escape maps

[ewein2412]

WHEN Code Name Verity is made into a movie, I really want The Manuscript to play Itself. OH such an ongoing tale of battles won and lost! But the Official Secrets Act (if not actual professional integrity) prevents me from publicly giving out any details. The war's not over yet.

meanwhile I continue to vent my frustration in creating equipment for Very Small Spies.

Escape maps were made of silk because it was more durable than paper, you could fold it in your pocket, and it didn't make a noise when you unfolded it. These are printed on cotton, though. The one on the left is southern France c. 1940, and the one on the right is France/Belgium/Holland upright and the Pyrenees upside down, c. 1943.

Comments

[mhari.livejournal.com]

You are kind of epic, you know that, right?

[ewein2412]

the toys keep me away from the Sims, which will be my Doom if I ever get started.

[mhari.livejournal.com]

It's okay, I'll leap into the breach. For you. /noble pose

[ewein2412]

OMG HAWKEYE. surely she was lurking in my subconscious when I wrote this thing.

[mhari.livejournal.com]

you never see her coming.

[annedroid-annedroid.blogspot.com (from livejournal.com)]

What Mhairi said. These are awesome. Proud to know ya!

[ewein2412]

shucks. I'm really just a timewaster!

[mhari.livejournal.com]

don't think of it as wasting time, think of it as prototypes for the inevitable line of collectible tie-ins.

[ewein2412]

me and tiboribi have kind of been planning these for a while.

(there is going to be a line of tres stylish French Resistance clothing.)

[tiboribi.livejournal.com]

I may design a beret at some point in the near future. I have this luscious yarn that I thought was going to be Amy's scarf but it's decided it wants to be a hat.

[ewein2412]

hee hee, I just bought a beret. SpyGirlz inspired me.

i am going to make a diddy one for the doll.

Heroes

[(Anonymous)]

You do know you're my hero, E--yes?

xxxJane

janeyolen

[sovay]

Escape maps were made of silk because it was more durable than paper, you could fold it in your pocket, and it didn't make a noise when you unfolded it.

If you have not read Leo Marks' Between Silk and Cyanide (1998), you are perhaps the person I know who most needs to, stat.

[ewein2412]

oh my GAWD. I will add it to the ever increasing list! and I keep finding all kinds of wonderful film and television that I haven't seen, either.

[ewein2412]

although, at this point, it kind of qualifies as retro research.

[sovay]

although, at this point, it kind of qualifies as retro research.

Mostly I just think you'd love it.

[ewein2412]

i have ordered it. i just realized he's the same guy that wrote Violette Szabo's poem.

[sovay]

i just realized he's the same guy that wrote Violette Szabo's poem.

There's a good interview with him here; he only died in 2001.

[ewein2412]

"Do not reject any girl on grounds of insanity without first offering her to SOE."

wonderful!

[handworn.livejournal.com]

The British used to smuggle maps like that to their prisoners in German POW camps by printing them on silk and sewing them into the lining of garments sent for "humanitarian purposes." The prisoners would then make many copies for escapers.

[ewein2412]

I have got one! but I don't think it has ever seen active service.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Those are so cool ;o)

[3rdragon]

So how big were the actual maps?

[ewein2412]

the one I have, which is the same series as the left one in the photo (only mine is northern france), is 15 x 19 inches. About the size of 2 placemats.

[tiboribi.livejournal.com]

I love the mini maps!

[tigertrapped.livejournal.com]

You're amazing.

[ewein2412]

just barking mad.

[estara.livejournal.com]

I'm not just amazed at the fact that you can do this in the first place, I'm amazed at the quality of the workmanship of every little bit.

[ewein2412]

I have always loved doing stuff like this, but modern technology really adds to the detail and accuracy. I mean, I was able to print transfers of actual escape maps on paper that I have got lying around the house, on a color printer that we use every day, having done an internet search to find the escape map database. Likewise the ID card -- taking a digital photo of the doll, using Paint and Word and Photoshop to fill in the details, etc. When I was a kid it would have all been done in magic marker!

but I still would have had fun doing it.

[estara.livejournal.com]

Yes, but just because the tools are there doesn't mean the end result will turn out lovely ^^. I know, I have been THERE!