Greetings to Bob Stewart on his 145th Birthday.

It is the 145th anniversary of Bob Stewart’s birth and to mark the occasion I’d like to present some photographs of an album commemorating Bob’s 70th birthday in 1947. The album was put together by his daughter Annie ‘Nan’ Caplan and contains photographs taken by Edith Tudor-Hart which have rarely been seen. Tudor-Hart was a documentary photographer in the 1930s who was recruited by the Soviets as a spy. Her nephew, Peter Stephan Jungk, directed a wonderful film all about her life called ‘Tracking Edith’ and I cannot recommend it enough. She is also the subject of Charlotte Philby’s book ‘Edith and Kim’ which should be out any day now. Apparently Bob has a walk on part.

The album contains many letters, cards and telegrams from figures central to British Communism and although most of the information they relay about Bob’s life and career is mainly well known I imagine this is the first time they have been put in the public domain. My brother and I also have similar albums from Bob’s 75th and his 90th birthdays and at some point we may donate all of these to the archives of the CPGB at the People’s History Museum in Manchester but we’d just like to hold on to them for a little longer.

The photographs were taken by my friend Jonathan Turner. He’s an excellent photographer who, when not helping a mate out, focuses on social documentary and portraiture. I am very grateful to him. Please have a look at his work on his website: http://www.jonathan-turner.com

Alan Stewart.

Front cover.
First page. The album was put together by Bob’s daughter Nan and her husband David Caplan.
Birthday greetings from CPGB HQ
Page 2 of letter from CPGB HQ.
Signed by the staff at King Street. Signatures include Harry Pollitt, Rajani Palme Dutt and Willie Gallacher.
Bob Stewart and Harry Pollitt by Edith Tudor-Hart.
Personal letter from Harry Pollitt and greetings from Lancashire and Cheshire District Secretary.
Bob Stewart and Willie Gallacher MP by Edith Tudor-Hart.
Autographs from 70th birthday celebrations including Yvonne Kapp and Edith Tudor-Hart. Note from Sam and Wynne Cohen (?). Note from Robin Stewart, Bob’s grandson – our dad.
Birthday telegrams from Bob’s sons Rab and Bill and their families.
Bob Stewart and granddaughter Jean by Edith Tudor-Hart.
Greetings from the Welsh Committee of the CP and card from Rose and Peter (Kerrigan?).
L-R: Emile Burns, Bob Stewart, JR Campbell and Jimmy Shields by Edith Tudor-Hart.
Letters from emile Burns, Rajani Palme Dutt and Thomas Islwyn (?)
From the Robsons. From the Dunstans.
L-R: Bob’s wife Margaret Stewart, Bob Stewart and Jean by Edith Tudor-Hart.
Letter from Donna Torr and Walter Holmes. Note from Edith Tudor-Hart about the photographs.
L-R: Margaret, grandson Greg, Bob and Jean by Edith Tudor-Hart.
Letter from Phyl Bell- widow of Tom Bell
Letter from George Low.
Portrait of Bob Stewart by Walter Woodington.
Letter from Dave Donaldson.
From sister & brother-in-law in Detroit USA.
From Bob Stewart. From Ann and Jack Allenby.
From L Jefferies.
From Pat Sloan. From Dick Pennifold.
Letter from Bill Rust.
Portrait of Bob Stewart by Edith Tudor-Hart.
Jonathan Turner, complete with lockdown beard- goes about his business. Cheers Jon!

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