined us, he taking a room on his own, she sharing a room with another young woman on the tour.
As it transpired Dick’s friend was a tippler and was in the habit of returning late and generally annoying her room-mate. As a consequence we had to change sleeping arrangements.
My sister, who was sharing a room with me, agreed to replace the offender, who was banished to a room of her own, while Dick grudgingly agreed to share with me.
I have an indelible memory of Dick sitting upright in bed wearing his trademark tweed hat, his pipe in his mouth.
After he fell asleep with the lights still on, I would remove the hat and pipe while trying not to wake him.
Max Rutherston
Director, Max Rutherston Ltd (Japanese Netsuke and Works of Art)
London W5
ATG note: A giant of a man with a large walrus moustache, Maurice Turpin (1928-2005) was one of the best known antiques dealers of his day – a distinctive figure who achieved near-legendary status during a 50-year career. Known throughout the trade as ‘Dick’, he was a familiar sight at regional UK salerooms with his thick-rimmed spectacles and trilby hat.
On January 25, Sworders of Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, will offer a further sale of contents from the West London flat that he shared with partner, the late Jackie Mann (see obituary in ATG No 2613).
